For the following days, Kazuku would grab his bento after breakfast and head to the training field.
Then begin the day's training.
In just over a week, his physical strength had improved significantly.
As for Tobirama, he'd occasionally drop by.
"Morning, Teacher Batsu."
Kazuku arrived at the training field as usual, finding Might Batsu already warming up.
"Yo, Young Master Kazuku, ready to burn some youth today?" Batsu paused his warm-up, flashing a thumbs-up, his teeth gleaming brightly.
Kazuku set his bento aside, cutting to the chase. "What's today's training?"
At the same time, he glanced at his current stat panel.
[Host: Kazuku]
[Strength: 15]
[Speed: 12]
[Stamina: 18]
[Abilities: Hashirama's Chakra Lv1, Eight Gates Technique Lv5]
Batsu's training method pushed the human body beyond its limits to build powerful muscles.
To some, it was akin to suicide, but undeniably…
Once adapted, the growth was remarkable!
In just over a week, Kazuku had nearly doubled his stats.
Exaggeration aside, though his body was that of a seven-year-old, his attributes now rivaled a twelve-year-old genin's.
Of course, Kazuku's rapid progress stemmed from having no prior training.
It was like an overweight person losing weight—early on, even light exercise led to dramatic drops.
But once a certain threshold was reached, further progress slowed significantly.
Batsu's expression suddenly turned serious. "Today's different from before."
"Different?"
"Mm." Batsu nodded. "You've felt it, right? After these days of training, your physical strength has leaped forward."
"Now, even without Seal-less Healing, you could withstand the Gate of Pain's damage."
Batsu couldn't see Kazuku's stat panel, relying on experience to gauge his progress.
Crucially, Tobirama hadn't only told Kazuku about the graduation exam.
He'd fully briefed Batsu on his plan to make Kazuku a ninja.
Batsu's heart was pure sunshine, free of darkness.
He understood Tobirama's goal wasn't to crush Kazuku but to mold him into an exceptional ninja.
If they stuck to "normal" training, Kazuku wouldn't pass the exam in a month.
"So, I think it's time you started combat training," Batsu declared firmly.
"Combat training?"
"Exactly. I'll be your opponent," Batsu said, dead serious.
Far from flinching, Kazuku's eyes lit up.
Having a taijutsu master like Batsu as a sparring partner? He couldn't be happier.
"Bring it, Teacher Batsu."
"Wait, I'm not done," Batsu interrupted. "Before we start, I have some rules."
"Rules?" Kazuku tilted his head.
"Right. With Seal-less Healing, your body is more suited to the Eight Gates than mine."
"And your chakra reserves are massive, meaning you could sustain the Gate of Life as your default state."
Batsu had been mulling this over.
Kazuku's extraordinary chakra meant he wouldn't tire as quickly as Batsu when using the Gate of Life.
And since it was the last safe gate, it caused no muscle or organ damage.
So, what if…
Kazuku leveraged this advantage, making the Gate of Life his combat norm?
Unlike ordinary people like Batsu, who had to use the Eight Gates cautiously…
Kazuku could enter battle with the Gate of Life active!
Batsu outlined his idea.
"It'll be grueling to turn theory into reality, but I think it's worth trying."
"For our sparring, I want you to maintain the Gate of Life."
"And feel free to use Senju monstrous strength."
Kazuku was reminded of an anime he'd watched before crossing over—Dragon Ball.
In it, Goku trained his son Gohan to adapt to Super Saiyan 1 as a default state.
The only difference was Batsu's focus on the Gate of Life.
But…
The essence was the same.
"Adapt to the Gate of Life as my norm?" Kazuku took a deep breath. He hadn't considered it.
No.
He hadn't thought to consider it.
Even with Dragon Ball as a reference, he'd overlooked this approach.
Yet Batsu, from just Seal-less Healing and chakra reserves, devised the perfect training for him.
This alone proved Batsu's taijutsu genius.
"I understand, Teacher Batsu."
"For this combat training, I'll maintain the Gate of Life and fight you."
"If there's nothing else, let's start now!"
Kazuku's voice was resolute, his eyes sharpening.
"Hahaha, that's the spirit, Kazuku! Come at me!" Batsu stretched, readying himself. "I may not match Lord Tobirama overall, but in taijutsu, I'm no slouch."
"Treat me like Danzo, and you'll regret it."
"True. With your strength, Teacher Batsu, you could take on five Danzos," Kazuku nodded, agreeing.
Without hesitation, he activated the Eight Gates.
"First Gate, Gate of Opening, open!"
"Second Gate, Gate of Healing, open!"
With the first two gates, his brain and stamina limits were unlocked.
"And now, Third Gate, Gate of Life, open!"
Boom!
A shockwave blasted outward, forcing Batsu to step back.
Kazuku's skin flushed red, green energy radiating from his body.
"Teacher Batsu, here I come!"
The ground beneath Kazuku cracked as he charged, the force of his step alone shattering it.
But Batsu had no intention of fighting in his normal state.
"Then I'll… Eight Gates, open!"
(End of Chapter)