Chapter 39: The Youth Guy
In the end, Naruto gave Hizashi 1000 grams of chakra metal as startup capital, along with something else—a manuscript for the ninja world version of 'Battle Through the Heavens'.
He wasn't sure what the royalty rates were like in this world, but if Jiraiya could make a fortune writing his adult novels, this should provide decent income too.
After handling the serious business, Naruto carefully instructed Hizashi to channel chakra into the Hiraishin mark he'd left on him if any emergency arose. With that said, his figure vanished with a sharp "swoosh."
Upon returning to Konoha, Naruto first transformed into an ordinary villager and bought several fox masks at the market—he'd already given one to Neji. Then he nonchalantly returned to his daily training routine.
A few days later, during his morning training, a boisterous shout suddenly cut through the air.
"Oh yeah! To better bloom with youth during Konoha's next crisis! Starting now—100 laps around Konoha! Then 100 handstand laps! Finally, 500 push-ups and 500 finger push-ups!"
Passersby turned to stare as if witnessing some exotic beast, some even bursting into laughter. But the green figure had long grown accustomed to such treatment, and his response to those looks had been decided long ago.
"Laugh if you want! But I won't stop!"
The self-proclaimed "Sublime Beast of Konoha—Crazy Guy" wasn't actually crazy—just an overly enthusiastic young man.
The signature bowl cut, thick bushy eyebrows, and blindingly bright green jumpsuit—that's right, Konoha's Sublime Beast Might Guy had finally returned to the village!
Thank goodness this guy was out on a mission when I made my big scene in Konoha... Naruto silently noted while subtly adjusting his training route to "coincidentally" move toward Guy's direction.
"Please wait! Senior who's dripping with the sweat of youth!"
A clear, childish voice suddenly called out from behind. Might Guy hit the brakes hard, kicking up a small whirlwind of dust. He spun around sharply, his thick eyebrows shooting up as his eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Oh oh? Could it be... has someone finally understood my way of youth...?"
However, when he saw who had called out, his enthusiastic words came to an abrupt halt. Though the voice had already told him the speaker was young, the sight of this knee-high, blonde-haired, blue-eyed little bean still left Guy momentarily speechless. A three-year-old with such a serious expression created an odd sense of dissonance.
"I can tell!" Little Naruto placed his hands on his hips, tilting his head back to declare loudly, "Senior, you must be one of Konoha's jounin! And—the really, really strong kind!"
Might Guy froze, but the next second, his expression burst into radiant brilliance. With a sharp "ding," his pearly white teeth reflected a dazzling beam of light—even the sun above seemed to be cooperating with his performance.
"That's right!!!" Guy responded at ear-splitting volume, raising his thumb, "I am Konoha's Sublime Beast—Might Guy!!"
His voice echoed through the street. "What do you need from me, Future of Konoha!"
"Since you're training in taijutsu, senior..." Naruto puffed out his small chest, "compete with me in running! I'm also working hard to become a strong ninja through taijutsu training!"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Might Guy's body suddenly froze like someone had hit the pause button, his thick eyebrows shooting skyward as suspicious moisture began gathering in his eyes.
"So... so magnificent!!!"
Accompanied by a deafening roar, Guy's tears burst forth like a broken dam. He suddenly crouched down, gripping Naruto's hands tightly in his own.
"To grasp the true meaning of youth at such a tender age!! I love your courage! Good! I accept your challenge!"
With that, Guy shot to his feet, scanning the surroundings like radar before locking onto a tree not far away. He extended his arm, pointing straight at the target with his index finger.
"Decided! We'll race to see who reaches that tree first! The loser has to do... 1 push-up!"
Naruto followed Guy's pointing direction—the tree was at most ten meters away from them. He blinked in surprise, then suddenly understood. Well I'll be damned, this thick-browed guy is actually quite thoughtful, isn't he?
Naruto gently shook his head, his young face showing a composure beyond his years, though his voice still carried that distinctive childish clarity.
"No, Guy-san—please allow me to address you as such. This is no child's play. What I desire is a pure taijutsu competition. My resolve has already transcended age."
Guy's form went rigid. He stared at this child who barely reached his waist, suddenly recognizing something different about the boy before him.
"I see..." Guy knelt on one knee again, bringing himself to eye level with Naruto, gently placing his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Those eyes... they actually contain such profound resolve?"
Guy's gaze burned with intensity. "Tell me, young child. What has burdened you with resolve that transcends your age?"
Naruto knew this was the crucial moment for building their bond. With Guy, the correct answer was clear.
"I want to become strong! To become a powerful ninja who can protect the people important to me!"
The air seemed to freeze in that moment. Guy's pupils dilated slightly, and then—
"This is youth!!!"
His earth-shaking roar split the sky, startling the birds from the treetops. Guy shot to his feet, throwing back his head with a long howl as tears streamed down his cheeks like flowing springs.
"I understand! From this moment on, you are an opponent recognized by me, Might Guy! Age? That's merely a number recording the passage of time!"
He assumed a starting position. "Come! Try to keep up with my pace!"
Before the words had finished leaving his mouth, Guy had already shot forward like an arrow from a bow. But Naruto immediately noticed that Guy was deliberately controlling his speed, maintaining a pace that was just barely manageable to follow.
The first step was successful.
A barely perceptible smile curved Naruto's lips as he took off with his small steps in pursuit.
***
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