The instructor Tanaka also felt the gentle breeze the punch had created and was surprised.
The instructor thought, "Is that Senju Taijutsu?"
Being skilled in taijutsu, he was familiar with advanced techniques, such as the strong fist style and the unique taijutsu of the Senju clan. He also knew how hard it is to learn these taijutsu, and not everyone can learn both these taijutsu.
The instructor thought, "How is this possible? It's a closely guarded jutsu, exclusive to the Senju clan. Who could have taught Ryu this secret taijutsu?"
It wasn't a secret that Senju-style taijutsu was something that gave the Senju clan an edge over other ninjas. It helps develop strong bodies and a dense chakra network from a young age. At a later age, this dense chakra network helps support high-level ninjutsu and gives them monstrous levels of raw strength and chakras.
Several have tried to replicate Senju-style taijutsu without success. The Chakra augmentation technique was born after someone managed to create it while trying to copy the Senju taijutsu, but it was nowhere close to it, as it lacked explosive strength. Even the Uchiha and Hyuga tried to recreate it, but the results were exactly the same and only resulted in a subpar taijutsu technique.
Toshiro thought, "So Ryu had learnt Senju-style taijutsu to that extent. His control over chakra impulse is also very good compared to before."
Senju-style taijutsu was dangerous taijutsu and easily hurt anyone. Therefore, it wasn't recommended in friendly matches without proper control and intentionally holding back. The instructor noted that both of them were holding back.
Toshiro approached Ryu and exchanged some blows, also using senju-style taijutsu. All were dodged by Ryu, and the spectator enjoyed the gentle breeze that followed each punch.
Toshiro kicked Ryu on the side, and he blocked it by using his forearms but was thrown, skidding on the ground.
The instructor was worried, as an impact like this could seriously hurt an academy student, but Ryu was smiling.
The instructor thought, "This brat is smiling. If he hadn't blocked it, his ribs would have shattered even if they were not using full strength. I doubt his arm is okay."
Ryu thought, "I cannot use Senju Style taijutsu as effectively as him. And I can only use my hands. He is now just showing off."
Toshiro smiled, taunting Ryu with a sly grin and a challenging gaze, adding to the tension of the moment.
"This brat," Ryu thought.
Toshiro then moved and punched with controlled impulse like Ryu did. Ryu saw it coming and fell back and then fliped back on his feet.
Toshiro thought, "Not this again. Toshiro knew about Ryu's flexible moves and knew he liked to use aerobic flips and full-body taijutsu moves."
Toshiro smiled and performed a backward flip while kicking Ryu, surprising everyone. He almost hit Ryu. The flip caused an air current to move in an arc and stir the dust towards the audience.
After a few fights with Ryu, Toshiro understood the importance of flexibility in close combat. Not only does it help to dodge effectively, but a flexible body can move in very unpredictable ways.
Ryu smiled and said, "So you are also working on flexibility."
Toshiro smiled and said, "Yes, the moves you taught me demand flexibility. And I trained myself to be able to replicate your moves. I still cannot do it perfectly, but I am starting to get the hang of it."
Ryu then said, "Okay then, let's take it top-notch."
"I need to stop this fight," the instructor thought.
Ryu came closer and came in with a punch. Toshiro countered it with a punch of its own, but then, as both the punches were about to collide, the taijutsu instructor interrupted.
The instructor said, "I'm ending this fight as a draw."
Unlike when it happens to other top students, both Ryu and Toshiro accepted the outcome and were smiling as they enjoyed their fight.
The instructor was not happy with how they fought, reprimanded them and said, "Both of you, use academy-style taijutsu the next time. The duels are not for personal enjoyment or for settling scores. They are for everyone to see and learn. If you keep on using secret taijutsu moves, there is no point for you to fight in the academy."
Both understood it and nodded. "We understand, sensei," they affirmed.
"It is good that you understand," said the instructor. "Is there anyone else who would like to volunteer next?"
Akira and Kanji raised their hands.
The instructor said, "Okay , both of you are next, but only academy-style taijutsu."
