Hey guys this is the second of my chapters for Hiro's training arc. Enjoy!

_____________________________________________

Chapter 38

Hiro began to open open his eyes and he could feel the warmth of a fire near him and he could hear the familiar voices of his Foria and Scarlet. He blinked his eyes several times as the world was very blurry to him. As his eyes began to focus he saw that the sun had set and it was night time.

“So you are awake my foolish apprentice.”

“I’m sorry Master. I thought you said that the enemies near here were not enough to hurt me.”

“Yes, that is true but you should have felt that the snake you fought was strong. I don't know where it came from but it was not from here. It was definitely not something you should have fought while you were still training with those cuffs, anklets, and heavy training sword.”

Hiro rubbed his head and smiled as he chuckled a bit. Then he looked over and saw Foria. It was the first time he had seen her in almost a week. Her skin was a lot more tanned and her muscles had become very defined. Her waist was slightly smaller and her long flowing hair had grown a lot. It was now nearly down the middle of her back and it had taken on a beautiful silver color. Her eyes shined with a beautiful pale blue color.

“Foria, what happened to your appearance?!” asked Hiro.

“Well it happened as Amaterasu ate the carcas of some elves that we fought a few days ago.”

“You killed some elves!?” exclaimed Hiro.

“They weren’t really elves per say” said Scarlet. “They were zombies that some necromancer made from the corpses of elves. We killed the necromancer and the corpses and then these two began changing.”

“What do you mean these two?” asked Hiro

“Oh that’s right Ama come on out”

Suddenly, Amaterasu appeared out of thin air. Her appeareance had drastically changed. Her beautiful white fur had changed to a jet black color. She had grown about a foot and a half taller and body’s lengthed had grown about 2 feet. It also appeared that she had packed on some serious muscle and grown some sharp looking claws. The only thing that remained the same were her icy blue eyes.

“She evolved into something called a Nightshade Wolf” said Foria.

“That sounds pretty cool. Leo I guess you’re not the only evolved one around here.”

“So what about you? What is with your change?”

“Well Scarlet can better explain it than I can” replied Foria.

“I gave her some of my blood.”

“You did what?!”

“I gave her my blood. In small amounts she was given my blood. The blood of an elf is like an elixir for humans. It was simply supposed to heal her wounds from our extreme training but Foria is not a normal human.”

“What do you mean not normal?” asked Hiro

“Well normally my blood would simply heal her wounds but in Foria’s case her body began to absorb some the properties of my blood. Her speed and agility increased each time I healed her and as she also gained improved reflexes as well as improved sensory abilities.”

“Wow so the change in her hair color and skin tone means that her body is assimilating your elven physiology? That is incredible.”

“So how is your training going Hiro?”

“Well I’m not exactly sure Master Matsuro told me that I need to build up my physical abilities. I am wearing these cuffs so I can’t really tell how much stronger I have gained.”

“You don’t know if you have gained any strength or not? Hmph! You think my training hasn’t benefited you any? You stupid apprentice! You haven’t noticed it yet have you?” said Matsuro gruffly.

“Noticed what Master?” asked Hiro

“I have increased the weight of those cuffs to 5 times the original amount. Currently your body with the cuffs weighs about 1,200 pounds. You have been running, fighting, and swinging your sword while weighing 1,200 pounds.”

“What!?!” everyone said with a gasp!

“Gravity off!” said Matsuro

The cuffs glowed then their magic was dispersed.

“Wow, I feel great!”

“Try using your ki enhancement now Hiro” said Matsuro “Go all out so you can see how much you have progressed”, said Matsuro

Hiro took a deep breath and closed his eyes. A white mist began to encompass his body as his aura began to manifest. The muscles in his chest began to bulge followed by those in his arms and legs. His power continued to rise.

“Keep going Hiro!” shouted Matsuro “ladies you might want to stand back

“HAAAAAAAA!!!” screamed Hiro as he unleashed his full power.

The ground beneath him began to sink in and his normal thin golden aura turned into a large mass of white spirit energy that shrouded him. The light from his ki was brighter than the fire that was warming them. The pressure from his energy was so powerful that it was literally pushing Foria and Scarlet backwards.Even Amaterasu could not stand firm. To keep from flying back she had lower her head and dig her claws into the ground. Leo and Matsuro were the only two to stand firm.

