CH35: SKILL LEVEL

This is a passion work. So, I would really appreciate it if you leave behind a review when you're done reading.

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CH35: SKILL LEVEL

The old man smiled and looked at his granddaughter who said, "That's because you were learning Japanese Karate, not the original Okinawan Karate."

"Japanese Karate? Okinawan Karate?" Korede asked, confused.

Miyako explained, "As you know, Karate originated in Okinawa. However, Okinawan Karate and the Karate practised in the rest of mainland Japan are fundamentally different. Japanese Karate is more or less a combat sport. Hence, it emphasises how a technique should be executed. Also, a lot of techniques had been removed or altered to suit the needs of a combat sport. Mostly the altered techniques are more flashy than they need to be.

On the other hand, Okinawan Karate is a culture of Okinawa. It is our way of life. It is primarily a form of self defence. It emphasises why a technique should be done, mostly, irrespective of how it is executed. Thus, its techniques are not flashy as the most important thing is their effectiveness."

Both Kola and Korede Balogun were enlightened.

Hattori added, "Since Okinawan Karate is mainly for Self defence, its techniques are at short range and are very practical for real-life combat."

Hattori placed down his teacup and looked at Korede. He said, "Okinawan Karate is a good fit for you, an intuitive type fighter. Also, its techniques, Tuidi and Kobudo, will make up for what you lack.

Since Okinawan Karate is a self defence style, it's not only a Striking style. Tuidi is Karate's transition to Stand-up grappling while Kobudo is the method of using weapons in Karate."

Korede quickly figured out what the old man was trying to tell him.

"So you want me to learn Okinawan Karate so that I will be able to use it to bridge between my Striking and Grappling Styles using Tuidi." Korede said.

"That's correct" Hattori affirmed. "Not only that, you can use Kobudo to bridge between Unarmed martial arts and Armed martial arts. Since you've come this far, I don't see why you should stop at only unarmed martial art as you will be learning Swordsmanship. I'm quite interested to see what your unique fighting style will become."

Korede caught something in his words and couldn't help asking, "You mean…?"

Hattori smiled and asked, "Are you willing to learn Swordsmanship and Karate from me?"

"It would be my honour." Korede said seriously with a bow causing the old man to laugh. Miyako and Kola smiled.

Korede was happy about finally being accepted as the old man's student. He was finally on the road to learning about Will and being able to revive his team. He, however, soon realised a problem.

"Master, we might have an issue. As I said before, I am a soldier. I'm currently on leave and I'll have to return to duty when my leave is called off. I'm not sure there will be enough time. (1)"

Korede felt a little anxious. He didn't want to lose the chance he had just gotten but didn't want to hide the matter either.

Hattori raised an eyebrow, "How long is your leave?"

Korede looked towards Kola who said, "The situation behind his leave is a little complicated. I'll have to make a call to confirm."

With that said, Kola went out to make the call. The room descended into silence as they awaited Kola's return.

A few minutes later, Kola returned and said, "I was able to get him about six months. A friend at the Ministry of Foreign affairs is also helping to get him a diplomatic visa. Everything should be ready as long as Master Hattori gives his approval."

Everyone in the room turned to the old man for his response.

"Six months, huh? Not only for swordsmanship but also Karate. That's going to be tight. For us to get a good result, your training will be tough. You can even call it hell. You better be ready."

"That means…"

"Yes, I will still take you on as my student. You've called me Master after all."

Korede was overjoyed. Hattori Hanzo was also happy. He believed that Korede was a genius, especially physically and in martial arts. Being able to teach such a person is a thing of joy. Miyako was also happy and heaved a sigh of relief.

Miyako wanted her grandfather to take on a student so that he could be more active and thus improve his health in the long run.

Hattori waited a while for everyone, especially Korede, to calm down. He said, "Since time is limited, let strike while the iron is hot. Your first lesson will begin now."

Hearing this, Korede sat up.

"Well, it's more of correcting your impression rather than teaching you something new. It's your constitution. You have the wrong idea about it. Your brother tells me you think you're able to use the full potential of a 'human body'."

While Korede looked confused, everyone else in the room didn't seem lost.

Hattori looked to Kola, "It looks like you haven't explained anything to him. I was wondering why he limited his body to the level of ordinary humans, as if to hide."

Kola nodded, "Yes, I haven't. I had thought the same as he does now until a few years ago when I reached this level. Unfortunately, by then, his mindset was already set. So, I refrained from telling him until he reached his bottleneck so that the new information doesn't affect his progress. He only reached his bottleneck a while ago. So as both of us were busy, I haven't had the opportunity to tell him about it. Later, when he asked to help him find a Swordsmanship master and Miyako recommended you to me, I decided it was best to leave the explanation to you. After all, you've passed my level longer than I've been at this level. Your explanation would be better than mine."

