"hey......wake up baby.....get up..." a beautiful womens voice know as rain was heared. Kira layed on a bed slowly opening his eye to see a young women about 22 with dark black hair and a nice tan skin. She wore a nice white dress and had a blue necklace on. The girl nudged him to wake Kira and looked deep at him with deep blue eyes. She was perfect and she was Kira's love. Kira got off the bed and looked at the girl with dazed eyes He did not know what to say or if he should kill her or kiss her but his eyes gave away his respose as they turned to tears and he held back his sorrow like some wanna be macho man.
" arty.... i love you" the girl said as she got up and driffted out the room and down the hallway. Kira had a puzzeled look on his face as he followed the girl but no matter how fast he ran he could never catch her......never...... He was stuck in the word of pain alone and with tears of pain. He could feel his heart being ripped out and he could feel the death on his finger tips.
Kira woke up from this dream . It seemed after he had did the jutsu he had passed out and fell to sleep. Kira was now on his toy and the toy was taking him away from a large fire(the one that his jutsu had caused) He gripped onto the snakes back and held it tight. He was lost...in a dream that became a nightmare. The girl was his ex fiance that died in a fire....she WAS the only thing he cared for...not anymore she was gone and since then he put all his love into no one but himself.
He sat down and meditated after this horrible dream, his body didnt move as secounds became minutes, minutes became hours. Kira meditated perfectly. making sure he blocked out all of the outside sounds and problems. Kira had to cleanse his chakra gates but meditating and mentaly letting go of problems. Kira focused more and more as the sun rose high in the air. His body seemed to be as still as a statue as if nothing could touch him as if he was god himself.
Kira folded is arms and wounded about his slow ass speed that he would soon be forced to jack up to a much faster speed in order to kill enemies that would soon hunt him down and attempt to take his eyes. And in order to stay alive, he was going to have become faster than all his other friends and opponents. And the only way to do that was intense running with some kind of weight to bare him down as he ran. He sat and thought to himself as he looked around at possible things that could slow him down. After a close observation, Koden fond a large rock and an brilliant idea. Kira would remove his jacket and tie its ends together with wire, like a pursuit, and then strap it to him while he picked up the rock and ran up and down hills with it. He knew the pain would kill him outside but what could he do but to fight it.
After stepping his self down and picking up the big rock Kira began to make his way to the hills. And with every step he could feel his body being forced down by gravity and the rock while he was being held back by his coat. Kira then made himself pick up speed as he scaled the hills. Kira moved a bit slower with each hill, do to his lack of energy but he had to keep going. he had to get his stamina and endurance up. So he couldn’t stop yet. Kira scaled up 20 large hills and stopped at a clearing, but didn’t set the rock down. He quickly caught his breath and began to run around the mile long like with the gear on. Kira moved quicker now he wasn’t going up and down hills. Kira kept running, feeling himself start to ach in his back and legs as his calves burned with the furry of hell.
After his lap was completed Kira stooped and decided to walk run back to his training area but this time take the long way through the dense forest. Koden would practice his agility in the forest by quickly dodging and running past trees. Kira rushed faster and faster weaving to the left and right of each tree trying to keep his same speed and not loose speed or stop. Kira then stopped at his training area and took of his gear and took a break before continued to train his speed.
Kira appeared in the corner of the forest by a very large moutain with a plan on his mind. He often ponderd how he was to be greater than any Hoshi before or after him. This level of power is going to take the full abilty of the sharigan. this was the hardest part. But first Kira had to master lightning. The secound favorite of Hoshi skills.
He peared up the mountain taking note of the hight of which he had to climb in order to reach the top. He sighed at this thought just as the dark sky began to slightly rain and the wind picked up greatly, almost pushing him off balence. It seemd this trip up the moutain would be harder than he thought. He closed his eyes and pushed his hand deep within the side of the mountain and began to climb the side of it.
The wind was stronger than before and rain began to to pour at great speed. This combination of elements made it seemed that nature was working against Kira, but to make the job harder lightning showerd down around him all of the bolts being within 50 feet of him. Kira bite his lip and keep on climbing.
He stopped about half way and rested. The rain was causing him to loose hold of the rocks often making this take 3 times longer and causing him to use everylast amount of stamina in his body. Meanwhile the lightning was getting closer and closer, even close enough to touch the moutain sendding several small electrical charges through Koden' intire body. He grinded his teeth to fight back the screams of pain.
