Getting a Gift

Over the next few days, Isamu diligently worked on fully comprehending the contents of the books he'd memorized. He methodically rewrote each text by hand, absorbing the intricate knowledge about chakra networks and human biology while seamlessly keeping up with his regular training routines.

Today, he was sparring with Duy.

Duy's POV:

Duy stood opposite the six-year-old, a genuine smile on his face as he watched Isamu settle comfortably into a ready stance, proudly wearing a smaller version of the green spandex suit Duy himself favored. Warm evening sunlight bathed the training area, casting gentle shadows across their determined faces.

Having known Isamu for the past couple of years, Duy had trained closely with him every single day—early mornings filled with intense physical regimens matching even Guy's boundless youthful dedication, and midday sessions dedicated entirely to refining the technical aspects of taijutsu. Over that time, Duy had witnessed the young boy's remarkable growth firsthand, continually impressed by his relentless commitment and maturity far beyond his age.

As they began the spar, Duy matched Isamu's movements with ease, initially comfortable in the familiar rhythm of their exchanges. Yet, within moments, he found himself studying Isamu's evolving style more closely. The boy transitioned fluidly from the recognizable, robust forms of the Akimichi clan—characterized by powerful strikes and stable, grounded stances—into techniques Duy had never seen before. The unfamiliar forms blended effortlessly with the known, creating a sophisticated and unpredictable combat pattern.

Even more impressive was how seamlessly Isamu incorporated moves Duy himself had taught him. Watching the boy execute these strikes with precision and practiced ease filled Duy with a quiet sense of pride. Each punch and kick carried hints of his own careful instruction, but refined further by Isamu's unique insight and extraordinary instincts.

Duy felt his pulse quicken, excitement building as he observed Isamu's calculated precision. Despite searching carefully, he found few tells or signs to anticipate Isamu's next move. His youthful opponent's attacks came sharp, swift, and decisive, driven by an uncanny instinct that left Duy increasingly impressed.

In fact, Duy realized with growing admiration, if not for the natural limitations of Isamu's young age—his reach, his raw physical speed—he might struggle to effectively block or evade every strike. Isamu's movements bore no wasted energy, no careless openings. Each punch, each kick carried a calculated intensity that was eerily similar to seasoned fighters who had faced genuine combat.

As the spar continued, Duy's smile widened with exhilaration. Isamu matched Guy's own youthful spirit and unwavering dedication, yet with a unique calmness and maturity all his own. If the boy displayed such formidable skill at only six years old, Duy could hardly contain his excitement imagining how profoundly capable and accomplished Isamu would become in just a few short years.

The Spar:

The two figures stood poised across from each other, the afternoon sun high overhead, casting bright, clear shadows across the training ground. Nearby, Guy watched intently from the sidelines, enthusiastically performing handstand push-ups as he observed the exchange, each repetition steady and rhythmic, eyes locked eagerly onto his father and Isamu.

For a moment, silence held—then Isamu lunged forward with decisive intent.

He opened with a sharp, focused jab aimed straight at Duy's midsection. Duy calmly pivoted, brushing the attack aside with practiced ease, only to be forced backward immediately by a precise follow-up kick sweeping at his legs. Leaping lightly over the swift strike, Duy countered smoothly, aiming a controlled palm strike toward Isamu's shoulder.

Without missing a beat, Isamu twisted his body deftly aside, displaying exceptional footwork as he reset his stance. The exchange grew steadily faster, each movement seamless and rhythmic. Isamu shifted fluidly between the powerful, robust forms of the Akimichi style—delivering solid punches and broad, sweeping kicks—and his own unfamiliar, sharp-edged techniques, tight elbow strikes, and quick, compact thrusts that were unpredictable and precise.

Between these distinct maneuvers, subtle echoes of Duy's own teachings appeared, executed so flawlessly that even Duy couldn't help but inwardly grin with pride.

From an observer's perspective, their spar was mesmerizing—a fluid dance of controlled aggression and graceful evasion. Isamu, though small and youthful, moved with quiet determination, every strike and kick backed by surprising force and refined precision. His composure never wavered, each movement purposeful and decisive.

