Early the next morning, Neji practiced the basic fist forms in the backyard as usual.
Neji performed the Twenty-Eight Basic Fist Forms with flowing precision. Every move and stance had been honed through countless repetitions. Thanks to his exceptional perception, Neji could clearly sense which muscle groups each move trained and how intensely they were being worked. Thus, while practicing the basic fist forms, he also made subtle adjustments based on his own condition to train himself as effectively as possible.
Rock Lee and Might Guy relied on immense amounts of practice and overload training to strengthen themselves. Once their training volume became great enough, they could likewise achieve a full-body workout.
However, that approach was exceptionally time-consuming. It often took more than three times as long to achieve the standardized, precise, and scientific results of Neji's training. Furthermore, overload training could easily leave all kinds of hidden injuries in the body. They might go unnoticed in youth, but once one grew older, the pain would become unbearable. Finally, unless someone was naturally suited to taijutsu training like Rock Lee and Might Guy, an ordinary person trying to imitate their freakish methods would probably cripple themselves in no time.
Just as he finished practicing the basic fist forms, someone knocked at the door. After wiping away his sweat, Neji got up and headed to the front yard to open it. Standing outside was a middle-aged ninja from the Hyuga Clan.
Neji politely spoke first. "Greetings, Lord Hyuga Hio. Please guide me from now on!"
Hyuga Hio nodded in return. "No need to be so polite, Neji. Since the Clan Head has arranged it, I will teach you wholeheartedly."
The two then went to the backyard. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Hyuga Hio formally began teaching Gentle Fist.
Hyuga Hio said solemnly, "Gentle Fist is a taijutsu that sends one's chakra into the enemy's body, damaging their Chakra Pathway System and internal organs. It can only display its true power when paired with our clan's Kekkei Genkai—the Byakugan. Since internal organs cannot be trained, even the strongest ninja will often suffer fatal injuries if struck by Gentle Fist."
That was why our clan's Gentle Fist had always borne the reputation of Konoha's strongest taijutsu!
Gentle Fist training could roughly be divided into several stages. First, memorize the human Chakra Pathway System. Second, release the chakra within your body through your palms, fists, or fingers. Third, use the Byakugan to send the chakra released from your body into the enemy's Chakra Pathway System.
After saying that, Hyuga Hio took out a diagram and handed it to Neji. In a deep voice, he said, "This is the Human Meridian Chart. It marks the functions corresponding to different chakra pathways. Neji, memorize it thoroughly in your spare time."
After explaining the chart, Jonin Hiashi began explaining how to release chakra from within the body. "To release chakra from your body, the prerequisite is that you possess chakra. The more chakra you have, the easier it is to release it. Next, you need a certain degree of chakra control, enough to gather the chakra in your body into your arms. Then, you need to open the chakra pathways in your arms to facilitate the flow of chakra. Finally, you must release the chakra flowing into your arms through the acupoints in your palms, fists, or fingers in one burst."
As Hyuga Hio imparted this knowledge, he also demonstrated it himself. The moment he mentioned releasing it in one burst, Hyuga Hio struck out and slapped his palm against the large tree in the backyard.
Neji immediately sensed something was wrong. Sure enough, wood chips burst from the far side of the tree, while the spot struck by the palm remained completely intact.
Neji was astonished by the power of Gentle Fist. He knew this was a fantastical world, but witnessing such supernatural energy with his own eyes still left him stunned. At the same time, he felt a pang of heartache for the ruined tree in his yard. He could only silently mourn it. Farewell, great tree. May you rest in peace.
Neji's comprehension was excellent. With the help of memories from his previous life, along with Hyuga Hio's patient and meticulous explanations, he understood the principles and precautions of Gentle Fist in only three days. All that remained was long-term arduous practice, as well as the foundational work of chakra refinement, chakra control, opening the body's chakra pathways, and accumulating knowledge.
After seeing Hyuga Hio off,
Neji continued his stay-at-home routine. At this stage, every plan was empty talk. Improving his own strength and accumulating knowledge about this world were the top priorities. On the third day after visiting the Clan Head, the Clan Head arranged for someone to deliver books on basic medical knowledge to Neji's residence. There were more than a dozen books, including explanations of basic human anatomy, a plant encyclopedia, a mineral encyclopedia, common illnesses and their treatments, Medical Ninjutsu Beginner's Guide, and other introductory texts. When Neji checked the authors, he found Tsunade's name on several of them. Tsunade, one of the Three Ninja, truly had qualities worthy of admiration.
The following period passed without incident. Neji spent eight months cycling through basic fist forms, Gentle Fist, chakra refinement, medicinal baths, and studying basic medical knowledge in the backyard. Only his enrollment in the Ninja Academy broke his isolated training routine.
After nearly a year of diligent cultivation, the results were gratifying. Though only six years old, Neji's chakra reserves had already reached the standard of an ordinary Genin. Due to his powerful spiritual energy, his chakra control far surpassed that of a Genin and was roughly on par with an ordinary Jonin. Chakra-control exercises such as walking on water and climbing trees were easy for Neji to master.
The Byakugan's observation range had reached one and a half kilometers, nearing the two-kilometer range of an Elite Jonin from the Hyuga Clan. His microscopic vision had improved significantly as well. With another year of growth, he estimated that he would be able to observe objects at the cellular level with the naked eye alone. That would be immensely helpful for future research.
His progress in Gentle Fist had likewise been substantial. With Jonin-level chakra control, he had opened the chakra pathways in both his hands and feet. Neji could now release chakra from his hands and feet with relative ease.
Neji had also thoroughly absorbed the dozen-plus medical books and compiled several notes and summaries. What he lacked now was practical experience. After all, theory would always remain theory; only when theory was put into practice could it become truth.
During this time, Neji had also secretly tried learning Naruto's signature ninjutsu, the Rasengan. His progress had gone smoothly, but it consumed too much chakra. A Rasengan the size of a fist nearly drained all of Neji's chakra, and he silently grumbled that Naruto was a "cheat user."
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