Chapitre 149: Chapter 148: Work Study Begins!

Creaaak.

In the middle of the forested camp, the wooden door of a traditional Japanese cabin groaned open.

"Haaah…"

Kaminari stepped out, only to be greeted by a refreshing wave of crisp, moist morning air. He paused at the threshold, inhaling deeply. The coolness of the forest breeze invigorated him in an instant.

"This air… it's even better than Omiya Park," Kaminari thought with a small smile, his gaze fixed ahead.

Taking a step forward, he carefully closed the door behind him, all the while admiring the scenery that stretched before him.

"The jade fan hangs upside down over the sky of the East, the white snow on Fuji reflects the rising sun…"

The lines of a poem he'd studied in junior high came to mind as he stood there, captivated by the view. For the first time, he felt the weight of what it meant to experience something truly poetic—Mount Fuji, majestic and pristine, stood towering in the distance, bathed in the warm hues of morning light.

"The idea of stepping outside and seeing Mount Fuji every morning… it's amazing," Kaminari murmured to himself, his voice laced with awe. "I've got to bring my parents here someday. They'd love it."

But his peaceful musings were abruptly shattered by a calm, steady voice that pierced through the stillness.

"Good morning, Raikage."

Startled out of his thoughts, Kaminari turned to see Edgeshot stepping out of another cabin nearby. He looked just as composed as always, his appearance unchanged from the day before.

"Good morning, Edgeshot," Kaminari replied politely.

He stuck to using the Hero's title rather than his real name. After all, Aizawa had made it clear to them before they departed: when working with professional Heroes, it was proper etiquette to address them by their Hero name.

Edgeshot glanced toward Mount Fuji in the distance. "Since you're up so early, I take it you've already mastered the breathing technique I showed you yesterday." His voice was calm, almost conversational.

"The breathing technique wasn't too difficult, so I picked it up pretty quickly," Kaminari replied with a smile. "But honestly, getting up early is just a habit for me. I've been waking up at this time for over ten years now to train for an hour or two."

Edgeshot nodded slightly, a hint of approval in his gaze.

---

The evening before had been relatively uneventful. Kaminari and Edgeshot had gone to a nearby lake and caught two fresh fish for dinner. Their meal was simple: grilled fish, prepackaged miso soup, and freshly steamed white rice made with water from Mount Fuji.

Though plain, it was surprisingly satisfying. Kaminari couldn't tell if it was the freshness of the ingredients or his hunger after the long day, but it felt like one of the best meals he'd ever had.

After dinner, Edgeshot didn't immediately put Kaminari to work. Instead, he introduced him to the camp and laid out the daily routine he'd be following.

The camp itself was straightforward. It was enclosed by four high wooden walls, without any gates, as Kaminari had already discovered.

The western side, where they were now, was the living area. It featured five wooden cabins in total, each built in the traditional Japanese style.

Two of the cabins were designated for living quarters, one for each of them. The others served as a kitchen, a storage shed, and a small bathroom.

The kitchen doubled as a dining area, though calling it a "dining area" was a stretch. It consisted of a single wooden table on a tatami mat, large enough to seat four people at most. Despite its simplicity, the table's craftsmanship stood out, it was smooth and polished, clearly handmade with care.

To the east lay the heart of the camp: the training grounds. This area took up nearly two-thirds of the camp's space and was filled with an assortment of ninja-style training equipment.

There were bamboo poles reminiscent of plum blossom stakes, ranging from one to ten meters in height, narrow obstacle paths lined with black iron rods, humanoid wooden dummies covered in wear and tear, and more.

Kaminari had asked Edgeshot the obvious question: "Did you build all this yourself?"

Edgeshot's answer had been simple yet profound. "These were created by the ninjas who came before me. This camp has been passed down through generations."

"Then it's like an inheritance of Heroism," Kaminari had mused.

Edgeshot had nodded, his voice taking on a reflective tone. "The ninja tradition has always been about passing down knowledge. Inheritance is the core of what we do."

---

Back in the present, Edgeshot's expression remained steady as he turned to Kaminari. "It's clear that your strength far surpasses others your age. But it's not entirely due to 'talent.'"

Kaminari tilted his head, curious.

"Your techniques carry a refinement that can only come from hard work and dedication. That's not something you get from natural ability alone. Endeavor's son, on the other hand, is what I'd call a true genius."

Edgeshot's words gave Kaminari pause.

"You and Todoroki are like two extremes," Edgeshot continued. "One builds his strength through relentless practice, while the other relies on innate talent. Yet both of you stand far above your peers and even some professional Heroes."

