Although Guy had agreed to train Naruto, in his heart he estimated that the boy's body would need at least a full week to recover. And even then, would Naruto truly be willing to continue?
Taijutsu training was grueling. Even seasoned shinobi often struggled to endure it, and Naruto was just a child. Guy suspected that, after a few days, the boy might lose interest or simply forget about the whole thing.
But the very next morning, while Guy was jogging his usual route, he spotted a familiar figure running clumsily ahead.
"...Naruto? You're already out of bed today?" Guy's eyes widened.
By his years of experience in physical training, Naruto should still be bedridden, muscles sore and body aching too badly to even walk properly.
"That's right, Uncle Guy! Didn't we agree yesterday that I'd keep training with you?" Naruto answered brightly, full of energy, his face lit up with hope.
Guy swallowed hard. "You really don't feel weak? No soreness, no fatigue?"
"Well, yesterday when I got home I did feel that way," Naruto admitted, scratching his cheek as if it were obvious. "But after a good night's sleep, I'm all better."
Guy fell silent. He trusted his own judgment, and he knew his instincts weren't wrong. For an ordinary child, one night was nowhere near enough to recover from that kind of exertion. Which could only mean one thing: Naruto's body wasn't ordinary.
A special constitution. A natural gift. A talent perfectly suited for taijutsu.
Guy gave a small nod. "Alright then. Run with me."
"Yeah! Let's go!" Naruto pumped his little fists, his excitement spilling over.
Guy set the pace ahead, watching carefully. The boy's breathing was steady, his steps sure.
This wasn't bravado, nor was Naruto forcing himself. His body really had recovered.
What a terrifying natural gift, Guy thought to himself. But talent alone isn't enough. Even a genius will falter if his will isn't strong. I'll have to watch closely before deciding how far he can go down this path.
The two of them continued as they had the day before, jogging quietly. Naruto felt that compared to yesterday, his body was almost weightless. The same pace that had once burned his lungs and filled his legs with lead now felt almost easy. The effects of pushing past his limits yesterday were already starting to show.
Guy, noticing, gradually picked up speed. Naruto kept up.
By the time they reached Hokage Rock, Naruto had again broken through his limits three times. When they finally stopped, Naruto collapsed against Guy's side, chest heaving, his blond hair damp with sweat.
Guy supported him, letting him rest. His stern face softened as he looked down at the boy sleeping peacefully against him.
Don't stop, Naruto. You're born for this path. Stick with it, and taijutsu will take you farther than you can imagine.
He reached out and ruffled Naruto's hair with a big, calloused hand. Who could resist patting the head of such a scruffy, golden-haired kid?
That day, instead of sending Naruto home immediately, Guy brought him to a yakiniku shop. After such extreme training, the body needed fuel meat, in particular, was essential. Training without replenishing energy wasn't strength, it was self-destruction.
This was basic knowledge for Guy. When he was young, no matter how poor his family had been, his father had always taken missions just to afford meat for him. That steady supply of nourishment, combined with discipline, had helped him grow into a taijutsu specialist far stronger than his father had ever been.
Scientific training and proper nutrition that was the real secret to lasting strength.
Naruto, of course, didn't know all that. All he knew was that Uncle Guy not only trained him but also treated him to grilled meat. To him, Guy was a great man, almost as kind as the old Third Hokage himself.
Almost.
Because in Naruto's heart, the Third Hokage was still his closest family.
Even though he had only met Guy twice, Naruto already held him in the same place of importance as the Hokage. That was how simple Naruto's heart was just a little genuine kindness was enough to leave a permanent mark.
That night, Naruto returned home, only to discover that his stock of instant noodles and milk was running out. Time to restock.
Dragging his tired legs, he grabbed his little frog-shaped wallet and headed downstairs to the neighborhood shop.
"Boss, I want to buy some noodles and milk," Naruto said politely.
The shopkeeper's face twisted with disgust the moment Naruto walked in. He stepped forward, shoved the boy hard, and barked, "Get out, you demon fox! I won't sell you anything. Just setting foot in my shop brings bad luck!"
Naruto, still weak from training, couldn't resist the push. He stumbled and hit the ground hard.
Coughing, he forced himself up, brushed off the dust from his clothes, and looked silently at the shopkeeper. Then, without a word, he turned and walked away.
That night, under the cover of darkness, a small shadow crept out of the building. Two stones clattered in his hand. With a sharp throw, both smashed into the store's only glass windows.
Crack! Shatter!
The little figure darted back upstairs, shut his door, and crawled into bed with a satisfied smirk.
Thoughts clear. Justice served. Time to sleep easy.
The next morning, after another run with Guy, Naruto returned home to find someone waiting inside.
"Grandpa Third!" Naruto cried happily.
The Third Hokage smiled kindly, puffing on his pipe. "Naruto, I came to deliver this month's allowance." He pointed at the envelope on the table, stuffed thick with bills.
Naruto frowned. "Money's useless. Nobody will sell me anything anyway."
The Hokage tapped his pipe, then gestured to the boxes stacked by the door milk and instant noodles. "That's why I brought what you needed myself."
Clearly, he already knew what had happened yesterday.
"Thank you, Grandpa Third!" Naruto scratched his head sheepishly, his grin wide and genuine.
"I've heard," the Hokage said gently, "that you've been training hard lately?" He motioned for Naruto to sit beside him.
"That's right! I've been training with Uncle Guy. He's a really good man, just like you, Grandpa. He takes me running and everything!" Naruto beamed, pride shining in his eyes.
The Hokage's chest tightened. Already, Guy's place in his heart is as important as mine?
"Oh? And why the sudden urge to train so hard?" the Hokage asked with curiosity.
"Because I want to be strong! One day, I'll be Hokage. I can't waste time." Naruto puffed out his chest, then scowled. "But it's all your fault, Grandpa, for making me wait two more years before I can enter the Academy!"
The Hokage chuckled. "That's not my fault, Naruto. That's the rule for everyone."
His tone grew serious. "Still, if you're training with Guy, keep at it. His strength is remarkable. To have him guiding you is a great blessing. But taijutsu training is harsh. Are you sure you can endure it?"
Naruto's blue eyes hardened with resolve. "Yes! I'll keep up with Uncle Guy no matter what."
The Hokage smiled, reached out, and patted his soft hair. Then he stood, pipe in hand. "Good. Keep working hard, Naruto. I'll be watching over you."
Naruto escorted him to the door, waving until his figure disappeared down the street, before finally closing it behind him.