CHAPTER - 6 The Awakening of Resolve
Hataki's heart sank. "Yoto, what are you saying?"
"I don't feel anything," Yoto repeated, doubt lacing his words. "I didn't get any power..."
The team stood in stunned silence, the weight of Yoto's words sinking in.
Hayato's voice was tense. "Yoto, this isn't the time for jokes. Come on, try again."
Determined, Yoto approached the tree and began punching it with all his might. Blood poured from his knuckles, but he wouldn't stop. Tears welled in his eyes as he screamed in pain, his resolve unwavering.
"Come on, come on," Yoto muttered to himself, gritting his teeth through the agony. "You stupid body, bear with the pain. Why are you breaking down? You haven't even tried hard enough yet. Just a little longer... please, I don't want to be a burden to my team. Give me something—anything—so I can contribute."
Seeing Yoto's desperation, Hataki and Hayato rushed toward him to intervene. Hataki grabbed his arm. "Yoto, stop it! You're hurting yourself!"
Yoto struggled against them, his voice firm despite his pain. "Leave me! Stop holding me back. I can feel something... I think I'm close to awakening. Let me try one last time, Sensei."
Akemi and Yushin joined in, their voices filled with concern.
"Yoto, you idiot!" Akemi scolded. "Hurting yourself won't bring you power. Stop this nonsense!"
"Listen to us, Yoto," Yushin added. "Think for a moment. Stop this before you do irreversible damage."
Even Eiji tried to reason with him, but Yoto refused to listen. Hataki's frustration boiled over. He grabbed Yoto's collar and threw him back, causing him to hit the ground hard.
"Sensei, you're hurting him!" Eiji and Hayato protested.
Hataki's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Enough! Everyone, stay silent for a moment."
The team froze, pinned to their spots by Hataki's commanding tone. Yoto struggled to stand, his body trembling. Hataki approached him deliberately.
"Yoto, look at yourself," Hataki said, his voice heavy with emotion. "You can't even stand on your own. Why are you so stubborn?"
"Because I'm close..." Yoto's voice was weak but resolute. "I can feel it… something inside me that will help me support my team. Please, Sensei, let me try one last time. I need to prove myself."
Hataki's patience snapped. He shook Yoto by the collar. "Yoto, stop! Accept reality. If you had any power, it would have awakened by now. Stop clinging to false hope and face the truth."
Hayato's anger flared. "Sensei, how can you say that to him?"
Akemi stepped in, trying to calm him. "Hayato, stop. Don't make things worse."
Hataki turned sharply toward Hayato, his grip still firm on Yoto's collar. "And what would you have me tell him, Hayato? That hurting himself will awaken his power? That he should push himself until he breaks entirely? What do you want me to say?"
Hayato faltered, realizing the truth in Hataki's words. Hataki continued, his tone softening but remaining firm. "This isn't the first time someone hasn't awakened. Yoto, I'm sorry, but I can't let you harm yourself over something beyond your control."
Yoto stopped resisting, his head bowing in defeat. Hataki released him and addressed the team. "Akemi, bring the first aid kit. Treat his injuries now."
Akemi and Yushin rushed to Yoto's side, patching up his battered hands. Hataki walked away, his expression unreadable. Hayato followed, determined to speak with him.
"Sensei, is it really okay to say that to him?" Hayato asked, his voice heavy with doubt. "He's already hurting."
Hataki sighed, his tone weary. "Hayato, it pains me too. But if I encouraged him, would he have stopped? You know how stubborn he is. He'd keep pushing until he destroyed himself."
Hayato nodded reluctantly. "You're right. He's always been determined... sometimes too much so."
"Exactly," Hataki said. "He feels like a burden. He doesn't see what we see in him. But we can't force him to accept reality. He has to come to terms with it himself."
After a moment, Hataki added, "Once Yoto is treated, tell everyone to rest. We've had enough for one day."
Hayato returned to the team, his face clouded with concern. "Sensei says we're to rest. Let's head back to our rooms."
Akemi finished bandaging Yoto's hands. "You're all set. Get some rest, Yoto. You'll feel better in a couple of days."
Yoto didn't respond, staring at the ground in silence. Yushin knelt beside him. "Yoto, do you need help? Are you okay?"
Yoto pulled his hand away sharply. "Stay away. Just go. Leave me alone."
"Yoto, you need—" Eiji began, but Yoto interrupted with a shout. "I said leave me alone!"
Hayato stepped in. "Everyone, go back to your rooms. Give him space."
Akemi hesitated. "But what about Yoto?"
"Anything we say now will only hurt him more," Hayato said. "It's better to leave him be."
Reluctantly, the team left, leaving Yoto alone. Once they were gone, Yoto's shoulders shook as he sobbed quietly.
"Why am I so weak?" he whispered to himself. "Why am I a burden? Even during training, everyone excelled while I struggled. I'm only here because Sensei believed in me. I'm a disgrace to the team."
His tears fell freely as he punched the ground in frustration. "Why? Why am I the only weak one? How can I protect my team with just my brain?"
As he struck the ground one last time, a black substance oozed from his arm, wrapping around his wrist and knuckles. The ground beneath him shattered, sending tremors across the mountain.
Yoto stared in shock at his hand, now covered in the mysterious black substance. Within seconds, it disappeared, sinking back into his arm. He unwrapped the bandages, astonished to find his knuckles fully healed. He checked his other hand—it too was unscathed.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop of the organization's building, Hataki stood in thought, gazing into the distance. A masked man appeared behind him, his presence ominous yet calm.
"It took you long enough to show up," Hataki said without turning.
The masked man's voice carried a measured warmth. "It's been a while. How have you been, Hataki?"