The ancient forest basked in the harsh crimson glow emanating from the rising sun, causing its diurnal denizens to stir. Among the various fauna stood the Butcher of Kumogakure, brandishing what was left of her broken blade as she practiced her martial prowess in relative solitude.
She was so enraptured in her exercise that she was unaware of a visitor in her midst.
"It is quite fortunate to see that you haven't forgotten what I've taught you in terms of sword play," the elderly man made his presence known to Otome. For a brief moment she adopted a guarded stance before recognition overcame instinct; only then did she sheathe what was left of Oblivion and approached her mentor.
"It's been too long Akio-sama!" she exclaimed as she bowed before him, genuinely relieved that it was the former ANBU operative and not Sadako, a descendant of the Sentama, or a Makaibatsu cultist. "You won't believe what I have to tell y--."
Before she could finish her sentence, however, Akio struck her quickly with a specific sequence of unarmed blows, incapacitating the use of both of her arms via pressure points.
"Oh I believe what others have relayed to me; and I believe that you haven't learned not every encounter must be solved with direct opposition."
"What do you m--?" she started to ask before Akio struck her square in the chest, sending her stumbling momentarily.
"You need to remember more of your training than just sword play."
Akio adopted a more readied stance as Otome's eyes widened in shock.
"You have use of your legs and your mind, and within an hour you'll regain use of your arms; how you resolve this encounter is up your discretion."
[to be continued . . . ]
[MFT: 288]
She was so enraptured in her exercise that she was unaware of a visitor in her midst.
"It is quite fortunate to see that you haven't forgotten what I've taught you in terms of sword play," the elderly man made his presence known to Otome. For a brief moment she adopted a guarded stance before recognition overcame instinct; only then did she sheathe what was left of Oblivion and approached her mentor.
"It's been too long Akio-sama!" she exclaimed as she bowed before him, genuinely relieved that it was the former ANBU operative and not Sadako, a descendant of the Sentama, or a Makaibatsu cultist. "You won't believe what I have to tell y--."
Before she could finish her sentence, however, Akio struck her quickly with a specific sequence of unarmed blows, incapacitating the use of both of her arms via pressure points.
"Oh I believe what others have relayed to me; and I believe that you haven't learned not every encounter must be solved with direct opposition."
"What do you m--?" she started to ask before Akio struck her square in the chest, sending her stumbling momentarily.
"You need to remember more of your training than just sword play."
Akio adopted a more readied stance as Otome's eyes widened in shock.
"You have use of your legs and your mind, and within an hour you'll regain use of your arms; how you resolve this encounter is up your discretion."
[to be continued . . . ]
[MFT: 288]