Yuya's body was now nearing the age of eight, which meant it was about time he could begin hell-level training.
Over the past month, his strength had increased again—but even more significant were the gains in his endurance and stamina.
Back home, Yuya figured it wouldn't be long before these basic exercises would stop having any effect on him.
At that point, it would be time to start weighted training.
In this world, weighted ninja gear was very advanced. The seemingly simple iron plates Lee wore on his legs in the original series weighed an absurd amount.
Still, when he thought about how Sasuke had used lightning chakra to stimulate his cells and caught up to Lee's speed in just a month, Yuya couldn't help feeling a bit envious.
If only he could find a training method that suited him.
Hah!
Shaking off the distractions, he rested briefly before diving back into his training.
At home, Yuya had no hesitation about pushing himself to the absolute limit.
This kind of extreme training was about squeezing out every ounce of strength, pushing beyond limits—it was hell mode, plain and simple!
Over time, his body had begun to develop noticeable muscle from the constant strain.
But that was only the first stage.
In the ninja world, muscles were nothing special—they didn't necessarily mean power.
As training continued, that muscle would start to vanish—Then reappear, this time refined and lean.
That would mark the point when his body was fully forged.
Given the early maturity of bodies in this world, Yuya estimated that would happen somewhere between the ages of fourteen and sixteen.
Of course, that was if he lived that long.
In less than two years, the Second Great Ninja War would break out. Yuya remembered that clearly.
Thanks to his training this past month, the power of his Shocking Release had improved as well.
He could probably now shatter weaker C-rank jutsu outright.
But of course, the same C-rank jutsu would vary greatly in power depending on whether it was cast by a chunin, a jonin, or someone like Uchiha Madara.
Ninjutsu was a vast and complex art. But then again, so was taijutsu—and so was Yuya's Shocking Release bloodline limit.
If developed to its peak, it might even shatter space itself one day!
Sweat dripped steadily onto the floor.
His arms had gone nearly stiff—he was running on pure willpower now.
He had already surpassed his previous limit.
But there was still a look of grit on his face. He clenched his teeth and pushed himself even further.
Only after passing his last limit by dozens of reps did he finally collapse, completely unable to move.
Yuya's training was brutally self-imposed.
He had no choice. If he didn't go all out, how could he hope to survive the coming war?
He had no clan, no status—he was an outsider.
Once war broke out, someone like him would absolutely be thrown onto the most dangerous front lines.
Kushina was different.
She was Konoha's next designated Nine-Tails jinchūriki.
No way she'd be sent to war. Once it began, she probably wouldn't even be allowed to leave the village—she'd be protected with everything the village had.
So Yuya wasn't worried about her.
The only person he needed to worry about… was himself.
Click—
Suddenly, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from the door.
Yuya looked over in mild surprise. He tried to sit up, but having just pushed past his limit, he hadn't recovered yet.
There was only one person who had a key to his place—and whom he trusted this much.
Kushina.
"You've gone and wrecked yourself again, huh."
Carrying a takeout dinner, Kushina stepped in, sighed when she saw the state he was in, and helped him up—completely ignoring the fact that he was drenched in sweat.
"I seriously don't get why you push yourself like this… You already awakened that Shocking Release bloodline, didn't you? You're strong now!"
Kushina puffed her cheeks, looking at him in total confusion.
Yuya paused, then smiled instead of explaining the dark reality of war.
"Because there are still people stronger than me."
"You mean Namikaze Minato?" she said, pouting. "But catching up to him won't be easy."
"Exactly. That's why I have to work so hard."
Yuya chuckled.
Kushina rolled her eyes—but eventually smiled too.
"I believe you'll surpass him one day."
"Yeah."
Yuya nodded. Then, scratching his head with a slightly sheepish look, he said:
"Uh… also, can I borrow a little money?"
"Huh?"
Kushina blinked, surprised. "Of course… What for?"
"Ah, nothing serious. Just need to buy some training tools... Heh, most of my stipend got deducted again."
As an orphan, Yuya did get financial aid in Konoha.
But since he was from another village, most of it was withheld—leaving just enough to barely scrape by on food.
Yuya couldn't do anything about that. His only path was to grow stronger and climb out of this mess himself.
"Those bastards..."
Kushina's eyes flared with anger. But in the end, she just sighed and patted Yuya on the shoulder.
"Alright, I'll lend it to you."
"Thanks. I probably won't be able to pay it back anytime soon, but once I become a genin, I'll just take on some missions and earn it back."
Yuya smiled gratefully.
But Kushina just scowled. "If you're going to repay me, then forget it—I'm not lending it to you!"
"...Figures."
Yuya let out a helpless laugh. "Alright, alright… I'll make it up to you some other way, then."
"Hmph."
With a little tsundere huff, Kushina handed him the money, then headed home.
Yuya looked down at the dinner she'd left behind, and his gaze softened.
"Heh… At this rate, I feel like I'm really gonna rewrite the original story. But there's no way I can ignore how much Kushina cares..."
…
Walking through the streets of Konoha, Yuya took in the view and smiled.
It always felt a little unreal.
But this was real—he was here. In the world of Naruto, in the Hidden Leaf Village.
Even though he'd been in the village for a while, he'd been so focused on training and getting stronger that he'd never really paid attention to the streets themselves.
After wandering for a bit, Yuya finally arrived at a ninja tools shop.
Just as he was about to enter, he suddenly paused.
"...Huh?"
He spotted a very familiar figure.
A tight green jumpsuit. Thick eyebrows...
But at this point in time, Lee wouldn't have been born yet, and even if Guy had, he'd only be a little kid.
So there was no doubt—
The man buying weighted training gear in front of him was none other than—
The Eternal Genin of Konoha... Might Duy!
And yes—he was also the father of Might Guy!