Two and a half years later, at Konoha's Training Ground 4.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The rapid, heavy sounds of fists and feet colliding rang out in a dense barrage. In the center of the field, two silhouettes clashed, separated, and violently collided again at blinding speeds. Their movements were clean and decisive, the shockwaves of their attacks kicking up fine dust from the ground.
One figure was dark-skinned, sturdy, and launched fiercely aggressive attacks. It was Takashi Ishizuka. The other figure was lean, composed, and countered with rigorous, methodical precision. Naturally, it was Shinichi Higashino.
"This kid's physical constitution really is something else."
Standing on the sidelines, a short, stocky, middle-aged man wearing round sunglasses and exuding a slightly comical aura stroked his chin, musing to himself.
He was Master Chen, the man hailed as Konoha's strongest Taijutsu shinobi, known by the moniker "Dragon God of the Leaf."
On the field, Takashi's offensive grew increasingly ferocious. He seemed intent on overwhelming his opponent with sheer power. However, Shinichi's responses remained perfectly methodical, his defense entirely watertight. The occasional counterattacks he launched through the microscopic openings in Takashi's guard were precise and brutally effective, forcing the sturdy boy to constantly pull back and defend.
"Hmm... it's about time to wrap this up. The kid is about to get serious." Master Chen keenly detected a subtle shift in Shinichi's breathing and rhythm.
Sure enough, the very next second...
The instant Shinichi parried one of Takashi's heavy punches, his footwork shifted in a bizarre, fluid slide. He slipped perfectly into Takashi's centerline, which was momentarily stiff from the exertion of his attack. Shinichi shifted his right hand from a palm strike into a rigid spear-hand, tapping a specific spot between Takashi's chest and abdomen with lightning speed.
Takashi let out a muffled grunt. He felt the air completely knocked out of him, the power he had gathered instantly collapsing, and his footing faltering.
Shinichi didn't miss the opening. He seamlessly followed up with a clean, simple leg sweep.
Thud!
Takashi's sturdy frame lost its balance completely, and he crashed flat onto his back, sending up a cloud of dust.
"Cough... haha!" Lying in the dirt, Takashi gasped for air a few times before bursting into laughter. There wasn't a trace of frustration in his voice. "You're still as strong as ever, Shinichi! I thought that last move would at least force you to back off!"
A smile surfaced on Shinichi's face, his breathing completely steady. He took a step forward and offered a hand to the boy on the ground.
"You've improved a lot, Takashi."
Takashi grinned, grabbed Shinichi's hand, and hoisted himself up. He vigorously patted the dirt off his clothes, the fighting spirit in his eyes entirely undiminished. "Next time! Let's go again in a few days after school starts..."
"I might not... have the time, Takashi," Shinichi replied, gently shaking his head.
"No time?" Takashi paused, not quite processing the words.
"You planning on applying for early graduation, kid?"
A slightly raspy yet incredibly resonant voice interrupted them. Master Chen had unknowingly walked a few steps closer. He stood with his arms crossed, his gaze—hidden behind his sunglasses—locked onto Shinichi.
Shinichi turned to Master Chen and bowed respectfully. "Yes, Master Chen. That is exactly what I intend to do."
His close association with Takashi over the past few years had indeed yielded the exact results Shinichi had anticipated.
About a year and a half ago, while sparring with Takashi on this very training ground, Master Chen happened to pass by and caught sight of them.
Since then, Konoha's Taijutsu master seemed to have taken an interest in him. He would occasionally watch from the sidelines and offer seemingly casual critiques, pointing out microscopic flaws in Shinichi's kinetic linking or footwork.
Gradually, the frequency of these pointers increased, and the depth of the instruction grew. He had even taught Shinichi several specific Taijutsu techniques.
Although Master Chen had never explicitly uttered the words "I accept you as my disciple," the level of instruction he provided had long surpassed the bounds of a senior simply offering advice to a junior.
Shinichi understood this perfectly. He always treated Master Chen with the utmost respect of a formal disciple, his attitude deeply reverent and sincere.
