Haruto made a shadow clone as Tsunade began explaining the enhanced strength technique. The clone stood to the side, observing carefully as Tsunade's words flowed with the practiced ease of someone who had long mastered the skill.
"The enhanced strength technique," Tsunade began, folding her arms as she spoke, "is all about chakra control. You're not simply using brute force; you're amplifying your natural strength by concentrating chakra into your muscles and releasing it all at once when you strike. It's a precision technique, not a blunt one."
Haruto nodded, his mind already working through the complexities of what she was describing. His clone mirrored the same intense focus. He knew chakra control was key—he'd honed that skill through his medical ninjutsu training—but he had a feeling there was more to this technique than just chakra management.
Tsunade gestured for him to watch as she casually flicked her wrist, barely exerting herself. The ground in front of her cracked with a deafening thud, sending small fragments of stone skittering across the training field. It wasn't just about power; it was about control. The release of chakra at just the right moment.
"Here's the thing," she continued. "You can't just flood your muscles with chakra and hope for the best. Too much chakra and you risk tearing your own body apart; too little and it's a wasted effort. You need to gather chakra, hold it in place, and then release it precisely at the moment of impact."
Haruto absorbed her words. He began to formulate a question in his head, thinking back to his past life, to certain scientific principles he remembered from his old world. He raised a hand, hesitating for a second.
"What's the maximum amount of chakra that the muscles can handle before they start to tear?" he asked, his curiosity pushing him to dig deeper into the mechanics of the technique. "Is it similar to how muscle fibers in the body naturally tear when you lift weights, and then rebuild stronger? Could that be enhanced through the chakra release if done carefully?"
Tsunade blinked at him, clearly surprised by the technical nature of his question. For a moment, there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. She wasn't used to genin asking such specific questions.
"Yes," she replied slowly, considering his thought process. "You could think of it like that, but with chakra, the risk is much greater. Muscles in a normal human can rebuild stronger after they tear. But if you infuse them with too much chakra, the damage can be permanent—or worse, fatal. The trick is balancing the chakra you release so it enhances your strength without damaging your body."
Haruto nodded, mentally filing that away. In his past life, he had always been interested in biology and human physiology. This wasn't entirely foreign territory, though the mechanics of chakra added an entirely new layer of complexity. His clone stood silently, processing everything alongside him.
"I see," Haruto said. "So it's kind of like overclocking a system. You can boost it for short periods, but if you don't control it, you'll burn out the circuits… or in this case, the muscles."
Tsunade gave him a long look, impressed despite herself. "That's… one way to look at it. Not many would describe it that way, but you're not wrong. It's a precise technique for a reason. Most shinobi can't handle that level of control under pressure, especially in battle."
"Compared to you though," Haruto asked, "I won't be able to maintain this for very long, right? You've got a larger chakra pool than me, so your body can take the strain for longer periods."
Tsunade's expression softened slightly, nodding. "Exactly. I have a lot more chakra to work with, so I can sustain the technique for longer without wearing myself out. You, on the other hand, will need to use it in short bursts. But with your chakra control—" She glanced at him meaningfully. "—you'll be able to maximize its effectiveness when you need it."
Haruto mulled that over. It made sense. Tsunade's immense chakra reserves were likely a product of her Senju heritage, allowing her to keep going for longer periods. He didn't have that luxury, but with his chakra control, he could still be extremely effective in short, powerful bursts.
Tsunade continued, pacing slightly as she spoke. "The key is learning how to release the chakra in sync with your strike. If you do it too soon, it'll disperse before it hits. Too late, and the impact will be weak. It has to happen at the exact moment your fist makes contact."
She paused for a moment, letting that sink in, before adding, "And don't expect to get it right immediately. This takes time, Haruto. You'll need to practice until the release becomes second nature."
Haruto's mind raced. He could see how this would be invaluable in combat. Not only would it instantly increase his strength, but it would complement his medical ninjutsu research on muscle enhancement. If he could apply this correctly, it would give him an edge in any fight—especially against stronger opponents.
"What happens to the energy that's not used in the impact?" Haruto asked, his curiosity still piqued. "Does it dissipate back into the body, or can it be redirected elsewhere?"
Tsunade stopped mid-stride, turning to face him fully. She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by his line of questioning. "Most of it dissipates. But in theory, if you could control it well enough, you might be able to redirect it. That's not something I've explored personally. It's dangerous… and requires even more precise chakra control than this."
Haruto grinned, his mind already buzzing with ideas. He could see it now—short bursts of enhanced strength, coupled with his fuinjutsu research. He could explore the idea of storing excess chakra or redirecting it in ways no one had tried before. It was a long shot, but it was worth experimenting with after the exams.
"Well," Tsunade said with a smirk, "since you're so eager, let's get started. Show me what you can do after reading the scrolls I've prepared."
Haruto's eyes widened as she handed him a stack of scrolls. He wasn't surprised that Tsunade had anticipated his thirst for knowledge. He and his clone immediately set to work, diving into the scrolls she had compiled. His focus sharpened as he scanned through the detailed instructions, eager to start unlocking the secrets of Tsunade's legendary strength technique.