Chapter 9: Forging the Chakra Core: A Hyūga's Journey to True Strength
Kiyoshi woke up with a strange sensation, as if his heart had turned into a soccer ball and was beating with an oddly slow rhythm. He felt confused, his mind still enveloped in the fog of sleep. His first attempt to move resulted in a wave of agonizing pain radiating from his chest, making him shudder. His eyes widened in shock as he realized the intensity of the discomfort. He stopped moving, choosing to remain lying down and ponder over what could have gone wrong.
His thoughts returned to the moment before passing out. He had tried to establish his heart as the core of his chakra. However, instead of stabilizing his chakra flow, he had apparently disturbed his own internal energy balance. He suspected that his heart was not prepared for the role he had tried to impose on it. This brought his mind to Tsunade, the legendary Sannin who used a seal as her chakra core.
"If only I had her technique to study..." murmured Kiyoshi, closing his eyes as he reflected on his mistake.
That's when he noticed a piece of paper next to his bed. He turned his head and realized it wasn't just a note but also a copy of the Fūinjutsu Byakugō, Tsunade's technique that had been on his mind.
Intrigued, Kiyoshi picked up the note, immediately recognizing his father's meticulous handwriting. The words were written with concern, but also with a firmness that he knew to be very characteristic of his father. He swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat as he began to read.
"Kiyoshi," the note began, his name alone serving as a warning. When his father used this formal tone, it meant that things were serious. "I know you have a burning desire to strengthen yourself, to show your worth. But your recklessness today could have cost not only your progress but your life. I believe in your potential, but you need to understand that true strength comes with patience, discipline, and knowledge.
In our clan, we, the Hyūga, are known for our meticulousness, our attention to detail. Our eyes, the Byakugan, are the embodiment of that virtue. They allow us to see beyond what is evident, to understand the true nature of things. You must do the same. Delve into your studies, not just about the techniques but also about yourself, your body, and your limitations.
Here is a basic copy of the fundamentals of the Fūinjutsu Byakugō. The complete copy is beyond my means to obtain at the moment. I believe this is a step in the right direction for your growth. Study it. Understand it. Apply the same level of observation and meticulousness that our clan values so much. Make use of your Byakugan not only in battle but also in your quest for knowledge.
Remember, Kiyoshi, you are a Hyūga. We are not known for impulsiveness but for our ability to observe, to understand, and to act with precision. Your path to true strength is not a race but a journey. It is not the final destination that matters but every step you take towards it.
Please be more careful next time. Your mother and I are worried."
Kiyoshi finished reading the note, feeling a tightness in his chest. It was difficult for him to admit, but he knew his father was right. The Hyūga, as well as most shinobi from prominent families, were reserved, and his father's letter held great significance for someone as sentimental as Kiyoshi. He had acted impulsively, allowing his desire for strength to overshadow his judgment. His behavior did not reflect that of a true Hyūga.
Resting for his recovery, Kiyoshi divided the following two weeks between the Fūinjutsu Byakugō and his own notes on chakra principles. The complexity of the technique required a meticulous approach and disciplined self-control, emblematic traits of the Hyūga clan, and served to deepen his understanding of chakra even further.
One day, while reviewing his notes, Kiyoshi plunged into an intense internal debate. "A chakra core would be like introducing a new organ responsible for controlling and optimizing chakra flow... The disruption of such a core would be the equivalent of becoming crippled, as portrayed in countless cultivation tales. My mistake was trying to redefine the intrinsic function of the heart."
As he reasoned, his mind turned to the Fūinjutsu Byakugō. Unlike his misguided attempt, the technique did not attempt to change the function of an existing organ. Instead, it created a separate reservoir, a chakra repository. "What would happen," he pondered, "if I used the principles of the Fūinjutsu Byakugō to form a chakra cocoon around my heart?"
He felt a surge of excitement as a new idea began to take shape. "This cocoon would function as a regulator, modulating the quantity and flow of chakra passing through the heart. The part of the Fūinjutsu technique that solidifies the Byakugō could be used to strengthen this chakra cocoon."
Kiyoshi grabbed the scroll and started sketching out the idea. "Instead of forcefully opening the chakra gates, like Guy's Eight Inner Gates technique, the chakra flow would be increased slowly and steadily. It would be like training in a gym, gradually increasing the weight so that the body gets used to it and becomes stronger over time."
He looked at his notes, feeling a wave of optimism. He could be wrong, but the possibility of being right seemed palpable. His father's words still echoed in his mind—meticulousness, patience, vigilance—all of them were qualities of a true Hyūga. Kiyoshi was determined to honor these principles even as he pursued a different path.
