Chapter 16: Restraint

Ren Takeda wiped the sweat from his forehead as he sat on the wooden floor of the Muteki Dojo. The evening sun poured through the wide windows, casting long shadows across the polished floorboards.

His breathing was calm, but his heartbeat was still racing from the intense drills.

Across from him, Sho — the dojo's jujitsu master — stood with his arms crossed, watching Ren with sharp eyes.

"Ren, you did well today," Sho said, his voice calm but firm. "But you know why we're doing this, right?"

Ren nodded, flexing his sore fingers. "Yeah. I get it, Sensei. If I don't hold back, I could really hurt someone. Or worse, kill someone."

Sho cracked a faint smile. "Exactly. Strength without control is just danger waiting to happen."

Ren let out a dry laugh. "Tell that to my arms. They're tired of breaking training dummies."

Just then, the dojo door slid open, and Yumi Fuyuzora peeked inside. She wore a light summer dress, her hair tied up in a neat ponytail. She held a small bag in one hand and waved with the other.

"Ren! I brought you some snacks," Yumi called, stepping barefoot onto the dojo floor. She noticed Sho and quickly bowed. "Good evening, Sho-sensei."

Sho gave her a small nod in return. "Good timing, Yumi. Ren will need that energy."

Yumi tilted her head, glancing at Ren with worry. "Why? Did you break another statue again?"

Ren scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Something like that."

Sho clapped his hands, bringing their attention back. "Ren, stand up. Today, we will test your restraint. I brought someone who can take a hit — and give one back."

Ren raised an eyebrow. "You got me a punching bag that punches back?"

Sho ignored the joke and gestured to the dojo entrance. A man stepped in — tall, broad-shouldered, with a thick neck and arms like tree trunks.

He wore simple workout clothes and looked like he'd just come from a street brawl.

"This is Kenta. He's a local underground first rate fighter. Not exactly polite, but tough enough to help you test your limits."

Kenta cracked his knuckles and shot Ren a cocky grin. "So, you're the pretty boy I'm sparring with? Hope you don't cry when you hit the mat."

Ren chuckled and stood up, rolling his shoulders. "I could say the same to you."

Yumi tugged at Ren's sleeve. "Be careful, okay? And don't break him."

Ren winked. "No promises."

Sho stepped between them, raising a hand. "Rules are simple. Ren, you win if you can control the fight without going all out. Kenta, try to push him. Don't hold back. Ready?"

Ren and Kenta nodded.

They faced each other in the center of the dojo. Yumi stepped back, clutching her snack bag, watching nervously.

Kenta moved first, lunging with a wild right hook. Ren slipped it easily, his feet gliding across the wooden floor. He could hear Sho's voice in his head: Use only what you need.

Kenta swung again, faster this time, but Ren ducked, tapped Kenta's arm away, and stepped to the side, calm and focused.

Kenta grunted. "Stop dancing and fight me for real!"

Ren exhaled and threw a quick jab — just enough to sting, not enough to shatter. His fist hit Kenta's chest, making the bigger man stumble back a step.

Kenta roared and charged. He launched a flurry of wild punches, trying to overwhelm Ren. But Ren read every move — a slip, a side-step, a light palm to redirect a heavy fist. He stayed calm, breathing steady.

"Good, Ren," Sho called from the side. "Stay calm! Control!"

Ren waited for an opening. When Kenta overextended on a big swing, Ren stepped in and swept Kenta's legs with a clean, sharp motion.

Kenta hit the floor with a loud thud but Ren held back the final strike that could have ended it.

Breathing hard, Kenta lay on the floor, stunned but not broken.

Ren looked down at him, fists still raised. Then he lowered them and turned to Sho. "How was that?"

Sho nodded, his expression finally relaxing. "Better. You controlled your strength. Good work."

Yumi ran up to Ren, beaming with relief. "I knew you could do it! Here, you earned this."

She pushed a rice ball into his hand. Ren laughed, taking a big bite. "Perfect timing, Yumi."

Just as the three of them started to relax, Kenta groaned from the floor, glaring up at Ren. "Round two, pretty boy?"

Before Ren could answer, a loud crack echoed through the dojo, the door slammed open again. Batu, the Kickboxing master, stood there grinning with two giant tires in his hands.

"Ren! Time for leg training! Get ready to run with these!" Batu boomed.

Ren froze, rice ball halfway to his mouth. "Huh?! I just finished—"

Sho smirked. "No rest for the strong, Ren."

Yumi giggled as Ren sighed in defeat, rice ball still in his mouth.