The lightning flowed through his body like rivers but instead of killing him it stimulated his body. Koden keep climbing and soon reach a landing about 3 quarters to the top. He settled his body on the large rock and breathed deeply as every drop of rain felt harder and harder, But before he could shut his eyes a single lightning bolt struck the moutain close by him. The forced him wide awake and up on his feet. He stood at the very edge of the landing and looked at the sky with anger. you will not beat me Koden said with passion
He remembered the handsigns he had learned from watching someone fight. He had used his Hoshi eyes and preforming the handsign would be easy for him. He slowly preformed the handsigns to the chidori and focused chakra into his palm and a small spark of lightning formed. This lightning spark was dissapointing and needed alot of improvement. He attempted it agian this time concentrating more and a bigger ball of lightning formed but it was still not the right size, or anything close to it. He frowed lil and worked his way back up the montain agian.
The lightning was taughting him now. dancing around freely and so easily. This pissed him off and almost made a tear form in his eye. He was feeling as if he was going to fail everything he had worked so hard for. This negative thinking made he mad, but his anger only fulled his passion to succeed. His mind was no longer set on his failer but his will to survive.
Kira reached the top of the mountain and stood there as the rain stopped but the lightning kept dancing around him. He took of his wet shirt and focused chakra into his palm while doing the handsigns to the chidori. He shoved his palm down and screamed with all his might as the rock moutian below him broke into tiny peices and dissappeared. His chidori was forming as the lightning got closer to him. The sound of a thousands chirping birds was hard beyond the lightning strikes. Kira felt his arm being filled with chakra and a small chidori blade formed.
After a minute of countinus chidori. the chidori stopped and Kira looked at the sky. The lightning danced more and more as if it were laughing at his small chidori.. His anger took over as he yelled to the beyound for 10 secounds. But once the nicse stopped a lightning bolt struck is arm sending lightning threw his body and into the ground. nocking him out.
Kira dreamed of rain. nothing but rain. He pictured his self in a pool of blood and rain all aroound him. But a single bolt of lightning crossed his face making the dream become bothing but white and black. And in this vid of mixed confusion Koden saw himself getting struck by lightning and dying.
Kira shot up from his dream and stood up gripping his arm were the bolt hit him. the pain had numbed up. his arm felt weak and had little feeling in it. He cried at the vision he had seen but by this time the rain had stopped and could mask the tears. He held his head down and grinded his teeth alomst crushing them.
He focused all anger to his fist and did the handsigns one more time as he activated his sharingan eyes. He summoned chakra into his palm as the sound of birds chirping was heared. the chidor grew larger and larger as it slowly turned form white to black and the sound of shirping birds turnd to the sound of birds taking off. The black chidori was now large enough to hide his intire arm and ist power was stronger than normal.
Kira looked at the sky and waited for lightning to fall. and once the first on did he jumped infront of it and cut it clean in half before it touched the ground. The explosion was small but enough for Kira to feel the wieght of the lightning. He focused on the clouds agiain and jumped to the nearest lightning strike cutting that one in half too.
the clouds cleared up as Kira's chidori stopped. he frowned a bit and looked at the sky feeling a sense of triumph over the elements. In a way he had beaten a god. He closed his eyes and deactivated his Sharingan eyes and walked to the edge of the moutain. at the bottom of it was a large deep lake and would cushing a fall if he jumped. He focused on the lake and jumped down, focusing chakra into his palm as lightning formed.
