The Melon-Eating Version of Tai Chi Fist

"A watermelon, round and round, Slice it in half with a single cut, You get half, and he gets half, ...

At dawn, facing the rising sun, Shimura Kentei practiced Tai Chi on the balcony of the Konoha Hospital with Jiraiya, who had just recovered from his injuries. This was a martial arts secret technique he had painstakingly learned in his previous life, second only to square dancing and the eighth set of broadcast gymnastics.

"Is this Tai Chi Fist reliable?"

Jiraiya, following Shimura Kentei in practicing Tai Chi, asked suspiciously. He felt that this Tai Chi Fist was very unreliable, especially that set of incantations.

"Absolutely reliable, this has been verified by Daoist Master Wang Ye!"

Shimura Kentei replied with a serious expression, completely confident in this aspect.

Daoist Master Wang was a highly esteemed disciple of Wudang Mountain, a direct descendant. He taught his father this way, so how could it be wrong?

After all, Daoist Master Wang wouldn't lie to his own father, right!

"Wang what?"

Jiraiya asked curiously, still feeling that this Tai Chi Fist was very unreliable.

"Wasn't it this Tai Chi Fist that you used to diffuse the power of the Monster Strength Technique that day?"

Tsunade, watching from the side, pondered, having grasped the profundity of this Tai Chi Fist.

In essence, it was nothing more than strengthening control over the body, and this Taijutsu was very gentle, fitting well with the phrase "overcoming hardness with softness" from the scroll.

"This is the foundation. As long as you learn Tai Chi Fist well, your control over your body's muscles and bones will greatly improve."

While practicing the watermelon version of Tai Chi Fist, Shimura Kentei explained.

He wasn't sure about the authentic Tai Chi Fist from his previous life, but the version he developed was essentially about enhancing control over the body. The force-dispelling technique he used before was a result of the control developed through Tai Chi Fist.

He had originally wanted to see if he could create something like Manifesting Strength, Concealed Strength, Transforming Strength from martial arts novels, but unfortunately, he didn't succeed.

However, using chakra as an aid wasn't bad. Perhaps it could be turned into a golden-element martial arts version of Tai Chi Fist.

"It's soft and slow, not my cup of tea!"

After watching for a while, Tsunade's interest waned. She disliked this Taijutsu and preferred the simple and brutal hard fist style.

"Tai Chi Fist integrates both hard and soft styles, blending the hard fist and gentle fist schools. It's just that the practice leans towards the gentle approach; you can also speed it up."

As he spoke, Shimura Kentei increased his speed, unleashing his power to the limit his injuries could bear, even using the Super Speed Technique and Super Strength Technique to stimulate his nerves and muscles for enhanced effects.

Instantly, the originally slow and soft Tai Chi Fist became fast and powerful, striking the air with loud cracks, which even piqued the interest of Orochimaru, who had been silent.

This was the first time he had seen a Taijutsu that could simultaneously incorporate both the hard fist and gentle fist styles.

After practicing the "eating melon" version of Tai Chi Fist ten times in a short minute, Shimura Kentei finished his movements and stood still, exhaling a long breath.

"When practicing Tai Chi Fist, you can use a large iron ball suspended by a chain as an aid. As your physical fitness and control over strength improve, you can continuously increase the weight of the iron ball. The effect is very good."

Shimura Kentei generously shared his cultivation experience, not caring about these things. Compared to that, the golden energy was more important.

It had already given him a fusion ability, and he wondered what ability it would grant him next.

He now wished he could spread the cultivation methods he had developed throughout the Ninja World, turning all ninjas into tools for him to obtain golden energy.

This generous and selfless demeanor made Tsunade's beautiful eyes glaze over, reminding her of her great-grandfather who had long since passed away.

Jiraiya was filled with emotion and regret.

This cheap disciple was exactly to his liking, but his physical aptitude was too poor, severely limiting his growth. Otherwise, he would undoubtedly be the Child of Destiny he was looking for.

What a shame!

