Everyone knew that Netero was the Strongest Human.
He had taken over as chairman of the Hunter Association, founded the Shingen-ryu, assembled the Zodiacs as sparring partners, and tied his hair into a high ponytail—becoming someone who recognized no family or friends.
But few knew that, in his youth, Netero had been a man of singular purpose, devoting his entire life to pursuing the ultimate Martial Way.
At the age of forty-six, when he felt that his body and mind had reached the limits of what a human being could attain, he began practicing ten thousand grateful, straight punches a day in the mountains, cherishing the indescribable blessings Martial Arts had brought him.
From pressing his palms together in prayer to opening his guard and throwing a punch...
His first ten thousand punches took eighteen hours. Then sixteen, fourteen, ten, nine...
Until, at the age of fifty, he had reduced ten thousand punches to a single hour.
Netero chose to descend the mountain. With monstrous speed that sent his punches faster than sound, he conquered the dojo's master, who was so utterly convinced and moved that he fell to his knees and presented Netero with the dojo's signboard in both hands.
And the words, "You must remember the boundless gratitude you owe the Martial Arts that raised you, and do your utmost to repay them," became the core teaching passed down to generation after generation of Shingen-ryu disciples.
Just as Cheng-Zhu was to Neo-Confucianism, and Wang Yangming to the School of the Mind... they held unrivaled significance.
Biscuit remembered it clearly. When she was little, Netero would often pat her on the head and teach her... When something unpleasant happened, she shouldn't always try to solve it with violence. She should open her heart, try to understand, and look at