-Greenwald, the edge of town-
The team of four were standing before a house. It was completely normal looking but for Germalid, it brought back a lot of memories. This place was special for him.
Germalid with Dante walked up to the door and they knocked. Fear evident in Germalid's eye. After a short while an elf woman opened the door. Casting a gaze at the two, her vision Stucks on a particular individual with short height and long beard.
Alain: Oh my! Little Ger! Is that you? It's been Soo long that you visited me. Did you maybe forget your old master?
The last words were spoken with malec in her tone. Germalid was sweating profoundly, before he could give an explanation, he was sent flying by Alain via a slap. He crashed into the nearby trashcans with a loud impact.
Alain: 50 year's! And you didn't even sent me a postcard! And NOW! You just walz in and drop of a random kid on my back! Have you got no shame!?
Dante and the others were just standing there. Doing nothing. They knew better than interfere with an angry woman's vendetta.
Germalid: Augh... it's good to see you too. Master.
The group had explained the situation to Alain and took there leave. Dante was left with some parenting words to behave.
The trio just stood there, watching as the cart disappeared on the horizon. After that, they headed inside the house. Alain showed around Dante and took him to his room.
Alain: This is where you will stay for the next two weeks. Get settled in, after that meet me in the garden. Bring your toys too.
With that, She closed the door. Leaving Dante and Lilith to prepare. Dante throw his duffle bag next to the bed and changed into his battle gear. Afterwards.
The duo headed out to the garden, Alain was waiting there with a wooden sword in her hand.
Alain was the first to speak.
Alain: So. I heard that you are well versed in combat. Let's put it to the test. Shall we?
Dante just nodded. His appraisal skill trying to scan Alain level but with no luck.
Dante:(Question marks. That means she is much higher leveled than I am. I must be care...)
Dante couldn't finish even his thoughts, when Alain disappeared from her spot.
His sharingan flared to life, trying to find where did she go. At the next second, Alain was already behind Dante. Her wooden sword descending at him, green light flickered at Dante's foot.
He barely dodged the incoming attack. Alain was surprised, not because he dodged but because of a nother thing. Her grin grown wide. As Dante landed safely three meters away, he could not rest or act.
Alain pushed a relentless assault on Dante forcing him to dodge or block with his sword.
He could not find an opening in her movements. It was flawless.
After fifteen minutes or so Dante's stamina started to waver. Alain seeing this pushed for a final blow. With a decisive blow, she struck Dante in the abdomen. The force was overwhelming, Dante collapsed onto the ground like a sack of potatoes. Breathing heavily, Alain approached him offering her hand.
After they were done with testing Dante's strength, they headed inside. They were having some tee and snacks at the table.
Lilith was enjoying the cookies prepared by Alain while Dante was still clutching his stomach.
Alain: I am impressed. No previous students of mine could hold on as long as you have. For the first time.
Lilith: I was surprised as well! He always seemed invincible, when he pummeled the bad guys. But now, he ate nothing but dust.
Dante made a small grunting sound and grabbed one of the cups on the table and said.
Dante: Well, augh... thanks for the vote of confidence.
He started to sip his tea. Alain was watching every move he made, than she posed a question which stopped Dante in his tracks.
Alain: So, how long you want to keep up this shared?
Dante looked at Alain, who was resting her head on her palm. She continued.
Alain: I faze it a nother way. Should I call you Dante "Redgrave" or Dante "Uchiha"?
At that moment, Dante dropped the cup to the ground, shattering it to peaces. His heart was racing fast along with his mind. Only one word could he mutter.
Dante How!?
Alain smirked and continued.
Alain: I am an elf kid. My kind lives up to thousands of years. I know and saw a lot of things, and the sharingan isn't a very common thing.
Most people forgot about it over the millenia but not me.
Dante was frozen in his tracks. His mind was racing, what to do now.
Dante: ( What should I do!? How can she know about the sharingan!? It's not supposed to be from this world! Should make a break for it!? I power up to 100% and make a break for it!)
Dante was breathing fast, almost panting. He was tensed and sweating profoundly. He was scared. One if his biggest secrets was out.
Alain seeing Dante was about to make something foolish, she raised her hand showing no hostile intention as she spoke.
Alain: Calm down kid. Nobody is going to hurt you. I am just merely teasing you.
No need to cause any trouble. I'm not going to gauge out your eyes.
Hearing the reassurance of Alain, Dante was still agitated. Ready to move any second.
When he saw the opportunity to bolt a voice rang out in his mind.
Zangetsu: Calm you're mind. You are not in any Danger. Everything is going to be alright.
Hearing Zangetsu's voice in his head, Dante started to relax. He took a deep breath and posed his question.
Dante: What do you intend to do with this information?
Alain was surprised by the change in his mood. He was having almost a mental breakdown a second ago and now he seems more collected than ever. Non the less, she answered his question.
Alain: Nothing. I am here to train Dante Redgrave. Not the last of the Uchiha.
Your secret is safe with me.
After the tense atmosphere settled, Alain explained Dante's training routine for the next two weeks.
From 7 to 8, breakfast and wash up.
From 8 to 12, Herbology and potion making.
From 12 to 12:30, Lunch.
From 12:30 to 13, warm up exercises.
From 13 to 17, intense combat training.
From 17 to 20, general study.
From 20 to 20:30, dinner.
From 20:30 to 22, sparring against Alain.
The training plan wasn't looking that atrocious but experiencing first hand, how strong is Alain. Dante knew that it won't be as easy. He also needed to make time for his own things, like practicing Lilith's and his own magic. Which he neglected in the past week.
