The sun was beginning to rise over Konoha, casting a golden hue across the village. Naruko and Yuto walked through the forest, their footsteps light with anticipation. They had spent days searching for someone to train them, but they hadn't had any luck till now.
"I still don't get why we're looking for this 'Guy' person. Can't we just ask Grandpa to give us some training tips?" Naruko muttered, arms crossed behind her head as she strolled lazily beside Yuto.
"From what I've heard, the academy exams are mostly about your physical ability. And he's the best at taijutsu," Yuto replied, his eyes scanning the empty training ground number 14 before moving toward the next one. "If we want to achieve our goals, then we need to stand out. We have to ace these tests to show everyone what we're made of."
Naruko groaned, kicking a stray stone along the dirt path. "Yeah, yeah. I just hope he's not some boring old man."
As they rounded a corner toward another training ground, they stopped dead in their tracks. Before them stood something bizarre—no, something extraordinary. A man with thick, bushy eyebrows and an impossibly wide smile was doing one-handed push-ups in a dazzling green spandex suit that clung tightly to his muscular frame. Even more shocking, he balanced a giant boulder—at least five times bigger than himself—between his legs, barely breaking a sweat.
"Is… that him?" Naruko asked, her tone more incredulous than curious.
"That's definitely him," Yuto said with a small grin. "Might Guy. The Green Beast of Konoha. The taijutsu master."
Before Naruko could say another word, the man leaped up, landing gracefully in front of them. His teeth sparkled blindingly in the morning light, and the massive boulder thudded behind him, sending a light tremor through the ground.
"Ah! I see the flames of youth burn brightly in both of you!" Guy exclaimed, voice booming with enthusiasm. "What brings two young kids to my training grounds so early in the morning? Are you both lost?"
Naruko blinked in confusion. "Uh, we're here because we need a teacher to train us for the academy exams that will happen in two years. We want to train right away so we can ace it and show everyone what we can do."
Yuto nodded firmly. "We've come to ask if you'll train us—at least for a while."
Guy's eyes narrowed—not in suspicion, but in deep, burning thought. "Hmmm… I see the power of youth in your eyes. However, to train under me, you need more than just youth! You need the heart of a true shinobi—one that burns with the desire to protect, to grow, and to never give up!"
Naruko groaned quietly, muttering under her breath, "Does every ninja in this village have a speech prepared for every little thing? First Grandpa, now this man."
Ignoring her remark, Guy continued passionately, pointing dramatically toward the sky. "But! To train under me, you must take a test! A test of willpower, endurance, and most importantly—the strength of your youth!"
"A test?" Yuto asked, curiosity piqued.
Guy flashed a dazzling thumbs-up. "Indeed! A test of your resolve to never give up, no matter how difficult the challenge! Only those who can withstand the trials of youth can train with me!"
Naruko frowned, scratching her head. "What kind of test are we talking about here that'll measure our… youth?"
Guy gestured toward a large mountain in the distance, its steep cliffs rising ominously toward the clouds. "You must make it to the top of that mountain! It's a steep climb, one that will challenge your stamina and resolve. If you make it to the top without giving up, I will train you! And don't worry about falling—I'll catch you!"
Naruko's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! That's insane!"
Yuto, however, was already steeling himself. "Alright. We'll do it."
Naruko spun toward him. "Are you crazy? That thing's huge! There's no way—"
Guy's voice suddenly thundered over hers. "Ah, but that is the essence of youth! To tackle challenges that seem impossible, to push beyond your limits, and to emerge stronger than ever before! Now go! Show me your resolve!"
With that, Guy vanished in a blur of speed, leaving Naruko and Yuto at the foot of the mountain.
Naruko sighed heavily, shaking her head. "This guy is totally nuts."
"Yeah, but he's right," Yuto said, determination burning in his voice as he stepped toward the mountain.
Naruko groaned again but followed him. "You're really dragging me into this, huh?"
The climb was far more grueling than either had expected. The rough, uneven terrain scraped their hands and knees as they climbed. Sweat dripped down their faces, and every few minutes, they had to stop just to catch their breath.
"I hate this," Naruko muttered, pulling herself up another jagged rock.
"Just keep going," Yuto encouraged, though his voice trembled with fatigue. His arms ached, his legs felt like lead, but he refused to stop. 'No matter what, I have to keep moving. I won't give up halfway.'
Hours passed, the sun climbing higher, its heat relentless. Naruko's breathing grew ragged, and several times she thought about quitting. But every time her gaze fell on Yuto, who was still climbing, still pushing forward despite the exhaustion, something within her sparked.
'I can't… let him get ahead of me. I'll stand by his side… always,' she thought, teeth gritted as she forced herself onward.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the top. The two collapsed side by side, gasping for air, their clothes torn and covered in dirt.
"We… we did it," Yuto said between heavy breaths, a weak smile spreading across his face.
Naruko could only nod, too exhausted to speak.
Suddenly, a booming voice echoed from above them. "WELL DONE!"
They both looked up to see Guy standing proudly before them, arms crossed and a huge grin on his face. "You have passed the test! The fire of youth burns brightly within you both! You never gave up, even when faced with an impossible challenge. And that is the true mark of a shinobi!"
He extended a hand to each of them, pulling them to their feet with surprising gentleness. "Very well. I will train you. But be warned—my training is not for the faint of heart! You will face challenges even greater than this, but if you endure, you will emerge ready to take on the world!"
And with that, their training under Might Guy began.