he zipped throw the air and own to the lake with a ball of lightning chara in his hand. He shoved his palm out front and slamed it into the lake as he fell cuasing a large explosion of water and lightning. Kira fell 15 feet under and swam his way back to the top. He pushed his head threw the surface and breathed deeply as he knew he had was closer to gainning his master chakra
Kira sat down and took a long break. He pulled out water and drank 4 bottle full’s. Kira lad back and breath heavily to fill his body with plenty of oxygen in order to heal a bit faster. He was tired and worn out and since it was getting really hot now, he would continue his training under water with some water aerobics and some leg work outs in the lake near by his training area. Kira then sat up and removed his sweaty clothes and slipped into the lake. Kira took 10 minutes to relax his muscles before he began. Kira then swan to the large rock and gripped it with both hands as he let his legs drift in the water. He then took a deep breath before he kicked his legs in a circular motions to increase muscle mass in his thighs and legs. Kira did this for 30 minutes and the stretched his legs out straight and kicked them for 30 more minutes. After his hour long work out Koden slowly swam back to shore and walked on shore, feeling the effects of the work out on his legs. Kira then moved to the large rock he had used to help him run and lay down next to it. He then rested his legs on the rock and pushed it upward, keeping it balanced between his legs. Koden then paused up and down on the rock, bending his knees at a 90 degree angle for 100 reps. Kira could feel the burn of each rep and knew his legs were getting stronger with each one. Kira then set the rock down and got up to rest his legs but train his chakra and his fighting skills in the middle of the night but before any of that happened, he had to rest more. He slowly headed toward a large tree they had several leaves piled at the bottom. the leaves would make an uncomfortable bed but a bed at that. He frowned at the thought of sleeping on leaves and twigs, but for now this was going to have to do. He rested his body on the ground inching his way toward the leaves smashing and crunching the leaves as he laid on them. His head rested on the bottom of the tree near a large root but sadly the boy had bad luck with sleeping due to the constant crunching sound of the leaves not to mention the feel of it. Kira stood there looking up at the stars that seemed to sparkle in the sky like diamonds.
Kira’s peace was quickly interrupted by the sound of what seemed to bear a large beast. The sound of it put him on high alert causing him to jump straight up onto his feet. Kira was ready to either kill or run but due to his ego he was most likely going to kill the beast. He scanned the area and quickly focused his attention toward a bush that shook restlessly. Kira dropped to a fighting stance as he gripped his kunai in his right hand. A single bead of sweat trickled down the back of his neck as the seconds seemed to become hours. the bushes opened up like a shell and a large brown bear about 6 feet tall and 400 pounds appeared out of the woods. The bear was a dark brown that seemed to blend in with the darkness around it. Its teeth were showing and its mouth was covered in a blood thirst look. Kira faced the bear without fear and stared it down directly in the eye.
The bear took this as a challenge and charged at Koden with lightning speed that would seem like a blur to the naked eye. Koden could hear the bear as it came closer and lifted its body on two feet. The bear's left claw pulled back to attempt to slash Atriums’ face, but as quickly as it came Koden ducked the slash and slammed his body into the bears chest holding the kunai so it would be shoved into the bears heart. Atriums’ blow pushed the bear to the ground but the bear wasn’t done. It quickly there Kira off him and reared up on all fours to charge again. Atriums’ hand was covered in the bear’s blood and seemed to be useless because he can no longer get a good grip on it. Atriums’ threw the kunai into the charging bears shoulder having no effect. He quickly jumped back while doing hand signs and focused large amount of chakra into his stomach. Atriums’ nerves quickly weekend as the bear got closer and closer. He waited for the right moment, just when the bear got closer and released the fireball directly at the bear just before it was in range of another claw attack. The fire ball covered the bear in flames burning it to a crisp. Koden did a long sigh of relief as he peered over the dead bear. Koden dropped to the ground and looked at the stars as the sense of safety returned as he watched the sun rise.
After the sun rose a bit a gave light to the world around him Koden got up and decided to do some taijutsu training that would help his speed and his skills. Koden quickly dropped down in a fighting stance and leaned forward as his arms wobbled out awkwardly in the air. Koden then got onto one foot with his left leg slightly raised and bent at an angle. And practice balance. Koden stayed in this position for a few seconds. Koden then forced his leg back and then forced it upward to get a high jump. Koden then repeated this 20 times and did it again on the other leg. Koden stopped and focused on all the things he was about to do to get his speed up.
Koden then walked up a tree and rested my back against its trunk. Koden then forced himself to bend his knees and do 50 squats. 10...the pain was great.....20..it only got worse....30 he couldn’t take it and screamed in pain....40 tears began to drip down his eyes....50 He finished his last set and dropped to the ground with exhaustion. He then laded over and cried as he realized that his speed was useless against most people. he had Hoshi skills but lacked strength and speed and would have to work up the proper speed and agility. Koden pulled himself closer to the rock and set his head next to it. He couldn’t move his legs, he couldn’t even feel them for a moment. Koden just sat there and let he drift asleep in the afternoon warmth.