He also needed time to deepen his connection with his Zanpaktou.
He can now enter his inner world at will and communicate with Zangetsu. But he never called on her power fully. He was lucky back than Zangetsu didn't answered his call. The sheer force of that power might have just killed him.
They spent the rest of the day mapping out and replanning the training schedule, since Dante wanted to add some of his own extra trainings. Alain was not really happy with that. If he overwork himself than the training won't be effective. With some compromising, they created the new training schedule.
From 6 to 7, meditation and mana refinement
From 7 to 8, breakfast and wash up.
From 8 to 12, Herbology and potion making.
From 12 to 12:30, Lunch and rest.
From 12:30 to 13, warm up exercises.
From 13 to 16, intense combat training.
From 16 to 18, magic training with Lilith
From 18 to 20, general study.
From 20 to 20:30, dinner.
From 20:30 to 22, sparring against Alain.
From 22 to 23, magic training, skill refining.
After the plan was completed, it was time to place it in motion. Dante used the remaining time to rest for today, cuz from the next day he won't get a lot.
...
Even before the sun was up. Dante was in a cross legged position meditating. An hour to do so is too small. That's why he entered his inner world. The time dilation is different in there. An hour outside is equal to three in there.
Dante was sitting in his cross legged position at the top of the highest skyscraper. Feeling around his magical reserves and slowly refining it. His breathing is slow but steady.
In here, he feels completely safe.
Zangetsu was standing not so far from him.
She was staring at him with curiosity. He came in here to refine his reserves, not to demand her power. He was slowly gaining a solid foundation.
After two hours, Zangetsu spoke to Dante.
Zangetsu: I guess, it's time to show you something. Please observe.
Dante opened his eyes in surprise, he never expected that Zangetsu want to show or teach him something at this stage.
Zangetsu: Since you are here, I have decided to teach you some of my basic abilities.
Zangetsu waved her hand and a blade appeared out of thin air. A great blade as big as her, similar to Ichigo's original design but a little different. It actually had a hilt with a Japanese katana design and small flat cross guard brandishing the very symbol on Zangetsu's back.
The blade it self was very similar to the original design but the upper black part of the blade was adorned with different engravings and half holes at the top along the blade's spine with five additional holes running underneath them.
It's designe resembled a fusion, between the demon sword Lost Wayne and Old man Zangetsu's original form.
Dante's expression turned serious and focused. As he payed all of his attention to Zangetsu as she continued to explain.
Zangetsu: This is my shikai. You can call upon it, when ever you want but be warned.
As you are now, you can only maintain it for 3 minutes and no more. Even my shikai carry's immense power. It's power can crush you're own body.
Dante was nodding, paying his utmost attention. After all, this is his first steps to gain the power and acknowledgement of his Zanpaktou. Zangetsu than proceeded to showcase some of her powers, that Dante can use at this stage.
When Zangetsu finished showcasing her last technique, Dante was smiling vividly.
-Ding-
[Congratulations on learning the following skills:]
[Shi Kai reales:]
Using the call world of the Zanpaktou, release the first stage of it's form. Granting the host increased strength, speed and increased MP.
While in Shi Kai, the host's MP will constantly act as a natural shield, absorbing some of the incoming damage at a cost
[Flash step LV I:]
A high speed movement technique. Gathering spiritual energy at your foot you can perform any movement with explosive speed.
[Getsuga Tenshou LV I:]
Zangetsu's signature technique.
Channel spiritual energy into the blade and release it at will, generating an energy wave with high destructive power.
[Full Counter LV I:]
Gather spiritual energy into the blade and strike at the perfect moment at an incoming attack made from any kind of energy source to reflect it back at the opponent with twice as it's previous power
[Bala LV I:]
Gather spiritual energy into you're fist and perform a trusting motion firing an energy blast similar to cero, only it's faster but weaker.
[Spirit energy manipulation: Mirage Blades LVI:]
Manipulating the spiritual energy in your surrounding, you can create mirage Blades which you can control telepathically. There sharpness and durability depends on the host will and concentration.
After Dante finished his examination, he also repeated the same skills with almost no issues. His performance was not as masterful as Zangetsu's but his trait, "exceptional talent" will bridge that gap later on.
Zangetsu: Outstanding Dante. Truly remarkable. You saw me perform those moves just once and you already grasped them. I am proud of you.
Dante was happy. Not because of his achievement but because of the fact that he was appreciated.
Dante: Thank you. For teaching me and for the kind words. But I guess it's time to head back. My training just beginning.
Before Dante would exit his inner world Zangetsu hugged him from the back as she spoke.
Zangetsu: Please remember that you are not alone anymore. Germalid, Vox, Lilith, Me and even Alain is here to help you. You can come to any of us if you need help. Don't forget that.
Zangetsu let go Dante and watched on as he disappeared, leaving his inner world.
Zangetsu looked up to the sky and spoke hoping that Dante still hears her.
Zangetsu: I don't like the sand storm. When you are desperate, afraid and broken down. A wild storm swipes through this desolate city every time, burying it even deeper into the ground. I shall grant you all of my power to stop that storm. All you have to do is stand strong and believe in us.
...
Dante opened his eyes and looked at the clock. It was about to be seven. He headed down for breakfast and to start his rough training, what was waiting for him.
Dante: The next two weeks will be rough.
But I won't turn back now. It's time to break through my limits once again.
-Ding-
[New Mission issued: Hellish training]
Complete the two week long training plan and defeat Alain in combat.
Reward:
[Sharingan training method]
Dante's grin grown even wider. Upon seeing the new mission. And the reward this time was high.
Dante: Bring it on!
To be continued...