The Direction of Cultivation

Chapter 18 The Direction of Cultivation

Sunset.

Konoha, the home of the Senju clan.

Due to war and various accidents, the top clan in the ninja world, the "Forest Senju," has become extremely weak, with only Tsunade Senju remaining as a direct descendant.

The vast clan estate has been uninhabited for a long time. The walls are old and mottled, and the roof and stone steps are cracked. Only the huge stone statues between the pillars can attest to the family's former glory.

However, today, the long-abandoned land of the Thousand Hands Clan has been revitalized.

boom!

A deafening roar erupted from the back mountain of the Thousand Hands Clan's territory. A tree that would take several people to encircle was easily snapped in two by the monstrous strength. The flying trunk tore through the forest, creating a cloud of dust that resembled a dragon.

Those slender, fair arms could unleash such terrifying strength. Tsunade's "monstrous strength" alone was enough to secure her place among the Jonin.

Hyuga Yuto, panting heavily, hid behind a boulder. Several hours had passed since the "bell-stealing game" began, and he had tried everything he could: setting traps, ambushing, and even using explosive tags.

Even with the Byakugan's enhancement, the gap between him and Tsunade was still too great.

"Oh! My dear apprentice! So shy, afraid to see your teacher?" In the afterglow of the setting sun, the blonde woman stood on a large tree, arms crossed, surveying the surroundings with disdain.

"Don't forget, your mission is to steal the bell from my waist~"

Tsunade shook it twice, and the bell rang, making a clear sound.

Hyuga Yuto took a deep breath and said helplessly:

"Tsunade-sensei, for me right now, challenging an opponent at the level of the Sannin is really too early... Although it's embarrassing to say that, sensei, could you go easy on me a little?"

Tsunade chuckled:

"Right now, you really can't even touch me, so... I'll make it easier for you."

She took off the bell and threw it high into the sky.

"I won't try to grab the bell within five seconds. If you catch it during that time, you've passed."

In the 360-degree field of vision of the white eye, the woman's outstretched five fingers are clearly visible.

The bell will probably stop at its highest point in about three seconds, and then it will freefall... There's still time!

Hyuga Yuto concentrated his remaining chakra in his eyes and legs, and burst out from behind the rock.

Bai Yan's terrifying insight allowed him to take in every detail within a kilometer radius: the indentations he had made under his feet, the shallow marks left by the wind blowing through the leaves, the slight upturn of the blonde woman's lips, the bells in the sky bathed in the golden light of the setting sun...

boom!

Hyuga Yuto dashed over a hundred meters in an instant, leaping onto a tree with a few bounds.

Directly above him, the bell lost speed, came to a standstill in the air, and then fell freely.

"It's time!" Just then, Tsunade suddenly spoke and vanished from her spot in a flash.

"Body Flicker Technique, huh...?" Hyuga Yuto thought to himself, making a choice in an instant. He jumped up and decided to go get the bell first.

Almost at the same moment, Tsunade's fist struck Hyuga Yuto's back, and Hyuga Yuto's hand touched the bell.

The boy from the branch family was sent flying like a spinning top. Luckily, Tsunade held back, otherwise that blow could have broken his spine.

"Where's the bell..." Hyuga Yuto lost his balance and felt dizzy. The bell was right next to him, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't hold it.

Fortunately, he still had a sense of height. Just before hitting the ground, he kicked a nearby tree to adjust his posture and managed to land on his feet at the last moment.

"We must get the bell!"

Hyuga Yuto reached forward with his left hand, trying to grab the bell, while his other hand slammed backward without looking, concentrating all his chakra at his fingertips.

With a loud thud, Tsunade and Hyuga Yuto landed simultaneously.

A tenth of a second later, a crisp sound rang out in the forest—the bell fell to the ground, and Hyuga Yuto ultimately failed to retrieve it.

Behind the boy who had separated from his family, the blonde beauty grabbed his right hand and easily twisted it behind his back.

"You're really clever, Yuto." Tsunade was quite fond of this student.

"At the last moment, you guessed the direction of my attack and blocked it in advance with your Gentle Fist... Although you didn't block it, it was still a beautiful tactic."

Hinata Yuto shrugged:

"The area directly behind the first thoracic vertebra is the blind spot of the Separation Family Byakugan. Anyone who knows this would have no reason not to attack this area. Unfortunately, teacher, your physical skills are far superior to mine."

Tsunade released him, used her toes to pick up the bell and put it in her hand, then blew off the dust that was stuck to it.

"Yuto, the blind spot of the Byakugan of the branch family is not a fatal weakness. What's the difference between a 360-degree view and a 359-degree view? Many smart people, like you just did, use that blind spot as a trap to lure the enemy, turning a weakness into a strength."

Hinata Yuto stood with his hands clasped, listening to his teacher's instructions.

"Ignore the blind spots of Byakugan, Yuto. Your biggest weakness right now is Gentle Fist."

"Gentle Fist, the Hyuga clan's proud family-inherited ninjutsu. It is a secret technique that is very powerful. In many cases, it can injure with a touch and attack the enemy's internal organs and pressure points."

"However, the core of Gentle Fist is [to inject your own chakra into the enemy's most vulnerable part]. Ultimately, most of your attacks can only be achieved through physical contact with the enemy."

"What if you encounter one of those turtle shells?"

"Even a C-level defensive Earth Release technique can leave you helpless!"

"Therefore, on the battlefield, Hyuga ninjas are often paired with demolition teams to compensate for their weakness in long-range combat and inability to penetrate the turtle shell."

"It's fine to complement each other on the battlefield, but you're different, Yuto."

"You are my disciple. Fame is a double-edged sword. [Cutting off the head of a genius from the Hyuga branch family] and [taking the life of Tsunade's disciple, one of the Legendary Sannin] have completely different strategic implications."

"Furthermore, if you really want to become Hokage, perfect combat skills are something you must achieve."

"Yuto, what was the name of the technique you used at the banquet?"

Hinata Yuuto replied respectfully:

"Lion's Fang Bite, Teacher Tsunade."

"That's a very good attempt. I see great potential in this technique... You've probably realized the problems with Gentle Fist and are already working to fix your shortcomings."

"Yuto, next, we'll focus on two things... First, we'll teach you medical ninjutsu. Don't underestimate or resist it; learning medical ninjutsu can greatly increase your control over chakra."

"Secondly, I will teach you [Super Strength] and we will complete the Lion Fang Bite Technique together. Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze are experts in this kind of ninjutsu that releases chakra externally. We can ask them for advice."

"As for other ninjutsu, such as the [Yin Seal] on my forehead, I will teach it to you, but not now, Yuto. You can't rush to become stronger..."

Hyuga Yuto nodded, completely agreeing with the blonde woman's idea:

"Teacher, I understand. Don't bite off more than you can chew."

"What a sensible and good boy..." Tsunade patted the boy's head with a smile.

By this time, the sun had completely sunk below the horizon, and the back mountains of the Thousand Hands clan's territory were already shrouded in darkness.

"Let's go, Yuto." Tsunade stretched.

"I'm so tired, let's go get some ramen!"

"I'll do whatever Tsunade-sensei says."

"Yuto, you pay up. Your teacher has lost all his money, hahaha..."

(End of this chapter)