Kiyomi stood before the wooden post, her arms hanging at her sides.
The red Chakra faded away. She could feel the restless power surging inside her, but she kept it under control.
"So what should I do?"
"Gather Chakra," Sasuke said. "Not the beacon's. Your own."
"I don't know how to tell the difference."
"Then learn." Sasuke walked over. "Close your eyes."
Kiyomi did as he said.
"Feel your body," Sasuke said calmly. "Chakra exists in every cell. It's a combination of physical and spiritual energy. The beacon's power comes from outside you, so your body resists it. Your own Chakra is part of you."
Kiyomi tried to feel it.
At first, she felt nothing but her heartbeat and breath. But little by little, she sensed a faint warmth flowing slowly through her body.
It was a tiny trickle, nothing like the beacon's wild power. It was gentle and steady, as natural as blood flowing through her veins.
"Found it?"
"Mm."
"Now gather it in your fist."
Kiyomi tried to guide the warm current. It obeyed, flowing along her pathways toward her right fist. But when she clenched her hand, the power dispersed.
"Again."
Kiyomi took a deep breath and gathered it once more.
This time, she succeeded. A faint blue glow appeared around her right fist, completely different from the beacon's red.
"Hit it."
Kiyomi punched the wooden post.
It didn't budge.
Her fist, on the other hand, hurt like hell.
"You're spreading the force too thin," Sasuke said. "Concentrate the Chakra at the point of contact, not across your entire fist."
Kiyomi shook out her hand and gathered Chakra again.
This time, she concentrated all her power on her knuckles, then swung again.
The post wobbled.
"Better," Sasuke said with a nod. "Keep going."
For the next hour,