“This power is amazing! Thank you master I will never doubt you again.”

“Good now release your ki so that these ladies do not fly away.”

Hiro did as he was told. He took a fighting pose.

“What are you doing?!”

“Master I would like to take some more of your strikes today. Can you please increase the weight of my cuffs and anklets?”

“Hmmm… I’m impressed I was going to give you the night off after you battled that snake but I guess now that you’ve seen the results of your training you want to continue. Ok, gravity on times 5.”

“No raise it to 10 times!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes I have to get strong enough to protect everyone.”

“I like it! Ok you have impressed me apprentice. Gravity times 10!”

Immediately, the cuffs began to glow and the weight returned.

“AHHHHHAAAAHH the weight feels like its tearing my body apart!”

Hiro immediately took a moment to compose himself with the weight back on. Then he began to speak.

“How heavy huff….pufff were you able to wear them huff….pufff at the height of your strength?”

“At the Height of my strength I wore them at 15 times the weight. It made my body weigh over 3,000 pounds.”

“Then I will surpass you and I will wear them at 20 times their normal weight and then I will go looking for that dragon.”

“You’ve got guts and a lot of ambition I like that. Well let us begin by you taking these strikes from me. “Ready yourself Hiro.”

Matsuro grabbed his sword, while everyone else watched. He took his stance and Hiro closed his eyes. Matsuro took his sword and attacked Hiro with 2 consecutive strikes. Hiro used his power breathing technique and was able to negate a lot of the damage from the attacks but it still dropped him to only 25% of his health. Matsuro waited a few moments as Hiro healed himself and readied himself. The cycle continued as Matsuro bombarded Hiro with strike after strike. After Hiro finished taking the strikes he passed out from the pain.

“Stupid boy you may have bit off more than you can chew. But I am beginning to see why they love you as the hero of Kaito.”

Leo wrapped himself around Hiro and watched over him as everyone went their separate ways for the night.

Hiro slept soundly through the night and with the rising of the sun he woke up with renewed vigor. Hiro struggled to stand up with the increased weight of the cuffs. He began rolling his shoulders and stretching his legs.

I gotta get stronger! This training is working but I have to continue with my other skills too.

Hiro summoned his clones and they began their daily training routines then he took off and began his laps. Every step was agony. He was barely able to walk with the new even heavier weights on. It took him nearly 2 hours to finish a single lap. He was breathing heavily and his muscles were bulging.

This is crazy but I have to keep going!

Hiro continued his laps walking very slowly. As the hours passed he continued to struggle but he finally completed his laps. Now it was time to pick up the sword.

“Apprentice, eat something first to renew your strength.”

“Yes …huff…. Puff master.”

Hiro dragged himself into the hut and found there was a large plate of rice and some sort of meat. The smell was delicious. He walked closer and closer to the food and he tried to pick up the food but he couldn’t. His arm began shaking as he lifted the food to his mouth. The food began to fall onto the floor.

I can’t eat it like this.

Hiro put his whole face into the bowl and began eating straight from the bowl.

“What!?! You are not an animal! If you want to eat like one then go eat off the floor”, yelled Matsuro as he slapped the bowl to the ground spilling the food all over the floor.

Hiro looked at his master with shame and disappointment. He walked out and grabbed the sword. He tried raising the sword but the strain was incredible. As he lifted the sword, his muscles bulged and his legs began to quiver. Little by little he lifted the sword until he had it above his head. Then he swung the sword down to towards the ground. The weight of his arms and the blade were too much for him to stop. The blade crashed to the ground and created a crater in the ground. Hiro tried to pull the blade from the ground but it would not budge. Hiro rested for a few moments to compose himself.

After composing himself, Hiro grasped the sword with both hands and concentrated all of his strength. He began pulling and little by little the sword began to come out of the ground. This cycle continued for two hours until he no longer had the strength to lift the sword. He could only manage about 50 strikes with the new weight but it was a start. He was determined to push his body beyond the limits.

While Hiro laid on his back, Matsuro walked out and stood over him. Hiro struggled to get himself off of the ground and stand up. Once his apprentice was on his feet, Matsuro grabbed the sword that Hiro was swinging and took a fighting stance.

“Master, you are going to use an actual sword today?”

“Yes, I will only use the dull end though so it will not cut you. Strengthening you skin will take place after this. Ready yourself.”

