Beyond Lives and Horizons

The next day, Zack noticed that some things inside the school were starting to change. The dynamics between the students were forming, and he was beginning to perceive more details about the relationships that were establishing.

Renji, for example, seemed to have a silent respect for Hiroshi. Although it wasn't an open and evident friendship, the two exchanged respectful glances during class. Hiroshi, while not very expressive, maintained a calm and serious demeanor, something that seemed to resonate with Renji, who was becoming increasingly close to him.

Yuki, on the other hand, was starting to get closer to Ayame. Although it was more of a one-sided conversation, with Yuki talking more than Ayame, there was still something there. Ayame seemed to be starting to trust Yuki, although the relationship was still marked by a certain distance.

Kaede, however, was still keeping herself apart. She didn't seem to have formed friendships yet, but Zack noticed that, at least, she now greeted him, albeit hesitantly and with an air of detachment. It was a small gesture, but it seemed significant, a sign that she was beginning to open up a little, if only timidly.

But what really caught Zack's attention that day was Kaiden. His gaze seemed fixed on Hiroshi from time to time, and it wasn't a look of respect or admiration. Zack realized that Kaiden hadn't yet dispelled the anger over what Hiroshi had done the day before. The way he stared at Hiroshi clearly showed that there was still a lingering resentment, something Kaiden was not ready to overcome easily. He seemed to maintain a defensive posture, as if waiting for an explanation or perhaps a way to resolve the tension that had arisen between them.

As the teacher continued to talk about the points of the meridians within the body for chakra passage, Zack attempted to concentrate. She was explaining the theory in detail, with diagrams and examples of how the flow of chakra could be controlled through the stimulation of these specific points. But, despite all the effort, Zack realized that his perception of internal chakra wasn't as efficient as he had hoped. He could feel something, a kind of subtle energy, but the connection didn't seem strong enough to achieve the results he desired.

"This is not going to be easy," Zack thought as his eyes wandered over the teacher's notes. He knew that if he wanted to improve his skill, he would need to invest more in his body. His talent for chakra seemed limited, so he would have to compensate for it with physical and mental effort. It was a more challenging strategy, but not impossible. Moreover, he couldn't rely solely on talent to become strong.

At the end of the class, Zack stopped by the library to read a bit. He looked for books on meditation techniques, chakra control, and physical exercises that could help increase his body awareness. When he found something that seemed interesting, he spent some time absorbing the content, taking notes for later application. Focusing on improving his own chakra perception was crucial, but he knew that the mind and body needed to work together.

As he headed home, the afternoon was beginning to fall. Zack knew he still had a lot to do. He prepared for his meditation time, sitting in a quiet corner of his house. He closed his eyes, trying to calm his mind. At first, it was difficult. Random thoughts invaded his mind, distracting him from his objective. But, as he had read in the library, the secret lay in constant practice. He persisted.

After a while, he began to notice a slight warmth in his hands and feet, as if the flow of energy was starting to align. It was a small progress, but for him, it was already a sign that something was changing.

When he finished the meditation, Zack got up with more focus and determination. He knew his body needed more training, so shortly after, he decided to do his standard daily run. He was already familiar with the route, knowing exactly what to expect, but today there was something different. When he finished, he felt that his time had improved slightly, something he couldn't easily achieve before. He realized that the advancement wasn't significant, but the simple fact that he had managed to break his own record, even if just a little, was a sign of progress. For him, any improvement was meaningful.

He remembered something he read in the library about the effect of small victories. It said that even imperceptible adjustments, when accumulated, can yield great results in the long term. This made him think that it wasn't just the physical effort that was bearing fruit, but also his mindset: focusing on small improvements, rather than always seeking big leaps, could be the key to becoming stronger.

With the feeling of achievement still fresh, Zack decided to return to the place where he had found Rock Lee the day before. He wanted to continue observing the young man, trying to learn more from him. Who knows, maybe today he would be able to understand even more about the type of training that Lee did and how that could help him improve as well.

When he arrived at the secluded clearing, Zack looked around, searching for the boy in the green headband. The area was quiet, but he didn't have to wait long. In just a few minutes, Lee appeared, again focused on his training. He was throwing strong and quick punches at the same tree trunk as before, seemingly as determined as the last time.

Zack approached cautiously, not wanting to interrupt the training, but also feeling that, if he had the chance, he could learn something new by observing Lee more closely.

"Today I will pay more attention to his posture," Zack thought, prepared to observe in more detail Lee's movements and control. He knew that something there could help him improve his own skills.

Zack watched Lee closely, attentive to every movement. The young man in the green headband continued to punch the tree trunk with strength and precision. There was no hesitation in his strikes, and the way he adjusted his posture, correcting himself with each punch, was a clear demonstration of dedication.

Seeing that, Zack felt a wave of motivation washing over him. Instead of remaining merely a spectator, he decided to start his own training alongside Lee, without interfering with his rhythm.

He moved a few meters away and began to perform a series of push-ups, trying to maintain a steady pace and perfect form. Although his muscles were already accustomed to the effort, Zack challenged himself to go beyond what his mind and body demanded. He was not only training physically but also his determination.

