And with the introduction of her “Thought Words,” which is the world she would imagine in her head to activate the ability, she’d unlocked a whole utility of specialized arrows:
- Piercing Arrow; arrows that pierced throw the directed target – TW: Penetrate
- Blunt Arrow, arrows that released a shockwave upon impact, causing knockback – TW: Disperse
- Blinding Arrow, arrows that released power full light that slightly blinded opponents – TW: Illuminate
- Tracking Arrow, arrows that lock on and follow the target. Takes more energy than other arrows – TW: Lock-On
Each one had a distinct glow and impact pattern, and she was already mastering them at frightening speed.
Kaizo, meanwhile, was refining his DNA sets.
He’d reached a point where he could safely control up to two sets at full power or juggle partial strength across three.
The exception was Strength. Even now, using it alone for too long would shred him from the inside out.
Training progress? Excellent.
Kaizo’s focus during training? …Less excellent.
Yumi’s endurance training had started sculpting her figure even more, and Kaizo — being Kaizo — noticed.
Ex 1:
That night, post-spar, Kaizo drinks from a jungle-spring bottle while Yumi stretches across a wooden beam.
She arches back to stretch—tank-top shifting dangerously—and Kaizo’s brain betrays him.
He stares.
Kaizo: “…Imma be honest, Yumi.”
Yumi: “Hm?”
Kaizo: “Can I grab them?”
Yumi (blinking): “Grab what?”
Kaizo (deadpan): “Don’t play dumb with me.”
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
A beat of silence.
Yumi (eyes narrow): “Kaizo…”
Kaizo (walking away with full confidence): “Just sayin’. They’re calling me.”
Ex 2:
That evening during core stretches, Kaizo eyes her from a distance, eyes narrowing.
Kaizo (dead serious): “What can I do to cop a feel?”
Yumi (eyebrows raise): “You were never this interested before… what’s changed, naughty boy?”
Kaizo (without hesitation): “You. Literally. Your body has reached newly unseen levels I’ve never seen before.”
Yumi (concerned): “…Yikes. You’re not joking, are you?”
Kaizo (solemn nod): “You’re breaking statistical models, Yumi.”
Infinity (snoring): “He ain’t wrong…”
Ex 3:
That day, Kaizo and Yumi are jogging through the jungle trail, light sweat on both.
Yumi’s figure has dramatically caught up to her metabolism.
Kaizo (narrating like a documentary): “Observe… the rare transformation of Flatline. Once a “where are they”, now approaching the divine curvature of “Are those real?’”
Yumi (laughing, brushing hair back): “Careful. Keep talking and the genre might change.”
Kaizo (to the audience): “Can you please have your kids leave the room? Also, RoyalRoad, please relax on this chapter…”
Later on…
Yumi slows down her jog to stretch. Kaizo’s eyes naturally drift.
Yumi (suddenly smirking): “Are you checking me out again?”
Kaizo (shrugging): “No. I’m admiring physics.”
Yumi: “Physics??”
Kaizo: “Yeah, the artist is going to spend about 30 seconds on this panel getting the motion right.”
Yumi: “Sometimes I can’t understand what you're talking about at all.
Kaizo (honest): “That’s probably for the best…”
Ex 4:
Inside the treehouse, Kaizo is writing a training journal.
Infinity curls up beside his elbow.
Yumi (poking her head in): “Hey Kaizo. Quick question.”
Kaizo: “Hit me.”
Yumi: “If I sat on you right now… would that count as a combat technique?”
Kaizo (without hesitation): “I would die.”
Infinity (sleeping): “Weak ass.”
Kaizo: “Shut up, Garfield.”
Ex 5:
Later that night, Kaizo sits by the campfire, deep in thought.
Kaizo (to the ‘audience’): “Fellas, Gals, it’s getting bad. What should I do?”
(Yumi calls from the treehouse)
Yumi: “Who are you talking to?”
Kaizo (silent for a while): “… management.”
Yumi (walking towards him): “You need help.”
Kaizo: “Already got a therapist. His name’s Infinity.”
Infinity (half-asleep): “I’m retired…”