The weather was calm and clear, sunlight spilling warmly over Konoha.
On the training ground, Uchiha Hayashi stood opposite Tsunade, demonstrating the progress he had made in refining his chakra control. His movements were steady, his breathing controlled, and the faint shimmer of chakra around his fingers showed just how precise he had become.
Tsunade watched closely, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly before she gave an approving nod.
"Not bad, not bad at all. You've actually reached the point where you can control the direction of chakra flow. At first, I just wanted to give you a time-consuming exercise, something to sharpen your patience. But I didn't expect you to be this talented."
Her lips curved into a grin.
"How about learning medical ninjutsu with me? It would be a waste to let such talent go unused."
Hayashi exhaled, giving her a helpless glance.
"I'd rather learn to cook with you."
"….."
Tsunade's face twitched at the reply.
"Fine, fine. I know most kids aren't interested in medical ninjutsu anyway," she muttered with a sigh.
Her expression shifted back to seriousness as she folded her arms. The shadows of the evening sun stretched long behind her figure.
"Today is the last day of this training. I'll show you something important. Watch closely, Hayashi."
Hayashi straightened his posture, listening carefully.
"I'm going to pass on my signature taijutsu technique, the one that carries the strength of generations. It's called the Strength of a Hundred Technique."
Her voice carried weight, her words echoing across the training ground.
"This nin-taijutsu was first conceived by my grandfather, the First Hokage, though I perfected it in my own way. Right now, I'm the only one capable of using it properly. To master it, you need exceptional chakra control and explosive physical power. Without both, it will tear you apart from the inside."
Hayashi's eyes widened slightly.
"The principle is simple: concentrate chakra into a single point of your body, then release it in an instant. The amount of destruction depends on the chakra you pour into it, and whether your body can withstand the backlash. At its peak, it can cause mountains to collapse and tear the earth itself apart."
Her gaze hardened.
"Of course, that kind of power comes at a cost. If overused, the damage to your own body will be severe. That's why it carries the name Strength of a Hundred. Its destructive potential is immeasurable."
Tsunade motioned for him to step back. As Hayashi retreated, she drew a deep breath, chakra swirling around her right fist. Slowly, deliberately, she gathered it until her skin glowed faintly blue.
Then she struck.
Boom!
The ground cracked open under the impact, splitting like a spiderweb across the training field. Dust and fragments of rock shot upward, the tremor rumbling beneath Hayashi's feet.
"Uh… teacher, wasn't that a bit much?" Hayashi asked cautiously.
Tsunade waved it off with a shrug.
"It's fine. This training ground was due for repairs anyway. I'll talk to the Third Hokage about it later. Konoha can handle the expenses."
Hayashi gave her a silent look.
"This move allows you to shatter anything you strike, regardless of how tough it is. The damage depends on how much chakra you put into the blow. And it isn't limited to your fists—you can channel it into your fingertips for a sharper strike, though I don't recommend that."
"Why not?" Hayashi asked.
"Because unless you've got the Lightning Release Armor of the Third Raikage, your fingers will shatter before your opponent does," Tsunade explained bluntly.
Before he could respond, she lifted her leg high into the air.
"This one's called the Heavenly Foot of Pain. Watch."
Her heel slammed down with monstrous force. The entire ground sank several inches, creating a massive crater beneath her foot. Dust and stone erupted outward, and Hayashi felt the shockwave rattle his bones.
He clenched his fists, excitement sparking in his chest. If I could combine this with Susanoo one day… or even with the Eight Gates… the power would be unimaginable.
"Your turn," Tsunade said, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Hayashi inhaled deeply, gathering chakra into his fist. His control was precise, but when he tried to compress it tightly, the chakra dispersed unevenly and scattered.
"Again!" Tsunade barked.
He tried once more. And once more, it fizzled.
"It should be focused here," she corrected, pointing at his wrist.
Her voice guided him, firm yet patient. Again and again, Hayashi gathered chakra and struck at the ground, each attempt slightly better than the last. Sweat dripped down his face, soaking into his training clothes, but he pressed on.
The day stretched long under the relentless training. Even with his skill in chakra precision, the technique demanded more than he expected. Luckily, Tsunade repeatedly restored his chakra reserves with her own healing, allowing him to keep practicing.
By the time the sun began to sink in the horizon, the training field was scarred with craters and cracks. The golden-orange dusk painted their silhouettes long across the broken ground.
Breathing heavily, Hayashi wiped sweat from his brow. His body ached, but his eyes burned with determination.
Tsunade finally raised a hand, stopping him.
"That's enough. You've almost grasped it. The rest will come with practice."
She sat down on the ground casually, and Hayashi dropped down beside her, stretching his tired arms.
"You're a genius," she said suddenly, her voice quiet but firm. "A genius like me. That's not something I say lightly."
Hayashi tilted his head at her, listening.
"My second grandfather was your father's teacher. That makes you my responsibility as well. I've watched geniuses rise and fall, and I know how easily arrogance or isolation can twist someone's path. Power can turn into a curse if you're not careful."
Her golden eyes glimmered in the fading light.
"I don't want you to be bound by your clan, Hayashi. Clans are important, but they're not everything. What matters most are your companions. Don't forget that."
Hayashi rested his chin on his knees, staring at the glowing sunset. The clouds above were like waves rolling over an inverted sea, dyed in deep orange and gold.
For a long time, he was silent. Then he spoke quietly.
"Teacher… I'm just an ordinary person. I only want to protect the people I love, and the ones who love me. That's all."
Tsunade's lips parted slightly, her eyes softening.
"The people you love… and the people who love you," she murmured.
After a pause, she reached out and patted his head gently.
"Who doesn't want that?"
She stood up, brushing dust from her clothes.
"Go home. Training's over for now. If you ever need a summoning contract and can't find one that suits you, come to me. Slug isn't much of a fighter, but it'll protect you when it counts. I'll hold onto the contract until then."
As she walked toward the training ground's exit, she turned her head with a playful smile.
"Want me to pass a message to Kushina for you?"
Hayashi stood, smiling faintly.
"Tell her… see you tomorrow."
The words lingered in the cool evening air as Tsunade disappeared from view, leaving the boy alone in the quiet, ruined training ground.
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