Shigure's physical age was gradually approaching eight, and he was almost old enough to begin this grueling training.
Over the course of a month, Shigure's strength had increased slightly, but more notably, his endurance and physical resilience had grown significantly.
Back home, he estimated that if this continued, it wouldn't be long before this basic training would stop yielding results.
That would be the time to start weight resistance training.
In this world, ninja training equipment was highly advanced. The inconspicuous iron weights tied to Rock Lee's legs in the original story were deceptively heavy.
Still, when he thought about how Uchiha Sasuke had used lightning to stimulate his cells and caught up to Rock Lee's speed in just a month, Shigure couldn't help but feel a little envious.
It would be amazing if he could find a training method that suited him as well.
Snap!
Shaking off those distracting thoughts, Shigure took a short break, then jumped back into his workout.
At home, he trained with calm intensity—his so-called extreme training.
That meant pushing his body to the absolute limit, exhausting every drop of strength, and crossing into hellish territory beyond his known boundaries.
Thanks to this long-term regimen, his body was gradually developing noticeable muscle definition.
But that was only the first stage.
In the ninja world, having visible muscles didn't mean much—they were just basic physical traits, not a symbol of true power.
With continuous training, those muscles would eventually fade, reappear, and refine into something much more efficient and lethal.
That was when the body would be considered truly "formed."
By his calculations, given how early physical development occurred in this world, that stage would arrive somewhere between the ages of fourteen and sixteen.
The problem was—he had to survive until then.
In less than two years, the Second Great Ninja War would erupt. Shigure remembered it clearly.
Thanks to the past month of training, the raw force behind his strikes had increased to the point that he might even be able to break through weaker C-rank ninjutsu with brute force alone.
Of course, the same C-rank jutsu could differ drastically depending on whether it was cast by a Chuunin, a Jonin, or even someone like Uchiha Madara.
Ninjutsu was profound—but so were physical techniques and, perhaps more importantly, his own Kekkei Genkai.
If he pushed it to the extreme, maybe—just maybe—it could even tear space itself.
Sweat dripped endlessly onto the floor.
His arms were almost completely numb, and he could only hold on through sheer willpower.
He was pushing past his limits—again.
But Shigure's expression was resolute. He clenched his teeth and kept going, forcing himself to surpass his previous record by dozens of reps—
Until, finally, his body gave out and he collapsed, unable to rise.
His training regimen was brutal and relentless. But there was no other way.
If he didn't fight for it, how could he hope to survive the chaos of the Second Ninja War?
Someone like him—with no family, no roots in Konoha—would be the first to get sent on the most dangerous frontline missions the moment war broke out.
Kushina was different.
She had been chosen as the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Not only would she not go to war, she probably wouldn't even be allowed to leave the village, guarded day and night.
So no—he wasn't worried about Kushina's safety when the war came.
The only one he had to worry about... was himself.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of a key turning in the lock.
Shigure looked up in surprise. He tried to steady himself, but he had already hit his limit and couldn't recover in time.
The only person with a key to his house—the only one he trusted enough—was, of course, Kushina.
"You did this to yourself again, didn't you?"
Kushina stepped in with a lunchbox in hand, sighed helplessly at the state of him, and helped him up without a second thought, despite how drenched he was in sweat.
"I seriously don't get why you push yourself this hard…
Didn't you already awaken your Kekkei Genkai? Aren't you already super strong?"
She puffed her cheeks out, frowning at him in confusion.
Shigure paused, debating for a moment. But in the end, he didn't tell her about the war or the darkness to come.
Instead, he smiled and said, "There's still someone stronger than me, isn't there?"
"Namikaze Minato?" Kushina frowned. "But it's not exactly easy to surpass him."
"Exactly. That's why I have to train this hard."
Shigure smiled again.
Kushina pouted—but then she smiled too.
"I believe in you. You'll surpass him sooner or later."
"Yeah."
Shigure nodded, then scratched his head sheepishly. He looked at her and muttered, "Uh, by the way… mind if I borrow some money?"
"…Come again?"
Kushina blinked, caught off guard, but then replied, "Sure… What for?"
"Ah, nothing much—just wanted to buy some weighted training gear. My allowance's basically been cut."
As an orphan, Konoha provided him with financial aid, but since he was originally from another village, most of it had been slashed. What little he received barely covered meals.
He had no other option. All he could do was get stronger—slowly claw his way out of this miserable situation.
"Those bastards…"
Kushina's eyes flared with anger. But in the end, she only sighed, placed a firm hand on his shoulder, and said,
"Alright. I'll lend it to you."
"I might not be able to pay you back anytime soon, but once I become a Genin and take on a few missions, I'll—"
"If you're planning to pay me back, then I'm not lending it to you!"
"…Seriously?"
Shigure knew she'd say that. He sighed in defeat.
"Okay, okay… I'll make it up to you in another way someday."
"Uh-huh."
Kushina snorted, just a little smug, as she handed over the money and then headed out of his house.
Shigure stared at the dinner she'd left behind, eyes softening.
"Heh… If things keep going like this, I have this weird feeling that the original story's gonna go way off track.
But… I can't just ignore how Kushina feels either."
…
Walking through the streets of Konoha, Shigure took in the scenery, finally allowing himself to relax a little.
This place still felt surreal at times.
But he was here—in the world of Naruto. In the Hidden Leaf Village.
Even though he'd been here for a while now, his obsession with training had kept him from ever really noticing the hustle and bustle of Konoha's streets.
After wandering for a bit, Shigure eventually arrived at a Ninja Tool Shop.
Just as he was about to step inside—he froze.
He saw someone he recognized instantly.
Green spandex. Thick eyebrows…
Even though Rock Lee shouldn't be speaking yet—
Even if Guy had been born, he'd still be just a child, right?
So there was no mistaking it.
The man standing before him, also buying weighted gear—
Was none other than the eternal Genin of Konoha…
Might Duy!
Guy's father himself.