"Makes sense." Master Chen nodded. His tone was flat, but it carried the absolute certainty of an experienced veteran. "Given your current level, staying in the Academy won't teach you anything new. In fact, it might even restrict your growth. Getting out there early, experiencing real missions, and honing yourself in actual combat will do you much more good."
"Wait, Shinichi, you're graduating early?!" The realization finally hit Takashi. His eyes lit up, hot blood rushing to his head. "Then I want to graduate too! We can go together..."
"Graduate early, my ass!" Master Chen ruthlessly cut him off. He stepped forward and delivered a solid, echoing smack to the back of Takashi's head. "Your training is nowhere near complete, and you're already dreaming of graduating?!"
"Ouch!" Takashi yelped, clutching his head and complaining defensively. "But... what about Might Guy from the other class? He graduated early a whole year ago! And back then, his Taijutsu... I don't think he was even as good as me!"
"At least Might Guy knows how to use Ninjutsu! Do you?!" Master Chen glared at him in exasperation. "The graduation exam mandatorily tests the application of basic Ninjutsu, specifically the Clone, Transformation, and Substitution jutsu! You can't even produce a basic Clone, so what exactly are you going to test on? Are you just going to go up there and flex your muscles?"
Master Chen's words hit the nail on the head. While Might Guy specialized in Taijutsu, he wasn't completely incapable of using Ninjutsu.
Takashi's situation was much more severe. Just like Guy's father, Might Duy, and the future hard-working genius Rock Lee, Takashi suffered from an innate congenital defect regarding shape and nature transformation. He was practically incapable of casting any conventional Ninjutsu.
The only reason Takashi eventually managed to become a shinobi was likely because Konoha's higher-ups made a special exception based entirely on the reputation and personal guarantee of Master Chen, the Dragon God of the Leaf. But that was a matter for the future.
"Huh? Then... then does that mean I can never graduate?!" Hearing his master ruthlessly point out reality, Takashi looked as if he had been struck by lightning. His earlier excitement was instantly extinguished, leaving him feeling as though his future had gone pitch black.
"We'll figure something out when the time comes!" Master Chen rolled his eyes. "For now, just kill the thought of graduating early! Keep your head down, solidify your foundations, and build a stronger body!"
"Master Chen is right, Takashi," Shinichi chimed in to comfort him, his tone sincere. "The absolute foundation of a Taijutsu specialist is their physical constitution. You are currently in the golden age for physical development and laying your groundwork. Spend this time making your body tougher. That way, even if Taijutsu is all you have, you'll be able to handle far more situations and environments once you become a shinobi."
"...Understood."
"Listen up, kid." Master Chen turned his attention back to Shinichi, his tone adopting a rare, profound seriousness. "I know you're an absolute genius. Your strength is top-tier. Even if you graduate right now, you'll definitely be among the absolute elite of the Genin and Chunin ranks."
He paused, his voice dropping lower. "However, you must remember this. In the shinobi profession, raw strength and talent are far from enough. Missions are unpredictable, and enemies are incredibly cunning. Underestimating your opponent and becoming complacent are the fastest shortcuts to the grave. The outside world is thousands of times more brutal than any Academy classroom or training ground. You must remain vigilant at all times. Never look down on an opponent, and never overestimate your own luck. Do you understand?"
Shinichi's expression turned solemn. Meeting Master Chen's gaze, he nodded deeply. "I understand, Master Chen. Thank you for your guidance. I will etch it into my heart."
"Hmph." Seeing his proper attitude, Master Chen's expression softened slightly. He nodded, pondered for a moment, and seemingly came to a decision. "Just focus on surviving. When the day comes that you get promoted to Chunin... I'll teach you a new Taijutsu technique."
A new Taijutsu technique?
Shinichi's heart skipped a beat. Over the past year and a half studying under Master Chen, he had already mastered a massive arsenal of exquisite Konoha Strong Fist techniques.
Is it the Leaf Dragon God?
He suppressed the surge of excitement in his chest and bowed respectfully once more. "Yes, I understand, Master Chen. I will continue to work hard."
Master Chen didn't say anything more. He simply waved a hand dismissively, signaling that they could continue their training or disband. Then, he turned and ambled casually out of the training ground.