*Author's Notes:

Hey guys welcome back to Hiro's Journey. I'm very proud to say I have finished the training arc and I'm sure you guys will enjoy it. Many people have alreaday commented on a few things such as getting charts for Hiro's stats as well as everyone else. I will be putting those in it is just going to take some time as there are a lot of calculations to put together. Please be patient I'm hoping to get it ready by the start of the next arc.

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Chapter 40

The next week went the same as the previous few days with Hiro training while wearing the weights that were set to be 60 times their normal weight. This was followed by Hiro summoning his clones and sparring with Matsuro and Hiro absorbing their collected fighting experience a swordsmanship. Hiro continued to improve as he was now fighting completely even with Matsuro. Unfortunately, Hiro was well aware that Matsuro’s condition was steadily worsening.

This was the last day of the week and Hiro was now beginning his sparring session with Matsuro. The clones had already begun their battle royale.

“Come apprentice. You have made great progress this week let us see if you can hold my prediction of you being able to defeat me in a week true.”

“Master I am ready", Hiro said with a slight grin on his face.

Hiro summoned his ki and it shrouded him in very pale blue. The calmness of his ki was amazing it was almost as if flowed from the world itself. It did not disturb the grass nor did it stir up the wind. He then activated his warrior's eye ability.

“Ah I see you have finally gotten more control of your power", said Matsuro.

“Yes I have been practicing controlling it after our sparring sessions each day by allowing 11 of my clones to chase me about trying to touch me. This allowed me to get used to moving and avoiding attacks from all different kinds of angles", replied Hiro

“Ah you sneaky little whelp training outside of what your master instructed you to do. It was a very good idea, however, let us see if you training has paid off.”

Hiro took his sword stance with blade raised over his head with the blade pointing diagonally towards his master. Matsuro began moving towards Hiro. In an instant he closed the distance between the two and unleashed a flurry of thrusts. Hiro could see all of them as the approached. He dodged each strike using the least amount of effort possible by sliding his head from side to side. He quickly countered with a quick kick aimed at his master’s solar plexus. Matsuro quickly blocked with a flat side of his blade but the force pushed him back. Hiro lowered his sword and motioned for his master to come on.

“Not bad, you have definitely improved.”

“I had a good teacher!”

“Good?! You smug little… I am great!”

The battle between the 2 raged on. Both Hiro and Matsuro's blades were attacking furiously. The loud sound of metal crashing against metal echoed all throughout the area. The only pause came when each round of the clones battle royale ended. Each time one of their rounds ended Hiro would absorb all of their information and practice. Once he did this the battle would resume in all of hits ferocity.

As the battle continued both landed some attacks but only Hiro's attacks were significant. Matsuro tried valiantly but little by little he was being overwhelmed. With Hiro's superior health regeneration and superhuman speed and strength the battle of attrition was begin lost. In addition, Hiro continued to gain a wealth of combat experience from his ever improving clones as the battle waged on. Finally the last clone was standing and Hiro dismissed it to absorb its gained knowledge.

“You were right master when you said you were great. but now I am greater. The student has surpassed his teacher. Now let us finish this.”

"You are definitely cocky. I will give you that much. Now show me how great you are!"

Hiro rushed towards his master. The speed that he moved at was on an entirely different level than what Matsuro had seen from him during their matches. Matsuro with his heightened perception could still track the movement. He moved so quickly that it seemed to Matsuro that there was more than one of Hiro.

"Good you are now moving fast enough to make after images to confuse your opponent. This is a good technique. However, it is not enough to beat me!", said Matsuro

Matsuro attacked but the image he attacked was only an afterimage.

"WHAAAATTTT!??!?! He was even able to deceive my eyes."

Hiro quickly to advantage of this opportunity and went on the attack. He made several more after images with his speed. As he moved closer and closer the after images move closer to Matsuro.

"Amazing! I know they are just after images but I can't tell which one is which. It was as if he is each and every one. They even have some of his ki within them. I am truly in awe of his skill."

