Chapter 166: Special Training
Training Ground 77.
"Teach them something new to patch up their weaknesses, huh?" Tonbo Tobitake rubbed his chin as he watched the three students training hard below.
Neji, Tenten, and Lee were all exceptionally gifted in their own ways. Using this training session to collect their genetic information and enrich his data library sounded like a fair trade. Neji had the Byakugan, so his genetic markers were bound to be unique; Tenten had an affinity for space-time and ninja tools; and as for Lee...
It was a win-win, even if Guy clearly had no intention of paying for the lesson.
In fact, Tonbo might even be able to trick Guy into letting him perform a full physical examination. Guy's genes were his ultimate prize—a true genius of Taijutsu. The reason Guy could survive such soul-crushing training was due to his naturally robust vitality.
"Exactly. I can only teach combat experience, Taijutsu, and shuriken techniques. There are some areas I simply can't cover, and I feel like I'm doing them a disservice," Guy admitted. He felt he was wasting their potential by not being able to develop their specific talents more comprehensively.
Tonbo replied, "No problem. It just so happens I've finished a new jutsu. I can use this as an experiment to see how much it helps in training."
"...You developed another new jutsu?" Guy's eyes widened in disbelief. Every so often, Tonbo would give him a surprise—no, it was more like a shock. Kakashi was a genius, but he had only developed the Chidori; Tonbo was constantly rewriting Guy's understanding of the world. He remembered their past spars where various Taijutsu and Ninjutsu would fly out of Tonbo as if they cost nothing to use.
Tonbo spread his hands. "Developing ninjutsu isn't that hard. Just like your Taijutsu, it just takes time to figure things out. Simple and easy."
"Anyway, have them get ready. Tell them to bring several changes of clothes. I'm going to teach them a few things and give them a physical check-up while I'm at it. I'm worried your teaching style might be putting too much strain on their bodies," Tonbo added.
"I hear what you're saying, but don't look down on me! I have secret medicinal tonics. There's no way I'd let their bodies take on too much of a burden," Guy said before leaping down to the field.
Whoosh!
Duh, I know you have secret medicines. I was just looking for an excuse! Tonbo chuckled to himself.
With training as intense as Guy's, there was no way they could survive without specialized tonics. Did people really think a Might Duy, a Might Guy, and a Rock Lee could be produced by talent alone? Geniuses aren't made that way. Beyond talent, Might Guy had researched specialized medicines to support the body.
In truth, any ninja with resources had medicinal components in their system, Tonbo included. His own Taijutsu training involved specific supplements to replenish essential elements. However, everyone's recipe was different. Due to his research into Phantasm-Taijutsu, Tonbo mostly focused on pure nutrition and regenerative elements.
Guy and his students had to consider more: nutrient replenishment, fatigue repair, and healing internal micro-traumas. They were frequent visitors to the Konoha Hospital for check-ups. But Tonbo still needed his "excuse" for the examination.
Hyah! Ha!
Thud! Thud!
Rock Lee was locked in a fierce struggle with a training post.
"Alright, my beloved students! Today's hot-blooded youth ends here!" Guy appeared, interrupting their session.
Lee blinked, confused. "But Guy-sensei, we've only been practicing for a little while. Are we going on a mission?" He preferred training over missions; it was the only way to get stronger.
Neji asked, "Is it because of Captain Tonbo? Does he have business with us?"
Tenten perked up. "You mean Captain Tonbo? The one who said girls can become Hokage too? Where is he?" She looked around eagerly. He was a celebrity in Konoha, on par with Kakashi the Copy Ninja. She really wanted an autograph. More importantly, his public recognition of female shinobi gave her the drive to surpass Lady Tsunade and become Konoha's first female Hokage.
"Hahaha! That's right! I've invited him here to teach you something new. This man is Konoha's ultimate all-around ninja," Guy explained.
"It's Tonbo-sensei? That's great!" Lee was even more excited. Ever since Tonbo had validated his dreams during their first meeting, Lee had been convinced that one could become an elite ninja even without ninjutsu. Meeting Guy-sensei only proved that Tonbo hadn't been lying.
"Aw, Lee, you're making me sad! Wahhh!" Guy burst into dramatic tears.
"Guy-sensei..."
"Lee..."
"So, what do we need to do?" Neji asked, ignoring the drama.
"Go home and prepare a few sets of clothes, then regroup. It's noon now; let's meet back here at 12:30," Guy said, checking the time.
"Yes, Guy-sensei!"
Zip! Zip!
They didn't have much time. Though they didn't understand what clothes had to do with training, they obeyed their teacher. Guy crossed his arms and shouted toward Tonbo's direction: "Tonbo, what kind of training is this exactly?" He realized he had forgotten to ask.
"Courage training, and a little 'bonus' for the youngsters," Tonbo called back. To collect information for his Contact Evolution, he had developed a specific training genjutsu—one that was now effortless for him to maintain.
"Courage training?" Guy was puzzled. They taught that at the Academy; was there really a need for more? How could a ninja not have courage? He had completely forgotten his own past predicament when he faced the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist and was so terrified his butt hit the dirt.
What kind of training could it be? Tenten wondered as she packed her things at home. It certainly wouldn't be Taijutsu; Guy-sensei covered that. It probably wasn't standard Genjutsu training either, because that wouldn't require extra clothes. So what is it? She looked at her wardrobe and decided to seal a large variety of outfits into a scroll. "Better safe than sorry."
I'm so looking forward to Tonbo-sensei's training! I heard Iruka-sensei was his student. If he could train such an excellent teacher, he'll definitely be able to teach us well, Lee thought, packing his spare jumpsuits. He was eager for the unknown.
That man... he's gotten stronger again. Neji Hyuga recalled the chakra he had just sensed; compared to two years ago, it had grown significantly. However, he didn't hold much hope for Tonbo's teaching. The Hyuga clan was the greatest in Konoha, with a perfect system of ninjutsu education and unique secret techniques. He figured another ninja could only help him with stamina, traps, or shuriken. Still, he followed orders.
Very soon, the three returned to the training ground. Guy and Tonbo were waiting, standing beside a giant eagle as large as a house.
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