Hiro nodded and then Matsuro attacked. The blade flew through the air and struck Hiro across his chest. As the blade struck him, Hiro breathed out. The blunt end of the blade left a deep indentation in Hiro’s chest knocking him back about 20 feet.

“Get up! You said you wanted more in your training. That was only 30% of my power using a weak weapon! You will need to do better if you truly want to be a Hero.”

Hiro grasped the ground ripping up some of the grass that was growing as he fought to return to his feet. His health had been reduced to 10% with the one blow. As he stood his was bleeding from his mouth.

Damn! I shouldn’t have asked for this with my ribs broken. My regeneration has healed them for the most part but this might be over doing it!

“I will not quit Master! I will gain the strength needed to protect our town!”

Hiro quickly cast his healing spell and his wounds began to recover. He could also feel his ribs healing. He cast it several more times until his hp and completely recovered along with his ribs. His body still displayed the wound that Matsuro inflicted upon him. As soon as he stopped healing himself Matsuro attacked again. They followed this same pattern until he had taken all 15 strikes from his Master.

“You did well in enduring the strikes now I am going to take you to the next part of your training.”

Leo and the clones, who were watching from a distance, could hear Hiro’s thoughts asking for help. He quickly came over and laid down as Hiro climbed on his back. Leo stood up and walked behind Matsuro.

“Why are you so heavy, Hiro?” aske Leo

“This is part of my training. This anklets and bracelets increase my weight and force me to use all of my strength to its limit for each and every movement I make.”

They continued walking until they reached a cave. As they entered the cave the temperature began to fall dramatically. They walked for a few moments until they came upon a unique waterfall.

“This place is where you will be doing the next part of your training. Here you begin training your body to resist piercing type weapons. During the day the cold water falls down freely but at night the water begins to freeze and icicles fall from the height of the top nearly 150 feet up. Each day you will come here and stand under the falls. You will begin when by standing under the falls while it is still water. As your skin hardens, you will stay longer and longer until you can stand underneath for an entire night.”

“Yes Master”

“Walk over now and stand underneath.”

Hiro slowly walked over a small rocky path that led around the small lake to where the falls were. Hiro could feel the temperature of the room continuing to drop and when he finally got to the falls he could see his own breath as he he let air out of his mouth. Hiro walked out and the water from the falls fell upon him. The weight of the water was incredible.

A status screen popped

You are cold

As your temperature continues to drop you will begin to go numb losing feeling in your arms and legs.

Hiro began to shiver under the freezing cold water. Little by little he began to feel the water getting more solid. The small solid pieces began to strike his skin each of them began to hit him all over his head, back, and shoulders.

This isn’t so bad. It’s freezing but the water only feels like small pebbles are hitting me. I can do this.

Hiro stayed under the the falls and the water continued come down on him. After about 20 minutes he opened his eyes. He looked down and he noticed that the water underneath him was turning red.

What’s goin on? Why is the water red?

He looked around and noticed that his health was down to half of its maximum and that a status window had popped up.

You are bleeding heavily. You are losing 25 health points per second

Hiro looked as his shoulders, arms, and chest and they were all covered in blood. There were several large icicles embedded in his skin

What in the world!?! Because I was in this freezing cold water I must have gone numb. That must be why I didn’t feel the icicles piercing into me. I’ve got to get out of here.

Hiro walked out of the water and began pulling the icicles from his body. With each one removed he screamed out in pain. Once they were all removed he cast his healing spell immediately the blood stopped flowing and his health began to recover. Hiro walked over to Leo and collapsed. As he lost consciousness his clones disappeared. Matsuro rubbed his long beard and smiled slightly.

“I didn’t expect that he could take it that long and he had been using shadow clones the entire time as well. This kid is truly talented. You have a very special master here Leo”, said Matsuro as he patted Leo’s head.

Leo carried him back to the area where they slept and covered Hiro with his body. This kept Hiro warm as he slept that night.

The next morning Hiro woke up to a plethora of status screens.

You gained 25 points wisdom

You gained 1 level in sword mastery

You gained 2 levels in endurance

You gained 1 level in iron skin

You gaine 50 points to strength

You gained 35 points to your speed

You gained 1 level mana manipulation

You gained 1 level in shadow clone

You gained 1 level in healing

You gained 3 levels in power breathing

You have improved your cold resistance to intermediate.

