Chapter 43: Konoha's Blue Beast
The summer heat blazed, cicadas chirping nonstop.
"Ah~" Naruto yawned sleepily, squatting in a tree.
Kakashi had promised to give him special training, yet the sun was already high in the sky and he still hadn't shown up. Just as Naruto was considering ditching, Kakashi finally strolled over.
"Yo, Naruto." Kakashi tilted his head back, smiling up at Naruto with not the slightest trace of guilt for being late.
"You brought your forehead protector, right?"
"Yeah."
"Good. A forehead protector is a shinobi's life." Kakashi smiled as he explained, "Especially during missions, a ninja only removes it in death. That's why normally, we don't take it off on our own—it's bad luck."
"Um, Kakashi-sensei."
"What is it?"
"About the Chūnin Exams… did the Hokage agree?" Naruto asked hesitantly.
"He agreed."
"Really?"
"Of course." Kakashi's eye curved into a cheerful squint. "Why else would I be giving you special training?"
"You only just became a Genin, so you'll need some extra guidance from a Jōnin if you're going to face the Chūnin Exams. Sakura and Sasuke have already finished their training. You're the last one left."
"Alright!"
"Don't celebrate too soon, Naruto." Kakashi glanced at him with one eye, warning, "Training is tough work."
"It's fine, Kakashi-sensei, I can handle it!" Naruto said excitedly. "Let's start right away!"
Truthfully, he didn't want to train at all.
But considering how much trouble he had stirred up recently—enough to even draw Root operatives—Naruto had decided to rein himself in a little.
"Good, then go report to Guy-sensei." Kakashi coughed lightly as he spoke.
"What!!!"
Naruto froze. Training with Might Guy? Seriously? Outsourcing, really?
"Ahem. The only thing you're really lacking is taijutsu," Kakashi said, scratching his head with fake seriousness. "Sakura also did her training with the medical team."
"Huh?"
Naruto clutched his head, staring blankly like a confused Psyduck. He didn't believe a word of it.
"Well, I'm busy, you know that."
Naruto: "...."
Watching him leave, Kakashi stuffed both hands into his pockets and stood silently. In his mind, the image of the aging Third Hokage appeared, standing by the window with his pipe in hand.
"The purpose of a jinchūriki is to protect the village, Kakashi. Naruto's power being too strong is not necessarily a good thing."
"And one more thing—Jiraiya has returned to the village. After this training, hand Naruto over to him."
The decision had already been made. Kakashi had no room to object.
Standing in the sunlight a while longer, Konoha's Copy Ninja eventually turned and walked away.
....
"Yo-ho! Konoha's Blue Beast reporting!"
"Burn! Youth!~"
Two green, bowl-cut shinobi—one big, one small—leapt across each other, spinning mid-air into a Leaf Whirlwind, delivering an overly passionate entrance performance!
Naruto was dumbfounded. Hyūga Neji stood expressionless. Tenten pressed a hand to her forehead, exasperated.
Guy had insisted Lee team up with him to put on a show for Naruto, which led to this headache-inducing scene.
Landing, Guy strode up to Naruto with his trademark sparkling grin.
"Well, Naruto? Handsome, wasn't it?"
"Super cool! Please, teach me taijutsu, Guy-sensei!"
"Ah! That's the spirit I like!" Guy crouched, laughing heartily, his teeth gleaming like a mirror.
Neji, unable to bear it any longer, turned and walked off. He always trained alone, with only the occasional guidance from Guy.
Tenten smiled faintly at Naruto, waved, and also left—introductions were done, nothing else to do.
"Alright!" Guy bellowed with energy, looking at Naruto and Lee. "Run five hundred laps around the village! If you can't, then five hundred one-finger push-ups!"
Naruto could only agree with tears in his eyes.
"Wait! Naruto, do you know the true secret to growing strong in taijutsu?" Guy suddenly asked.
Naruto froze for a moment. A test, now?
"Uh… hard work?" he guessed.
"No!"
Guy wagged his finger, then magically pulled a green, skin-tight jumpsuit from his chest pocket.
What the hell!?
Staring at the glaringly green outfit, Naruto swallowed hard, tears brimming.
Fine, I'll wear it!
Pain and exhaustion weren't a problem, even mental trauma he could endure. For the sake of awesome taijutsu, he clenched his teeth.
To hell with it—surely this would trigger a system option!
And so…
After five hundred laps, Naruto collapsed like a Psyduck, eyes glazed, muttering random nonsense about Halloween.
"Naruto, how are you?" Guy leaned over, watching him froth at the mouth.
"Sensei!" Lee said fervently, "He must have awakened the power of youth!"
"You're absolutely right!"
Naruto feebly reached out, trying to call for help, but his half-curled hand and flipped thumb made it look like he was giving a thumbs-up.
Guy and Lee stiffened at once. Then their eyes welled with tears as they embraced, overwhelmed.
"Lee! Naruto is the true embodiment of youth!" Guy cried passionately. "So inspiring!"
"Sensei! I swear I'll surpass Naruto!"
"Good! Start now!" Guy roared, pointing ahead. "Walk five hundred laps around the village on your hands! If you fail, then three thousand push-ups!"
At sunset, one large and one small Blue Beast of Konoha walked away on their hands. Naruto lay flat on the ground, already thinking about what dishes he'd order later.
Then came the sound of approaching footsteps. Suddenly, Naruto sensed someone stop beside him. He opened his eyes.
The sky was already dim. That thick, golden hair was unmistakably familiar.
Ino, with a hairstyle like Deidara's, leaned down with a frown, as though hesitating. Naruto abruptly opened his eyes, startling her.
"Ah! The corpse moved!"
"Damn it! I'm not dead!" Naruto shouted angrily.
The sky burned crimson with clouds of fire, painting Konoha in a glowing red. Ino's face was flushed with that same scarlet light, her expression a little awkward.
"What are you even wearing?" she asked in disgust.
"Training outfit."
"That ugly green is revolting."
"…Just shut up." Naruto was speechless. Of course he knew it was tacky, but he'd gone this far and still—no system reaction!
Damn it!
Stupid system!
Ding!
A synthetic mechanical voice suddenly rang out, and Naruto's expression changed instantly.
Holy crap!
System daddy's here!?
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