Hiro could sense his plan had worked and attacked. He appeared on his master's right side. As soon as he lifted his blade to attack his master was already slashing the his body but this was yet another after image. By the time he realized it was too late. Hiro was behind Matsuro and d swinging his blade. He slashed across Matsuro’s back. The blade cut through Matsuro like a knife through butter. Blood splattered everywhere and Matsuro was laying flat on the ground.

“Master!?”

There was no answer.

“Master!?”

Did that strike hit him too hard? There is a lot of blood.

He grabbed his master and turned him over. He was still breathing. Hiro quickly cast his healing spell several times. Each time the wound on his master closed up more and more until finally he was completely healed. Once the wound was completely healed Hiro helped his master to his feet.

“You have finally defeated me.”

“Umm… Master..”

“What Hiro?

“I’m sorry to say this but I wasn’t showing all of my strength?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well during our fight today I had the weight of the cuffs at 20 times their normal weight and the sword was about 2,500 lbs.”

“What?! You mean you went easy on me?”

“Yes. I probably was strong enough 4 days ago but I didn't want to win on ability. I wanted to win on skill” Said Hiro as he put his head down. “I’m sorry Master please forgive me.”

“There is no need for forgiveness. This is what every master wants from his pupil. He wants his pupil to surpass him and you have done that in a way that I never thought possible.”

Hiro smiled wide and embraced his master. Hiro felt like he did when his father hugged him. Once they released their embrace Hiro noticed his master had tears in his eyes.

“Master what is wrong?”

“Hiro I’m sorry I lied to you.”

“What?!”

“Yes. I passed the point of which I could be healed days ago. I don’t think I will make it through the night. I can already feel ….. Bleh!”

Matsuro spit out a pile of a black liquid. He wiped his mouth and continued speaking.

“My organs are starting to shut down and you do not have the ability to heal me.”

With tears streaming down his face, “No..! I promised that I would heal you. You can’t die. No!”

“You did Hiro. You healed the pain of not being able to pass on my skills to my son. To me Hiro you are like what I had hoped my son would become. There can only be one master of the lightning blade style. That is why sparring between master and disciple is always deadly.”

“Are you saying..?”

“Yes in order to master the lightning blade style you must kill your master.”

“Then I will not do it! I will not kill you master. If that is what it takes, I will not become the master!”

“Don’t be ridiculous my young disciple! You already have. That blow you gave me would have killed me had you not healed me and with my condition I will die very soon.”

“No master! Please don’t die!” said Hiro as he held Matsuro close.

“I have lived in this world a long time and I have never come across anyone like you. Please Hiro do not use the power that you have obtained here to bring death to this world. Do your best to unite the broken pieces of this land and become a king that I can look down from the heavens and be proud of.”

“Yes mas.. Father I will.”

Hiro picked Matsuro up and laid him on the bed in the corner of the hut. Matsuro smiled weakly.

“Yes. Even though you have not been with me long I have come to see you as my son. I am sorry I cannot give you your true gift that the master of the lightning blade style is supposed to relinquish upon his defeat.”

“No I don’t need a gift. Please save your strength.”

“I told you already it is too late. I wanted to pass down a unique weapon but it was lost. However, the shop that I own in Korin belongs to you now. Please take care of it.”

“Thank you, father.”

“You.. cough…..are welcome… cough… my… son”, said Matsuro softly with a tear running down his face.

Hiro laid Matsuro down in the hut on the bed. Then Hiro sat next to Matsuro as the sun set. Hiro looked at his surrogate father in his eyes and watched as his breathing became more and more shallow. Matsuro grabbed Hiro’s hand tightly.

“Be strong and continue to grow. Never stop training and improving”, said Matsuro

“I won’t! I will make sure that the Lightning Blade Style is known throughout the world!”

Hiro sat there as Matsuro's as body began to cool off.

"It won't be long now my son."

"I will not leave your side."

"Thank you."