Duy matched his student's growing intensity effortlessly, clearly holding back yet undeniably engaged. Occasionally, Isamu's sudden acceleration forced Duy to adjust with impressive quickness, demonstrating just how sharply honed the young boy's instincts were becoming.

All the while, Guy continued his enthusiastic handstand push-ups, grinning broadly as he watched his father and Isamu spar, inspired by their youthful spirit and dedication.

As the spar continued under the bright afternoon sun, their swift, precise movements cast shifting shadows on the ground, painting a compelling image of two dedicated shinobi locked in a rhythmic display of strength, control, and remarkable potential.

After the taijutsu ended with Guy and Duy, also went through clan training Isamu now sat quietly at his desk, the soft glow of a lantern illuminating the scattered notes he'd carefully assembled over the past few days. He leaned back thoughtfully, fingers lightly tapping against the wooden surface as he contemplated his next steps.

His first priority was clear—he needed more jutsu. Specifically, he needed scrolls detailing basic earth-nature techniques, which he hoped his father could secure upon his return. Approaching the clan elders directly for scrolls was an option, yet Isamu quickly dismissed the idea. The clan leadership already had their eyes on him; he sensed their watchful observation, aware of their careful evaluation of his growing talents. After seeing his own brother handed over to ROOT, he fully understood the pragmatism behind their decision. He simply didn't care for it and felt little goodwill toward them as a result. Remaining further under their scrutiny wasn't something he wished to encourage.

He sighed, eyes drifting back to his meticulous notes detailing thoughts and theories drawn from Tsunade's teachings and extensive anatomical studies. The looming war made it vital to expand his jutsu quickly, but careful strategic consideration was required. He could delay his graduation temporarily, but eventually, pressure from the village would inevitably force his advancement.

His attention sharpened as he revisited a particularly intriguing idea he'd sketched out. Based on his studies, Isamu theorized that the Akimichi Partial Expansion Jutsu could potentially be enhanced not only by allowing physical expansion but also by achieving a controlled state of chakra-infused compression. Fundamentally, the jutsu worked by flooding targeted tissues with Yang chakra, temporarily enlarging and energizing cells to dramatically boost physical power. But the chakra network, intricately connected to the body's anatomy, was naturally adaptable—something he clearly understood from Tsunade's detailed notes.

If Yang chakra could enlarge cells, temporarily increasing their energy and size, it stood to reason the reverse might also be achievable: carefully guiding and condensing the expanded tissues back into a dense, compact form while preserving the enhanced cellular strength. This wouldn't be a passive return to normal size; rather, it was an active, chakra-driven compression that maintained the amplified physical attributes.

Achieving such compression posed inherent challenges, primarily because the chakra network naturally resisted sudden density shifts. Attempting to compress cells already saturated with powerful Yang chakra could lead to tissue damage or unstable chakra flow without proper reinforcement. Thus, Isamu reasoned an additional stabilizing chakra nature was essential. Earth chakra, renowned for its intrinsic properties of solidity, stability, and structure, seemed especially suited to this purpose. Drawing inspiration from the way Lightning Release chakra could stimulate nerves and muscles—an insight he'd gathered from Mary Ann's enthusiastic analyses—he concluded Earth Release could similarly reinforce and condense physical tissues at the cellular level.

In practice, after infusing tissues with Yang chakra to achieve controlled expansion, Earth chakra would then reinforce the cellular structure, fortifying muscle fibers and bones at their peak expansion. This deliberate reinforcement could enable a seamless compression without losing the enhanced strength and resilience granted by the initial Yang chakra infusion. The result would be highly condensed muscles and tissues, tightly bound and structurally reinforced, providing substantial increases in both explosive strength and durability within a compact, agile form.

Naturally, this advanced chakra manipulation technique would demand additional hand signs, precise timing, and considerably greater chakra expenditure. Mastery would require meticulous chakra control, extensive practice, and dedicated training. Yet, Isamu felt confident in the logic underpinning the idea, and his instincts aligned firmly with the chakra theory he'd absorbed from detailed study.

Satisfied yet resolved, he carefully documented each step, outlining precise experimentation goals. With war looming closer, developing and perfecting such a technique could provide a crucial tactical advantage. Leaning back in his chair, Isamu exhaled softly, steeling himself for the demanding path ahead.

