"You've just finished training, I'll give you forty minutes to rest. I don't want to win unscrupulously." Natasha glanced at her watch before leaving the training room.
Soon after, Luke heard her shouting downstairs, seemingly talking to the other trainees.
Luke was indeed tired, he picked up a bottle of mineral water and sat down on the floor, gulping down half a bottle.
After resting for a while, Luke started to stretch, which helped to relax his muscles.
Footsteps sounded from outside.
From the sound alone, Luke knew it wasn't Natasha; her footsteps were heavy, whereas these were lighter.
"Creak…" The door opened.
A graceful figure walked into the training room, it was Orty from Pinkerton Detective Agency.
"What brings you here?" Luke stood up and sized her up.
Orty was dressed in a black dress, somewhat resembling a cheongsam, with a slender waist and long legs, and she was holding a blue purse—hardly someone you would connect with this place.
"Heard you were short a referee, how about me?"
Luke smirked, "Is Natasha worried about losing face if she loses, so she sent you to distract me?"
"On the contrary, she's worried about hurting you, and having to explain to me. After all, it was I who introduced you to learn jujutsu here."
"Haha," Luke chuckled lightly, "That's really touching."
Audie curiously asked, "Are you confident you can beat Natasha?"
"Although Natasha is a woman, her jujutsu is formidable. I know you're going to have a no-holds-barred match.
You have your own techniques, but it doesn't mean Natasha hasn't any.
Don't underestimate her."
"So, you're on my side?"
Orty squinted, "I'll be rooting for you."
Luke silently thought, women's hearts are deceitful.
He sat down to meditate and restore his energy.
At seven o'clock, Natasha returned to the training room and asked, "How's your rest going?"
Luke got up and moved his limbs, "I'm ready to begin. Do you have boxing gloves?"
Natasha countered, "Afraid of hurting your hands?"
Luke responded, "I just don't want you to have to wear a mask when you go out tomorrow."
Natasha pulled out a pair of boxing gloves from the cabinet and tossed them over, "Worry about yourself, lady."
Orty joked, "I smell gunpowder."
Luke put on the boxing gloves and threw two fast punches in the air, "Coach Natasha, be careful, my punches are heavy."
Natasha also entered the training ring, and the two bowed to each other.
Orty, acting as the referee, stood beside the training ring, "The winner is determined by pinning the opponent or throwing them out of the ring, best two out of three rounds.
Unlike the previous jujutsu sparring training, Luke didn't adopt a jujutsu stance this time but instead used a boxing stance.
Boxing involves mid to long-range combat skills, with a wide attack range, nimble footwork, and quick movement.
Jujutsu is a close-combat style and is at a disadvantage in terms of attack distance.
Luke swayed his body, taking nimble steps forward, aggressively closing in on Natasha.
Natasha stood ready, her steps steady, constantly adjusting her direction and also looking for an opportunity to catch Luke off guard.
Luke launched the first attack, a right hook aimed at Natasha's head.
Natasha stepped back, tilting her head slightly to dodge the right hook.
Luke's offensive didn't stop; he followed up with a left straight punch towards Natasha.
This time Natasha couldn't dodge and hastily raised her arms to block.
With a "bang!" Natasha was pushed back several steps, a move she made to protect herself and prevent Luke from continuing his attack.
Luke found his rhythm and closed in on her again.
Natasha rhythmically retreated.
Seizing the moment, Luke swiftly stepped forward with his left foot, again with a right hook punch.
This punch was even faster.
Natasha crossed her arms over her head in defense, while her left leg kicked towards the inside of Luke's thigh.
Both landed their attacks almost simultaneously, Natasha felt as though her head had been struck by a hammer, causing a brief dizziness.
Luke was kicked on the inside of his left thigh, causing his leg to buckle and his body to tilt, nearly causing him to fall.
Overall, Luke had the advantage in that exchange. He wanted to continue his assault, but Natasha retreated again, creating distance between them.
Luke's punches were heavy and sharp, difficult to dodge, making Natasha increasingly cautious.
She knew Luke could box, but she hadn't expected him to be this skilled, making it hard for her to find any openings.
If she recklessly closed in, she might be knocked down with one punch.
The two tested each other several times, both being rather cautious, not daring to act rashly.
Natasha was afraid of being stunned by one of Luke's punches.
Luke consistently prevented Natasha from getting close.
Overall, Luke's height and reach gave him an edge, with Natasha mostly on the defensive.
"Go get them!" Orty cheered from the sidelines, unclearly who she was supporting.
Natasha, being at a disadvantage, needed to close the distance with Luke to defeat him, but to do so, she had to dodge his punches.
Natasha had been studying Luke's style meticulously, planning a method to subdue him, and at the opportune moment, she suddenly lunged forward, aiming for his lower body.
Although it was a good plan, Luke wouldn't let it happen without a fight, continuously throwing punches at Natasha.
Natasha dodged repeatedly, quickly closing the distance, hoping to grab Luke and deny him the space to swing. But his agile footwork cleverly increased the distance.
With a "bang!" Natasha took a punch to the head.