Slowly but surely the light that was in Matsuro's eyes dimmed and his grip loosened. Hiro could no longer sense his master's ki and Matsuro slipped off into the afterlife peacefully. Hiro stood up and placed his hands over the old man’s eyes closing them.

“I will miss you father. I swear upon my life that the poison dragon that hurt you will pay for this if it is the last thing I do.”

Ding!

You have become the 17th master of the lightning blade style.

You have earned a new title. Master of the lightning blade style.

With this title your sword mastery skill has been increased to the master level. In addition, you have gained 300 points of speed and strength.

Hiro smiled as tears ran down his face.

"Don't worry Master I will make you proud and I will continue to train until you can feel my power wherever you are."

Something began to glow near his master’s body. Hiro turned and saw the old man or God that had brought him to this world.

“I am sorry about Matsuro. He was a good man.”

“Yes he was. Why are you here? I would like to be alone at this time”

“I’m sorry for intruding but I told you the last time that we met I would be bring you something when you completed your training.

"I'm sorry. I'm really not in the mood for gifts right now. Someone I really cared about just died."

"As I said I'm sorry but this cannot wait. So here they are you may choose one of the two. One is armor the other is a sword ”

“In honor of my master’s teachings I will no longer be using defensive items so I choose the sword”

The ball of light morphed into a sword.

“What is this? This thing doesn’t even look like it could be used.”

With a hearty laugh the old man said, “Hiro you should never judge a book by its cover. Inspect it.”

Hiro used his inspect ability

Soul Lightning BladeAttack:0Durability:9999/9999This weapon is passed down from master to disciple in the lightning blade style. This blade of will grow along with the weilder in power. It will grow when being used in combat. In addition it is capable of absorbing materials to strengthen itself. As it gains more materials it will unlock new abilities.

“Wait a minute do you mean..?”

“Yes.. It is the weapon that Matsuro used when he was still out adventuring. It was lost during his battle with a certain poison dragon. For me to bring it to you it had to lose all of its power.”

“I understand. I will never let this go. Thank you for granting my master’s wish.”

“No need to thank me. Now, what will you do to prepare the land for the return of the Dark Lord?”

“I have changed my plans.I will still face the Dark Lord in combat and I will defeat him. Instead of facing him by myself I

wish to fight him with the support of all that is good. I wish to travel to a place where all sorts of people gather. There I

will make my plans of peace between all races known to the world.”

“You mean you want to make peace with the monster races as well as the humanoid races?”

“Yes. We all have a right to life and if we can get along then our lives will be enriched. We could all use something from someone else, meaning that we could live symbiotically instead of the strong preying on the weak. If we teach each other then we will all be better.”

“This will not go over well with most of the others and most likely it will bring war to your doorstep.”

“That is fine. With my master’s help I think I can protect them now and with this weapon I will stand against anyone and everyone who comes to our door. I will only protect my home and help it flourish.”

“Your plan sounds grand. I will be watching with much curiousity to see how it all turns out.”

“Thank you again for this gift. I do have one question?”

“Can the weapon change shape?”

“I never thought about it. Hmm….”, the old man touched the blade and instantly HIro got a notification.

Soul Lightning BladeLevel:1Attack:0Durability:9999/9999---------------------------Skills--------------------------------Absorb material: beginner level 1Absorb essence: beginner level 11Shapeshift: Master level 10Status

“Amazing so I can make it change shapes now. That is great! So I can make it into any kind of blade weapon I choose.”

Master, I will use this weapon like you taught me.

“Yes, you can change it according to your will. The weapon is only bound by your imagination.”

Hiro held the weapon in his hands and then closed his eyes. The small sword began to glow. As it glowed, it began to change shape. The blade elongated to about 1.5 meters. The width extended to about half a meter. It was a simple weapon but it was peculiar that had no guard above the hilt. One side was razor sharp and the other side was thicker allowing one to parry the attacks of others. The blade ended in a sharp point that would allow Hiro to pierce his enemy as well. Hiro opened his eyes and gazed upon the blade.