Now you can go for a longer period of time in a cold place without feeling its effects and the effects you do experience will be decreased by 10%.

I got all of those stats yesterday. This training is great. Now that my body has gotten stronger I should be able to do more than I did yesterday.

Hiro got up and started his training by summoning his clones. To his surprise he was able to summon 4 clones.

Hmmm…. I guess that new level in shadow clone allowed me to summon one more clone. That’s good. That means this one can practice martial arts.

“Leo you should go do some hunting around this area to increase your strength and maybe gain some abilities. I’m not sure if it will be any good because Master said there aren’t any strong enemies near here.”

“Sounds good, I have been getting bored lately anyway watching you train. I hope to run into one of those snakes that you killed.”

“Be careful out there.”

“Don’t worry I don’t have those weighted things on me so I’ll be fine.”

“Alright. I’m going to start my training now.”

Leo rushed off as the clones started their individual training. Hiro began walking. He was able to move a lot better today.

I guess that bonus of 50 points to my strength is showing its dividens. I wonder if I can go faster than this. I’ll try to jog a little bit.

Hiro began moving faster until he broke out into a slow jog. He moved well for about 20 seconds but then he had to start walking again. He continued to switch between walking nd jogging. Today he walked and jogged over 10 laps and he finished his 10 laps in just under 3 hours. This was a huge improvement from the previous day.

After taking a short rest, Hiro picked up his sword and began practicing his swing. Matsuro watched on as his apprentice worked through his training menu.Today Hiro was able to lift the sword and swing it without getting it stuck into the ground, however; couldn’t keep it from hitting the ground. Today he made it through over 1300 swings.

“Good you are progressing well, apprentice”, said Matsuro.

“Thank you Master” said Hiro as he bowed.

“Ready yourself. Today you will be receiving 30 strikes at 50%. Each day I will increase the number by 10 until you reach 50 then I will increase my strength to 75%.”

“Yes Master”

Hiro readied himself and then his Master took his stance. Hiro concentrated on his master’s movements. The energy was still faint but today he could see a little better. It was as if his eyes were singleing out his master’s energy making it easier to see. Matsuro came to attack. Hiro breathed as the attack landed. The attacked pushed him back a few feet but he didn’t have any internal bleeding and he was still on his feet. Matsuro struck him again and Hiro fell to his knees. His health had been reduced 30%. He cast his healing spell on himself several times and readied himself for the next set of attacks. Hiro continued taking his master’s attacks as he practiced his power breathing. After every 2 attacks he healed himself. Then Matsuro attacked again until Hiro had taken the full 30 attacks. Hiro had some bruising on him but it was nothing like the previous days.

“Master I’d like to take the full 50 attacks today.”

Masturo smiled and returned to his attacks. Hiro managed to take all of the blows and maintain his consciousness. He bowed to his master and walked towards the cave where the waterfall was. Once there he stood under the falls and began to let the water run over him. The water began to cool off but his cold resistance allowed him to resist the cold status. His body did not go numb. He was able to feel the water running over him as it turned into icicles. As the icicles got larger he could feel them banging against his skin. Little by little the icicles began to get larger and larger and soon they slammed against his body with increasing force. Yet they still did not pierce him.

My iron skin must be doing this. They are hitting me but not piercing me.

The icicles were now as large as walnuts and they formed as they fell down the waterfall. Their formation created a sharp point on the end that struck Hiro. Soon the numbness began to take over and the pool beneath Hiro began to fill with his blood.

Just a little more, I can take it.

Hiro remained in the waterfall as his health declined due to the damage he received from the icicles and the heavy bleeding status they inflicted. As the icicles increased in size to that of coconuts, Hiro fell to his knees while the damage the inflicted increased. As he blinked his eyes and saw the crimson colored water, Hiro fell forward out of the waterfall. His body’s exhaustion had reached its peak and he began to lose consciousness. Just as he passed out he felt something wrap around his chest.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

And there you have it the training arc continues. I hope you are all enjoying it. Please feel free to become a patron for this story. I would greatly appreciate it. Today I am planning on releasing one more chapter.

As always rate, review, and add Hiro's Journey to your favorites. We are getting close to being in the top 100 on this site. Thank you for reading.