章 15: Gentle Fist

At the break of dawn, Chen's eyes fluttered open, the soft light highlighting his delicate features. Stretching gracefully, his slender and toned body moved with a natural fluidity. "Time to start the day."

After a refreshing shower, Chen dressed in his usual attire, which accentuated his athletic and elegant figure. His long silver hair, still damp, cascaded over his shoulders, framing his porcelain face.

As he ate a light breakfast, his thoughts wandered to his training. His eyes, shining with determination and intelligence.

In the living room, Chen adopted a meditative posture, his body perfectly balanced. With his eyes closed, his serene face radiated an ethereal beauty. Concentrating on refining his chakra, he emanated a powerful and tranquil presence.

His heightened senses detected someone approaching. Chen opened his eyes, his piercing gaze fixed on the door.

A knock echoed, and Chen rose with fluid movements. He opened the door, revealing a Chūnin Hyuga whose demeanor sharply contrasted with Chen's grace and composure.

"Hyuga Chen, your monthly allowance," said the Chūnin, handing over a bag of coins. Chen accepted it quickly, his impassive face revealing no emotion.

"And this," added the Chūnin, carelessly tossing a scroll. Chen caught it with feline reflexes, his dexterity evident in every movement.

"Thank you," Chen replied, closing the door softly, his eyes now fixed on the scroll.

In the living room, Chen swiftly unrolled the scroll with agile fingers. His eyes eagerly scanned the content, discovering information about Chakra refinement and the Hyuga Gentle Fist.

"Finally, something useful," he murmured, an enigmatic smile curving his lips.

After reviewing the scroll, Chen stood up and headed to the door, ready to put his newfound knowledge into practice.

---

Chen slipped the scroll into his backpack. His steps led him to his personal training sanctuary.

The air caressed his face. Chen closed his eyes, savoring the moment. "Let the symphony begin," he whispered, his fingers forming the characteristic seal.

POOF!

Ten perfect replicas of Chen appeared, each a mirror of his determination.

"Gentlemen," Chen announced with a crooked smile, "today we delve into the secrets of the Gentle Fist. Study, practice, master. Don't disappoint me... I mean, don't disappoint us."

The clones exchanged looks before scattering like leaves in the wind.

Chen, once again, sat with the grace of a lotus. He closed his eyes, focusing on refining chakra.

…

The sun was already kissing the horizon when Chen emerged from his trance, his mind flooded with a cascade of borrowed memories.

He stood up, each movement a contained dance. The air seemed to tense in anticipation.

"Now," Chen murmured, "let's dance."

His hands became blurs, the air crackling with each imaginary strike. "Two palms," his voice barely a whisper. "Four palms," the wind moaned. "Eight palms," the leaves trembled.

As the count increased, the world seemed to hold its breath. Invisible waves of force pulsed with each strike, as if the very air was his opponent.

When he finished, Chen remained still, the echo of his power reverberating in the clearing. "Fascinating," he murmured, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

Chen leaned against a tree, his mind a whirlwind of possibilities.

"Oh, dear Hyuga family," he mused with a chuckle, "if you knew what this 'failure' can do now. But no, no, no... that will be our little secret, won't it?"

His fingers drummed against his knee as he planned. "The Gentle Fist without the Byakugan... a delicious oxymoron. I'll have to be... creative."

He stood up, stretching contentedly. "For now, I'll be the wolf in sheep's clothing. I'll strike without touching the chakra points, at least until I graduate. After that... well, let the real show begin."

But he decided to elevate his training. "It's time to put what I've learned into practice," he murmured, creating ten shadow clones.

The clones, unlike Chen, displayed exaggerated enthusiasm. One shouted, "Yes! Fist party time!"

Chen ignored them, dividing them into pairs. "Fight. Learn. Improve," he ordered dryly.

The clones exchanged mischievous smiles. "Did you hear that? The boss wants a show!" said one, striking a fighting pose.

While the clones fought with a mix of skill and antics, Chen observed intently, his mind drifting to Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. "Power without experience is vulnerability," he reflected, ignoring the clones' jocular comments.

Chen continued his observation, unfazed by his clones' antics. One yelled, "Look, boss! I'm the next Hokage!" while performing an exaggerated technique.

"My determination sets me apart," Chen thought, comparing himself to other ninjas. "I have unique advantages."

At sunset, Chen stood up. "Enough," he declared.

"Aww, is the fun over already?" a clone complained dramatically.

"I'm going to be the best," Chen murmured, dissolving the clones and absorbing their experience, ignoring their final jokes.

---

Chen maintained his strict discipline, training daily in the forest. His routine provided stability and constant progress.

---

One day, Hyuga Hizashi, brimming with resentment, challenged Chen. "Today you'll pay for your humiliations!" he shouted, attacking furiously.

Chen, unfazed, blocked each strike with precision. "Your anger clouds your judgment," he commented dryly, before defeating Hizashi with an impeccable Gentle Fist technique.

Hizashi fell, humiliated and more resentful than ever. Chen looked at him emotionlessly. "Hatred only weakens you," he said, before turning and walking away, leaving Hizashi to stew in his defeat.

---

Over the next year, Chen grew significantly, reaching a height of 120-125 cm, standing out among children his age not only for his height but also for his unusual beauty and exceptional skills.

Constant training and chakra refinement led Chen to reach a chakra level comparable to that of a Super-Kage.

His control and chakra reserves were impressive, providing him with an almost inexhaustible source of power.

With each passing day, Chen's confidence in his combat abilities grew. He reflected on his progress and convinced himself that his techniques, combined with the speed of his devil fruit, made him practically invincible.

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