Koden woke up an hour later and decided to get back to work on his chakra/speed training Koden walked over to a lake and stepped on top of some rocks that he had placed earlier in a previous training session. The two rocks was a large rock with a smaller rock on top that balanced perfectly. Koden climbed on top of the rocks making sure to stay balanced and froze still and meditated. He filled the area around him. The grass the trees, the wind, the smallest bugs and animals. Koden had to first become perfectly still and balance the chakra in his body before he could balance all the chakra.
He body didn’t move as seconds became minutes, minutes became hours. Koden meditated perfectly. Making sure he blocked out all of the outside sounds and problems. Koden had to cleanse his chakra gates but meditating and mentally letting go of problems. Koden focused more and more as the sun rose high in the air. His body seemed to be as still as a statue. He pressed his mind to nonconcreet things. He needed to get his mind better and ready for his trainning that was soon to come it. He showed no emotion as he did the statue shit in his mind.
Koden' mind was getting cleansed as he let go of fear, pain, sadness, joy, and regret. Koden felt his mind and body getting better and better. He knew now that he could enter his mind and face his inner demons. Deep within Koden' mind Koden saw himself as a boy. This was a peaceful dream...for now...Koden dream changed as the world around him was covered in flames. This was the pain in his life the pain that stayed with him for 13 years...the pain he never let go of. Koden forced himself to put out the fire and free his mind of the curse. Koden felt his mind began to become sane as his chakra balance within his body was perfect. He felt his chakra raise in power as his body began to glow a dark blue. His chakra was perfectly balanced and he knew at this point jutsu and fighting would become easy but since he had balanced the chakra in his body it was only half of sage mod..There other half he would save for another day. Koden jumped down and landed on the lake. His chakra stopped glowing as he walked away, onto the dry land. Koden then sat down thinking of the thousands of ways he train his chakra and power in order to gain enough chakra and strength, but sadly he efforts came to an end and The great Koden decided to take a break and head into town where he could grab a bit to eat. He was more than hungry he was lavished and he couldnt do anything about it but eat and that would take running.
The boy made his way out the forest onto on the dirt road ahead of him which would lead to the village and ultimately lead him to food and salvation. Koden kept walking for about a mile kicking up dirt and sand were ever he stepped, due to his tired legs and fatigue body. And it was with this dust and Debreu that he kicked up, a man came to see who or what was going on. The man was dark skin and very muscle and tall. His cloths were ripped at his biceps and he carried a long zanbaktou on his back, but the most peculiar part of his outfit was his mist village head ban with a mark through it to symbolize him being a missing ninja. The man then spoke in an deep strong tone in which would frighten the women and young children. “you…the mist village ninja… to where do you think you are going?” Koden froze and looked at the man with a stern look on his face. He was in no mood to deal with the missing ninja but it seemed like fate wanted this to happen and pretty soon, he would have to wipe him out. Thinking all this Koden turned around and smirked. He was not sure where this was going bu the knew he was to finish it soon He was not afraid of some simple rouge and all and all he was more than powerful enough to kill him with one shot.
Without warning the man pulled out his sword and swung it around with great force and skills. The blade slashed through the air, slicing the air and creating a swish sound as it moved. But as soon as it happened, the blade stomp. Koden had dropped his hands and yanked up his own sword in order to directly block the attack. The blade stopped and a small crack formed in the missing ninja’s sword. Koden smirked, and forced his blade outward in order to push the two blades off of each other and with one swift motion; Koden turned his weight and pivoted on his left foot so he could face the attacking ninja. And as soon as the ninja saw this, he forced his blade back down, only to be stopped by Koden’ second block. The blades collided against each other in a large ping sound. Koden then forced his blade forward and jumped backward about 3 feet and gathered wind chakra in his blade, causing it to glow white. And simultaneously his opponent did the same. This fight would come down to chakra control since Koden we too tired to move at normal speed, he would have to force his chakra to do all his attacks. But again this seemed easy but things are easyier said than done.