"Yes, sensei," both Akira and Kanji replied in unison.
Both Akira and Kanji fight each other with unseen intensity; Kanji seems to have the upper hand in terms of strength. But Akira soon overpowered him using her controlled moves.
Ryu commented, "Both of them are getting better. They must be training very hard."
Toshiro nodded and said, "After being beaten by you, they sure are motivated."
"You are one to say that," Ryu retorted.
Toshiro wasn't wrong. Ryu's power display when he fought Itachi, the most powerful genin then even before awakening the Sharingan, arguably in his history at the Leaf Ninja Academy, and beat him right in front of him; they knew they could not beat him as they were and were not challenging him anytime soon. But their jealousy was also motivating them to train more, and everyone near Ryu was doing their best.
Later, at the academy, after classes have ended, Ryu finds Saya, Fumi, Takeshi, and Kaito.
Ryu said, "Hey there. How is your training going?
Saya said with her arms crossed, "Not great. Especially when some people don't want to give any helpful tips to their friends."
Ryu replied, "Look at you, Saya. Your sensei is standing right here, and you're complaining without even a hello?"
Ryuturned to the others and said, "Come on, let's go find Kaito. I promised you all some tips today.
They walk over to where Kaito is practising moulding clay in the academy playground.
Kaito greeted Ryu , "Hey, Ryu."
Ryu asked, "How is your training going?
Kaito replied with a hint of frustration, "Like before, it doesn't seem like I am progressing at all, and it's becoming discouraging."
Ryu replied, "Don't worry; I will help you out."
Ryu looked at Saya and asked, "So, Saya, Did you find the suppression seal helpful?"
Saya replied, "Yes. I asked Fugaku-sama about the fire suppression seal. I told him that I am training wind affinity. He said wind affinity is very rare among the Uchiha clan. Lord Fugaku congratulated me and gave me that seal so that I can train properly. It actually helped a lot. Thank you for that tip."
Ryu smirks and said, "You were saying something about me not giving tips earlier, weren't you?"
Saya playfully glared at Ryu and said, "But it's still difficult to do it. I am spending hours to cut just one leaf."
Ryu said, "Alright, alright. Let's give you all some more tips. You all should know about the mental image.
Everyone said in unison, "Mental image ??"
Ryu continued, "Yes, Think of the wind as a sharp blade, slicing through the air as you practise cutting that leaf. Focus your chakra to create that invisible edge."
Fumi Suzuki said, "Yes! I've been trying to imagine it like that."
Ryu replied , "Good. But you also need to feel your chakra shaping into blades when you imagine blades.
Ryu looked at Takeshi and said, "With your lightning affinity, remember that feeling of static electricity when you rub your hands together? That friction, that crackling energy—that's the image you want to hold in your mind as you channel your chakra. Imagine two surfaces grinding together, generating that spark."
Takeshi replied, "I've been mostly just focusing on the tingling feeling.
Ryu replied, "The tingling is good, but the image of friction will help you focus the nature of your chakra. And Kaito, earth formations are just solid and difficult to visualise, like I explained with wind, so just try to imagine a shape and try to mould the clay into that shape with your will. Feel the weight and the resistance as you manipulate the clay.
Kaito said, "I thought you were going to ask me to feel the earth. I was thinking of going barefoot for a few days."
"Well, that is not a bad idea." Ryu jokingly said.
"Really", Kaito said, thinking someone had finally acknowledged his smarts.
"Yes," Ryu lied. He thought, "It would be very funny to watch him go everywhere barefoot."
Ryu then said, "Now, Saya, you are having trouble with wind because it's your secondary affinity. With enough practice, you will be able to do it. So don't worry about it and keep on practising."
"It's easy for you to say this; you don't have wind affinity. I think wind is the most difficult affinity to train."
"You think so?" Ryu said, as he picked a leaf from a nearby tree, "Then watch this."
Ryu focuses his chakra, and with a swift, almost invisible movement, the leaf is cleanly sliced in two.
Saya's eyes widened in shock, and she said, "Whoa!"
##PoWeR StOnEs##
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