"Whew—"
Shinji, who had exited the sealed space, let out a long breath and retracted the index and middle fingers he had placed together on Naruto's forehead.
'Alright, now it's up to Minato and Naruto.'
As for Nine-tails, Shinji could at least sense that its attitude had softened somewhat before he left. However, to make this tsundere humble, perhaps only these two, Naruto and his father, could do it.
Looking at Naruto, who was starting to blow snot bubbles, Shinji shook his head, amused, and got up to lay Naruto flat. He casually took off his vest and covered him with it. He then stood up, ready to go check on the training progress of his other disciples.
"Um... Shinji-sensei."
Shinji looked over at the source of the sound, only to see Hinata standing there timidly. Her index fingers were intertwined, and she occasionally looked at Naruto worriedly.
Shinji chuckled softly, looking at Hinata as he asked, "Hinata, have you rested well?"
Hinata nodded, then asked what she wanted to know, "Yes, sensei, Naruto is...?"
Shinji glanced at Naruto, who was blowing bubbles, his eyes shifting as he said, "Naruto is probably too tired. Hinata, I need to go check on Shikamaru and the others' training. I'll have to trouble you to look after Naruto."
With that, Shinji simply waved his hand and left. Hinata, left behind, let out a breath and quickly went to Naruto's side to guard him.
...
Arriving beside Shikamaru's squad, Shinji looked at their training for a bit, then nodded in satisfaction.
Not bad, the result of continuous physical exertion combined with medicinal baths.
It was clear that Shikamaru and the others had made significant progress.
Seeing this, he clapped his hands, attracting the attention of Shikamaru and the others, then spoke, "Your physical training progress is good, so starting today, I will train you guys in Taijutsu."
Shikamaru and Choji responded with serious expressions, "Yes, sensei."
Only Sasuke was a bit reluctant. After all, compared to Taijutsu, he was more interested in the level of Ninjutsu Shinji used.
"Sasuke, Taijutsu is one of the three main ninja skills, and it's not just to make up the numbers. On the contrary, a master of Taijutsu can unleash power no less than Ninjutsu."
Shinji naturally understood Sasuke's thoughts, as this was the subconscious belief of most ninjas who hadn't become Jonin.
However, upon reaching Jonin, witnessing a broader world, and facing excellent ninjas from various countries, they would naturally understand that the existence of the three major ninja skill systems is inevitable.
"Of course, Taijutsu is actually an auxiliary skill for some people. You don't have to be proficient, but you cannot be without it."
After speaking, Shinji didn't explain further but walked to a wooden stake nearby. Concentrating Chakra in his leg, he delivered a sweeping kick to the stake.
Bang—
The immense force caused the entire stake to explode, sending wood splinters flying.
Shikamaru and the others looked on in surprise, as they certainly couldn't do that at the moment.
Shinji turned back to Sasuke and said, "Sasuke, let's have a practical exercise. Use all the methods you know to attack me, and I will only use Taijutsu."
Sasuke, who was called upon, was still feeling the power of Shinji's kick just now and subconsciously nodded. He then realized what was happening and stepped forward.
He assumed an offensive stance, watching Shinji with caution in his eyes.
"Are you ready?"
Shinji stood leisurely in place, waiting for Sasuke to get ready.
"Ready! Sensei!"
Very good, a response full of energy.
"Then what are you waiting for? Attack!" Shinji raised an eyebrow and shouted.
If he were to make the first move himself, Sasuke wouldn't even need to attack.
Hearing this, Sasuke quickly threw several shuriken and kunai, then put his hands together, preparing to form hand signs.
Shinji didn't dodge. After all, the shuriken Sasuke threw were too slow for him. He used a spinning kick to send the shuriken flying. One kunai was kicked back, its handle accurately hitting Sasuke's hand between the thumb and index finger as he was forming hand signs. This interrupted Sasuke's technique.
"Sasuke, if you can't cast instantly, then your hand sign formation is extremely vulnerable in front of a Taijutsu expert."
Outside the field, Shikamaru's lips twitched.
Instant Ninjutsu casting? Sensei, why don't you just say clap your hands together and get whatever you want?
Sasuke gritted his teeth and leaped back, trying to create distance.
Shinji took a step, instantly disappearing from his original spot.
The next moment, Sasuke, who was still searching for Shinji's figure, felt a sharp pain in his abdomen and was sent flying.
On the field, Shinji retracted his spinning kick posture. He had held back his strength just now. After all, it was just a practice, just to give Sasuke a clear understanding.
Shikamaru and Choji, who were nearby, skillfully helped Sasuke up.
While brushing the dust off Sasuke, Shikamaru said, "Sensei went easy on you. Naruto was the first among us to meet the physical standards. In the past few months, I don't know how many times Shinji-sensei has 'massaged' him."
Choji, who was nearby, nodded with deep understanding. For a while, Naruto's face was almost as swollen as his. But there were benefits. Naruto's Chakra control and recovery ability greatly improved. Well, simply put, he became more resistant to being beaten. Of course, Naruto's Taijutsu now also overwhelms them.
Sasuke nodded in understanding. After all, he couldn't even form hand signs just now. This made him take the option of Taijutsu a bit more seriously.
On the field, Shinji continued to speak, "Alright, next is Shikamaru."
Shikamaru's face fell, and he turned his head, saying bitterly, "Sensei, is getting beaten also a form of Taijutsu training?"
Shinji nodded, pointing to Naruto who was lying asleep by the training field. "That's right, Taijutsu itself starts with taking hits. Originally, Naruto should be sparring with you, but today I'll have to fill in."
Shikamaru's lips twitched upon hearing this. He looked enviously at Naruto, who was sleeping under a large tree with Hinata occasionally fanning him to cool him down.
Resigned, he walked towards Shinji, saying as he went, "Sensei, be gentle."
"Don't worry, I'll be very gentle."
Slap—
...
In the evening, Naruto, who was under the tree, finally opened his eyes and stretched.
"Naruto, did you sleep well?" A resentful voice sounded nearby.
Naruto, who was still groggy from sleep, subconsciously nodded.
"It was the first time I slept so comfortably, and there was wind blowing occasionally."
As he spoke, Naruto turned his head. The next second, he shouted in shock, "Shikamaru! Why is your pineapple head swollen?"
Shikamaru, whose lips were almost like sausages, pushed away the surprised Naruto in annoyance and pointed to Hinata nearby, saying, "Hinata has been taking care of you. Sensei said that when you wake up, you should escort Hinata home."
"Huh?!"
Naruto, who was nearby, was stunned when he heard this, and then quickly thanked Hinata.