While doing the push-ups, Zack took every opportunity to observe Lee. He noted the detail in the way Lee seemed to channel his energy. Each blow he delivered seemed to have a greater purpose, an unwavering pursuit of perfection.

"He's going so deep into the training, trying to correct even the smallest of mistakes. This is impressive," Zack thought, feeling that he still had much to learn.

After finishing the push-ups, Zack took a break to rest, but instead of just standing still, he took the opportunity to look again at the tree trunk, now more damaged than the day before. Each punch from Lee left a mark, and at the same time, it seemed like he was carving something within himself with every impact. Zack then decided to do something more challenging.

He got up and approached a thicker trunk, not far from where Lee was training. It wasn't as resilient as the one Lee was using, but it seemed like a good start. Zack looked at the trunk for a moment and then prepared himself, starting to throw punches against it, trying to imitate a bit of the posture and technique that Lee demonstrated.

Still breathless but satisfied with the efforts he had made, he knew he was improving. The reading of the book "Basic Force Application" had given him a new perspective on how to channel the energy of his strikes. He had studied the explanations in detail about the correct use of the body, and the diagrams that showed how different body parts, like hips, legs, and shoulders, were fundamental to generating more impact with less effort.

With the theory in mind, Zack tried to apply the force with more control. Each punch felt more precise, and he felt he was on the right path. But, as he repeated the movement, an uncomfortable sensation began to arise within him. He couldn't clearly see if he was executing the strikes perfectly. His body was making the movements, but he didn't have the eye of an instructor to correct any potential flaws. He knew that as much as he had read about the application of the body and understood the principles of how to move efficiently, true execution was far beyond just reading and trying to imitate.

"I saw how to move the body. I saw the diagrams, the theory about energy transfer... but... in practice, it's different," Zack thought, looking at his fists, still feeling the impact on the wood.

He tried to adjust his posture, but something still felt wrong. He couldn't identify what it was. His punch wasn't as effective as it should be. No matter how hard he tried to remember what he read, his body didn't seem to respond the way it needed to.

Zack stopped for a moment, feeling a growing frustration. "I know what I should do, but I can't adjust it in the moment. I can't see my own mistakes."

He looked at Lee's movements, which, despite being simple, seemed unwavering and natural. Lee didn't seem to get lost in the details; he simply executed. Zack felt that although he knew what he needed to do, he still needed something more to truly internalize that knowledge.

"Not everything can be learned just through reading," Zack reflected with a sigh. "Practice is what will show me where I'm really going wrong. Even seeing the examples and understanding the theory, I'm still far from applying everything correctly."

Zack stepped back a bit and looked at the wooden trunk, now slightly marked. He knew that what was missing was the time of experience, a constant observation of his own movements, and the ability to adjust on the fly. There was no way to learn everything in a single day or in one book. Real practice was the only way to evolve, and this required more than just physical effort. It was necessary to understand the sensation of the body at the moment of movement, and Zack knew that to reach that level, he would have to dedicate himself much more, correcting not only what he saw but feeling every mistake and adjustment as part of his training.

With one last glance at Lee, who continued with his unwavering discipline, Zack felt that despite his frustration, he had taken another step on the path of self-development. He still didn't have the answers, but the pursuit of perfection would be a constant journey.

"I will continue, even if I don't know exactly where I'm going wrong. I will improve. I have no choice."

Zack resumed training next to Lee, now with a more moderate intensity. He knew that pushing too hard could compromise his form and create bad habits. Thus, he decided to take frequent breaks, using each interval to adjust his posture and try to feel his own body movements better.

As he executed the strikes, his mind drifted back to the figures from the book "Basic Force Application." He visualized the diagrams showing how to transfer energy from his feet to his fists, but for all his efforts to reproduce this, he still felt that precision was lacking. It was as though his body wasn't responding exactly as his mind imagined.

From time to time, Zack glanced at Lee. The young man was completely immersed in his own training, as if each movement was executed with the perfection of someone who had repeated it thousands of times. Zack didn't want to disturb him, but being next to someone with such discipline motivated him to keep going, even with the difficulties he faced.

Hours stretched on, and fatigue began to weigh down on him. Zack felt his muscles protesting, and sweat was dripping down his face. Even so, he persisted, making the movements at the pace he could maintain, adjusting small details whenever something felt amiss.

When the sun began to set, painting the sky in orange hues, Zack noticed that Lee had finally finished his training. He was wiping the sweat from his forehead with a towel but still held that determined look that seemed never to fade.

Zack took a deep breath, gathering courage to speak to him. He knew that having the chance to learn something directly from Lee could make a huge difference. Even though he felt hesitant, he sensed that he couldn't waste the opportunity to ask for guidance.

"Rock Lee," Zack started, his voice loaded with fatigue but also determination. "I've been training here alongside you... and as much as I try to apply what I know, I feel like there's something that I can't reach on my own. Could you... help me understand where I'm going wrong?"

Lee, who until then seemed focused only on his thoughts, turned to Zack with a warm smile. "Of course! Training alongside someone determined is always inspiring. Let's talk about what you're trying to achieve!"

Zack felt a wave of relief and excitement wash over him. He knew that with Lee's guidance, he could finally start filling in the gaps between what he knew in theory and what he needed to accomplish in practice.