71 - Second Year 11

A month has gone by since the start of Shinobi Kumite. After that first match, which ended in disaster, I participated in many others. My winning ratio is quite high. Do you want to know the percentage? Hahaha, be surprised, it's 50%. Surprised, right?

After the first five matches, everyone found out about the mistakes I was making in fights. Since then, only civilians and some clan kids like Chikako have been losing to me. Even Chikako was able to beat me twice.

The mistakes I am making are due to Rekkou. I am trying to integrate Rekkou into my Taijutsu. Rekkou is a swordsmanship technique, and what I am trying to achieve is the same principle as Bruce Lee's one-inch punch—just that mine is a zero-distance one. I am able to transfer my leg energy into my sword in Kenjutsu. But in hand-to-hand combat, it's causing issues.

Still, I am making progress. All the kids have noticed the mistakes I am making. Actually, I am slowly changing my fighting style so I can make static connections with my opponents. But as I am finding chances to achieve that, I am presenting mistakes to my opponents.

Present day,

Daikoku: "Okay, stop. Winner: Hinari."

Today's opponent was Hinari, and I lost. We performed the seal of reconciliation.

Daikoku: "Ikki, what kind of silly mistakes are you making?"

"I am trying a new technique. To practice it more, I am trying to change my style. But looking at the result, I should give up."

Daikoku: "Exactly. Don't try a new technique. Practice it on your own time. Alone. After you get comfortable with it, use it in a fight. One more time, you and Hinari fight." [Everyone got shocked.] "Don't read too much into this. I need to report to the Hokage about all of your original power levels. If you are not fighting with your own style, how would I know your current strength?"

"Ehhh, but I don't want to. She already beat me."

Daikoku: "Look at Hinari. After listening to your explanation, she has already become serious."

I looked at Hinari. She had already activated her Byakugan.

Daikoku: "Make the seal of confrontation."

Okay, if I can't practice Rekkou in hand-to-hand combat, then let's go with Blade Steal. I will give up Rekkou in hand-to-hand combat until I get comfortable with it.

We made the seal of confrontation.

Let's get somewhat serious with Blade Steal. The fight started. First, I waited to let Hinari make some moves.

Blade Steal is a technique where you copy the opponent's fighting style and improve it using your own. The Failed Knight was able to grasp his opponent's style in minutes. Even if he was in constant pain, he could still concentrate to identify their fighting style and predict their next move. Of course, it is just a prediction—not like Kenbunshoku no Haki. But Kenbunshoku no Haki perfectly mirrors Blade Steal. Both techniques originate from observation. One works on mind power analysis, and the other works on observation prediction. Combining both would be a difficult job. Whether it's possible or not is the biggest question.

After fighting with Hinari for some time, I was able to somewhat grasp her fighting style. I wanted to grasp the essence of her style, so I kept dodging and delaying. After 3 minutes,

Daikoku: "Ikki, stop being wishy-washy. Fight seriously."

"I am serious right now."

Daikoku: [What is this kid doing?]

After 2 more minutes, I was able to grasp her style. Let's try it now. I made some distance between us and took a fighting pose—the Gentle Fist pose.

Daikoku: [Ehhh, what's going on?]

Hinari: "Are you making fun of me?"

"You will see."

She approached me, and I started fighting her with her own style. Palm to palm, we began hitting each other. It was a battle between Gentle Fists, similar to the fight between Hinata and Neji in Chunin Exams. After fighting for 1 minute, I grasped more of her technique. Now, let's start improving it. I made the knuckle of my index finger stand ahead in my fist and focused chakra into it. I also added some aspects of IP Man style.

Daikoku: [This is bad. A pointed chakra strike will hurt Hinari badly.]

As soon as I retracted my punch to strike, I couldn't move, and Hinari's strike hit me in the stomach.

"Fuck. What is happening?"

Even Hinari was shocked. I looked at my hand. Daikoku Sensei was clutching it. But why? Soon, I realized it. I was focusing chakra on my knuckle, and since my chakra control is very high, it might have injured Hinari badly.

"I understand, Sensei." [I looked at Hinari.] "You win."

Feeling guilty, I said those words. In my efforts to improve the Gentle Fist with my style, I forgot the damage it could cause.

Daikoku: [In a small voice] "It's okay if you understand. Be careful next time." [Announcing] "Hinari wins."