While Shimura Kentei was peacefully practicing and recuperating at the Konoha Hospital, enjoying the sight of the nurses, all the ninja clans and factions in Konoha were in an uproar.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others were very efficient. The next day, they summoned the heads of all the major clans in Konoha to discuss the matter.

As expected, the proposal to make that E-Rank Body Strengthening Secret Technique a textbook for the Ninja Academy was met with opposition from all the clan heads.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others were not discouraged. Just as Shimura Kentei had done with Tsunade, they sent a small portion of the Body Strengthening Secret Technique to the major clans as bait.

They had briefly studied this Body Strengthening Secret Technique before. Its principles were indeed simple, but the cultivation method was extremely complex and dangerous. A slight mistake could lead to disability, or even death.

Unless those clan forces were willing to sacrifice tens of thousands of their clansmen, it would be impossible for them to perfect the entire cultivation method based on that small portion.

Even if they were truly determined, it would take at least ten years to develop. These were all things that those clan forces could not accept.

Several days later, within the Hyuga clan, the current head of the Main Family, Tokugawa Hyuga, looked at his two sons kneeling below.

"Hizashi, what do you think our Hyuga clan should decide this time?"

After a long silence, Tokugawa Hyuga spoke, asking his eldest son, also as a test and a form of training.

After all, the future of the clan would eventually be managed by the eldest son. It was better to spend some effort cultivating him now than to be flustered in the future.

One must know that being the head of the Hyuga clan was not easy. Not only were there hidden dangers within the clan, but the ninja clans in the village were also not easy to deal with. Not to mention the other ninja villages that had long coveted their Hyuga Byakugan.

Hyuga Hizashi naturally saw that this was his father's test and training for him. After careful consideration, he said, "I believe we have no choice!"

"You are right. Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others have indeed given us no choice. Even if we refuse, they can still do it secretly."

Hyuga Tokugawa was very satisfied with his eldest son's answer, but his expression immediately changed to one of deep gloom.

He had long understood what was happening here. Ostensibly, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others were seeking their opinions, but in reality, they were forcing the ninja clans to concede.

It was politically correct for the Hokage faction to support civilian ninjas, and there was nothing wrong with that.

This was an open scheme; even if they understood it, they had to accept it begrudgingly.

"I can't understand how the Shimura Clan, with their background, developed this Body Strengthening Secret Technique. Even our Hyuga Clan finds it difficult to achieve something similar."

Voicing his confusion, Hiashi Hyuga couldn't figure it out and felt a strong sense of dissatisfaction.

Although the Hyuga Clan was a Dojutsu clan, the Byakugan was merely supplementary. Gentle Fist Taijutsu was their core, and they had a thorough understanding of human anatomy, even possessing their own Body Strengthening Secret Technique.

However, the core of that technique could only be learned by Main Family members with complete Byakugan, and its learning difficulty was extremely high, making it impossible to popularize. It held little significance for a large clan.

It was far from comparable to the Shimura Clan's Body Strengthening Secret Technique, which had virtually no barrier to entry. Once mastered, anyone could become a Taijutsu-specialized Chunin.

It was even more beneficial for ninjas specializing in Ninjutsu and Genjutsu, as it could significantly compensate for their shortcomings in physical fitness. This was not a simple matter of adding one plus one.

The Shimura Clan was, at most, a clan known for its secret techniques. How could they have created such a Body Strengthening Secret Technique?

"How else? By sacrificing lives!"

With a cold laugh, Hyuga Tokugawa showed considerable disdain for the Shimura Clan, a pride and foundation stemming from being a top-tier noble clan.

This Body Strengthening Secret Technique was a radical, even extreme, approach. The danger within it made his scalp tingle after reading it. He could easily imagine how many people the Shimura Clan had sacrificed for this technique.

Definitely over a hundred thousand, which also fit the Shimura Clan's usual modus operandi!

However, the Shimura Clan was indeed very capable, having shown no flaws before.

"Since we can obtain it directly, should we recall Suzune?"

