Hattori , Puppet Tyrant in Sand

Determined to become stronger, Hattori embarked on rigorous physical training over the next month.

In the original story, Rock Lee and Might Guy's exceptional taijutsu came from their relentless, comprehensive physical training. Their regimen covered strength, endurance, agility, speed, evasion, blocking, and complex techniques like Front Lotus and Reverse Lotus.

The core of taijutsu is offense, so 90% of their training focused on that. Although the training was grueling and time-consuming, they had no choice because they lacked talent for ninjutsu and could only rely on taijutsu.

For them, offense was the best defense; evasion was just an added layer.

But Hattori was different.

With his medical ninjutsu already at a professional level, he was a competent healer—so long as the Sunagakure Hospital stayed open, he would have job security.

He also had puppet techniques, though not on the level of Chiyo, but still among the best in Sunagakure.

What he lacked was a means of self-defense when enemies got too close.

That's why he began training in taijutsu.

With that goal in mind, he discarded any training unrelated to self-defense and focused solely on evasion.

In just one day of dedicated practice, he unlocked a new skill:

**[Basic Evasion: Passive skill. Ranged projectile evasion +25%, mid-range blade evasion +20%, close-range taijutsu evasion +15%].**

Unlocking this passive skill gave Hattori a huge confidence boost, motivating him to train harder and progress faster.

By the end of the month, his progress earned Chiyo's praise.

"Impressive, Hattori! You have a natural talent for taijutsu. In just one month, you're already dodging my thrown kunai and shuriken. Now you just need to move on to other training!"

"No need, Sensei!"

To Chiyo's surprise, Hattori declined her suggestion outright.

"I don't think my evasion is perfect yet, so I plan to keep training in evasive taijutsu. I won't trouble you for now!"

Seeing his determination, Chiyo could only nod.

"Alright, if that's what you want. Today's training is over. Stay for lunch before you go!"

"Yes, thank you, Sensei!"

Hattori expressed his gratitude again, shared lunch with Chiyo, and then left her home.

Walking through the streets of Sunagakure, he started reflecting on his progress over the past month.

**[Intermediate Evasion: Passive skill. Ranged projectile evasion +50%, mid-range blade evasion +40%, close-range taijutsu evasion +30%].**

A small smile formed on his lips as he read this.

"My hunch was right. If there's a basic level, there must be intermediate and advanced levels too. Maybe I should try practicing the Body Flicker Technique—who knows, I might even unlock Flying Thunder God Technique!"

With that thought, he found an open space and began practicing the Body Flicker Technique.

More precisely, he was training in *physical* Body Flicker.

The technique was simple in theory: mastering taijutsu to move rapidly, without seals or chakra, relying purely on physical speed—essentially, running.

Ninjas, however, ran at such incredible speeds that to those with ordinary or lesser abilities, they seemed to vanish.

So, in essence, Body Flicker = a ninja's full-speed sprint.

The ordinary Substitution Jutsu was also based on this principle.

This was why Chiyo hadn't taught Hattori the Substitution or Body Flicker Techniques earlier. To her, mastering these basic skills was good enough, but relying on them for success was unrealistic.

It's like most parents wanting their children to study hard for a stable job, rather than pursuing a risky career in esports, hoping for championship prize money.

Initially, Hattori thought the same, but the progress in his evasion training gave him a wild idea—what if it actually worked?

With that hope, he practiced Body Flicker for the entire afternoon until he was drenched in sweat.

He didn't give up, though. He kept practicing until exhaustion finally triggered a new skill notification:

**[Body Flicker Technique: Temporarily increases movement speed at the cost of stamina. Prolonged use deducts HP. Note: This skill requires all four limbs to be intact.]**

"..."

Darn it, what a useless skill. Ruined my afternoon!

Reading the skill description made Hattori feel like cursing aloud.

But before he could, three new notifications appeared before him:

**[Conditions met for generating a specific secret technique. Unlocked E-rank Taijutsu Secret Technique: Thousand Years of Death!]**

**[Secret Technique: Thousand Years of Death—Evade an opponent's attack, use Body Flicker to move behind them, and jab your fingers at their weakest chakra point.]**

**[Note: Feel the pain of a thousand years of death!]**

Hattori: "(Д*)"

What on earth? How did I unlock such an embarrassing move? Do they think I'm like that prankster Kakashi?

What a joke!

I'd rather die than use such a ridiculous skill!

Feeling insulted, Hattori wiped the sweat from his face and stormed off toward Karura's house, intent on finding some dinner.

He had no choice; last month's paycheck had been spent on explosive tags, and this month's pay hadn't been issued yet. Without a place to score a meal, he'd have to resort to ration pills.

Avoiding that unappetizing fate made finding a meal his top priority.

Soon, he reached the street where Karura's house stood.

There were still quite a few villagers around, and they greeted him warmly as he passed.

"Lord Hattori, you're here! It's been a while since we last saw you!"

"Yeah, we've all missed you! Has the hospital kept you busy?"

"Lord Hattori, the compensation you secured for us has been distributed. Thank you so much!"

"Lord Hattori…"

With so many greetings, Hattori could only respond with a sheepish smile.

"Haha, I've missed everyone too. I've just been really busy. I haven't even eaten yet, so I'm heading to my sister's for a meal. Let's chat another time, goodbye!"

Hearing this, the villagers looked touched.

"Lord Hattori, you work so hard. Please take care of yourself!"

"I've got dinner ready—Lord Hattori, would you like to join us?"

"We've got food, too…"

Hattori struggled to politely decline their offers before finally making it to Karura's house.

"Karura-nee, open up! I'm back!"

He called out as he knocked on the door.

The door soon opened, revealing Rasa's expressionless face.

Seeing him, Hattori looked surprised.

"Old Rasa, what are you doing here?"

"…"

Rasa's face twitched before he replied with four words.

"This is my house."

Hattori: "(ω`)"

*(End of Chapter)*