Training- Arc (1)

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So, training was back on the agenda for me. But first, I had a serious and deep conversation with Amaterasu, during which we created my new training plan.

While my old training plan wasn't bad, it had some glaring gaps. Now, with the pressure of an impending mission, we had to plan everything anew. At the top of the list was mist manipulation—both how I could manipulate it and, more importantly, how to prevent anyone from manipulating me.

Additionally, I noticed something about my swordsmanship that greatly bothered me.

"The Sun Sword Dance is too confining for me! Please don't take it the wrong way, Grandma, but I believe we can develop a sword style that suits me better. The fixed sequences are too predictable and rigid for my taste. In my fight against Yamato no Orochi, I had to start the sword dance over and over again because it kept getting interrupted by one of the serpent's heads. Only after I had already cut off most of the heads could I let the full power of the Sun Sword Dance blossom!"

Amaterasu pondered and then said, "So, you want to develop individual techniques that you can use in addition to the Sun Sword Dance? Like the individual techniques of, for example, Zoro from One Piece?"

"Exactly! I think that could take my swordsmanship to a whole new level!"

"Okay, noted," said Amaterasu, but then she switched to a serious tone I had rarely heard from her before.

"But let's first focus on your greatest weakness—mist manipulation! I should have realized and acted sooner, but as a goddess, I am practically immune to any form of manipulation. Unfortunately, it never occurred to me that you are not. Once again, I sincerely apologize."

Cruel images rose in my mind, but I quickly shook my head and began to breathe deeply in and out to avoid falling into panic again.

"Why am I still so vulnerable despite your blessing? Didn't you tell me the mist mainly clouds the minds of normal mortals, preventing them from perceiving the supernatural world?"

"Well, technically, you are also just a normal mortal... my blood in your veins has become so diluted over time that you are barely distinguishable from what you would call a normal mortal. The only supernatural thing about you is that you can see through the mist, unless it is manually manipulated.

Had you been born a few generations earlier, one might have said you possess my legacy, but as it stands, I regret to say that without my blessing, you would probably have ended up simply going insane sooner or later. Seeing things that the people around you cannot see often leads to a fast track to the psychiatric ward."

I looked at her in astonishment. Then, gratefully and respectfully, I bowed, saying, "Amaterasu-sama, I believe I have never properly thanked you for your blessing and support, so let me do so now. Thank you very much, Grandma! You have given me the greatest gift after my parents. My parents gave me my life, but you gave me the meaning of my life, so thank you!"

Unfortunately, I couldn't see Amaterasu at that moment because she was banished to her heaven, but I would swear that she was smiling with joy and love at that moment.

"Thank you, you little flatterer... but back to our problem... I am unfortunately not the most talented goddess when it comes to mist manipulation. But don't worry! Your super awesome and divine favorite grandma has taken care of everything..."

...

"Please don't keep me in suspense, not on this topic!" I said in agony but couldn't help but smile. This was the Amaterasu I had come to know and love.

"Boring... I called in a favor from my ex. And believe me, you owe me a lot for this! But he has agreed to teach you everything you need to know about mist manipulation. And let me tell you, my brother Tsukuyomi is the best of the Shinto gods when it comes to mist manipulation!"

I felt slightly nauseous at the implications of her words. The mention of brother and ex in one sentence gave me an unpleasant and uneasy feeling in my stomach.

Apparently sensing what I was thinking, Amaterasu scolded, "I was a young goddess, and you know exactly how Susanoo, Tsukuyomi, and I were born! I hope I don't have to tell you about the birds and the bees again, but you know very well that we are siblings only in name!"

A cold shiver ran down my spine at the memory.

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Short flashback of my 9-year-old self

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I was running excitedly through the temple grounds when I heard strange clapping sounds coming from one of the storage rooms. My parents were visiting at the time because my tenth birthday was coming up in a month. Since I had just finished my daily tasks, I was looking for my parents to spend the evening together when I heard the sounds. Curious as I was, I went to see who deserved such enthusiastic applause when I recognized my mother's voice saying, "Yes. Yes. Darling, right there again!"

Excited that my father might be showing my mother a new magic trick or something, I burst through the door only to see something no one should ever see. Faster than I had come, I ran out and hid in one of the gardens.

"Grandma! What did I just see?!" I asked in a distressed prayer.

Amaterasu looked at my memories and then said, "Ama-chan, when two adults love each other, then..."

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Flashback end

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But I'll spare you the rest of it; being educated by a goddess about these things is very disturbing. I'm just glad it wasn't a Greek god or goddess...

"No, please not! Tell me more about my future training!" I pleaded loudly in the next moment.

"Fine," said Amaterasu, somewhat annoyed, and continued, "Tsukuyomi will take over your mist manipulation training starting tomorrow. Be warned, his character has changed significantly in recent years, and not in a particularly positive way. Nevertheless, he is a respect worthy sensei! So behave accordingly!"

I nodded excitedly and hoped he wasn't too eccentric.

"His payment will be in the form of room and board, and your parents are already informed. Starting tomorrow, your training arc will truly begin. From sunrise until lunchtime, we will refine your sword technique and develop new techniques for you. From lunch until dinner, Tsukuyomi will take over your training."

"Sound good. By the Way, what are we doing today? There are still a few hours of daylight left, so we can start training right away!" I said eagerly.

"No, you'll soon be training more than enough. Sometimes a break is worth more than many hours of training. How about this: I learned through a prayer from Oda himself that a new manga panel of One Piece has come out. He prayed that it would be well-received... do you want to check it out for yourself?"

"Yeeeesssssssss!!! I can't wait to see what's happening in Skypiea next. Hopefully, Zoro gets some screen time!" I shouted excitedly.

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A few hours later, you could see me sitting by the shrine with the new Weekly Jump. Sweat was running down my forehead as I asked, "Are you sure Oda isn't secretly the god of cooking?

It is ... Wow, just wow!"

I heard Amaterasu's voice, quiet and thoughtful, "Sometimes, I can't tell myself... but one thing I can tell you, in a few thousand years I'll start a monotheistic religion in Oda's name, and One Piece will be our holy scripture..."

"Then please revive me for that time... I want to be his chief apostle."