While Korede looked at his brother more confused, Hattori nodded his head. He turned to the confused Korede and continued his lecture.

"As I said before, your constitution doesn't give you access to the full potential of a human body but rather the full potential of 'your' body. Think about it. If it's as you think, that would mean that what you can do is the limit of what a human can achieve. However, as you've seen in our fight, that is not so.

You have to realise that, while every human body is similar in appearance, each human body is different. We all have different abilities. For example, it is very rare for an East Asian to be stronger than an African. It is more likely that a Japanese would be faster or more agile. (2)

Another thing, you should be able to do everything a human should but that's also not true. If I had to guess, I would say your constitution allows you to perform an action or ability to the fullest possible potential of your body. So, if a normal human can perform an action at 40% at most, you can do so at 100%. Meaning you will perform at least 2.5 times better than a normal person."

While reality was not as simple as this, the general idea was clear so Korede nodded his head in understanding.

Hattori continued, "Also, another thing to consider is the 'level' that the person is at."

"Level?" Korede asked

Kola and Miyako nodded as Hattori affirmed, "Yes, Skill level or simply Level. There are seven skill levels. By general convention, Level 1-7 corresponds to Novice, Beginner, Specialist, Expert, Master, Grandmaster, and the mythical God-like level.

For explanation sake, let's give points to how well a skill is performed. Lv1=10, Lv2=20, Lv3=40, Lv4=80, Lv5=160, Lv6=320, Lv7=640. So, a shooter that earned between 10points to 19points from his shooting skill will be called a Beginner Shooter. A score above 639 and the shooter will be called a God-like shooter.

There have been people that have reached the God-like stage, so it's safe to say the stage is within human limits. If you are at the pinnacle of human potential, you should be a God-like level skill user. As you know, you are not."

Korede nodded. He understood something from the old man's explanation, so he asked for confirmation, "You are saying that my constitution makes me 2.5x better than others. So if my skill level is at novice where I should have a skill point of 10, I will have 25 points making me a beginner. So my constitution increases my skill level by one. Did I get that right?"

"That's correct. Until master level." Hattori replied. "Even with skill points of 640, without meeting a specific requirement, you won't be a Master. Well, without meeting this requirement, you can never get above 150 points in the first place. This is a truth not even your constitution can change. Until you meet the requirement, you won't grow stronger. This is the bottleneck your brother spoke of and your current stage."

"So you are saying I'm an expert skill user?" Korede asked.

"Yes, with regards to your physical capabilities and martial arts." Hattori answered. "As for any other skills you may possess, I'm not sure but they will definitely not be higher than expert level."

"Other skills? It doesn't apply to only martial arts?"

"Haven't you been listening? I've been talking about any and all skills. Sculpting, painting, swimming, scientific knowledge. Anything you can consider a skill. Why do you think there are 'Master' and 'Grandmaster' painters, sculptors, etc. Heck, I had even met an expert sleeper back in the day. He almost advanced to a Master sleeper but died when his home collapsed as he slept. The ranking applies to anything as long as the user considers it a skill."

Korede was left speechless. Eventually, he asked. "What is this requirement?"

"Being able to consciously use your Will." Hattori said with a serious expression.

Korede looked stunned. Then inwardly he became excited. He was finally on the trail of this elusive Will. Still showing a confused expression, he asked,

"Will? What is that?"

"Different myths and scriptures will tell you that when humans first came into being, we were given 'Free Will' which we were able to impose on the world and its inhabitants. Thus, bringing us to the top of the hierarchy.

Will is something possessed by us that allows us to impose our intents on the world, thereby allowing us to achieve what should be impossible.

It is something we are born with. A source of power waiting to be harnessed. It is only with this power that we can surpass our limits and become Masters or higher." Hattori responded.

"So, I have to be able to apply my Will to at least one skill to be called a Master?" Korede said.

"Yes." the old man affirmed. "Not only that. The first time you awaken your Will, it will come in form of a manifestation. Every human may possess Will, but it manifests differently for us all. Although a lot of them look similar, there will be noticeable differences."

"So how do I awaken my Will?" Korede asked the question he was most interested in.

"Though awakening of Will is not easy and is spontaneous, there are two known ways it is awakened."

[A.N: Please, don't forget to leave a review of the work to encourage me. Your opinion matters to me.]

AUTHOR'S NOTE/RAMBLINGS

1 Korede's leave was an indefinite R&R leave which could be called off at a short notice.

2 Just found out calling someone 'Oriental' is considered derogatory. Still wondering how true that is. Anyhow, I had to go back and change it all to East Asian.

[A.N: Please, don't forget to leave a review of the work to encourage me. Your opinion matters to me.]