Kaminari chuckled softly, shrugging. "Maybe it's just a case of different paths leading to the same goal. But honestly…"

He trailed off for a moment, the image of Todoroki flashing through his mind.

"If Todoroki worked as hard as I do, he'd probably be miles ahead of me by now," Kaminari admitted with a touch of melancholy. "Talent is a huge advantage. I can't deny that."

Edgeshot regarded Kaminari quietly for a moment before speaking.

"People blessed with extraordinary talent often fail to value hard work. They don't see the need for it because they can already excel without much effort. That's why so many geniuses plateau, they never learn how to push themselves further."

Edgeshot's voice softened, his tone almost encouraging. "But a person who achieves greatness through hard work has a kind of talent that surpasses most others. Effort itself is a form of genius. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many mediocre people in the world."

Kaminari's gaze steadied as he absorbed the Hero's words.

"Hard work can surpass talent," Kaminari muttered to himself, "but there are also geniuses who work hard…"

"That's correct," Edgeshot said, his voice carrying a note of approval. He could see the spark of determination in Kaminari's eyes, and it only deepened his admiration for the boy.

---

"Alright," Edgeshot said, breaking the momentary silence. "Go put on your combat uniform. Today, we'll begin your workplace experience for real. You'll get a taste of what it means to live the life of a professional Hero."

Kaminari's eyes lit up with excitement, his previous fatigue forgotten.

"And if you're not too tired afterward," Edgeshot added, "you can train with me in the evening."

"Yes, sir!" Kaminari replied enthusiastically. Without wasting another second, he turned and headed back into his cabin.

Opening his combat suit box, a faint golden glow spilled out, illuminating his face.

With practiced ease, he donned the Cancer's Golden Cloth. The dark gold flame patterns along the hem rippled like waves with his movements, while the five bold characters emblazoned on the back stood out, their presence commanding.

Kaminari stepped out of the cabin, his eyes glinting with determination.

"Let's do this. Workstudy experience, here I come!"

***

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Chapitre 150: Chapter 149: Decide Your Own Way of Death

As Kaminari stepped out of the wooden cabin wearing the Cancer's Golden Cloth, the morning sun rising from the side of Mount Fuji bathed him in its gentle light.

The sunlight caught the golden threads of his robe, making his entire figure shine brilliantly, as if his body had naturally activated its "lighting function." At this moment, Kaminari looked almost otherworldly, like the mythical "Son of Light."

Edgeshot, who had turned to glance at Kaminari, froze briefly at the sight before squinting slightly and commenting with his usual calm tone, "You… are a bit too conspicuous."

To be fair, in his years as a professional Hero, this was the first time he'd ever seen such a dazzling combat uniform.

"Uh… hehe," Kaminari laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "It's not that bad, right? I mean, compared to Endeavor, who's literally on fire, I'm not exactly subtle—but I'm not worse either!"

Edgeshot fell silent for a moment before giving a small nod. "Fair point."

Without dwelling on the matter further, he turned back around and gestured forward. "Let's go. We'll catch fish and return quickly. Once we've had breakfast, we need to start morning training."

As he spoke, Edgeshot picked up speed. His calm walk turned into a brisk jog, then a full sprint, his agile movements quickly carrying him toward the wooden walls of the camp. With a seamless leap, he tapped the top of the wall with one hand and disappeared into the forest beyond.

Crackle!

"Got it!" Kaminari responded energetically. A surge of golden electricity wrapped around his body, and in the next moment, he dashed after Edgeshot, vaulting the wall and following closely through the forest.

---

As they raced along thick tree trunks, weaving through the lush greenery, Kaminari asked a question that had been on his mind since last night.

"Sensei, can I ask what kind of training we'll be doing today?"

Without breaking stride, Edgeshot responded, his voice steady even as he bounded forward. "We'll begin with the basics—meditation."

"Meditation?" Kaminari echoed, slightly confused. "You mean like… what mages use to recover mana in fantasy stories?"

Edgeshot's expression didn't shift, but he nodded slightly. "Something like that. After all, those fantasy stories draw inspiration from the real world."

He continued, "Meditation is a technique for achieving deep concentration. Through this practice, you can align your heart, mind, and body. It strengthens your mental focus and enhances your control over your body from the inside out."

Kaminari listened intently as Edgeshot explained further.

