Chapter 49: Beating Aoba Justifiably?

After days of repeated development and practice, just a moment ago, this jutsu has finally taken its initial form. However, to thoroughly perfect it, further testing is still required. Aoba, you've come at just the right time. Can you accompany your teacher to test whether the final refinement of this jutsu is successful?"

Sincerity filled Kurenai Yuhi's eyes, and the smile on his face was exceptionally kind.

Yet, this expression appeared somewhat spine-chilling in the eyes of Kawaki Aoba.

Harboring doubts in his heart, Kawaki Aoba carefully observed Kurenai Yuhi's face, and ultimately, he truly managed to discern a few clues.

Although Teacher Kurenai was smiling, he was plotting against him in his heart. This was how Kawaki Aoba interpreted it:

This brat's strength is growing far too fast. If I don't teach him a good lesson right now, I probably won't have the chance in the future.

Kawaki Aoba knew in his heart that Kurenai Yuhi had made up his mind with absolute determination and was bound to give him a severe beating today.

Since there was no escaping it, Kawaki Aoba simply threw caution to the wind. He could just use the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist to test the durability of Teacher Kurenai's chakra cloak.

"Since Teacher Kurenai has already said so, as your disciple, I naturally must do my part." Kawaki Aoba agreed to the challenge.

Fumbling through his ninja tool pouch, Kawaki Aoba produced two blue recovery potions, one large and one medium.

He handed the larger one to Kurenai Yuhi, while the other medium-sized potion would be consumed by himself a minute later, after the other party finished forming their chakra cloak.

Given Kawaki Aoba's current small stature, a medium-sized blue potion was more than enough.

When the one-minute duration ended, Kurenai Yuhi stabilized his chakra cloak, and the spar between master and disciple officially began.

The first to strike was Kurenai Yuhi, acting in his capacity as the teacher. He had found Kawaki Aoba displeasing to the eye for quite some time now; although he had mentally accepted the fact that this brat would eventually become his son-in-law, he still felt an inexplicable annoyance.

Especially since this was likely the last opportunity to give the other party a justified and proper beating. Kurenai Yuhi valued this immensely and was determined to bring out his full strength.

Perhaps this was the "tough love" of a future father-in-law toward his son-in-law.

With a chakra cloak added to his body, Kurenai Yuhi's speed was indeed much faster than usual. Fortunately, Kawaki Aoba used Observation Haki to capture his target; otherwise, even with his former Byakugan, it would have been extremely difficult to catch Teacher Kurenai's figure.

A powerful and heavy whip kick came sweeping in from the side. The speed and force far surpassed Kurenai Yuhi's usual level, causing Kawaki Aoba's eyelids to twitch wildly. If he had not acquired the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist beforehand, he definitely would have been sent flying directly by this kick.

Teacher Kurenai knew he had drunk the potion in advance, and this was clearly the rhythm of beating him to within an inch of his life as long as he wasn't actually killed.

Kawaki Aoba did not dare to be careless in the slightest. Twisting his waist and turning his body, he raised a single arm vertically at his side. At the same time, a deep blue water-style chakra covered his entire arm.

The pure physical prowess of people in the ninja world could not compare to those martial arts masters in One-Punch Man, but compared to pure fist techniques, a ninja's advantage lay in their ability to use chakra for amplification.

In particular, water-style chakra and the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist matched in attributes almost perfectly. Used together, their power was definitely much stronger than a plain Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.

However, this wasn't something Kawaki Aoba had figured out through contemplation; it was purely the body's instinct after acquiring the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.

Bang!

Kurenai Yuhi's whip kick arrived, slamming fiercely into Kawaki Aoba's chakra-covered right arm.

There was no sound of fracturing bones as anticipated, but Kawaki Aoba did not completely block it either.

Following Kurenai Yuhi's kick, Kawaki Aoba lost his balance entirely under the force, spinning around in a full circle exceeding 180 degrees right on the spot.

The swinging trajectory of his hands also flowed like water, parting the air and stirring up ripples of disturbance.

Incorrect!

Observing Kawaki Aoba's movements at that moment, Kurenai Yuhi noticed something unusual.

And when Kawaki Aoba's right fist, radiating blue chakra, completed its rotation and turned back around, about to strike him, he finally saw it through completely.

Thud!

The same force, the same counter-attack. The difference was that compared to Kurenai Yuhi's purely physical taijutsu force, this punch from Kawaki Aoba carried a penetrating chakra attack as well. The blue water-style chakra actually punched right through the layer of chakra cloak he had attached to his body.

It somewhat resembled the Gentle Fist of the Hyuga clan, but was entirely different. At least the destructive power of a single strike from the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist would never reach this kind of level.

Quickly widening the distance, Kurenai Yuhi looked gravely at the cuff of his left sleeve, which had been destroyed by Kawaki Aoba's recent attack.

Honestly, if Kurenai Yuhi had wanted to dodge earlier, Kawaki Aoba's punch would never have hit him.

As for just now, it was merely a teacher wishing to test his own disciple's newly acquired skill.

Yet, after experiencing it firsthand, Kurenai Yuhi felt immensely frustrated.

Why was it that his own disciple could always pull out some ninjutsu and taijutsu that he couldn't quite understand, yet possessed exceptionally impressive effects?

Especially this boxing style; it clearly hadn't been there when they were out on missions before.

Could it have just been newly developed? But hadn't he been learning the Genjutsu: Darkness Eye Technique from the Hokage's people these past few days?

Even the most monstrous talent should have its limits!

"Aoba, what kind of fist technique is this? How come I've never seen you use it before?" Wearing the chakra cloak, Kurenai Yuhi attacked Kawaki Aoba with taijutsu while not forgetting to question him.

Judging by that effortless demeanor, Kawaki Aoba could tell that Teacher Kurenai was not going all out.

Looking back at Kawaki Aoba, he was likewise dealing with Kurenai Yuhi's assaults using the newly acquired Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist. Although there was a significant gap in strength between the two, Kawaki Aoba was able to manage by unleashing various taijutsu techniques.

Finding a moment of low pressure, Kawaki Aoba took the opportunity to respond: "Teacher Kurenai, are you asking about the fist technique I'm using now? Naturally, I created it myself. However, it also has some connection to the Hyuga clan. Once I perfect the chakra cloak, I will discuss it with you in detail."

Such an audacious brat!

Kurenai Yuhi muttered inwardly to himself. After that, he stopped speaking and instead began to unleash his taijutsu at full power; he wanted to see just how formidable the fist technique created by Kawaki Aoba really was.

Although Kawaki Aoba could create many seal-less ninjutsu and taijutsu like Soru and Shigan, those were all straightforward attack methods, completely different from systematic disciplines like fist techniques. To say Kawaki Aoba could independently create a complete set of fist techniques was something Kurenai Yuhi simply refused to believe.