Hinata carefully imitated the movements nearby, but hers always seemed somewhat stiff and uncertain, her gaze habitually darting away.
"No."
At some point, Uchiha Yao had already walked over to the two of them.
"Lord Yao..."
Kurenai Yuhi's movements stalled as she looked at Uchiha Yao in surprise.
"Is there something wrong with my demonstration?"
She had always been quite confident in her taijutsu.
Though she was not a taijutsu specialist, as an elite jonin, she had put considerable effort into it.
"The way you exert force is wrong at its very foundation."
Uchiha Yao shook his head.
"Wrong?"
Kurenai Yuhi froze.
How could that be?
She had forged this method of exerting force through countless real battles. It was the method most suited to her.
"In pursuit of speed and concealment in your attacks, you rely too heavily on the explosive force of your wrists and shoulders."
"That might be enough against ordinary ninja."
"But against a true taijutsu expert, they'll see through it instantly."
"Every time you exert force, you reveal your intention to attack in advance."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded.
Thinking back carefully, it did seem... just as Uchiha Yao had said.
In several fights against taijutsu-type jonin, her attacks had indeed been easily anticipated beforehand.
"Then... what should I do?"
Kurenai Yuhi humbly asked for guidance.
Uchiha Yao said nothing, merely walking behind her.
Uchiha Yao's presence instantly enveloped Kurenai Yuhi.
"Stand properly."
Uchiha Yao's voice sounded by her ear.
Very close.
An unnatural flush instantly rose to Kurenai Yuhi's cheeks.
She instinctively straightened her body.
A hand lightly settled on her lower back.
"Relax."
Her body stiffened.
Her mind went blank.
She was a Konoha jonin.
She had experienced countless life-and-death battles and could maintain absolute calm even before the fiercest enemies.
But now...
She felt