A Year of Growth for Matsuri
A year had passed since Matsuri began training with Hana and Kiba. What once were playful activities evolved into rigorous taijutsu challenges. Occasionally, they rotated roles in a game of "ambush," where two would form a team to attack the third. These exercises pushed Matsuri to fight against numerical disadvantage, refining his combat skills and adaptability.
Matsuri had yet to fully grasp the raw intensity, ferocity, and wildness of the Inuzuka style. However, he recognized nature's primal ferocity and how, through decades of evolution, this style had become an essential part of the clan's identity. He noticed near-animalistic habits in his friends but couldn't deny the brutal efficiency of their methods.
Despite his admiration for the Inuzuka's techniques, Matsuri didn't wish to replicate them. He wanted to create something uniquely his own—a style that fused instincts, heightened senses, and ferocity with the controlled intensity of nature's balance.
In moments of reflection, Matsuri began laying the foundation for his future as a ninja. To stand out, he realized, he needed to forge his own path, turning ideas into tangible skills.
Nature Breathing
A refined and controlled version of Inosuke's Breathing Style, Nature Breathing balances ferocity and self-control, aiming to harmonize strength with grace.
Total Concentration Breathing
Currently, Matsuri trains by popping durable plastic balloons, honing his ability to maintain focus and endurance under pressure.
Enhancing the Six Senses
Inspired by the "Ren" concept from Hunter x Hunter, Matsuri dreams of elevating his perception to extraordinary levels. While he lacks the innate talents of the Yamanaka or Uzumaki clans, he believes sheer effort can enable him to anticipate enemy movements, detect threats, and improve his combat strategy.
Interception Style
Rather than imitating existing styles, Matsuri is crafting a taijutsu style of his own. Inspired by Wing Chun's katas, the Interception Style focuses on simultaneous offense and defense. One example is the concept of "kicking a stone," where the defensive move itself inflicts significant damage on the opponent.
Earth Style: Stone Skin Jutsu
Reflecting on his journey, Matsuri chose to learn the Stone Skin Jutsu as a gift from his parents. Though a simple technique, it perfectly complements the physical style he is developing by offering extra resilience in battle.
Awakening Chakra
At six years old, Matsuri was about to take a significant step: enrolling in the Ninja Academy. Sitting in the garden of his home, he reflected on his evolution since deciding to become a ninja.
His chakra had been unlocked a month earlier with the help of his parents, Kizashi and Mebuki Haruno. The process marked a pivotal moment in his journey.
"Matsuri, I'm going to guide my chakra through your body," Mebuki explained in a calm tone, placing her hands on her son's back. "I want you to pay attention to every sensation. Chakra is like a river; it flows, but you must learn to guide it."
As Mebuki's chakra coursed through Matsuri's system, he felt a gentle warmth radiating throughout his body.
"Can you feel it?" Kizashi asked. "That's the flow of chakra through your channels. Learn this feeling; it will be the foundation of everything you do as a ninja."
From that moment on, Matsuri began training with this newfound energy. His parents shared their experiences, teaching him how to mold chakra and describing their personal sensations when using it.
"Molding chakra is like mixing oil and water," Kizashi said. "It seems impossible at first, but with patience, they come together."
"To me, chakra feels like a gentle breeze—constant but powerful," Mebuki added. "When I do this, I feel as if tiny stars are lighting up inside my body."
These lessons motivated Matsuri to train even harder. During dinner, Kizashi offered one last piece of advice before the start of his academy journey:
"Persistence and determination are everything, Matsuri. Calloused hands and hard work pave the way for a true ninja. And never underestimate your opponents; even an academy student or a genin is still a shinobi."
That night, as Matsuri gazed at the starry sky, he pondered his future:
"Tomorrow, I'll begin my journey. I'll shape my chakra, use it to strengthen my bow, my lungs, and my breathing. This is just the beginning of my ninja path."
With those thoughts, he closed his eyes and let sleep take over. Tomorrow would mark the first step of many, and Matsuri was ready to face it.