The two shin obi stared each other down for several moments. This contest of chakra began with the missing running towards Koden at full speed. Koden wasted no time and built up a defense around that would slow the accent of the attack. Koden forced wind chakra and fire chakra around his body so that the ninja would collide with it perfectly. But instead of hitting it directly on, the ninja flickered to the far side of Koden’ position and sliced his blade down. Koden quickly reacted and forced his blade over his should so that it pointed behind him and blocked the tip of the attack, which would make the missing ninja’s blade an inch away from his neck. Koden then jumped forward and blindly swung his blade around him, in order to hit the ninja’s very large sword. This would lock the blades together as Koden pivoted around and faced his opponent. Koden then forced all his chakra in his blade and slide it down toward the hilt of the sword, and with one swift slice, the hilt of his opponents sword fell off. Koden then forced the blade back and quickly shoved the point into the gut of the ninja. The missing ninja stopped and smirk as he began to aim his blade into Koden shoulder. But before he could initiate the attack, Koden released the wind in the blade which cause all of the ninja’s insides to jet cut up like cheddar cheese. Koden then jerked his blade out and jumped back in one swift movement, letting the blade fall just above his dead opponent. Koden then gave a sigh of relief as the foot seemed to over and he had down little damage to himself and killed off a weakling. He then sheathed his blade and began his walk to the restaurant. he was done with this stupid weak ninja dn food was more important right now.
Koden wondered along the streets of the village, dodge people and avoidant any extra attention along with taking in all the sites of the village. He kept walking around the village taking note of location of possible food places and what he wanted to eat. But it all seemed so good, he handy had a decent meal in ages and quite frankly popcorn would be a blessing about now but he was limited to a few ryo and could only eat at one place....but which place was the real question. He looked around at the ramen shops and the BBQ places but he still couldn’t decided so he finally search for some assistance, until he saw a sign that said “free pie with each purchase” Koden went into the place and took a seat and ordered. Koden smiled and looked at the host and orders a normal burger. He didn’t want to seem odd so he relaxed his muscles and became calm as they waited for the order to come out. His mind then wondered on ways to leave unharmed and unseen. Koden then ate his food and savored every bite. He then stood there for a second but soon paid the waiter and walked out.
Walking through a never ending forest, he found a small clearing in the about two miles from his house. The view was beautiful with a small pond in the north-western side of the clearing. It was very quiet and peaceful, very few insects and absolutely no noisy animals, and the temperature was just right. He didn't see how anybody couldn't want to live in this small paradise. He stopped and breathed lightly so he could take a moment and let his eyes rest in this wonderful view. He then popped his neck and dropped his backpack of supplies by a near pale white rock. he remind quiet, stretching his back and other limbs to recover from a long day of practice. This was his break but it would soon be over as he would have to train some more.
Koden had to completely exhaust his chakra supply and force his body to run on empty. But he didn’t know how to do that, unless he did an S rank jutsu. Koden then looked at the clear sky and sighed, because he know realized he had to do two jutsu. He started his jutsu with a great fire dragon. He did a set of quick hand signs and forced fire chakra in the pit of his stomach letting his stomach swell up with fire. Koden then released the jutsu a let out 3 large fire dragons from his mouth. The fire dragons spun around and twisted into one big ass dragon that hit the water and caused steam to engulf the area in steams and storm clouds quickly formed. Koden was now in the rain and his body was all soaking wet and even though he had used a large mass of chakra his body still had a lot more chakra to go, but Kirin would soon change that. Koden then did hand signs and shoved his hands toward the sky as a steam of his own elemental lightning chakra sailed all the way to the clouds. Koden gained 100% focused and quickly got up off the rocks and attempted the jutsu again. He put his hands together, did hand signs and focused chakra all around him in the clouds. His body was getting drained again and this time more as the lightning focused in a single cloud and Kirin was seen forming. Koden knew he couldn’t give up now but his body was to tired to continue but as soon as he wanted to stop the same vision of him getting over took by lightning forced him to stay up and finish the jutsu. His body fell to the floor as he finished the jutsu with the last burst of his chakra. He lay there quiet and still not knowing what to do or what to say but to rest..... sleep was good.
