As they walked through the forest, Shikai felt a new resolve stir within him. He knew the path ahead would be long and arduous, but with each step and every lesson, he drew closer to his goal.
Tsunade, leading the way, looked back at her disciple with a mix of pride and amusement. Despite his clumsiness and impatience, she saw in him the makings of an exceptional ninja.
"Come on, Shikai, don't lag behind. The next village is still far, and there's much to learn before we get there."
Shikai quickened his pace, ready to face the challenges ahead.
The sun was high in the sky, burning fiercely as Tsunade and Shikai traversed a dense forest. The young ninja, still absorbed in the lessons of the previous day, struggled to keep up with the pace he had set for himself. And Tsunade never slowed down, not even to give her student a respite, always pushing him to his limits, which never ceased to surprise her. That day, a new lesson awaited Shikai: taijutsu, an essential aspect for Tsunade.
Tsunade suddenly stopped in a clearing. The trees around formed an almost perfect circle, an ideal place for training. She turned to Shikai, who was walking behind her.
"Shikai, your progress in medical techniques and chakra control is unprecedented," she began, her arms crossed. "But being a medical ninja is not just about healing. On the battlefield, you'll often be on the front lines. If you can't defend yourself or attack effectively, all your medical skills will be useless."
Shikai crossed his arms. "I understand. But how is taijutsu so essential for a medical ninja?"
Tsunade moved closer, her expression stern. "Because a medical ninja needs to conserve their chakra for healing or using critical techniques. Close-quarters combat allows you to neutralize an enemy without relying solely on your chakra. That's why you must master techniques like the Celestial Lance Kick."
Shikai raised an eyebrow. "The Celestial Lance?"
Tsunade smiled. "A technique that combines brute strength and chakra control. A well-executed strike can shatter rocks or render an opponent unconscious by breaking their bones in a single movement. But it demands extreme precision and perfect coordination between your chakra and your body."
Tsunade demonstrated the technique first. She jumped slightly, channeled her chakra into her leg, and struck a massive tree trunk with a Celestial Lance Kick. The trunk exploded under the impact, sending wood splinters flying in all directions.
Shikai took a step back, impressed, his eyebrows raised. "Yeah, that's impressive, but I don't think I'll need it."
Shikai was right, as he would have monstrous strength once he performed some genetic manipulation on his body.
"Not with that attitude," Tsunade replied with a smirk. "Start by concentrating your chakra in your leg. Then, learn to release it at the right moment."
The following hours were exhausting. Shikai tried to mimic Tsunade's movements, but he lacked power and precision. Several times, he lost his balance or misdirected his chakra, resulting in minor injuries that he had to heal himself with the Mystic Palm.
"You're not focused," Tsunade said, watching him fall to his knees after yet another failure. "You're letting frustration overwhelm you."
Shikai, covered in sweat and breathless, slowly stood up. "It's not that simple! Coordination demands incredible concentration, and..."
"And that's exactly what you need to learn!" Tsunade cut him off. "If you can't manage it here, how will you fare in a real situation where your life is on the line?"
'It seems I'm being influenced by Gena Nara. I'm becoming more and more lazy.'
Piqued by her words, Shikai resumed his training with renewed determination. Gradually, he began to understand the subtle balance between his chakra and physical movements. Although his strikes still lacked power, he finally managed to break a stone with a Celestial Lance Kick.
After several hours, Tsunade declared it was time to test his skills. "Now, you're going to face me. Taijutsu only. No jutsu, no medical chakra."
Shikai swallowed but nodded in agreement. The fight began immediately, with Tsunade showing no signs of preparation.
She attacked with overwhelming speed and power, forcing Shikai to use everything he had learned to dodge and counter. Each of Tsunade's strikes seemed calculated to exploit his weaknesses, forcing him to think quickly and adjust his stance.
"You're overthinking it!" she shouted, striking him with a backhand that sent him to the ground. "Instinct is as important as technique."
Shikai got up, the pain in his muscles helping him focus. He attempted a Celestial Lance Kick, but Tsunade easily dodged, throwing him off balance.
After several minutes of exchange, Shikai finally managed to anticipate one of Tsunade's movements. He used a sweep to unbalance his master and tried a direct strike. But Tsunade blocked it easily and threw him to the ground.
Breathless but proud, Shikai smiled weakly. "At least I managed to get close to you this time."
Tsunade offered him a hand to help him up. "Not bad, my Shikai. But you still have a lot to learn."
Night fell quickly, enveloping the clearing in a soothing darkness. Tsunade, as was her habit, went to drink and relax in a nearby village, leaving Shikai alone.
Sitting by a campfire, Shikai meditated on his progress. He still felt the aches from his training, but a glow of satisfaction shone in his eyes.
"I still have a long way to go, and I need to acquire Oroshimaru's knowledge," he murmured.
He took out a sketchbook from his bag, an object he had cherished since the beginning of his journey. This book contained the plans for what would one day become his laboratory.