In the training field, Hakushi is engaging in a sparring session with Ruri.
It's been a while since the last sparring session, likely dating back to their time at Ninja School, and during this period, Ruri's strength has also been growing rapidly, making Hakushi's assessment of Ruri's abilities somewhat ambiguous.
Furthermore, when entering combat mode, Ruri naturally exudes a sharp killing intent, a sign of having faced real battles.
The Sakumo squad, though established for less than half a year, has gone through more than ten battles of varying sizes, making them quite experienced in combat, having faced Jonin numerous times.
Even Hakushi, a regular Genin known for excelling in Medical Ninjutsu, has taken out several ninjas by himself, hence during the spar, Hakushi is not intimidated by the killing intent emanating from Ruri.
However, this does not mean Ruri is easy to handle. Even with ordinary Taijutsu, her movements are like a thunderstorm.
A second ago, Ruri was in front of Hakushi, and in an instant, she appeared behind him, her leg sweeping towards his head with a forceful gust of wind, so swift that it was practically undetectable.
Hakushi could only duck down, placing one hand on the ground, pivoting his body with his palm as the axis, and flipping in the opposite direction of Ruri a few times to gain some safe distance.
He then immediately turned around, dropping a finely crafted ninja blade from his sleeve into his hand, meeting the swift attack of a kunai with a metallic clash, sparks flying.
Hakushi is a ninja with a significant Chakra deficiency, so he tries to conserve Chakra as much as possible in combat. The Chakra used for Taijutsu is relatively minimal compared to Ninjutsu.
Moreover, his body has been permanently enhanced by a new drug developed on the basis of Natural Energy, making it much stronger than the average person. With just a little Chakra, he can drastically change the speed and strength of his Taijutsu, allowing him to quickly deal with ninjas with severe deficiencies in reaction and speed, especially Genin and Chunin.
Against Jonin, he might be able to interrupt their Ninjutsu, but if he encounters a Jonin skilled in Taijutsu, the outcome is uncertain and would depend on various factors like the environment, psychological resilience, tactical arrangement, types of Taijutsu, and so on.
However, in the fight against Ruri, Hakushi cannot interrupt her Ninjutsu execution. For a ninja skilled in Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Illusion Technique, it's difficult to achieve any efficiency without an all-around suppression.
Moreover, Ruri has the troublesome Sharingan as a Kekkeigenkai.
The battle between the two in the training field seems intense, but due to their speed, anyone watching would likely only see afterimages flitting by and hear the clashing metals if their Dynamic Vision isn't sufficiently high.
Neither of them needs to use Instantaneous Body Jutsu; pure Taijutsu alone allows them to move at high speeds.
It could be said they are constantly using Instantaneous Body Jutsu during the fight.
This is the advantage of a Taijutsu Ninja, but maintaining such high-speed Taijutsu induces quick wear and tear on stamina and the body.
Fortunately, both Hakushi and Ruri's bodies have been improved with Natural Energy drugs, enhancing their recovery and resistance capabilities to a superlative level, allowing them to maintain this high-speed combat state for a long duration.
This is also why Ruri could hold her own against two Jonin during her first mission without falling behind.
Without more than two Jonin working together to surround and, among them, including one Jonin skilled in Taijutsu to restrain her from the front, it's hard to defeat her.
As the battle deepens, Hakushi's Chakra is exhausted, and he starts to pant.
Noticing this, Ruri stops immediately, spinning a kunai around her finger before storing it in her Ninja Tool Bag, ending a long-awaited fierce fight.
Compared to fighting with obscure techniques like Illusion Technique, Ruri prefers Taijutsu and Ninjutsu, this straightforward offensive combat method.
Perhaps because such a combat method feels more invigorating and straightforward.
Thus, every time she battles Hakushi using Taijutsu, it significantly boosts her mood.
Only this kind of hand-to-hand combat can be considered the essence of battle.
"Useless, you're already worn out so soon."
"I can't help it. Unlike you Uchiha Ninja, my Chakra is naturally not as strong."
Especially after awakening the Sharingan, Chakra further amplifies.
Besides the fatigue from prolonged use of the Sharingan, Uchiha Ninja never lacks Chakra in regular combat.
"But, I plan to start training with Natural Energy next; it should improve the situation significantly."
"Haven't you finished?"
"That was completed in experiments; I haven't personally attempted to actively absorb Natural Energy. Now the risk is almost minimized, so I'll use the drug to assist me in grasping the sensation of absorbing Natural Energy."
"Since the risk is lowered, I want to join too; I can't let you steal the spotlight alone."
Ruri also harbors a strong desire to conquer Natural Energy.
Natural Energy is stronger than ordinary Chakra, and even if it can't be combined with Chakra to form Sage Art Chakra, the enhancement to physical capability is exceptional.
Moreover, mastering the method to absorb Natural Energy means the energy will never run dry.