Naruto froze in place, staring at the watermelon-headed man in front of him—Diao Che Wei, or rather, Rock Lee in the intensity of his training. The sheer ferocity of the young ninja's exercises made Naruto's face pale with fear. Every punch, every kick, every movement radiated a terrifying level of determination. He had never imagined that training could look so… hellish.
When the system had earlier informed him, "You just have to work a little harder than that," Naruto had felt as though the gates of hell had opened right before his eyes.
"W-what a joke!" Naruto muttered under his breath. "This guy… he's almost suicidal!"
The system's voice was firm and unwavering: "Please, Host, begin your Taijutsu training immediately. Train a little harder than Rock Lee. Warning: Lightning Release baptism countdown, 5…"
A million absurd images—alpacas, frogs, and even flying ramen bowls—flashed through Naruto's mind as he reluctantly pushed aside the bushes. Stepping out into the open, he greeted the man who seemed to pour every ounce of his being into training.
"H-Hello…" Naruto's voice trembled slightly.
Rock Lee paused mid-punch, a rare occurrence. His eyes immediately lit up with an intense, fiery light.
"Ah! Naruto!" he shouted.
Naruto didn't question how Rock Lee knew him. After all, it seemed everyone in Konoha had some awareness of him, whether he wanted it or not. He scratched his head and chuckled dryly.
"Ha ha… yep, it's me."
"What's your name?" Lee asked, fists still clenched, yet a spark of curiosity and excitement in his eyes.
"Naruto!"
"As expected…" Rock Lee's face broke into a wide smile, and he gave Naruto an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
"Naruto! I saw it!"
"What?" Naruto asked, bewildered.
"Of course! The handsome and heroic figure you display while working so hard!" Rock Lee said with fervor.
"A… handsome and heroic figure?" Naruto stammered, unsure whether to be embarrassed or proud.
"Yes!" Lee nodded vigorously. "Whether you're going to school or returning home, you train diligently. Weighted frog jumps, one-handed handstands—you're an example for all of us!"
Naruto's eyes widened, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Ha ha… oh, it's nothing. Just… a little thing."
But Rock Lee's intensity didn't fade. If anything, it grew.
"Ah! You say it's just a little thing, Naruto! But the training we do every day on our way to school is only the beginning. The real challenge starts now!"
"What do you say? Do you want to burn your youth with me? Do you want to push yourself to the limit?!"
Naruto swallowed hard. Do I have a choice? he thought. And yet, there was a spark of excitement within him too.
"…Oh, this is it. Exactly what I wanted."
"Lee, I will never lose to you!" Naruto said, determination flickering across his face.
Rock Lee laughed heartily. "That's the spirit!"
Naruto forced a dry, nervous laugh and stood beside Lee, trying to summon courage.
"So… what do we train first?" he asked.
Lee's fists clenched tightly. "It's simple!"
"Kick the wooden stake 3,000 times continuously!"
"Then strike it 4,000 more times with your hands!"
"Jump rope 3,000 times!"
"3,000 push-ups!"
"If you fail… walk around Konoha Village on your hands 30 times!"
Naruto's face crumpled, and tears threatened to spill. "No… you wouldn't actually make us do that, would you?!"
Lee's smile only grew wider. "Naruto! This is only the beginning! We both have dreams. We want to be admired, to prove our worth. These exercises? They mean nothing compared to the challenge ahead!"
Naruto's trembling fists clenched tightly. "They… they absolutely mean something… to my body, at least!"
Lee's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Then let's begin! Burn your youth with me!"
Without further words, Lee launched into his over-the-top training routine. Pat! Pat! Pat! Each kick struck the wooden stakes with explosive force, sending splinters flying. The air was filled with the sound of wood cracking and the rhythm of relentless motion.
Naruto watched for a moment, feeling despair and awe at the same time. Then, with a deep breath, he mustered his courage and kicked the first wooden stake. Bed! Bed! Bed! His kicks echoed, imperfect but determined.
The two young ninjas continued their brutal routine, counting out loud with fervor:
"1,263!"
"1,264!"
"1,265!"
For Rock Lee, it was the first time he had someone training with him, pushing alongside him. A mixture of pride and rivalry ignited within him, fueling his intensity even more.
Naruto, who had never endured such grueling physical training, found himself struggling with explosive power. Yet he had other advantages—endurance, vitality, and a remarkable recovery ability. Despite pain and exhaustion, he gritted his teeth and continued.
"2,110!"
"2,111!"
"2,112!"
"Come on, Naruto! Hope has appeared!" Lee shouted, his fiery energy infectious.
"…I don't believe you at all!" Naruto groaned, sweat pouring like a river down his face and soaking the ground beneath him.
"Kicking wooden stakes is only the beginning! Are you ready for what comes next?" Lee called out.
Naruto barely nodded, out of breath. He clenched his teeth, refusing to give in. His limbs screamed, yet he pressed on, kicking and striking the stakes with all his remaining strength.
"2,997!"
"2,998!"
"2,999…"
Naruto's tongue lolled out, and he panted like a dog. Every muscle in his body ached. But as Lee shouted, "3,000!", Naruto gave a final, desperate kick, shattering the stake with a resounding crack.
"N-N-Finally…" Naruto collapsed to the ground, sprawled out and completely exhausted.
Rock Lee also panted heavily, wiping sweat from his brow. "Naruto… this is only the beginning! Keep your spirits up!"
Naruto weakly waved a hand. "I… I can't… I need a break…"
Warning! Host has not yet completed the Taijutsu training target; Lightning Release baptism imminent. Countdown: 5…
"Huh?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"I've finished!" Lee shouted.
"Attention, Host: You are now required to train slightly more than Rock Lee. Currently, you have completed the same amount of training as him."
"…K-Kidding me!" Naruto muttered. "Are you seriously trying to kill me?!"
"Countdown 4…" the system warned.
Naruto groaned but forced himself to rise. His body trembled violently; the wooden stakes before him blurred from his exhaustion. Yet there was no other choice—he clenched his teeth and delivered one final strike.
"3,001!"
"…It's over…" he gasped, collapsing again.
Rock Lee blinked, slightly astonished. "Naruto… what are you doing?"
"I… I understand!" Naruto shouted, his fist punching the air, eyes blazing. "You can't dwell in the past! You have to surpass yourself! You have to set higher, stricter training goals! That's what it takes to grow stronger!"
Rock Lee's eyes gleamed with admiration and recognition. "Ah! Naruto! You're trying to motivate me through your own strength!"
Without wasting another moment, Lee bent his waist and launched into another series of powerful kicks, the wooden stakes shattering under his relentless assault. The summer sun beat down mercilessly on the two, but neither wavered. Their battle against fatigue, against their own limits, and against each other had only just begun.
The air was thick with determination, sweat, and the sound of wood breaking. Under the blazing sun, two young warriors pushed themselves beyond the imaginable limits of youth, learning that true strength came not only from skill, but from willpower, endurance, and the relentless pursuit of growth.
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