253

Haruto arrived at the training field early, the sun barely peeking over the horizon. A cool breeze rustled the leaves as he spotted Tsunade, arms crossed, watching his clone.

Haruto noted the progress the clone had made overnight. While still not perfect, the clone was landing solid strikes using Tsunade's enhanced chakra strength technique. After five or six punches, the dense wooden block cracked under the pressure.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. He's picking this up quickly, she thought, watching the clone prepare for another strike.

Haruto gave her a small nod before sitting down in the center of the field, crossing his legs. It was time to absorb the clone's knowledge. As he focused, he merged the clone's experience with his own. This time, the process felt deeper, like he was unlocking a new level of understanding.

As the memories flowed into him, Haruto saw the mistake he and the clone had been making. The technique wasn't just about raw power—it was about precision. The chakra release had been too abrupt and uneven, disrupting the force instead of amplifying it. I see it now. Chakra needed to move seamlessly with his body, like a wave cresting at the exact moment of impact.

With his understanding solidified, Haruto stood and approached a fresh wooden block. No hesitation. He knew what to do.

Tsunade watched closely, intrigued by his progress. She had never taught this technique to anyone else—it required precise chakra control and a deep understanding of the body's limits. Few could even begin to grasp its complexities, but Haruto was advancing faster than she had anticipated.

Haruto focused, tuning out everything except the flow of chakra through his body. He raised his fist, letting the chakra synchronize perfectly with his movements.

Then he struck.

CRACK!

The block split cleanly in half. Haruto stood there for a moment, absorbing the result. He felt a quiet sense of accomplishment, but knew this was just a step. There was still much to refine.

Tsunade walked over, cracking her knuckles with a smirk. "Great. You've learned the basics," she said, her tone shifting. "But now comes the real test—learning to use it in an actual fight. That's when it really counts."

Haruto nodded. He knew that applying the technique in combat would be an entirely different challenge.

Tsunade's gaze sharpened. "We're going to push your limits. I'll also be teaching you the Senju Taijutsu Style. It's not just about brute strength. This style focuses on blending chakra-enhanced strikes with fluid body movement, precise timing, and overwhelming force. The goal is to control the flow of battle, keeping your opponent off balance while delivering strikes that can incapacitate with a single hit. It's also suited for those with high stamina, which you'll need."

Haruto's expression didn't change outwardly, but his mind sharpened at the mention of Senju Taijutsu. He had known about Tsunade's strength—how her punches could level walls and her medical prowess was unmatched—but this was something more. The thought of learning a taijutsu style that was designed not only to strike hard, but to completely control the battlefield, filled him with anticipation. This was about far more than raw power. It was a way to command the flow of combat, something that required both strategy and precision.

This is what sets her apart, he thought, the realization settling in. It wasn't just her strength—it was her mastery of movement, timing, and control. This was the deeper layer of her ability, the one the world rarely saw beneath the surface of her famous punches.

Tsunade folded her arms, smirk widening as if sensing his thoughts. "It's not going to be easy, but if you master it, you'll become a lot more dangerous when you combine it with your chakra-enhanced strength."

Haruto met her gaze, a spark of determination in his eyes. "I'm ready."

Tsunade grinned. "Good. From now on, we're stepping things up. Let's see how you handle the next level."

She cracked her knuckles again, her grin turning into something sharper. "Ready to learn Senju Taijutsu?"

Haruto straightened, his focus sharpening. The weight of this training wasn't lost on him. This wasn't just about hitting harder—it was about becoming a true force in battle. It was the kind of training that could shape him into something more, someone who didn't just react to a fight, but dictated its course.