in the sky a giant dog made of lightning formed and crashed down to earth about 100 yards away in a valley with speed unmatched, in the blink of an eye, and slammed against the ground causing an explosion of lightning the size of a small atomic bomb, killing everything in sight of Koden. Koden watched his jutsu work as he fell to his knees. Koden then jumped to his feet. Tired and out of chakra but he had to work past the lack of chakra, he had to stay standing. He sat there and smiled at the now clearing sky. His mind was drifting to thousands of things he could do and how he had used up all his chakra in the matter of hours. Although he had done it all for the joy of training and getting stronger, it was clear that he had gained a very great out of chakra. Almost enough to reach the great kisame but he couldn’t stop. He was almost there and the sun was falling to the edge of the earth as he leaned against a tree. Koden stopped abruptly and decided to practice his strange kybuto style. He reared up on one leg and held his hands out like a bird. He then swung around on his toes and jabbed the tree that he had previously leaned on. He barraged the tree until he a large crater formed in its bark. Koden kept his balance as he focused a spiraling orb of chakra in his palm that was about the size of a resengan. He held the ball as it got smaller due to his lack of chakra. But in order to increase his stamina he had to go past his limits. Koden then took no time and skillfully pulled back letting the wind grasp his arm and hold up his own body, just before he shoved the ball into the tree. The tree exploded as the ball went clean through it. And Koden could feel his body getting weak to the point of collapsing. He then fell over on the tree letting his left elbow rest in the hole. Koden was down with his training and he only had on thing left to do… meditate … but his mediation turned into sleep. Koden then fell fast asleep ...and dreamed of darkness. Koden could see himself in a dark forest with endless trees around him and blood and body’s hanging from the trees and laying on the ground. Koden wondered through this dream world until it forced him onto a narrow path. He followed this path quickly. then upon looking to his right, he saw Power then Rain. He ran faster as the images of his friends taunted him to run faster and faster. Koden moved faster and faster he ran away from them and then stopped dead in his tracks. Koden eyes opened at the site he saw next. ..Koden saw Power and Rain tombstones in the middle of the path, with a pile of dirt next to the tomb. Koden then realized that someone had dug up the graves and Koden peered over the hold to see an empty caskets. Koden then looked up to see Power and Rain's body hanging from a tree looking right at him...dead in his eyes. He shifted his feet and ran..ran far away from the body but as soon as he got 20 feet away he stopped at another much large grave that stood 50 feet high. The grave simply said....Koden Hoshi Koden scream in pain a scream that would cause the dead to turn in there eternal sleep. Koden then feel to his knee to see something moving under the dirt in front of him. The dirt moved and a body crawled out and wobbled to its fight. The body looked up and smiled an evil smile that showed its evilness. The body was equipped with the same gear as him and the great sword was at its right hand. but the most weird part of the body was that it was Koden himself...Atriums’ body opened its eyes and revealed the 4th level hoshi power in all its glory. The body then walked closer to Koden and looked him directly in his eyes and he soon saw Power and Rain's death a thousand times over. He couldn’t move he couldnt scream he could only watch with fear. and while he was in this daze the sword that the body held pierced Koden head directly between his eye. And Koden could only die.....he could only die Koden then closed his eyes and grabbed the sword from the zombie and pulled it out his head. and with one clean swoop the sword snapped in half. Koden then stood up and looked the zombie in the eyes with a frown of pure hate. Koden smiled and grabbed the zombies throat and leaned over to whispered in its ear. " you will die.....and i will consume your every power" and with those words Koden bit the neck of the zombie and let the black blood trickle down his throat like Kodak. he then dropped the zombie and looked to the black sky and was quickly struck by lightning… Koden returned to reality again. The dream was on he had often and it scarred him almost to the point of suicide but he couldn’t even move at this point to even commit suicide. He then lay there, knowing that he had achieved great power.
BUT it wasnt good enough. He needed more, He wanted more. And he was going to get more. Koden slowly stood up pressing his body higher into the sky and rolled over on his stomach. He moved with great speed and forced himself to do more to push himself more and putting more on his body as well as his mind. He lifted his body up, bending his arms at an angle and pushing them up to extend them straight. He moved with great force again pushing up and bending it down, pushing up and bending it down, and once again pushing up and bending it down. He did it countless times pressing his body to its limite, feeling the strain of it all and feeling it tear and wrip into his mind. He couldnt bare it but his wierd Hoshi mentality forced him to go on faster and fast and fast with out pain nor fear of death. He had it all, power and more of it was all he asked all he wanted and all he ever needed. POWER...through PAIN....an HOSHI"S PAIN. ANd this is what forced him to go further than ever before. His power was gitting stronger and more powerful with each move but this was nothing to fret over he was not even half way there. He fell out on the ground after the trainning...dreaming soundly...and remembering THE PAST speed training.