"This technique isn't unique to any one culture. It's present in nearly all martial arts disciplines. 'Kung Fu' in China, 'Yoga' in India, 'Muay Thai' in Thailand—each has its own version of meditative practices.

"These practices may differ in execution, but their essence is the same: cultivating your mind and spirit to achieve mastery over your body."

Kaminari nodded thoughtfully. "I see. But…" He hesitated before asking with a wry smile, "Can this really create energy? Like magic or chakra?"

"Absolutely not," Edgeshot said flatly, not even turning his head. "Skills are skills—they can never become something like Quirks."

Edgeshot glanced back briefly before elaborating, "I can't offer you advice on developing your Quirk. That's your journey. But what I can teach you are the techniques of ninjutsu."

Kaminari's eyes lit up with interest.

"You've already learned the breathing technique I showed you last night. That was a foundation, a simple entry point to meditation. It allows you to recover quickly and wake instantly at any sign of danger. I'll be expanding on that."

He paused before adding pointedly, "Assuming, of course, you didn't just pretend to learn it."

"Pretend? Of course not!" Kaminari protested with mock indignation. Then, unable to resist, he grinned and asked, "Sensei, how long did it take you to master breathing techniques?"

Edgeshot remained silent for a few moments, seemingly pondering the question as he moved effortlessly ahead.

"…Three days and three nights," he finally admitted. "I struggled to even get started back then. So, yes, you do have talent."

"Three days? Not bad!" Kaminari teased before pressing further. "What kind of ninjutsu are we talking about? Is it something cool like shadow clones or substitution techniques?"

Before Edgeshot could answer, the forest ahead gave way to a clearing, revealing a small, tranquil lake.

"We're here," Edgeshot said simply, landing gracefully on the ground.

Kaminari followed suit, his curiosity briefly overtaken by awe as he took in the scene.

The lake's surface was a deep, rich blue, perfectly reflecting the sky above. The stillness of the water gave it the appearance of a massive sapphire resting at the foot of Mount Fuji, which loomed majestically in the distance.

Although they'd been here the previous evening, the atmosphere felt entirely different in the morning light.

"This place is…" Kaminari murmured, his earlier excitement replaced with a sense of peace.

Edgeshot, however, wasted no time. He dashed toward the lake, his movements fluid as he skimmed the surface of the water. To Kaminari, it looked as if the Hero was walking on liquid glass, leaving only ripples in his wake.

Though he had seen Edgeshot perform this "water floating" technique the day before, it still amazed him.

"He's practically gliding," Kaminari muttered. "No matter how many times I see it, it's incredible."

Edgeshot quickly returned, carrying a small makeshift box filled with water and a few fish. The "box" itself appeared to be folded from paper—likely formed by his own Quirk.

"We're done here. Let's head back," Edgeshot said simply.

---

As they made their way back to the camp, the peaceful rhythm of their journey was interrupted.

"Is that… someone hanging from a tree?!" Kaminari exclaimed, spotting a man dangling from a thick branch up ahead. His movements were wild and erratic, like a fish flailing out of water.

Edgeshot's sharp eyes quickly assessed the situation. Without hesitation, he increased his speed and pulled out a shuriken.

Whoosh!

The shuriken sliced cleanly through the man's tie, cutting him free from the branch.

Thud!

The man fell to the ground in a heap, coughing violently as he struggled to regain his breath. His face was red and sweaty, and it was clear that he had been moments away from suffocating.

But as soon as he recovered, he looked up at Kaminari and Edgeshot with unfiltered anger.

"Why did you stop me?!" he yelled, his voice hoarse. "Do you have any idea how much courage it took for me to do this?!"

Kaminari blinked in disbelief. "You're mad at us for saving you?!"

The man didn't respond immediately. Instead, he picked up his briefcase discarded in his earlier struggle and hurled it toward them. It didn't get far, falling to the ground with a soft thud. Papers spilled out of the bag, fluttering like leaves before settling around him.

"Why do you care where or how I die?!" the man shouted, his voice filled with bitterness. "It's my life, isn't it? I should get to decide how it ends!"

Edgeshot, standing on a nearby branch, sighed quietly at the display.

Kaminari, still perched nearby, muttered under his breath, "Isn't it more strange not to stop someone from killing themselves right in front of you?"

He shook his head and added in exasperation, "Seriously, though—if you're going to do this, why hike all the way out here to do it?"

The man glared at them, his face contorted with frustration. "Because this is the one decision in my life that's mine! I've spent my whole life following orders, doing what everyone else wanted. Can't I at least decide how I go out?!"

***

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