It is just like I imagined.

“That is some sword that you have created. I will be watching on to see what you do with this weapon.”

“Thank you so much. Now it is time for me to gather my companions and return home.”

“Oh and by the way the first place I would go is to check out a small goblin community to the southwest of your home or to the city of Atraps where they hold the tournament of warriors.”

“I understand the tournament of warriors because that will spread my fame, but why the goblin community?”

“Just go check it out. You will see. Oh and by the way here is something for you. You can’t very well run around with a sword like that in your hand”, the old man said a small orb floated towards Hiro.

When it touched his hands it transformed into a holster for his sword so that he could carry it across his back. Hiro nodded and then went outside of the tent. He clenched his fist and closed his eyes.

I can feel everything around me. It is amazing. Now where are they?

After a few moments he could sense where his companions were and decided to go and get them. Hiro released the magic on his cuffs and then in a flash he went to find Foria and Scarlet.

After only a few moments Hiro found Amaterasu, Scarlet, and Foria. It had been weeks since he had seen them. As soon as he stopped moving he saw a blade coming towards him along with an arrow flying right behind it. He grabbed Foria’s arm to stop the blade and then he used his other hand to stop the arrow. The arrow pierced his hand slightly, causing a little trickle of blood to begin running from his palm.

Damn that arrow she shoot penetrated my skin. How powerful is she with a bow that it actually made it thorugh my body?

The next attack however was much more successful. Amaterasu recognizing Hiro’s scent jumped up and pounced on him knocking him and Foria to the ground. She excitedly licked his face as the other two members of the group finally figured out that it was him.

“Hiro?! Is that you?” asked Scarlet.

“Of course its me.”

“What the hell Hiro, how strong are you now I couldn’t sense you. How did you move that fast without your ki?” asked Foria

“Well…I got pretty strong and fast as a result of my training”, said Hiro as he scratched his head.

“Well with that long hair, thick beard, and scarred body I honestly could tell”, said Scarlet.

Hiro looked down at his body and scratched his head as he stood up and gently scratched Amaterasu behind her ears.

“I guess I do have some reminders from my battles with Master.”

Foria ran and jumped into his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist and hugged him tightly. Hiro could feel how much stronger she had gotten. She must have leveled up several times. If she grabbed a normal person like this she might crack his ribs but to Hiro it was just a gentle embrace from the love of his life. He held her tight with one hand and kissed her passionately.

“I missed you” said Hiro.

“I missed you too” replied Foria

“Thank you Scarlet for training her so well.”

Scarlet nodded acknowledging his approval. Amaterasu was jumping around showing her excitement.

“Alright everyone please come back to the hut as my training is now complete.”

“You have mastered the lightning blade style?” asked Scarlet.

“Yes.”

“Then that means…?”

“You know about that…?”

“Know about what?”, asked Foria

“Yes I told you I was very old I knew the 12th master of the lightning blade style.”

“Someone tell me what is happening?” asked Foria

“Yes I am the 17th master of this style and Matsuro is dead. He was poisoned by a high level dragon and the poison spread through and began shutting down his organs. He died peacefully with me by his side”, said Hiro

Amaterasu howled loudly at the moon while Scarlet and Foria hugged Hiro tightly as tears began to roll down his eyes. Hiro began to cry uncontrollably. All of the emotion he had pushed inside suddenly came out like a flood. The two women hugged him tighter as he could no longer stand and fell down on his knees.

“I’m sorry Hiro”, said Foria.

Hiro could not respond he just continued to weep as the ladies tried to console him.

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Sorry about the tough ending guys. I hoped you enjoyed Hiro's training and his ascension as the new master of the lightning blade style.

I'm still looking for a few patrons to help me fund this project if you are interested please feel free to donate. Every little bit help.

I'm also going to try to release chapters more often now as I'm getting more creative and chapters are taking less time to write. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one will be out in a couple of days.