Speculation

Hyuga Clan training grounds.

"Shinichi, I can't go on. I surrender." Hyuga Tetsu collapsed onto the ground and waved at Shinichi from a short distance away.

Shinichi was also slightly out of breath after sparring with him.

"I never expected Shinichi to be this strong even without the Byakugan," Hyuga Tokuma, who had been watching from the side, remarked.

"He's still a Chunin, no matter what. Taking on two little brats like you is easy," Iroha scoffed.

Yet Shinichi was not as relaxed as Iroha made it sound. This was his first time fighting someone since being reborn. His past combat experience was merely memory now. If it had been the original Shinichi, he could have taken Hyuga Tetsu down in an instant without using either the Byakugan or Gentle Fist.

"Then let's take a break." Shinichi rubbed his aching forearm. He had carelessly taken a hit just now, and his arm now felt strangely obstructed whenever he tried to move it.

The group gathered in the shade beneath a tree, while Shinichi and Hyuga Tetsu each picked up their water flasks to rehydrate.

The Hyuga training grounds were as large as three or four fields and stood near the edge of the village, right beside a dense forest.

But apart from them, there was no one else here. Most of the Hyuga Clan's shinobi had gone to the front lines, and among those Shinichi's age, only Iroha and Natsu remained in the village.

Iroha stood to the side, instructing Hyuga Tetsu and explaining the flaws he had exposed during the spar.

Shinichi listened quietly as well, leaning against the tree trunk.

A few clouds drifted across the sky. The wind rustled the leaves, and dust on the ground swirled before settling again.

After resting for a while, Shinichi set down his water flask and stood to stretch his limbs.

"Tokuma, want to give it a try?" He looked toward the other delicate-looking boy. Tokuma wore his long hair tied behind his back with a hair tie, with a lock hanging down on either side of his face.

"Me?" Tokuma asked in surprise.

"What, do you want me to spar with Iroha instead?" Shinichi asked with a faint smile.

Iroha had yet to recover from his severe injuries and was completely incapable of fighting.

"It's just a spar. What are you scared of, kid?" Iroha patted Tokuma on the back.

"Fine." Tokuma rose hesitantly and agreed. He knew he was no match for Shinichi and worried that he would lose terribly.

The two walked several steps away and faced each other in an open space.

Tokuma formed the Seal of Confrontation first. Shinichi found it amusing, but copied the gesture before assuming his stance.

The pain in his forearm had not faded, but it did nothing to dampen Shinichi's desire to fight. Unlike dull physical training, the clash of fists and feet and the exchange of techniques in battle were far more interesting.

"Has Shinichi always worked this hard?" Hyuga Tetsu, seated beneath the tree, could not help asking.

"Him... probably." Iroha could not quite say. He and Shinichi were not especially close, nor did he know much about him. They could only chat easily when they met because they belonged to the same clan.

What had happened earlier had left a deeper impression of this clan brother on him.

Shinichi had already begun exchanging blows with Tokuma. Tokuma's style was similar to Tetsu's, and all of his moves were familiar to Shinichi. As they fought, Shinichi grew increasingly relaxed and at ease. It felt as though he was gradually integrating the combat memories in his mind into his own body.

"Ah!" With a miserable cry, Tokuma was suddenly knocked to the ground. He clutched his right forearm, his face twisted in pain.

Seeing this, Shinichi hurried over to check on him. Iroha and Hyuga Tetsu rushed over as well upon hearing the cry.

"How are you?"

They helped Tokuma sit up. His entire right forearm was bright red, and Iroha could not help revealing a startled, doubtful expression at the sight.

"Hiss..." Tokuma only sucked in breaths of cold air. He looked to be in tremendous pain.

Shinichi looked at his own right hand. Red marks covered his knuckles as well, and they hurt as though he had punched a wall.

"Sorry, Tokuma. I wanted to see if I could strike your chakra points just now, but I didn't control my strength properly," Shinichi apologized.

"How did you strike his chakra points?" Iroha asked.

Shinichi raised his clenched fist in response.

"..." Iroha was speechless. Since when did Gentle Fist use an entire fist to strike chakra points? The human body's Chakra Pathway System was so fine that even being slightly off would not work.

