Gentle Fist and Superhuman Strength

Chinatsu and Kiyosada did not invite Tsunade directly. Before that, they first visited Hyuga Tokuhiro, and only the next day did they invite Tsunade to their home as a guest.

The dishes on the table were not particularly lavish. The Hyuga family kept them company as they hosted Tsunade and her younger brother, Senju Nawaki.

"Shuji's constitution is truly rare. If it weren't for those Byakugan, I would've thought Shuji was a child of our Senju Clan."

At the dinner table, Tsunade downed the sake in her cup in one gulp.

"You mustn't say that, Lady Tsunade."

Seeing this, Shuji rose to refill Tsunade's cup.

"Hmm?"

Tsunade raised a brow at his words and looked toward Hyuga Shuji.

"If you say that, won't my parents start fighting?"

After sitting back down, Shuji grinned and spoke to Tsunade.

As soon as he said that, the ninjas all burst into laughter.

"Tsunade, my son wants to become a medical ninja."

As the conversation grew lively, Chinatsu rested her cheek on one hand. A faint drunken haze flowed through her beautiful eyes as she spoke to Tsunade.

"Oh? Start with the basics. Once you enter the Ninja Academy, focus on training your Chakra control. When you meet the requirements, you can come to Konoha Hospital and learn the Mystical Palm Technique from me."

Without the slightest hesitation, Tsunade gave him a short-term training plan.

Partly because of her relationship with Chinatsu, and partly because the Hyuga Clan was indeed well suited to becoming medical ninjas.

When ordinary medical ninjas treated the injured, they generally relied on instruments or experience to assist their judgment.

But the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan could see through things directly.

So giving Shuji some direction was no problem at all.

"Why aren't you thanking Teacher Tsunade?"

Hearing that, Hyuga Chinatsu immediately smacked Shuji on the back and said to him.

"Thank you, Teacher Tsunade."

Without hesitation, Shuji stood up and bowed to Tsunade.

"Sit down."

Tsunade blinked at his words and waved a hand at Shuji.

"With your current physical condition, you should be able to begin some degree of training in about half a month."

Her expression turning serious, Tsunade sat up straight and spoke to Shuji.

Only now did Tsunade realize that Chinatsu wanted her child to become her disciple.

Tsunade had no intention of refusing. After all, she and Chinatsu had a genuinely good relationship.

But if he was to become her disciple, what he learned would not be limited to Medical Ninjutsu alone.

"If you want to learn, come to the Senju residence in half a month. I'll teach you Superhuman Strength."

"I'll definitely come."

Shuji answered without the slightest hesitation.

Although Superhuman Strength outwardly manifested as an explosive burst of power in an instant, making it look like a hard-style fist technique—

In truth, Superhuman Strength itself was a derivative taijutsu based on Chakra control.

It concentrated Chakra at a single point and released it explosively. Its principles shared many similarities with the Tenketsu Striking of the Gentle Fist.

Strictly speaking, if one practiced both Gentle Fist Tenketsu Striking and Superhuman Strength well enough, a single finger strike could injure both bones and internal organs.

He would have let it go if he had not been given the opportunity, but now that he had one, Shuji naturally would not give it up.

"Mm."

Tsunade smiled and nodded. For now, she had a very favorable impression of Shuji.

"Shuji."

After the matter of Shuji becoming Tsunade's disciple had been settled, Nawaki, who had not spoken until then, suddenly called out to Shuji.

"Hmm? What is it?"

Shuji paused and looked at Senju Nawaki.

"I've heard of the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist before. Would it be convenient for you to exchange taijutsu with me?"

Nawaki spoke to Shuji with a trace of eagerness in his eyes.

Unlike children from civilian families, children born into the great ninja clans often knew more.

They also valued opportunities more highly.

Like Uchiha Mikoto before him, and Senju Nawaki now.

They all yearned to fight powerful peers. Not only would that give them a better understanding of themselves—

It would also allow them to discover their own shortcomings in actual combat.

"Shuji just got out of the hospital. How is he supposed to exchange taijutsu with you?"

As Nawaki's words fell, before Shuji could say anything, Tsunade smacked Nawaki on the head.

"Ah, it's fine."

Seeing this, Chinatsu immediately said to Tsunade.

"If Nawaki wants to experience the Gentle Fist, Shuji may not be able to right now, but Hinagiku can."

"Then thank you very much."

Nawaki immediately rose to his feet and bowed to Chinatsu.

Clearly, the young heir of the Senju Clan had an excellent grasp of proper etiquette.

"Then let's go to the Dojo."

Seeing this, Kiyosada nodded and asked Tsunade.

"Alright."

They left as soon as they decided to. The group of six headed grandly to the Dojo, while Shuji, Hinagiku, and Nawaki followed behind carrying several dishes and some sake.

At the Dojo, Nawaki first bowed to Hinagiku, then formed the Seal of Confrontation.

"Please guide me."

Seeing this, Hinagiku returned the bow before assuming the opening stance of the Gentle Fist.

Hinagiku did not dislike sparring with Nawaki. It was not just Hinagiku—everyone knew that in the future, they would inevitably face many ninjas with strange and unusual ninjutsu.

To discover one's own shortcomings through actual combat while still young, in an absolutely safe environment—

Was that not an incredibly fortunate thing?

"Teacher."

As Hinagiku and Nawaki fought, Shuji moved over to Tsunade's side, poured her a cup of sake, and handed it to her.

Well, his parents had paved the way for him. How he walked it would still depend on him.

He would probably be under Tsunade's wing for quite some time in the future.

Being a little more diligent certainly could not hurt.

"You're quite sensible, aren't you, kid?"

Tsunade smiled and glanced at Shuji. After taking the cup, she watched Hinagiku and Nawaki's spar while taking occasional sips of sake.

This was... fantastic!

It had been... so long since she had tasted sake this good!

Though she was the princess of the Senju Clan and a top medical ninja at Konoha Hospital—

Even if she did not take missions, Tsunade's monthly income was considerable.

But Tsunade, who spent all year frequenting Konoha Casino, had no money.

Absolutely no money.

Shuji was also watching the exchange between Nawaki and Hinagiku.

Honestly, Senju Style Taijutsu could be considered one of the most representative schools of hard-style fist techniques.

Some of its moves displayed the Senju family's strengths to the fullest.

By comparison, Hinagiku's Gentle Fist appeared much weaker.

The reason was simple. The Gentle Fist's greatest strength was Tenketsu Striking, but Hinagiku, who had yet to awaken her Byakugan, simply could not bring out the Gentle Fist's advantages.

In short, Hinagiku's Gentle Fist was an ineffective Gentle Fist.

As a result, her defeat seemed only natural.