"Are you alright, Hizashi-sensei?"
Tanaka quickly stepped forward, using his Byakugan to examine Hizashi's internal organs and assess his condition immediately.
Although he had controlled the chakra output in his strike earlier and deliberately avoided all vital points and organs, internal injuries were different from external ones. Moreover, ninjas were inherently fragile beings.
Even someone like Hizashi, a jonin specializing in taijutsu, would still be considered fragile in the One Piece world.
"I'm fine. After all, I am still a jonin. I'm not as fragile as you think."
Hizashi stood up and shook his head.
He, too, possessed the Byakugan and naturally understood that Tanaka who had just defeated him had held back.
Taijutsu was a battle of precision, where victory and defeat could be decided in an instant.
Unlike ninjutsu or genjutsu, which required hand seals, taijutsu fights were won or lost in a flash, leaving no room for hesitation.
For Tanaka to be able to withdraw part of his chakra at the decisive moment and avoid hitting vital points was already an incredible feat.
Only the Hyūga clan, with their ability to see through the human body and control chakra through their tenketsu at will, could achieve this.
If it had been Guy or Duy, specialists in the Strong Fist style, there would be no such thing as holding back.
When they fought, one person stood while the other lay on the ground.
"I thought you'd been focusing entirely on space-time ninjutsu and that your taijutsu would have suffered as a result."
"I never expected that your progress in the Gentle Fist technique hadn't fallen behind at all."
Hizashi sighed in his heart.
Perhaps this was what it meant to be a genius.
No.
In his youth, he had also been called a genius. But in front of Tanaka, he felt like an ordinary person.
So, he could no longer simply think of Tanaka as a genius.
Because what people called "genius" was merely the threshold for him.
"I never stop training."
He knew very well that, in terms of Gentle Fist mastery, Hizashi was still above him.
However, the level of mastery in Gentle Fist alone didn't directly determine the outcome of a battle.
Mental resilience, combat awareness, adaptability, willpower, and the ability to integrate various strategies—These were all key factors that influenced victory or defeat.
"A win is a win, and a loss is a loss. There is no such thing as luck between ninjas. Tanaka, remember this—ninjas have only one goal, and that is to win. If you can't win a battle, no matter how many jutsu you master, you are still an incompetent ninja."
Hizashi bore no resentment toward Tanaka for his loss. Instead, he sincerely offered his wisdom and guidance, sharing the valuable lessons he had learned over the years.
"I will remember, Hizashi-sensei."
Tanaka felt a warmth in his heart.
A person's kindness toward you could be faked.
A person's emotions toward you could also be an act.
But the favorability score above Hizashi's head, that was something that could never be faked.
[Hizashi: Favorability 91.]
A score as high as 91, even surpassing Law and Rosinante.
He was also the only person so far who had met the requirements of the Void Walker's Gate.
"Make sure to eat well and rest properly. You're at an age where your body is still growing. Never overstrain yourself just for the sake of rapid improvement."
"The Hyūga clan is different from ordinary ninjas. Because of our Byakugan, the strain on our bodies is already greater than most. Combined with rigorous taijutsu training, if we fail to control the intensity, both our bodies and minds could collapse from overtraining," Hizashi continued to advise his student.
If one were a civilian during times of war, whether for survival or to break free from their social status, they would have no choice but to gamble with their lives.
After all, the chakra system—or rather, the way of the ninja itself—was inherently focused on short-term gains.
But in his eyes, there was no need for Tanaka to take such a self-destructive approach.
As the heir of the Hyūga and a master of powerful space-time ninjutsu, he had the privilege to grow steadily, step by step.
"Don't worry, Hizashi-sensei. I won't do that."
Faced with Hizashi's tireless guidance, Tanaka showed no impatience. Instead, he listened humbly and attentively.
He knew that his teacher's words were true.
Because Itachi and Kimimaro were the best examples.
Both were geniuses.
Both suffered from bloodline diseases.
And both died young.
A prime case of excessive chakra molding, overuse of bloodline limit, and the toll of exhausting both body and mind—leading to the onset of genetic illness, ultimately causing their bodies to collapse prematurely.
"That's good."
Hizashi knew when to stop and trusted that his student understood how to maintain balance. So, after a few more words of advice, he turned and left.
As the clan leader, his time was limited.
Beyond managing the clan and his own training, he also had to maintain connections with other ninja families.
The era of the Hyūga main house was over. The past collaborations between the main house and other ninja clans, as well as dealings with Konoha, were now his responsibility to handle.
"Tanaka-sama, would you like to have a meal?"
After Hizashi left, Natsu quickly approached and asked respectfully.
As a prestigious ninja clan, the Hyūga had their own systematic training methods, especially for nurturing geniuses.
Having once served the main house, she was well-versed in these methods.
Right now, after an intense battle, Tanaka's body, spirit, and chakra were all significantly depleted. Given his young age and still-developing body, proper nourishment and rest were essential.
"No need."
At the mention of food, Tanaka immediately thought of the Sea Kings.
The Nara clan's venison was delicious, but eating too much of it could get tiresome.
After exterminating the main house, he had originally planned to travel to the One Piece world to taste Sea King meat and compare it with the Nara clan's venison.
Which one was superior?
However, his plans had been delayed due to his training in the One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms and Vacuum Palm.
Now was the perfect time.
After a battle with his teacher, his chakra was not entirely depleted, but it was close. His Byakugan's ocular power had also been heavily drained.
At this moment, his mind, stamina, vision, and chakra were all starving for replenishment.
This was the perfect opportunity to test the nutritional value of Sea King meat.
"Natsu, prepare some fresh lamb, venison, and animal blood for me."
Without further explanation, he gave his instructions.
Natsu did not question him. She simply carried out the order without a word.
Before long, she returned with everything he had requested.