As Tuziku struggled in vain to pass the Hakashi Form Revelation test, the old man decided to give him a tip that could potentially help him pass.
After implementing Ryōkōjū's suggestion of compressing his attack before releasing it, Tuziku came close to unlocking something.
However, he failed to control the attack and was sent flying in the process.
Soon after, Prīōra stopped by for a brief moment to drop off lunch for the two.
After she left, Tuziku decided to try again.
Tuziku closed his eyes as his body began to relax.
He inhaled sharply.
Then, he exhaled.
Clear your mind...!
I don't need more power...
I need control...!
Suddenly—
FWOOOOOOOO!!
Powerful winds began swirling around Tuziku.
As the old man watched Tuziku in silence from a distance, he thought to himself:
Boy...
You can feel it, can't you?
How close you are to achieving a breakthrough!
Then—
SWOOOOOOSSH!!
Tuziku placed his left leg forward and drew his right fist back.
Suddenly, the strong winds flowing around Tuziku began swirling around his fist.
Tuziku opened his eyes.
Then—
"HAAAAAAA!!"
He launched his punch with terrifying force.
SWOOOOOOOOOO!!!
FWOOOOSSH!!
However, this time, upon the release of the attack, it took on a spiral-like form as it shot directly toward the tree.
Suddenly, not only the leaves, but all the branches were blown away from the tree.
All that remained was its stem, still rooted in the earth.
"...HECK YEAH!!!" Tuziku rejoiced as he jumped up and down in excitement.
"How'd you like that, old man?!"
But then—
CRACK... CRACK!
THUD!!
The tree suddenly broke from its roots and crashed to the ground.
After witnessing Tuziku's spectacular determination unfold, Ryōkōjū thought to himself...
Such terrifying power...!
He approached Tuziku.
"Boy... so this is the answer that you came up with...?"
"Yeah!" Tuziku nodded.
The old man then turned toward the fallen tree.
"You not only blew away the leaves, but the branches as well..."
"You even managed to break the tree itself!" Ryōkōjū stroked his beard.
This boy... with the power he possesses, he seems more dominant with that form than any of the three...
Unbelievable!
...
"I guess that means you passed!" He turned toward Tuziku.
Tuziku let out a smile.
"Now, I'll announce the two forms that you're most compatible with based on my years of precise arbitrary decision making." Ryōkōjū raised a finger.
Tuziku squinted his eyes in confusion.
"The first form—TRAS!"
"Although you haven't demonstrated much agility or movement, this form is usually the most common one amongst users..." he explained.
"So with some training, I'm sure you'll be able to use it!"
Tuziku remained silent.
"The last one is the third form—REŌ!"
Tuziku's eyes widened.
"I'm honestly doubting my own decision... but from everything you've demonstrated so far, especially that last attack you used to blow away all the branches from the tree..." Ryōkōjū stroked his beard.
"It's obvious that you're most compatible with the third form, which is focused on summoning powerful, large-scale attacks!" he explained.
"Old man... are you serious?"
Tuziku clenched his fist.
I'm one step closer to finally learning the Hakashi Technique!
As Ryōkōjū gazed at Tuziku, who trembled with excitement, he thought to himself...
I can't believe it...
After more than a century, finally, a user has appeared who is compatible with the third form.
Not only that, but it appears to be his most dominant form as well.
He lifted his head toward the sky.
To think it would be a boy that isn't even from the Hakashi tribe!
Ryōkōjū chuckled.
"Some faith this is..." he mumbled.
"Alright, boy..." He wore a serious expression.
Tuziku gulped.
"Listen up. Maybe because of all the adversities you've been through at such a young age..."
"But it appears as though you're mostly compatible with the third form, Reō!"
"As you know, this is the rarest and most powerful form. So from now on, things are going to get much more difficult!" Ryōkōjū warned him.
"Yes, sir!" Tuziku replied.
"That being said..." The old man scratched his head.
"We haven't had someone who could use the third form in over a century, so I'm not sure how you should train to improve it..."
That does make sense... Tuziku scratched his chin.
"Well, for now, let's focus on developing your first form!" Ryōkōjū placed his hands behind his back.
"As it relates to the first form, Tras!"
"You must manipulate the wind and use it to reinforce your muscles," he explained.
"For example..."
Ryōkōjū stepped forward.
Suddenly...
Fwooooo!
Heavy winds began circulating around his feet.
Then—
Fwoosh!
He jumped straight into the sky.
As Tuziku witnessed the old man's demonstration, he thought:
Amazing!
Suddenly...
Fwooo...
Supported by the wind, Ryōkōjū slowly glided through the air as he descended toward the ground.
Thud!
Tuziku's mouth hung wide open.
That jump was at least half of Mount Yakushi!
"Old man, that was incredible!" said Tuziku.
"Was that the power of the first form?" he asked.
"Indeed..." Ryōkōjū nodded.
"Using the first form, Tras, I was able to use the wind to reinforce my legs so I could jump higher."
"Then, as I began to fall, I summoned a gust of wind and compacted it beneath my body so that I would slowly glide toward the ground," he explained.
"All of this is an extension of the first form, Tras!" Ryōkōjū stroked his beard.
"Amazing...!" Tuziku's eyes lit up.
He was able to use all those complicated moves in such a short period of time using only Tras!
Just how powerful can this technique get?!
Tuziku's body trembled with excitement as sweat slowly ran down his body.
"What do you think, boy?" Ryōkōjū asked.
...
"What do I think...?" Tuziku mumbled.
He gazed at his trembling palms.
"My body is trembling with excitement!" said Tuziku.
"I'm even more excited to see how much stronger I can become with this technique!" he shouted.
Ryōkōjū approached him wearing a mischievous grin.
"Then..."
"For the next test..." he continued to slowly approach Tuziku.
"In order to develop your first form—"
Suddenly, he stood face to face with Tuziku.
"You're going to spar against me, one on one!"
"W—what...?" Tuziku stuttered.
Ryōkōjū raised his fists.
"Here I come, boy!"
!!!
Ryōkōjū charged toward Tuziku.
CHAPTER 47 END