Might Duy had pushed Mizuki to his absolute limits with a relentless training regimen—fifty laps around the village, three hundred push-ups, three hundred squats, and three hundred pull-ups. Despite using Total Concentration Breathing to dull fatigue and loosen his muscles, Mizuki's body felt like it was on fire.
He collapsed to his knees, drenched in sweat, chest heaving.
Might Duy (grinning): "Good! Your endurance is even better than I expected! That means you're finally ready… for my final test!"
Too tired to speak, Mizuki simply followed as Duy led him to a massive boulder, nestled in the shade of the trees. The rock loomed twice his width and nearly as tall as a house.
Might Duy (striking a heroic pose): "Final Test! Break this boulder with your bare fists! No tools, no jutsu—just your chakra and your willpower!"
Mizuki stared at the stone, heart pounding. His knuckles trembled as he tightened his fists, flooding them with chakra. He struck.
Crack.
A shallow fracture spread, no wider than his hand. Skin split, blood welling at his knuckles.
Again.And again.
Each punch rattled his bones, sending jolts of pain up his arms. Sweat soaked his shirt, his small frame trembling under the strain. His breathing deepened into Total Concentration Breathing, lungs burning as he forced every ounce of strength into his fists.
Cracks spread like spiderwebs across the stone. His fists grew raw, his arms numb. Blood smeared the surface of the boulder, painting it with his effort.
At last, his legs wavered beneath him. He staggered, readying one final strike—
Might Duy (booming, thumbs up): "YOU HAVE PASSED!"
Mizuki blinked, dazed.
Mizuki: "Huh…?"
Might Duy (grinning wide): "You understood the purpose of this test, yet you kept going anyway! That's perseverance! That's guts! That's the FIRE OF YOUTH! Mizuki—you are now officially my student!"
Tears welled up in Mizuki's eyes—not from pain, but from something deeper. Acceptance. Belonging.
Mizuki (softly): "Thank you… Uncle Duy."
Might Duy (pointing dramatically): "Now hurry to the hospital before your hands fall off!"
The medics winced when they saw the state of his hands, but with precise healing ninjutsu, the worst damage was repaired. As Mizuki left the hospital, he checked his wallet and groaned.
Mizuki (sighing): "Great… instant noodles until payday."
Back at his small apartment, he showered quickly, slapped together a plain cheeseburger, washed the dishes, and finally collapsed into bed. Exhaustion swallowed him whole.
Three Months Later
A pounding knock jolted Mizuki awake. Groaning, he dragged himself out of bed. Since training under Might Duy, his body had transformed. Two 100-kg leg weights clung to his ankles beneath his clothes—an insane burden, yet one his body had slowly adapted to.
When he opened the door, a familiar smirk greeted him.
Anko Mitarashi sat cross-legged on the railing, legs swinging, a dango skewer dangling from her lips. Her violet hair was tied back, mischief dancing in her eyes.
Anko (teasing): "Well, well, well… look who finally decided to wake up."
Mizuki (smirking): "Troublesome girl."
Anko (pouting): "Hey! You should be grateful—not every guy gets a gorgeous kunoichi as his personal alarm clock!"
Mizuki (grinning): "Alright, alright. I'll treat you to dango after class. Happy now?"
Anko hopped down, hugging him tightly, cheeks glowing with satisfaction.
Anko: "You promise! No backing out this time!"
Mizuki's face turned a shade redder, though he nodded.
Mizuki: "Yeah, yeah…"
He packed his bag, locked the door, and together they leapt across rooftops, their chakra-enhanced movements blending with the morning breeze.