- Thirteen Days Later – A Budding Power -
Thirteen days had passed since the Seven-Tails, Chomei, had been sealed within him. The initial strangeness had begun to subtly integrate into Akashi's being. He noticed a heightened vitality, a seemingly inexhaustible wellspring of energy coursing through his small frame. His physique, though still that of a five-year-old, possessed a newfound resilience, a subtle hardening of muscle tone. No wonder Naruto was such a hyperactive whirlwind as a kid! Akashi mused. I feel like I've developed a sudden case of ADHD.
This relentless energy had fueled an astonishing acceleration in his training under Kuroko-sensei. Even the seasoned Anbu commander had been taken aback by Akashi's rapid progress. Finally, after weeks of patient conditioning, Kuroko had deemed him ready to learn the closely guarded martial art of his lineage.
"So, you're finally going to teach me how to fight!" Akashi exclaimed, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. "It's about time, sensei! Don't you know most kids my age already know a technique or two?"
Kuroko chuckled, a rare display of amusement. "Akashi, it wasn't a matter of reluctance, but of necessity. Imparting this style too early could have interfered with your body's natural development. It requires a certain level of physical maturity to handle the strain."
Hmm, if it even affected growth, then his caution makes sense, Akashi conceded internally. Still, he could have at least taught me some basic stances or footwork. But whatever, I suppose. "Alright, sensei. What's this legendary Taijutsu style you've been keeping secret?"
"The Taijutsu I practice belongs to the Senju Clan," Kuroko explained, a hint of pride in his voice. "I inherited it from my grandmother, who was a Senju and married into the Uzumaki."
Wait… the fighting style of the Senju?
Akashi's interest piqued instantly. If it's from them, it has to be exceptional. They literally fought the Uchiha for centuries. Any martial art they developed has to be formidable.
"This Taijutsu style relies heavily on both physical strength and precise chakra control," Kuroko continued, demonstrating a fluid series of stances. "Many of the movements involve seemingly simple punches and kicks. However, the true power lies in the application of chakra. In the midst of battle, you must channel your chakra into the exact point of impact at the very last moment. Executing this incorrectly can lead to severe self-inflicted injuries."
Wait a minute… isn't that essentially how Tsunade fights? Akashi's initial curiosity transformed into rapt attention. "When you say channeling chakra at the point of impact, you don't mean simply reinforcing my muscles, right? Because I've already experimented with basic chakra enhancement," he said with a touch of confidence.
"Precisely," Kuroko confirmed. "We are not merely focusing chakra into the muscles for brute strength. Instead, you project a concentrated burst of chakra outside your body, delivering the force of the blow without direct physical contact. Legend has it that Hashirama Senju was so proficient in this technique that he could punch clean through Susanoo of Marada Uchiha, though the veracity of such tales is debatable.
Before you even attempt those advanced applications, you will need to master a series of fundamental katas. And, crucially, you will need to significantly improve your chakra control."
So, basically, you're delivering focused, high-pressure blasts of chakra with each strike, Akashi analyzed. I can see why that would be incredibly difficult to master. It's similar in principle to the Rasengan – a concentrated sphere of chakra, but with the added complexity of precise external projection. A sudden idea sparked in his mind. Speaking of the Rasengan… if I dedicate myself to learning that technique, it should drastically improve my overall chakra control, pushing me to a whole new level. It will also give me a powerful, unexpected weapon for the coming war. I just have to beat Minato to its creation… no, I have to surpass him, perhaps even incorporating a change in chakra nature. But that's a goal for the future.
"Where do I begin, sensei?" Akashi asked, his eagerness palpable.
The rest of the training session was dedicated to learning the foundational katas of the Senju-style Taijutsu. Kuroko patiently guided Akashi, correcting his stances and movements whenever he faltered. Surprisingly, the base form of the martial art bore a strong resemblance to kickboxing, making it relatively easy to grasp without the added complexity of chakra manipulation.
As their training concluded, Kuroko instructed Akashi to diligently practice the katas whenever he had the opportunity, emphasizing that the refinement of his chakra control was a personal endeavor. Little does he know, Akashi thought with a sly grin, I have just the method in mind. With that, he made his way towards the bustling marketplace, a specific item on his mental
shopping list: water balloons.
- A Few Moments Later – The Seeds of a New Technique -
Having acquired a sizable bag of water balloons, Akashi sought out a secluded corner of the training grounds, reserving the space for the next few hours. Activating his Mind's Eye to ensure his privacy, he prepared to embark on his clandestine training regimen before the academy officially commenced.
"Alright, let's do this!" he muttered to himself, a water balloon held delicately in his hand. "What was the first step again…? Rotation, right?" Tch. It's been so long since I actually watched the show. I might be wrong. Eh, might as well try anyway.
He began to slowly channel his chakra into the fragile balloon. The initial stages were challenging; he had never before consciously manipulated his chakra outside the confines of his own body. Once he felt a tenuous connection, he attempted to rotate the chakra within the balloon, but nothing happened. The water remained still.
Akashi sighed, a familiar wave of frustration washing over him. I knew it wouldn't be this simple. This technique usually takes months of dedicated practice to even grasp the basics. Looks like I'm going to need some… assistance. Luckily, he knew just the Jutsu for the job.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
A puff of smoke erupted beside him, and a perfect duplicate of Akashi materialized.
Really, it's such a shame I don't have the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu yet. Combined with my and Chomei's chakra reserves, I could create an army of training assistants. Well, looks like I'll have to do this the old-fashioned way.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Looking at the four identical clones now standing beside him, a satisfied smirk stretched across Akashi's face.
"Alright," he commanded, addressing his duplicates. "You two will begin practicing the Senju-style katas against each other, focusing on form and fluidity. The other two will join me in Rasengan training."
Acknowledging his instructions, the clones immediately set to their assigned tasks. Two began a synchronized series of punches and kicks, while the other two mirrored
Akashi, each holding a water balloon.
Still, Akashi thought, his gaze fixed on the inert balloon in his hand, even with this multiplied effort, it won't be easy. How many months will I have to invest in mastering the Rasengan? He knew a long and arduous road lay ahead, but whoever said the path to true power was an easy one? A glance at the slowly rising sun reminded him of the approaching school day. Still, I should hurry home.
School begins tomorrow morning. The dual demands of his accelerated training and his forced participation in the newly established academy were about to add another layer of complexity to his already demanding schedule. The spiral of ambition had begun to turn, and Akashi was determined to ride it to the very top.
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End of 15th chapter