Why does the world show a health bar? !

"Mr. Urokodaki, you're finally back?"

It was already the tail end of spring. The rising temperature reminded everyone that summer was just around the corner.

Li Mo didn't care much about the season. The warmer weather just meant wearing fewer clothes.

There was only one thing on his mind.

Had Sakonji Urokodaki brought back what he wanted?

Today was the day Urokodaki went out to restock supplies. Although they could live off the land, hunting for wild game, staples like rice, flour, and oil had to be purchased from outside.

"I've brought back the seasonings you asked for. What are you planning to do with them?" Urokodaki asked.

The money for the seasonings came from Li Mo's own pocket. Urokodaki was just helping him buy them, and the funds came from Li Mo's hunting trips in the mountains.

"Tomorrow, I'm planning to take Giyu and the others out for a barbecue. Mr. Urokodaki, will you join us?" Li Mo said happily after confirming that the items he wanted had been brought back.

"Why?"

"Huh? Because I think I can finally cut through that boulder, so I want to celebrate."

Urokodaki asked, "How confident are you?"

"How confident? Mr. Urokodaki, you're underestimating me. I'm one hundred percent sure!" Li Mo declared proudly.

"How long have you mastered Total Concentration Breathing: Constant?" Urokodaki didn't doubt him. If Li Mo said he was one hundred percent sure, then he was.

"Hmm, about a week now. To think it took me this long to reach one hundred percent confidence, I must have been slacking off."

Urokodaki said, "How long have you been here?"

"Let me think, about seven or eight months," Li Mo calculated.

Urokodaki said, "In seven or eight months, you've grown to this level. Li Mo, you're the most talented student I've ever taught."

Li Mo was thrilled by the praise, but he remained humble. The person complimenting him was his teacher. It was fine to be proud, but not overly so. He knew this wasn't just empty praise like "You're the worst class I've ever taught." It was genuine.

Having mastered Total Concentration Breathing: Constant, he deserved such praise.

"So, Mr. Urokodaki, can Giyu and Sabito take the day off tomorrow?"

"Sure."

...

The next day.

It was a cloudy day. The sky was filled with clouds, blocking some of the sun's rays. But it didn't matter. Based on Urokodaki's extensive experience, it definitely wouldn't rain.

As long as it didn't rain, everything would be fine.

"Come on, Giyu. Today, I'm taking you out for a barbecue. Oh, and Sabito over there, no training today. We're having a barbecue."

Sabito said, "No, I need to train."

"One day off won't kill you. Come with me!" In high spirits, Li Mo didn't mind Sabito's tone. Normally, he'd have rushed over to teach Sabito what "weakness is a sin" meant.

But Sabito then said, "Are you scared I'll catch up to you? I knew you were all talk."

"Eh? Look at this temper of mine." Li Mo walked over to Sabito and put him in a headlock. "You're coming whether you like it or not."

"You jerk! When I grow up, I'm going to make you cry."

"That's for the future. Right now, I can make you cry."

As the two wrestled, Giyu finally spoke up. "Okay."

Then, he added, "This isn't good."

The commotion only ended when Makomo returned from the forest. The only female present knocked both of them on the head before declaring the matter settled. Then, at Li Mo's enthusiastic invitation, Makomo joined them for the barbecue.

The barbecue spot was by a mountain stream, a place Li Mo had once used for a solo feast. He set up the grill and brought out the charcoal he had made himself. After that, he handed everything over to Makomo.

The reason for inviting Makomo was precisely this. Then he ran off to play.

"Am I just a cook now? Li Mo!"

It wasn't until the barbecue was halfway done that Makomo, deep in thought, realized this. But seeing the three juniors having fun, she could only shake her head in resignation.

"This is probably the last time."

Makomo thought.

Today, she had tried to cut the boulder again. Although she failed, she felt that the day she achieved her goal wasn't far off.

Last year, she had started trying. It had taken her about half a year to reach this point... She wasn't sure if that was fast or slow. Probably fast, since her progress was faster than Li Mo's.

Thinking this, Makomo's attention turned back to Li Mo. From last year until now, he hadn't tried to cut the boulder again. Instead, he focused on breathing exercises and physical training.

It was only later that she realized how much effort he had put into the basics.

"Sabito, your stone skipping is terrible. Can't fight, can't even do this? Watch me."

"Then you do it!"

A mature adult like Li Mo couldn't resist such a challenge. He picked up a suitable-looking stone from the riverbank, weighed it in his hand, and then threw it.

The stone skipped across the water like a dragonfly before landing on the opposite bank. Admittedly, the stream wasn't wide, but it was still impressive.

"See? I did it. Sabito, anything to say?"

Unsurprisingly, Sabito had another day of being bullied by Li Mo.

Why was he so obsessed with picking on Sabito?

Thinking about it, wasn't this the same attitude he had toward her initially? Though with her, he knew when to hold back... Maybe she should focus more on training Sabito. Yes, that would be better.

Makomo turned her attention back to the barbecue. She could already smell the delicious aroma. Soon, the self-proclaimed mature adult wandered back to her.

Li Mo asked eagerly, "Senior Sister, when can we start eating?"

"Wait a bit. If you're in such a hurry, why didn't you cook it yourself earlier?"

"Oh."

Li Mo promptly ignored the latter question and ran off to do who-knows-what with Sabito.

When the barbecue was finally ready, he brought the two thirteen-year-olds over to enjoy the delicious roasted meat. The ingredients were rabbits Li Mo had hunted in the mountains a while back.

"Junior, why did you decide to take them out for a barbecue today?"

"Because after today, there might not be another chance."

"Huh?"

Li Mo said calmly, "I've mastered Total Concentration Breathing: Constant."

"I know. You mastered it a week ago. Why celebrate now?"

"So, a week later, I can now cut through the boulder."

"Huh?"

What kind of logic was that? Makomo didn't understand. But seeing the sincerity in his eyes, she felt it wasn't a lie.

"You're sure?" Makomo thought of the massive boulder.

"Of course! One hundred percent sure!"

Li Mo thumped his chest confidently.

But Sabito, who was eating barbecue, said, "Anyone can talk big!"

He knew that Urokodaki had given Makomo and Li Mo the task of cutting the boulder. Once they succeeded, they could...

"Kid, just wait. After we finish eating, I'll go cut that boulder into pieces. Five separate pieces, no less."

Li Mo was a man of his word.

After the barbecue, he and Makomo extinguished the fire, cleaned up, and headed home. Without delay, they went to the boulder's location, where Giyu and Sabito were waiting.

Li Mo hadn't been here in over half a year. The boulder was now covered in moss, though only sparsely, like decorations on a rock.

He stood there with his sword, adjusting his breathing.

Makomo watched.

She felt that Li Mo had entered a strange state, as if he had become one with nature.

Then, in a flash of lightning.

Li Mo drew his sword and sheathed it.

The boulder was split in two.

Effortlessly.

Li Mo turned to the stunned Sabito and said, "I told you, one hundred percent means one hundred percent. I never boast."