Hiashi Hyuga suddenly made a request. Originally, they had assigned Hyuga Suzune to Tsunade Squad with the intention of getting closer to Shimura Kentei and obtaining the Body Strengthening Secret Technique from him.

But now that they could obtain the technique directly, there was no need for Suzune to remain in Tsunade Squad.

He had no objections to Tsunade, that senior, but the Senju Clan was not to be trifled with, especially since the current clan head, Senju Tōsu, was too similar to the Second Hokage.

He did not want to have too much contact with that man and the Senju Clan.

"No rush. The Shimura Clan's actions this time are too strange. Your father suspects that the Body Strengthening Secret Technique they offered is not the complete version!"

His old eyes narrowed slightly, and Hyuga Tokugawa rejected his eldest son's suggestion.

He was from the same era as Danzō Shimura and knew that man's personality and methods very well. This incident was very peculiar and did not align with that man's usual style of operation.

It was one thing to let a junior handle such an important matter, but to have that brat use this Body Strengthening Secret Technique for trade, even as teaching material for the Ninja Academy.

Was he, Danzō Shimura, and the Shimura Clan that generous and selfless?

In any case, he didn't believe it for a second; there had to be a trap.

"That's impossible, right? That Body Strengthening Technique is very complete, covering all aspects of the body, even slightly exercising the brain."

His eyes widened, and Hiashi Hyuga strongly disagreed with this statement. The Body Strengthening Secret Technique provided by the Shimura Clan was already astonishing; how could there be a more complete version?

"Nothing is impossible in the Ninja World. In fact, your father suspects that the Shimura Clan might currently possess a stronger C-Rank Body Strengthening Technique.

Let Suzune continue to stay in Tsunade Squad and see if that brat can improve further."

A cold glint flashed in his old eyes. Hyuga Tokugawa was extremely vigilant at this moment, wary of Danzō Shimura and the Shimura Clan.

"Tomorrow, you will represent the clan and go to the Hokage's office to discuss this matter!"

His gaze fell upon his eldest son again. This was also a test.

"I'm going?"

His eyes widened again, and Hiashi Hyuga was a bit stunned. Although he was the young master of the Hyuga Clan, he wasn't qualified to represent the Hyuga Clan in such an important meeting.

"Danzō Shimura only put forward a junior to handle this matter. Do you want your father to discuss matters with a mere child?"

He glared at his son. Hyuga Tokugawa had already thought all of this through; he would not go in person anyway.

"Then... then what should we offer in exchange for the complete Body Strengthening Secret Technique from the Shimura Clan?"

After being glared at by his father, Hiashi Hyuga quickly lowered his head slightly and then asked.

Since it was agreed to be an exchange, they naturally couldn't go empty-handed. But Sarutobi Hiruzen had mentioned equivalent exchange.

If they were to truly compare values, the complete Body Strengthening Secret Technique would be comparable to their Hyuga Clan's entire Gentle Fist set.

However, handing over the entire Gentle Fist was obviously impossible; that was the foundation of their Hyuga lineage.

"Do you need your father to teach you such a trivial matter?"

He glared at his son again, feeling that his eldest son still needed a lot of training. He was too rigid and inflexible.

"Please, Father, enlighten me!"

He obediently asked, as Hiashi Hyuga truly had no ideas in this regard.

"Didn't they say this technique is classified as D-Rank? Why not pick a D-Rank inheritance from the clan's Gentle Fist system and send it over?"

Hiashi Hyuga listened, dumbfounded. He truly hadn't expected such a move, but upon careful consideration, it seemed quite reasonable.

D-Rank for D-Rank, very fair!

After further instructions to his eldest son, Hiashi Hyuga, he finally let him leave. As for the younger son, Tokugawa Hyuga hadn't even looked him in the eye once from beginning to end.

Since he had become a branch family member, there was no need for further words; he merely had to obey the will of the main family.

Similar scenes were playing out in Konoha's various ninja clans, all preparing for tomorrow's meeting.

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