"Hinata, not like that," Tom said, shaking his head gently. "You need to use the chakra in your hands to entwine the opponent's attack—then dissolve their force. Let it flow through you, not crash against you."
They stood together in the quiet forest behind Konoha. After returning from a recent mission, Tom had brought Hinata here to train. It was the same secluded clearing he had used to refine his own techniques.
Back at the Academy, Tom had noticed Hinata glancing at him and Naruto from time to time. The look she gave him was shy, almost flustered, while the one she gave Naruto was filled with curiosity and quiet sympathy. Tom could tell—he had successfully captured her heart.
At the time, the realization had filled him with joy.
Now that her feelings were becoming clearer, and it was obvious she didn't see Naruto the same way, Tom didn't hesitate. He brought Hinata here to train in secret, under the pretense of private tutoring. He even made her promise, "This will be our little secret, okay? You can't tell anyone else."
Blushing, flustered, and clearly out of her comfort zone, Hinata had nodded and said softly, "O-okay… I promise."
Tom, who had read the original Naruto storyline in his previous life, thought Hinata was the perfect candidate for a new style of fighting—one based on Tai Chi. In his original world, Tai Chi wasn't just a martial art, it was a philosophy. It combined the ideas of Yin and Yang, traditional Chinese medicine, internal strength, and outward harmony. A technique that required both mind and body to flow as one.
Tom himself had studied Xingyiquan in his past life, and only knew the basics of Tai Chi. But he understood enough to try something new: softness overcoming strength, motion conquering stillness, emptiness avoiding fullness. These were the foundations of Tai Chi—and he believed they could be adapted to the Naruto world.
Of course, he knew that the martial systems here were chakra-based, far beyond the capabilities of ordinary martial arts. There were techniques like the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist, which sealed acupoints with precision, or the explosive Eight Gates method used by Might Guy and Lee.
Still, Tom was confident. With Hinata's Byakugan, which could see chakra flow and muscle tension in real time, he believed she could bring Tai Chi to life in this world. He would call it: Taiji Soft Fist.
The first step of this style was to sense and neutralize incoming force.
Tom and Hinata had been practicing this for some time now.
"Tom-kun, I'm still struggling," Hinata panted, having been knocked back again. "Even when I can see your movements clearly… I just can't find the timing to dissolve your strength."
Tom smiled kindly. "It's alright, Hinata. This is new to both of us. I only know the basics myself. But your Byakugan makes you the ideal person to develop this further."
Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind.
"Wait here for a moment."
Before Hinata could react, Tom disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique. A few seconds later, he reappeared, gently holding a bird in his right hand.
"Look closely, Hinata," he said as he opened his palm.
The bird immediately flapped its wings in an attempt to fly away—but couldn't. It remained trapped in his hand despite trying its best.
"Tom-kun… is it hurt?" Hinata asked, concern written all over her face.
"No, it's fine. Look at its feet using your Byakugan."
Hinata activated her Byakugan, her lavender-white eyes glowing with power. She focused on the bird.
"It's strange…" she murmured, tilting her head. "Its feet are pressing down on your hand, but… every time it tries to push off, your hand absorbs the force. The bird can't get any leverage. That's why it can't fly."
Little stars sparkled in Hinata's eyes, her voice filled with wonder. "How… how did you do that?"
Tom's mind blanked for a second. Ah no, Hinata, stop being so cute! He quickly coughed to refocus.
"I wrapped my hand in a thin layer of chakra. When I feel force from the bird's feet, I shift the chakra flow and motion to guide the energy away. It's a lot like water absorbing and redirecting a falling leaf."
Tom gave a small push with his fingers, and the bird shot up into the air, flying away freely.
"Now it's your turn," he said. "Watch the birds with your Byakugan. Try to understand how their strength can be dissolved. This is the first stage of the new physical style we're developing."
Hinata nodded seriously. "Okay… I'll do my best, Tom-kun."
Tom used Wood Release to form a large birdcage about one meter in diameter and the same height as Hinata. "Give me a moment. I'll find you a few more birds."
Since Hinata still hadn't mastered chakra climbing, the job naturally fell to Tom. With a single hand seal, he summoned over thirty shadow clones.
"Alright, everyone," he called out to them. "Time to catch some birds!"
"Roger!" they replied in unison, racing into the depths of the forest like streaks of shadow.
Not long after, the clones returned, each holding a pair of birds. They gently placed them into the wooden cage.
"These should be enough for today," Tom said. "Don't push yourself too hard."
"Okay… thank you, Tom-kun," Hinata replied softly. Her cheeks were bright pink. Tom, for a moment, was completely stunned by the sight.
She stole a glance at him from beneath her bangs. When she saw him staring, her heart fluttered. She quickly turned away, but the sweetness in her expression lingered.
Just as she began walking to the cage, she swayed slightly.
"Hinata, are you alright?" Tom asked, snapping out of his daze.
"I-I'm fine," she murmured, her voice almost inaudible. "I'm going to practice now."
She shuffled off toward the cage, whispering so quietly that even with Tom's excellent hearing, he barely caught her words.
Tom stood in silence for a moment, watching her go. The forest air felt incredibly fresh. The sky above was so blue, and even the clouds drifting by seemed to take on beautiful shapes.
Something about this moment felt like the start of something important—not just a new fighting style, but a bond. A gentle harmony that resonated deeper than just chakra or taijutsu.
The Will of Fire burned softly within his heart, and with Hinata's quiet determination beside him, Tom felt that this path—one born from a mix of two worlds—might be the most meaningful one he'd walk yet.