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For the next two and a half weeks, Haruto's training with Tsunade pushed him to the brink of exhaustion. Each day was a grueling test of endurance, adaptation, and precision. Tsunade's mastery of her chakra-enhanced strength was effortless—she could activate and maintain it for as long as needed, thanks to her enormous chakra reserves. She didn't have to go all out against Haruto; her natural strength alone was more than enough to keep him in check during their sparring sessions.

But Tsunade wasn't just teaching him to punch harder. She was training Haruto in the Senju Taijutsu style, a combat art that emphasized fluid body movement, devastating chakra-infused strikes, and maintaining the upper hand in battle. The style was designed to overwhelm opponents with a combination of speed, timing, and precise control of chakra. For Haruto, this was a new level of combat training.

Haruto, on the other hand, had to find a different approach to using chakra. His reserves, while respectable, couldn't match Tsunade's. Instead of keeping the chakra-enhanced strength technique active at all times, he developed micro bursts—short, precise bursts of chakra applied at critical moments to amplify his speed, strength, or movements without draining his reserves too quickly. This technique fit perfectly with the Senju Taijutsu style, allowing him to conserve energy while maintaining the ability to strike hard when it mattered.

The first week was a struggle. Haruto found it difficult to time his movements with the bursts. Either he overused chakra and left himself exposed or used too little, making his attacks ineffective. His two-minds ability proved to be an advantage, allowing one mind to focus on the micro bursts while the other stayed alert to the fight. Gradually, he began to find his rhythm.

By the end of the second week, Haruto had refined his micro burst technique to the point where it felt natural. He could jump higher, move faster, and his strikes hit harder. While he wasn't yet capable of the boulder-shattering punches Tsunade was known for, his strikes left deep dents in the wooden training posts, and his kicks sent shockwaves through the ground. His progress was evident, and Tsunade noticed it too.

Still, Haruto knew this was only the beginning. His chakra reserves would grow with time, and as he matured, he wouldn't have to rely so heavily on micro bursts. For now, they allowed him to maintain his strength without burning out too quickly.

The true breakthrough came when Haruto began to combine his micro bursts with his Static Charge jutsu, a lightning-based technique that granted him bursts of speed. The combination of chakra-enhanced strength and Static Charge made him a blur in combat. His strikes were faster and harder, and even Tsunade had to adjust her timing to keep up with him.

The Fight

One afternoon, during an intense sparring session, Haruto and his clone fought Tsunade with everything they had. They worked together, trying to overwhelm her, but Tsunade wasn't even using her chakra-enhanced strength—she didn't need to. Her natural power and mastery of the Senju Taijutsu style allowed her to deflect their attacks with ease, her movements fluid and precise.

Haruto couldn't help but think, If she were using her full strength, I'd be dead. The thought was sobering but also oddly motivating. The gap between them was immense, but Haruto was determined to close it.

As Tsunade effortlessly dodged another punch from his clone, Haruto saw an opening. Activating Static Charge, he surged forward with lightning speed. His fist crackled with energy as he used a perfectly timed micro burst to propel his strike toward Tsunade's midsection.

She dodged, her movements smooth and predictable, but Haruto had anticipated this. He spun on his heel, following up with a chakra-enhanced kick aimed at her ribs. For a moment, he saw a flicker of surprise in Tsunade's eyes—just a fraction too late.

Haruto's fist connected with her face. The impact wasn't enough to hurt her, but it was solid. For a split second, he couldn't believe it. I actually hit her.

Tsunade blinked, clearly not expecting the blow, but recovered instantly. With a swift motion, she swept Haruto's legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground with a force that knocked the air from his lungs. Haruto gasped, his body aching from the fall, but he grinned through the pain. He had landed a hit on Tsunade, the legendary Sannin.

Tsunade, barely breaking a sweat, stepped forward and offered him a hand. "Not bad," she said, her tone carrying more approval than Haruto had ever heard from her. "You're getting faster."

Haruto took her hand, pulling himself to his feet. I'm not at her level yet, he thought, his heart still pounding from the fight, but I'm getting closer.

Tsunade smirked, a playful glint in her eyes. "Just remember, next time you hit me, I won't be pulling my punches. When I hit back at full strength, you'll feel it."

Haruto laughed, though his ribs protested. "If you hit me at full strength, I'd be knocked halfway across the village."

"Exactly," Tsunade replied with a grin.

She gave him a pat on the back, the force of it nearly knocking him off balance. "You've got the basics down. The micro bursts are working for you. You've figured out how to pace yourself, and that's going to be a huge advantage in longer fights."

Haruto nodded, grateful for her praise but already thinking about how much further he could push himself. The micro bursts allowed him to sustain the chakra-enhanced technique throughout the fight, but he knew his chakra reserves were still limited compared to Tsunade's. There was plenty of room for improvement.

As they resumed their training, Haruto couldn't shake the satisfaction of having landed that punch. It was a small victory, but a significant one. A few weeks ago, he wouldn't have come close to hitting her. The training had been brutal, and Tsunade's strikes often left him winded and bruised. But he was improving. His movements were sharper, his strikes more precise, and his stamina increased with every session.

Haruto still had a long way to go, but for the first time, he felt like he was truly closing the gap between himself and Tsunade. Each step forward was bringing him closer to mastering the technique—and, more importantly, mastering himself.