Tokuma sat there with his lips pressed together, not saying a word.

"It was just one punch. Why do you look like you're about to cry?" Iroha said. "Look, Shinichi hurt his hand too."

"To apologize, I'll treat everyone to lunch," Shinichi said.

Tokuma immediately wiped away the tears that were about to fall and asked, "Barbecue?"

"Ramen."

"..."

Tokuma silently covered his forearm again, his brows knitting tightly. "Hiss... it hurts so much!"

Shinichi found it amusing and did not disappoint him. "Then barbecue it is."

Tokuma immediately stood up. "Shinichi, I'm fine. Let's go eat. I'm getting a little hungry anyway."

Iroha could not help commenting, "What an act."

Hyuga Tetsu laughed from the side as well.

Shinichi glanced once more at the back of his injured hand. The principle behind Gentle Fist's chakra-point strikes was to send Chakra into the opponent's body, damaging the enemy's Chakra Pathway System and internal organs.

Normally, Chakra was released through the fingertips. But at the instant he threw that punch, Chakra had been released from his entire fist. Unable to see the chakra pathways, he had tried to see whether he could launch an "all-round attack."

The result was an attack that injured both his enemy and himself.

"Is Shinichi all right?" Tokuma asked.

"I'm fine. Let's go eat."

The group left the training grounds amid laughter and conversation.

Shinichi felt that some of his ideas could be tested. Hinata's Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists in the original story seemed to operate on a similar principle: Chakra underwent shape transformation to cover both hands, enhancing the range of its strikes and destructive power.

However, every technique of the Hyuga Clan required the Byakugan's assistance. Only with the Byakugan could one accurately direct Chakra and bring every move to its best effect.

Shinichi's idea might be possible, but it would be far more difficult than ordinary Gentle Fist.

After having barbecue with Iroha and the others, Shinichi went alone to the market to buy ingredients and seasonings. When he returned home, he tinkered with some snacks.

They were only simple fried potatoes and potato chips, which were sold in this world as well.

After packing them into a food container, Shinichi brought them next door to Ayari's house.

"You made these?" Ayari found it a little unbelievable when she saw them.

"Try them and see how they taste."

Ayari hesitated briefly before pinching up a potato chip and putting it in her mouth. It was crisp, salty, spicy, and richly flavored.

"Mmm! They're pretty good!" She took the container directly from Shinichi's hand, sat on the sofa, and began enjoying it in earnest.

Today, she wore a floral skirt, and her two long, pale legs swayed back and forth before Shinichi's eyes.

"What are you looking at?" Ayari glared at him.

"Your legs," Shinichi answered frankly.

Ayari grabbed a cushion beside her and threw it at him. Shinichi caught it and held it in his arms.

"Need something from me?" she asked afterward.

"Can you help me find some more books?" Shinichi did not bother with pleasantries and directly made his request.

"You finished the ones I found for you before?" Ayari asked in surprise.

"I finished them."

Ayari fell into thought. After pondering for a moment, she said, "If you just want something to read, I can find you some novels to pass the time."

Shinichi shook his head. "I read them seriously. Other than the specialized medical books, I've understood all of them too."

Ayari was quite astonished. The knowledge in those books was not superficial. How could this kid have absorbed it all so quickly?

"What else do you want to read?" she asked.

"Anything related to Chakra. The more, the better. Besides that, I want some introductory books on sensory techniques and Medical Ninjutsu," Shinichi said slowly.

Ayari nodded. "I'll remember that."

The books Ayari had found for Shinichi last time had been chosen at random. Otherwise, she would not have sent him such highly specialized books. Seeing that Shinichi genuinely seemed to want to study, Ayari decided she would carefully select some for him later.

The box of potato chips was soon empty, and Ayari looked thoroughly satisfied. They tasted very different from the bagged potato chips sold on the market.

"Since when did you know how to make this kind of thing?"

"I saw a snack stall selling fried potato chips before. I thought they looked interesting, so I watched for a while and tried making some after I got home."

"I didn't expect you to have such talent for this."

Shinichi smiled faintly. "If you like them, I can make them for you often."

Ayari scoffed. "Then wouldn't I have to run errands for you every day?"