Chapter 7: Gale Fist

The training ground was charged with anticipation as Iruka called the next match. On one side of the arena stood Shin, his emerald eyes calm but focused, analyzing his opponent with care. Opposite him was Ryuuji Shimura, exuding a sense of effortless superiority. His posture was relaxed, almost casual, as if he were already assured of his victory. He barely even glanced at Shin, instead letting his eyes sweep over the watching crowd, as though he were basking in their admiration.

Ryuuji's voice carried a hint of condescension as he finally addressed Shin. "Let's get this over with," he said, brushing a speck of dust off his sleeve. "You don't stand a chance. A nobody like you? Against the Shimura Clan?" He scoffed, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Try not to embarrass yourself too much."

Shin remained silent, his expression unwavering. He refused to be rattled by Ryuuji's taunts, though he could feel the weight of the crowd's expectations pressing down on him.

Iruka raised his hand. "Begin!"

Ryuuji moved first, dashing forward with the confidence of someone who had never known defeat. To him, this wasn't a real fight—it was just another opportunity to showcase his skills. Each step he took was fluid and precise, the wind seemingly bending to his will as he launched into the signature style of the Shimura Clan: the Gale Fist.

Ryuuji surged forward, closing the distance between him and Shin in an instant. The air around him seemed to shift as he executed the opening strike of the **Gale Fist**, a swift, precise punch aimed straight at Shin's chest. The force of the blow was amplified by the sudden burst of air pressure, designed to stagger even the most resilient opponent.

Shin sidestepped just in time, the edge of the gust brushing past him. His reflexes and keen observation saved him from the brunt of the attack, but he could feel the power Ryuuji commanded. This was no ordinary taijutsu—this was the product of years of Shimura Clan mastery.

Ryuuji's smirk widened, his confidence unshaken by Shin's evasion. "Not bad," he said with mock approval. "But you're still not good enough." He pivoted on his heel, unleashing a spinning kick. The wind swirled around him in a controlled vortex, adding speed and force to his strike.

Shin ducked low, barely avoiding the blow, and countered with a sweeping kick aimed at Ryuuji's legs. But Ryuuji leaped upward with incredible agility, flipping mid-air and landing gracefully a few feet away. He was toying with Shin, testing him while showcasing his own skill.

"You're fast," Ryuuji admitted, though his tone carried no real praise. "But speed alone won't save you."

Shin narrowed his eyes, his analytical mind working overtime. He realized that Ryuuji's arrogance made him predictable—he wasn't taking Shin seriously, which left openings in his otherwise polished technique. Still, the Gale Fist was no joke. Shin needed to stay sharp.

Ryuuji lunged again, his fists a blur as he unleashed a rapid series of strikes, each one accompanied by sharp bursts of wind. Shin deflected and dodged as best as he could, his movements economical and deliberate. The crowd watched in awe, the ferocity of the fight leaving them breathless.

Then came the opening Shin had been waiting for. Ryuuji overextended on one of his punches, his overconfidence leading to a lapse in form. Seizing the moment, Shin stepped inside Ryuuji's guard, driving an elbow into his midsection with precise force. Ryuuji staggered back, his expression flashing with both pain and disbelief.

Shin didn't let up. He pressed the advantage, his movements now sharper and more aggressive. Though he didn't have a family legacy like the Shimura Clan, Shin had his own strength—years of hard work and a mind honed for battle.

But Ryuuji wasn't done yet. Gritting his teeth, he steadied himself and spread his stance, summoning the full force of the Gale Fist. The air around him churned violently as he prepared a devastating finishing blow. "Enough playing around," he growled. "I'll show you the difference between us!"

Shin braced himself, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to face Ryuuji's next move.

Ryuuji's eyes narrowed with renewed focus as he saw Shin preparing to press his advantage. The smirk on Ryuuji's face faded, replaced by a more serious, calculated expression. His stance shifted as he gathered his chakra, preparing to unleash one of the most devastating moves in the Gale Fist style: the Gale Strike.

A gust of wind suddenly erupted around him, his body moving like a blur as he advanced. He slammed his fist forward, not just as a punch, but with the force of the wind itself behind it. The air around Ryuuji seemed to ripple with power, distorting the space in front of him as he launched his strike with explosive force.

