Might Guy grinned. "What, you've heard of my name, haven't you?"
Rock Lee: "…No, I haven't!"
Might Guy immediately flopped to the ground.
"Then what was all that just now?!"
Rock Lee laughed heartily. "Although I don't know Teacher Guy's esteemed name, from your training just now, I could feel it—that burning fire of youth!"
Might Guy's face lit up with joy. "Oh! You really understand, don't you!"
"How about it, do you want to train with me?!"
Rock Lee's jaw dropped in shock.
"Me? Can I?"
"Of course! I acknowledge you!"
Might Guy flashed a sparkling thumbs-up, his teeth gleaming.
Naruto, though a little put off by this pair of hot-blooded eccentrics, couldn't help but blurt out when he heard Might Guy acknowledge Rock Lee:
"Uh, uh… what about me?!"
Might Guy laughed. "You're Naruto, right? I also saw your training and your effort. Of course, I acknowledge you too!"
Naruto's face lit up with joy. "Right?! Ah ha ha!"
With that, Might Guy leaped lightly into the air—still walking on his hands. This time, he balanced on a single finger!
"Come on, Lee! Naruto! Keep up with my speed!"
Naruto and Rock Lee froze.
"He—he's really using only one finger?!"
"Is this guy a monster?!"
The two exchanged shocked glances, but neither wanted to admit defeat.
"We can't lose to just one finger, right?!"
"Let's go, Lee!"
"Oh, Naruto!"
The two reignited their spirits, bracing on both hands, furiously chasing after Might Guy as he sprinted.
Dust rose along the path circling Konoha, kicking up clouds that sent passersby into coughing fits.
"Seriously…"
"What lunatics…"
---
Under Might Guy's guidance, Naruto and Rock Lee completed thirty laps with barely any rest.
Naruto, secretly aiming to meet the system's requirement, even forced himself to take a few extra steps on his hands.
When he finally stopped, he collapsed in a heap, melting into the ground like mud.
Rock Lee also reached his limit. His face pale, he sprawled on his back, panting heavily.
[Congratulations to the Host for completing today's Taijutsu special training. Stamina +5. Current stamina has reached 90 points!]
Naruto's eyes widened.
Ninety points!
This was an achievement unlike anything he had ever reached before.
Just then, Might Guy beamed, his face full of approval.
"As expected of the men I acknowledge!"
"Hey, if you still have energy, do you want to learn a move from me? I'm not bragging, but my Taijutsu—the Taijutsu of the Blue Beast, Might Guy—is invincible in the ninja world!"
Naruto and Rock Lee's eyes lit up instantly.
"You… you're going to teach us Taijutsu?!"
"Re-really?!"
Although both of them were exhausted, the thought of learning a new move instantly revived their spirits.
After all, neither Naruto nor Rock Lee had ever received personalized special training. They weren't like Konohamaru, who had tutors from a young age. They didn't belong to any clans and had no family techniques.
Might Guy's acknowledgment felt like a gift from the heavens.
"Hahaha! Of course it's true!"
"But learning my Taijutsu isn't that simple!"
"Watch closely. This move is called… Leaf Whirlwind!"
Might Guy suddenly shifted into a stance. His green figure blurred, moving so fast the two could barely see.
Then—his legs spun like a whirlwind, striking with such force the enemy couldn't even tell where the real attack was coming from!
Boom—!
Might Guy's kick slammed into a massive tree. Bark exploded, wood chips flew, and the tree nearly toppled over.
"So powerful!"
Naruto and Rock Lee gaped in shock.
Might Guy laughed. "That was only one-third of my strength! If I'd used more, this tree would already be down. How about it, do you want to learn?!"
"Yes!" the two shouted in unison.
"Very good! Then let's begin!"
---
Although they had already trained the whole afternoon and dusk was falling, neither Naruto nor Rock Lee wanted to miss this chance.
They gritted their teeth, dragged their exhausted bodies upright, and threw themselves into Might Guy's training.
Leaf Whirlwind didn't look like a particularly fearsome move at first glance.
But in truth—in the original story, Rock Lee used this very technique to instantly defeat the so-called genius Uchiha Sasuke during their first encounter!
If Naruto and Rock Lee could master it now, it would be a powerful trump card.
Might Guy explained the intricacies of the move. Naruto and Rock Lee began practicing immediately.
This was when Naruto's foundation finally showed its worth.
The [Knowledge Absorption] ability activated, and his comprehension of the technique skyrocketed.
Combined with his newly boosted stamina of 90 points, his endurance outstripped nearly every Genin in Konoha—and even rivaled some Jonin.
So, in little more than half an hour, Naruto had basically grasped the move's essentials. Though his technique was still rough and nowhere near Might Guy's level, he had already captured the basics.
Rock Lee lagged slightly behind. His body, honed through tireless training, was ready, but his comprehension wasn't as sharp.
Yet Rock Lee was no ordinary boy.
He was a genius of hard work.
Even if he couldn't master it right away, he never stopped—practicing again and again.
By now, the moon had risen, silver light bathing Konoha. The village grew quiet.
Only Naruto and Rock Lee's training echoed in the night.
Might Guy nodded approvingly.
"Good, Lee. Good, Naruto! You're both excellent!"
"Although you haven't mastered the technique yet, you've already learned the method. From here on, it's up to you!"
"I'll be going now."
Naruto and Rock Lee exchanged glances, then bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Teacher Guy!"
"Hahaha, you're welcome! Remember this…"
"Youth must burn!"
The two clenched their fists. "Osu!"
Under the moonlight, Might Guy laughed heartily and left.
Naruto glanced at Rock Lee. "Lee, are you still going to keep training?"
Lee's eyes shone with determination. "Yes! Naruto, my comprehension can't compare to yours, so I can only work harder!"
Naruto felt a pang of guilt. Without the power of his entries, he might not be better than Lee at all.
He wanted to stay and train with him, but—
[It's dinner time. Healthy nutrition is essential for the Host's growth. Please eat on time!]
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly. "Well, I need to go eat dinner first. Tomorrow afternoon, let's meet again at the same time, same place!"
Rock Lee's smile blazed. "Oh! It's a deal!"
As Naruto's figure faded into the distance, Rock Lee felt no jealousy or inferiority.
On the contrary…