Now, he had a plan and the determination to execute it. Though there was still much to learn and prepare for, Kiyoshi felt energized and focused. He had made a mistake once, but he wouldn't allow a setback to veer him off course again. He embraced his father's advice, understanding that the journey to true strength was gradual but constant.
Kiyoshi was immersed in deep thoughts, reflecting on his recent experiences and pondering the path ahead. Having made a series of careful notes on the Fuinjutsu Byakugō, Kiyoshi had secluded himself for the past two weeks, carefully considering the principles of the technique and how they related to his own ideas.
The silence in the room was almost palpable as he reflected, the only evidence of his deep concentration being the scattered notes around him and the pencil gripped in his fingers. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the scene as Kiyoshi slowly traced his musings.
"Tsunade and Guy's concepts are certainly strong, but they still have flaws. Both require monumental, almost exclusive concentration that cannot be easily replicated," he murmured, alone in the room, his words echoing softly. "Tsunade, as a Senju, has a vast chakra reservoir to fuel her seal, and Guy had to focus on a single technique due to his inability to use ninjutsu and genjutsu. But me... I have a different vision."
His hand moved again, making quick notes as he spoke. "My mistake was treating the heart as a container rather than understanding its true purpose. It is an organ, not a vessel. And as an organ, it has a purpose and specific functions."
He put down the pencil, looking at his notes. "If I want to succeed, I must create something new. Not just a chakra reservoir, but a chakra core, similar to the concept of the Fuinjutsu Byakugō, but adapted for my own use."
He then considered the inner chakra gates. "If I connect them to my chakra core, they could serve as regulators. I don't need to constantly replenish the core like Tsunade does with her seal. Instead, the natural flow of chakra through the gates would keep the core replenished."
He smiled, a spark of inspiration in his eyes. "And then, it's just a matter of training. I don't need to force the gates open like Guy does. I just need to gradually increase the flow of chakra passing through them until my body becomes accustomed to the increased energy."
Slowly, the panorama of his plan was taking shape in his mind. He understood that he had made a mistake by forcing the heart into a function it was not prepared for, but now, with a new perspective, he could see a path forward. With a deeper understanding of the principles of the Fuinjutsu Byakugō to study, he had a clear idea of how to adapt those principles to his own technique.
The idea crystallized in Kiyoshi's mind. He could feel the energy in his body, swirling, a constant flow of chakra coursing through his system, each pulse a reminder of the accident he had endured. He couldn't help but smile, a touch of excitement tingling his face as he pondered his reflections.
"Yes, that's the key," Kiyoshi murmured to himself, his thoughts flowing like a river. "I don't need to divide my attention to fill the chakra core. Not if I place it where the chakra already flows. Then the technique would be much easier to learn after all the difficulty will lie in training for years."
Delving even deeper into his thoughts, Kiyoshi began to grasp the true potential of the technique he was conceiving. Chakra, as evidenced by the original series, did not have a physical volume limit, but became denser as it increased. He recalled stories of the divine entity Kaguya consuming the fruit that contained all the world's chakra. The fruit did not grow in size despite the vast power it contained. Instead, the chakra became densely compacted.
The same principle could apply to his technique. The chakra core around his heart could theoretically expand indefinitely, becoming denser and denser as it accumulated chakra. This meant that the technique had practically limitless potential, depending only on the time and training he was willing to invest.
"It's an infinite resource, waiting to be explored," Kiyoshi murmured, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "With enough time and training, who knows how far I can go?"
Having understood this, he felt even more determined to master this technique. With the possibility of unlimited expansion before him, Kiyoshi knew he was on the path to something truly revolutionary.
He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the sunset, lost in thought. Kiyoshi could feel the gentle pulsation of his chakra flowing through him, more noticeable now that his attention was so focused on it. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to feel the energy in his body, a sense of connection he hadn't realized before.
"I will be creating a... synergy, so to speak," Kiyoshi continued. "By placing the core where chakra naturally flows, it will fill itself. And then, when the core is full, that's when I'll start expanding it, forcing it to grow. But not forcefully, rather steadily and gradually."
Kiyoshi found himself contemplating how this expansion would be. He visualized in his mind the image of high-performance training, constant and consistent repetitions leading to gradual yet significant gains. It would be similar to endurance training, where the constant challenge would allow his body to adapt over time. He needed to be patient, focused, allowing the chakra core to expand naturally.
"This will be a challenge," Kiyoshi admitted, speaking aloud to the empty room. "But it's a challenge I'm ready to face."
And so, with determination burning in his eyes and a new path charted in his mind, Kiyoshi was ready to move forward. He was ready to take the next step, to forge a new technique.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Bruno_oliveira
Bruno_oliveira Hello, dear readers,
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