The training props Ryo prepared were all laid out: tough water balloons and stronger rubber balls. Each stage was an extreme test of chakra "quality" and "control."
Kushina's chakra reserves were vast, but in the balance of "refinement" and "precision," she was still an unpolished gem.
The first stage, breaking water balloons, gave her plenty of trouble.
Her chakra release was unstable. Sometimes the water wouldn't budge, other times she forced it too hard, making the balloon burst and soak her. Each time, Ryo's evaluation was merciless: "Useless."
Her light blue eyes would immediately well up with tears, staring at him with an aggrieved look. "Who's useless… I'm just trying to get a feel for it… Can't you encourage me?"
Wanting to give her a little taste of her own medicine, Ryo walked a few steps closer with a blank expression, pointing at the deflated water balloon in her hand. "A feel? The water flow is chaotic. Chakra is spilling in at least three places. Is that your version of control?"
His tone was flat, but his gaze cut straight through her watery look.
Though his eyes betrayed faint ripples deep inside, his expression remained calm and unshaken.
"You…" Kushina faltered, her tears drying instantly as she glared at him in frustration.
But just as she was about to try again, Ryo spoke. "The chakra on the left is scattered. Pull back three parts of the force to your palm. Try again."
Kushina froze, but followed his instruction instinctively.
Buzz… the water flow inside the balloon instantly became far more orderly and violent.
Though it still burst in the end, the process was clearly different.
"It seems… I'm getting a feel for it?" Kushina's eyes lit up.
This scene repeated itself often.
Kushina's Rasengan training advanced rapidly, from water balloons to rubber balls. Each breakthrough came with her feigned complaints and Ryo's sharp critiques, paired with precise corrections.
A silent understanding grew behind the words "useless" and "clumsy."
Now, Kushina stood at the final stage.
On a thick tree trunk, there was a bowl-sized indentation.
The central fibers were spirally torn apart, curling inward.
The edges were charred, and remnants of violent chakra still lingered.
This was Kushina's Rasengan (prototype) result—though not yet stable, its destructive power was undeniable.
"See Ryo! I told you I could do it!" Kushina's face was flushed with excitement, sweat glistening on her forehead. She tilted her head back proudly, chin raised at Ryo, who leaned against another trunk with crossed arms.
Sweat slid down her neckline, catching the sunlight.
Ryo's gaze swept across the spiral mark. A flicker of recognition flashed in his eyes, gone in an instant. "So-so." The words were short, stingy as ever. He stepped forward, stopping before her.
His tall frame cast a shadow, carrying the smell of soil and fresh leaves.
Kushina's heartbeat quickened. Was it going to be more close-range instruction?
But Ryo simply extended his right hand, palm open, pointing at her. "Release. Focus your chakra."
Kushina froze. Condense a Rasengan against his palm? That was harder than hitting a tree. The smaller target demanded tighter control.
"Scared?" Ryo raised an eyebrow.
"Who's scared!" Kushina snapped back, her competitive fire instantly flaring. She inhaled deeply, concentrating. A pale blue chakra glow spun in her hand, compressing, condensing into a fist-sized unstable sphere.
It hummed loudly, light flickering, edges leaking unstable chakra threads.
"Unstable form. Weak compression." Ryo's voice came from beside her, his breath brushing her temple.
Kushina's expression tightened as she tried to stabilize the chakra. But the harder she pressed, the more unstable it became, spinning violently, threatening to explode. Sweat rolled down her forehead, sliding along the bridge of her nose.
Just as the Rasengan nearly burst apart—
A large hand pressed firmly over hers.
Scalding. Steady. Powerful.
Not an attack, but an unyielding hold over her palm, locking her chakra in place like iron.
Buzz!
Kushina's mind went blank.
It wasn't the chakra that exploded—it was her pulse, her breath, her blood. The heat from his palm shot up her arm like fire, slamming into her chest.
Her breath caught in her throat.
The volatile chakra sphere froze for an instant.
She could feel the roughness of his calluses, the hardness of his muscles, every detail of his grip.
That searing touch was more direct, more forceful, more overwhelming than any accidental contact before.
"The core is here, not scattered." Ryo's voice was low and steady, guiding rather than coaxing.
His fingers shifted slightly against the back of her hand, controlling the chaotic flow with ease, steering its energy as if it were his own.
Kushina stood frozen.
Her cheeks, neck, and ears flushed crimson. Blood roared under her skin.
A thought screamed in her head: He's doing this on purpose!
"Focus." Ryo's sharp command cut through her haze. His grip tightened, pulling her hand inward.
The force of his control was absolute.
Her stray thoughts scattered instantly, dragged back to the Rasengan in her palm.
Under his firm hold, the violent chakra, like a flood meeting its dam, suddenly found its path.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)