Shin barely had time to react. The Gale Strike wasn't just about raw speed or strength—it was a controlled burst of wind that traveled with the punch, adding immense pressure that struck like a tidal wave. Shin dodged instinctively, but the pressure from the strike still grazed his side, leaving a sharp sting as if the wind itself had pierced his skin.

The force of the punch was so great that the air around them howled, and the dust beneath their feet lifted in the wake of the attack. The crowd gasped, watching in awe as Ryuuji stood tall, his expression one of quiet confidence.

"This is what true strength looks like," Ryuuji said coldly, his voice cutting through the now-still air.

Shin staggered back, catching his breath as he absorbed the impact. His ribs ached where the wind had cut through him, but he refused to let it slow him down. He needed to think—if Ryuuji was going to rely on moves like this, he couldn't afford to let his guard down for even a second.

Shin's mind raced, his body responding instinctively. He realized that Ryuuji's moves were indeed formidable, but he was overreaching—each strike was powerful, but left him open. Shin would have to endure, adapt, and wait for his next opening.

The wind settled slightly, but Shin knew the fight was far from over. He could see the Shimura Clan's pride in Ryuuji's stance, but that pride would also be his downfall. If Shin could just last long enough, he could turn the tide of this battle.

Shin took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he focused on his opponent. Ryuuji had just unleashed his Gale Strike, and the sheer force had almost taken him off balance, but Shin wasn't going to let the Shimura Clan's prodigy have the satisfaction of a quick victory. Ryuuji was strong, yes, but his arrogance was his weakness.

Shin, watching Ryuuji stand tall, pride radiating from his stance, saw the opening. Ryuuji was letting his pride dictate the pace, believing that his superior clan and techniques would overwhelm Shin. That smug confidence was now his greatest liability.

Shin narrowed his eyes, seeing the small but crucial flaw. Ryuuji had committed too much of his focus on maintaining his aura of superiority. Shin could sense it—he was getting careless. With a swift motion, Shin darted forward, feinting to the left and then immediately spinning right. He used his momentum to close the gap, landing a solid strike to Ryuuji's ribs. The move sent Ryuuji stumbling back, surprise flickering in his dark eyes.

Ryuuji's expression darkened in response. His pride had been pricked, and now his frustration began to show. He clenched his fists, his sharp features tightening as he gritted his teeth. The crowd watched with bated breath, sensing that this match was no longer as straightforward as it had initially seemed.

"You're nothing but a blip on my radar, Hamada!" Ryuuji sneered, his words sharp with venom. His frustration boiled over, and the arrogance in his stance shifted into full-blown anger. He began to form hand seals, chakra coursing through him as he prepared to unleash a Wind Release jutsu.

The air around him began to tremble as he took a deep breath, his hands moving with precise speed.

As Ryuuji's hands neared the last seal, a sudden voice rang out sharply from the side.

"That's enough, Ryuuji!" Iruka's voice cut through the tension in the air like a knife, and the instructor stepped forward with an authoritative presence. "You've violated the rules. Ninjutsu isn't permitted in this tournament!"

Ryuuji paused mid-seal, his face flushed with anger. He didn't want to stop, not now, not when he was so close to putting Shin in his place. His breath came in shallow gasps, and his fists clenched tighter as he stared at Iruka.

Iruka's gaze softened, but it remained firm. "Ryuuji is disqualified. Shin Hamada wins."

The words hit Ryuuji like a slap in the face. His breath caught, and for a moment, he could only stare, dumbfounded. The crowd fell silent as the weight of Iruka's decision sank in. Ryuuji, still boiling with rage, stood frozen, his expression a mixture of disbelief and seething frustration.

Shin, on the other hand, stood still in the center of the arena, his breath steady, his mind calculating. He had won—not through brute force, but by exploiting his opponent's pride, drawing out his anger and causing him to make a rash mistake.

The students began to murmur among themselves, some with awe, others with shock. Ryuuji, the golden child of the Shimura Clan, had been disqualified by his own arrogance.

Iruka, keeping his voice steady, addressed the crowd. "Remember, everyone, this is a lesson. Strength isn't just about power—it's about control, focus, and discipline."

Shin gave a small nod, acknowledging Iruka's words. Despite his victory, he knew the lesson wasn't over. It had only just begun.

To be continued...

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How was this chapter, guys? Hoped you like it! I'll be adding a lot of new jutsus from now on, especially regarding Taijutsu, which I think was neglected a bit too much in the original work.

And be sure to check my original novel, Hyperborea!