Then Isamu carefully considered how this approach would specifically interact with his unique circumstances. Given the strength and expanded structure of his chakra pathways, his body should, in theory, more readily accommodate the forceful chakra shifts and intense compression he'd planned. His sturdier channels meant he could likely handle greater chakra density without risking the typical internal strain or chakra network damage.

He reasoned that his earlier tempering provided him a natural advantage, effectively granting greater tolerance and resilience during the chakra molding process. This advantage might eventually allow him to push the technique further—condensing more Yang chakra into his tissues, stabilized firmly by Earth chakra—resulting in significantly enhanced strength and durability.

Still, Isamu acknowledged a crucial limitation: his body was actively developing, and intensive chakra compression techniques, particularly at his current age—under twelve—might not be safe or practical. Despite the strength of his chakra pathways, his physical tissues and skeletal structure were immature and still forming. The inherent strain and pressure of forcibly compressing tissues into a denser state could disrupt or negatively affect his natural growth.

He decided caution was essential. Even with his chakra advantages, precise control and incremental practice remained necessary. He would start carefully, conducting controlled, partial-scale experiments to safely gauge his body's limits. Patience and gradual progression would be vital. A mature body would undoubtedly manage intensive chakra manipulations more safely and effectively, enduring rigorous conditions that would currently pose unnecessary risks.

For now, Isamu resolved to focus primarily on foundational training, steadily refining basic Earth jutsu, and deepening his understanding of chakra theory. When the time came, he would possess both the physical maturity and technical expertise required to fully realize his ambitious new technique.

He tapped his fingers thoughtfully against the wooden desk, contemplating whether he should approach the clan directly for basic Earth jutsu scrolls. A part of him still resisted the idea, reluctant to draw additional attention or scrutiny. Yet he was becoming increasingly uncertain whether waiting for his father's return was practical.

After all, being a ninja meant living with uncertainty. Missions could last days, weeks, or even months without clear communication. Growing up, there had often been times when his father simply said "I'm going on a mission," with no indication of when he'd return. While his father wasn't officially deployed at the moment, the escalating tensions had already seen many shinobi mobilized. The signs of an approaching war were unmistakably clear.

Isamu exhaled quietly, acknowledging the reality of his situation. Waiting indefinitely for his father's return might not be feasible. As much as he disliked the idea, practicality and necessity might soon outweigh his personal reservations about asking the clan for help directly.

A gentle knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he called quietly.

The door opened softly, and his mother stepped inside with a tender smile, holding a neatly wrapped box. She moved gracefully to his bed and sat down, prompting him to leave his desk and sit beside her.

His mother wrapped a gentle arm around him, pulling him affectionately closer. "Your father really wished he could have been here to celebrate your acceptance into the academy," she said warmly, though Isamu clearly saw the subtle worry lingering in her gaze. "I waited a little longer, hoping he might return before you started classes. I wanted us to give you this together, but..." She paused briefly, then offered another gentle smile. "It looks like he won't make it back in time."

She placed the carefully wrapped box in his lap. Her voice softened as she continued, "For your brother, we went to that expensive barbecue place he loves, where he ate until he could hardly move. Your sister got some beautiful new clothes…" She gave him a gentle squeeze, her eyes sparkling warmly. "But we both knew you'd prefer this."

Intrigued, Isamu opened the box carefully, his heart lifting when he found three neatly rolled scrolls clearly marked as basic Earth-style jutsu techniques. Immediately, he felt relief and gratitude, his earlier worries fading quickly.

He looked up to see his mother's warm, affectionate gaze. She leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on top of his head, and sighed softly. "You're such a smart little boy," she whispered lovingly. "You'll become an amazing ninja, Isamu. But…" she hesitated briefly, her tone gently teasing yet sincere, "please remember you have a mother who likes to feel needed, even when you're older."

Isamu felt warmth rise within him, understanding exactly what she meant. He'd always been notably self-sufficient, rarely needing support. But as he leaned into her embrace, he quietly acknowledged the truth in her words, promising himself he'd always remember them.