"Punch with everything you've got!"
Juliana concentrated her aura into her fist, attempting to mimic something akin to Uvogin's Big Bang Impact.
In terms of oaths and restrictions, her technique carried only a faint edge—it existed, but barely. Its impact was limited.
Even though Juliana was giving it her all, her power remained constrained.
Kaizen dashed forward, closing the gap in an instant. His hands were raised, both clenched into fists.
Boom!
Their fists collided. A deafening shockwave erupted, sending ripples across the arena. The floor cracked and splintered, debris flying outward and scattering across the venue.
When the dust settled, the center of the arena lay in ruins. One figure stood tall.
Kaizen stepped forward from the debris, his posture steady.
The referee, scanning the scene, quickly located Juliana outside the ring.
"The winner... Kaizen!"
The match ended decisively.
Before the audience could fully process what had just happened, Kaizen had already left the stage.
Back in the lounge, Kaizen was greeted by his teammates.
"Welcome back!"
"Captain!"
"Team leader!"
"Wow!" Sally exclaimed, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Captain, why didn't you use your aura ability during the match? You could have won even faster if you had!"
Kaizen didn't directly answer her. Instead, he walked over to the game console and turned it on.
"Let's play a few rounds," he said casually.
The game screen flickered to life, displaying a side-scrolling fighting game reminiscent of Street Fighter or King of Fighters.
Kaizen and Sally grabbed controllers and started playing. Their chosen characters exchanged blows on the screen, health bars steadily depleting.
It didn't take long for Sally to lose.
"Next," Kaizen said.
Shizuku stepped up, but she, too, lost quickly.
Finally, it was Nina's turn. Her defeat followed soon after.
Kaizen put the controller down, addressing the group.
"The game you just played isn't that different from how we fight as Nen users," he began.
"Think about it—characters in the game have punches, kicks, and special moves. But the key isn't the flashy ultimate attacks. Sure, they look impressive, and pulling them off feels satisfying, but they're not the deciding factor."
Kaizen's tone grew more serious.
"The outcome is determined by how you assess the situation. Small, consistent attacks can chip away at your opponent's health. Defense matters just as much as offense.
"In Nen battles, it's the same. Relying solely on your specific Nen ability is risky. Once your opponent figures out your strategy, you're done for. If you find yourself in a disadvantageous position, you won't stand a chance without strong fundamentals."
He turned to Sally.
"That's why I've been stressing the importance of close-combat skills. Improving your physical abilities—your strength, speed, reflexes—makes you less vulnerable and more adaptable. It reduces the chances of a glaring weakness that your opponent can exploit."
Sally frowned. "But my abilities—Barrett and Thunder Grenade—are long-range. I'm not built for close combat. Isn't this the wrong approach for me?"
"Not at all," Kaizen replied. "Your role is to attack from a distance, but even so, battles don't always go as planned.
"What if you're up against another long-range fighter? You'll need to dodge effectively. Or worse, what if the enemy closes the gap and engages you in melee? You can't just give up. You'll need to create space and reposition yourself."
He paused, giving her a pointed look.
"Improving your overall physical abilities—your endurance, agility, and reaction time—helps you maintain distance and capitalize on your strengths. It's not about turning you into a close-range fighter, it's about making you less of a liability in situations where you're vulnerable."
Kaizen addressed the group as a whole.
"For combat-oriented Nen users, fundamentals enhance your ability to use aura effectively. For non-combat types like Shizuku and Nina, these basics are even more crucial. Without them, you have nothing else to fall back on in a fight."
A knock at the door interrupted the discussion.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Who's that?" Nina asked, glancing at Kaizen.
"It's Juliana," she said after a moment.
"Juliana?" Kaizen repeated.
He walked over and opened the door.
Juliana stood there, looking disheveled, her face swollen and bruised from their earlier match. In contrast, Kaizen hadn't sustained a single injury, even without using his aura ability.
Her defeat had been crushing, leaving her with a deep sense of inadequacy.
"I came to ask for something," Juliana said, her voice steady despite her condition. "I want you to teach me. In exchange, I'll join your team."
She glanced at Nina, Sally, and Shizuku.
"They're your teammates, aren't they? They've improved because of you. I'm willing to do the same. Please let me join."
Kaizen regarded her calmly, saying nothing for a moment.
Juliana clenched her fists.
"As long as I can get stronger," she said, "I'm willing to do whatever it takes."
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