Hozumi woke up in a cold sweat, panting as he frantically looked around. His eyes met the Old Mans "You're awake" The Old Man said, with a cold glare. Lucy was nowhere in sight "Where's Lucy?" "She's already started her training regime. You should thank her next time you see her, it was thanks to her that you were able to sleep without nightmares" Hozumi didn't notice, but he actually had a peaceful sleep. Compared to the last time he dozed off. He stood up, looking down at his dirty clothes. He wanted to keep them, they were a sign of his accomplishments. He looked up at the Old Man, his yes determined "Alright, lets start" The Old Man smirked, grabbing Hozumi around the waist and leaping out of the small cave that they were in.
As they moved in secret, the Old Man spoke up "Hozumi, where do you think we are at?" "Hell right?" The Old Man nodded "Correct, but this isn't the only part of Hell. There are 5 known levels in Hell. As of now, we are on the 5th level. The most dangerous level" Hozumi gulped, now knowing why the Old Man moved so cautiously. Then, a thought came across his mind "Wait, 5 known levels? Does that mean there's more?" The Old Man grinned "Perhaps, but no one tries to find out" "Why?" "Cause everyone that tried died...well almost everyone" Hozumi's eyes widened "What do you mean almost?!!?" The Old Man punched Hozumis head, a sting pain going through his body "Shut up and keep your voice down. If we're found out, I can't guarantee your life" Hozumi gulped again
"As I said, there are 5 levels in Hell. Each protected by the Kushanada. However, things have changed. Before, Hell was a classless place where people killed and died constantly. Now that's changed. Hell has gained a ruler. The same man that brought you here. I'm sure you can tell how strong he is" Hozumi kept quiet and nodded "Just standing by him made me feel as if I was dying" "Thats because you were, he was sapping your life away. He wants your body Hozumi"
"My body? Why?" Hozumi asked, curious as to why he would be wanted by this being. The Old Man kicked off the floor and went flying above. Soon after, they ended up in the Fourth Level of Hell
"Because your body is not bound to Hell Hozumi, not like mines or everyone else's here. Even his body is bound to Hell" "But my mommy is" The Old Man smacked his head again "Don't say mommy, you're not a child anymore" Hozumi bit his lip and rubbed his head. No matter how many times he was hit on the top of his head, it stung just as much as the last time. "I know your mother is a demon and that her family escaped from Hell. But the same won't work for him."
"Why?" Hozumi asked as he looked around noticing multiple dunes of ash "That I don't know. Perhaps his body is now apart of Hell or Hell is a part of him. All I know is that he cannot leave with his body and nor can he enter a normal being's body. That's where you come in" Hozumi looked down at the moving floor "Me?"
The Old Man nodded "Yes, your fathers blood is special. It has the capacity to accept anything it comes into contact with and absorb it into its very being, becoming one with it. That is why your growth has stunted. You've consumed both demon's and togabito's meat, along with what it seems to be Hollow" Hozumi's cheeks suddenly swelled up, the Old Man quickly moving Hozumi's face away from him. Hozumi puked as they ran, then turned to the Old Man "You fed me demons?!?!" The Old Man whacked Hozumi again. "Yes, what else would you eat? Would you of preferred to die of starvation" "Well...I guess not" Hozumi said, feeling bad. They remained silent for a while, Hozumi drifting off in his thoughts.
Before Hozumi realized it, the scenery had changed "Where are we going?" "The second level of Hell. It's where its easiest to get away from Kushanada. There I will train you to grow strong enough to defend yourself, but you must promise me one thing. Never attempt to fight the Kushansda until I say you are ready" Hozumi nodded his head "Yes uhh...what do I call you again?" The Old man sighed "Just call me Sensei. Now...the real training begins" He said with a wide grin. Hozumi gulped, feeling as if he was gonna regret agreeing "Were here. Hold your breath" the old man leaped up, diving up into the water until eventually coming on and landing on a massive Lilly stone. The old man dropped Hozumi and took a few steps back "Alright...begin!" The old man charged at Hozumi, who was ready to defend himself.
Many images passed. Hozuni running from a massive horse of demonic looking rhinos while wearing a belt attached to multiple rocks. Swimming up for his life as he was chased by giant eels. Being tossed through rocks. Getting beaten up by his Sensei, multiple times. Riding a giant snake like monster, holding on for dead life. Running on water away from multiple water walking demons, each appearing to be a gecko. Dodging the flames of a fire spewing lizard. Escaping from the belly of a giant demonic frog. Climbing up cliffsides while being chased by giant human like bats. Falling down giant a giant abyss while being chased by togabitos. Fighting off a pack of giant wolves. Standing in knee high water while fighting off giant leeches. Cutting him self out of and running from various plants trying to eat him. All while carrying various weights on his body. Every day Hozumi faced harder obstacles. Every die, he was closer to death than before. But everyday, he grew stronger. This went on for 3 months.
