Before long, Xinhai and the others found a dead tree at the edge of the forest.
Its trunk had dried out completely, and most of its bark had fallen away, exposing grayish-white wood beneath.
Xinhai circled the tree once. After confirming that it was thoroughly dead, he looked at Blaziken. "This one."
Blaziken stepped up to Xinhai and nodded. Dark red Fighting-type energy lit up its right claw as it struck the base of the trunk with a chopping blow.
"Crack—"
The dead tree snapped in response, leaving a clean break.
Krookodile immediately stepped forward and swung both claws repeatedly, dividing the trunk into three sections of roughly equal length.
Blaziken and Krookodile each carried one section, while Xinhai dragged the smaller one. The three of them returned to the beach.
Xinhai used rope to tie the three logs side by side behind the inflatable boat, then threaded the rope through the logs to keep them from coming loose.
Once he had finished, he stood up and brushed the sand from his hands, his gaze sweeping over the gathered partners.
"Everyone, for the next stretch of time, we'll be doing balance training." He pointed at the three logs bobbing gently with the waves.
"We'll be out at sea for more than ten days. During that time, your training will be to stand on these logs and keep your balance without falling in."
"This training may look simple, but it will benefit you greatly—its focus is on sharpening your awareness of your own bodies, improving your full-body balance, and simultaneously training your neural reaction speed and control over your bodies."
"This is foundational training for controlling your center of gravity and coordinating your limbs. Whether it's close-quarters combat or Agility, you need this kind of basic skill."
Hearing that, the partners