"You're saying… you want to guide my training?"
Ryuma raised his eyes in surprise after hearing Guy's words. He hadn't expected this at all.
As mentioned before, in this world, every village and clan placed immense value on their secret techniques, including ninjutsu, to the point where they were rarely, if ever, passed on to outsiders.
The only exception to this was the bond between teacher and student—one of the few relationships that could break through that boundary.
In the shinobi world, the bond between mentor and disciple often rivaled even blood ties.
Like Naruto and Jiraiya, Guy and Lee, or Asuma and Shikamaru. Their bonds weren't forged by blood, but were no less deep than family.
Adult shinobi often viewed their students as the ones to inherit their ninja way.
"Why? If this is because you pity me for what happened earlier, then don't bother. I don't need anyone's pity."
As one of the strongest taijutsu users in the shinobi world—perhaps the strongest—it would be a lie for Ryuma to say he wasn't tempted by Guy's offer.
There's a reason the saying goes.
"A great teacher produces outstanding disciples."
It holds true across all ages and disciplines.
The Second Hokage taught the Third. The Third taught the Fourth.
These renowned and powerful shinobi not only passed on formidable jutsu but also the invaluable experience that helped their students avoid many detours.
So, as someone who intended to build his foundation upon taijutsu, Ryuma naturally longed for Guy's guidance.
However, growing up in such a harsh environment had made Ryuma develop a conflicted personality. His pride wouldn't allow him to easily accept such kindness.
Moreover, he firmly believed that even without Guy, he could still stand at the peak of the shinobi world.
In the brief moment that had passed, Guy had no way of knowing the whirlwind of thoughts racing through Ryuma's mind.
Looking at the boy standing tall and proud in front of him, Guy smiled, his expression gentle.
"Your experience was only part of the reason I made my decision. More importantly, I understand how you feel. Don't doubt it—because once, I was just like you."
Seeing Ryuma about to speak, Guy immediately interrupted and firmly gripped his hand.
"Hard work will never betray you."
Wearing a ragged, tattered yukata, with a youthful body already covered in scars.
In the eyes of ordinary people, Ryuma must have looked like just another wild, ill-mannered kid.
But to Guy, what he saw was only admiration and recognition.
"Your birth only determines your present. It's your effort that will decide your future."
"Boiling blood, burning spirit, the passionate drive to never fall behind—this is the first chapter of youth!"
"Young man, no matter what, please let me guide you… to become an outstanding shinobi!"
Each sentence was louder than the last.
Each wave was more forceful than the one before.
Guy's arm was already bulging with veins from the force he was exerting, but his mind had long since moved beyond that.
Despite their vastly different personalities, from the moment he first saw Ryuma, Guy felt they were the same type of person.
The only difference between them was that Ryuma had yet to find a guide along his path of growth.
Guy's own guide had been his father.
Now, he would inherit his father's will and become that guiding light for this young boy—helping him grow
And in time, this young boy would protect the village, and one day, pass on this same will of youth, ensuring it never fades.
Father… my youth has finally come to this.
'Ryuma, is this guy… mentally sound?'
The mongoose peeked down from the bird's nest, trembling as it looked at the intensity burning in Guy's eyes.
Ryuma stayed silent for a long while, as if he'd been convinced, then asked Guy.
"What can you teach me?"
"So you've agreed?"
Guy, Konoha's strongest taijutsu user, lit up with joy. Ironically, he looked far happier than Ryuma—who should've been the one more excited.
"Sorry, I just got too excited."
After a moment, Guy calmed himself, coughed awkwardly, and said, "Before we begin training, let's introduce ourselves.
I'm Might Guy, a Jonin of Konoha. My hobbies include playing baseball and sprinting side to side repeatedly. Your turn, young man!"
Baseball?
Does Konoha even have baseball?
Casting a doubtful glance at Guy, Ryuma responded, "You can call me Ryuma."
"Ryuma, huh? That's a good name. Anything else?"
"That's all."
"That's all? Impossible. What are your hobbies?"
"I don't have any."
Ryuma didn't elaborate—he simply shook his head calmly.
"…" Guy fell silent.
He thought to himself, Guiding this boy through the springtime of youth… what a long road this will be.
"But! The more difficult it is, the more it's worth doing—because that's what youth is all about!"
"Not having any hobbies isn't a problem. We can develop those together in time."
"Alright, back to the main point." Seeing Ryuma's expression again, Guy coughed awkwardly.
"Since you're already considering weighted training gear, I assume basic physical training is no longer a challenge for you."
"But to be safe, I still need to test you. Weighted gear isn't something you can just wear on a whim. Alright, Ryuma, give me a punch!"
Ryuma blinked in surprise. "Punch you? Where?"
"Anywhere's fine—it's just a test. Listen, Ryuma, don't hold back. Hit me with everything you've got!"
Guy closed his eyes, raised a thumb confidently, and added, "You know, even a genius ninja like Kakashi lost to me fifty times."
Bam!
Just as the words left his mouth, Ryuma had already landed a full-force punch into Guy's stomach.
He had intended to hit Guy in the face—but unfortunately, he wasn't tall enough yet.
There was no gravity manipulation, just a plain, straightforward punch.
But after taking that punch, Guy's tightly shut eyes flew open—his eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets.
He never imagined that someone not even six years old could deliver such a powerful blow.
Guy secretly evaluated the hit—he was sure that any ordinary genin, or even a mid-level Chunin without a taijutsu specialty, would have been knocked out cold.
So young, yet already with a body trained to this extent… Could I have stumbled upon a genius?
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. What teacher wouldn't want their student to surpass them?
At less than six years old, Ryuma already possessed physical strength equal to—or better than—many genin, and even some Chunin who didn't focus on taijutsu.
There was no doubt, Ryuma had the talent to inherit all of Guy's taijutsu.
"You okay?"
"N-no… no problem. Have you forgotten? Your teacher is the man who beat genius ninja Kakashi fifty times."
Guy extended his right hand, showing he was perfectly fine.
Watching Guy standing stiffly, clutching his stomach with one hand, and trembling at the knees… Ryuma couldn't help feeling a little better.
That punch of his had been far from innocent—it was timed just right to catch Guy completely off guard.
It wouldn't injure him, of course—but it definitely hurt.
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