- 3 Months Later -
Hozumi sat down, legs cross and meditating. His body had grown. Not only in size but in pure raw strength and speed. His body was not that of a 11 year old. In the three short months, his power had sky rocketed to new heights. The entire time of his meditation, his Sensei whacked him on the head. But Hozumi showed no signs of pain. His face remained the same, calm and ready for whatever happened next. The old man smirked
"Your certainly grown Hozumi, much greater than I expected. Your body is harder than any stone and your foundation is capable of supporting an entire mountain. But that was just the beginning. A warm up you could say, training so your body could be ready for when you start your real training"
Hozumi opened his eyes, unusually calm "Real training?" The old man nodded "Yes, I will train you so that you can leave Hell with the strength to protect the ones you care about. Are you ready?" Hozumis face brightened up for the first time in a while, a grin coming across his face. Finally, the real training would begin "Yes sir!" Ge said as he jumped to his feet, ready to start. The old man smirked, staring into his eyes "We'll start off with sparring. Ready? Begin!" The two charged at each other, clashing swords and fists.
For weeks, Hozumi and his Sensei fought. Each day, Hozumi would lose just as bad as the day before. He felt like he made no real progress and could hardly stand his ground, let alone attack. But in reality, the old man would increase his strength as they fought. Hozumi was unknowingly growing stronger with each punch he threw and each one he took.
Hozumi appeared behind the old man, attempting to sweep him. His Sensei stopped the kick with his leg and quickly rose his own, sending Hozumi spiraling up in the air. He jumped up and kicked Hozumi into another stone Lilly. As Hozumi got up, the old man was already in front of him. The old man sent a flurry of moderately stong but extremely fast punches. But Hozumi grinned the entire time I can see them! I can see the opening! Hozumi tilted his head, one of the punches skinning his face. Hozumi ducked and went for a tackle towards his senseis feet. His Sensei took a step back, but Hozumi had flipped and landed on his hands. He pushed off the floor with his hands and sent a spiraling drop luck toward his senseis eyes. Senseis eyes widened Fast, but not fast enough He moved his head back, letting Hozumi fly upwards. But as he flew up, he wrapped his hands around his senseis chin and pulled himself down while pulling his Sensei up. He delivered a powerful knee blow to the top of his senseis head, generating a shock wave from it. He grinned "Got youu"
The old man spun his head, Hozumi flying off of his head. Before he could react, the old man was behind him and chopped at his side. He sent Hozumi crashing and destroying a large chunk of a stone lily. The rubbed his chin "Maybe I got too serious. Hozumi you still alive?" He yelled out loud
Suddenly, Hozumi appeared behind the Old Man. As the old man turned, Hozumi sung his hand and threw what water he had in his clenched hand. The water sprayed in the old mans eyes, blinding him. At that moment, Hozumi threw a flurry of powerful and quick punches, each one at a vital spot How is this possible? Has he been holding back this entire time. No, now isn't the time to think. I'll show him the terror of hell The old man exerted a reiatsu shockwave, generating hurricane like winds.
But Hozumi stood his ground, quickly sending a kick to he old mans head. He ducked and sent a quick jab at Hozumi. Hozumi spun, parrying the punch and sending another kick. The old man dodged it again, sending a flurry of has this time. But Hozumi continued to spin in a blur, all of the punches sliding off Hozumi. No it's not possible Reiatsu coated Hozumis leg as he sent a final kick, sending all of his momentum and strength in that one kick. His Sensei raised his left forearm to block the kick, his right arm supporting it. The Old man blocked the kick, a loud crack echoing. Then, a massive shockwave fired from behind from the strength of the kick. The Old man flew a few inches off the ground, surprised by the pure raw strength of the quick.
Hozumi appeared behind his Sensei, ready to kick him up in the air. But now, his Sensei wasn't joking. The kick phased through an after image, his Sensei appearing behind him. The old appeared behind Hozumi, sweeping him off his feet and sending him high up in the air with a single kick. He jumped up and punched Hozumi, sending him crashing into the water and creating a massive splash. He landed on the ground peacefully.
"Yup, definitely went too far this time. Hopefully the force of the water didn't kill him" He looked at his own arm, which was broken due to Hozumis kick. Had I been a second late, my entire arm would of shattered "Welp, time to fish out my student. Hopefully he's alive." He jumped off the lily and into the water, retrieving Hozumi and leaving the area.
- 3 Days Later -
Hozumi woke up on a stone lily, his Sensei beside him "Finally awake huh? Thought you died for a second"
Hozumi got up, rubbing his head. He looked at his Sensei with a grin "I made you get serious for a while didn't i!?" The Old man smirked
"Oh please, that was hardly half" Hozumis jaw dropped "Just half?! Aw man" His Sensei chuckled, amused by his students reaction.
"Yes just half, but you've passed the first part of your training" Hozumi looked up at his Sensei, a wide smile on his face "Really?! Yahoooo!!" He jumped up in the air for Joy. His Sensei hit the top of his head "Shuddap! Ahem, where was I. Oh yes, your first half of training is over. I'd say that was the easy part" He said with a grin
"Now it's time for your potential to flourish Hozumi. Now we'll begin in Seido. There's a high chance you'll die though so choose wisely" He only had to look in Hozumis eyes for his answer, filled with an unlimited determination. He chuckled "Let's go, this part of training will commence in the lower levels of Hell. Only there will you find the answer you seek"
They both jumped off the lilies and dove into the water, heading towards the dangerous and lower levels of Hell. But Hozumi showed no signs of fear. He knew the dangers of Hell and that the bottom levels were far more dangerous compared to the training he went through. But he feared that he'd never go back to see his mom, and that would be his drive through the most intense training of his life.