Chapter 18: Guidance
"Is there a ninja like me... who only knows Taijutsu?"
The moment he stepped into the noodle stall, Rock Lee asked eagerly, his face filled with anxiety and hope.
After hearing too many negative opinions, he was desperate—desperate for someone who could prove that a ninja relying solely on physical prowess could still succeed. A role model who had walked the same path.
Ryosuke, calmly eating his bowl of noodles, answered without hesitation.
"Of course, no one only knows Taijutsu," he said. "But there is someone who became a Jonin primarily because of his mastery of it—Might Guy. He calls himself Konoha's Proud Blue Beast. His achievements in Taijutsu are exceptional."
Ryosuke paused to take a sip of the broth, then continued.
"When he was younger, he was just like you—mediocre in Ninjutsu and Genjutsu. But through relentless hard work, he rose to become a well-known Jonin. Many of his peers are still Chunin... some even Genin. And quite a few have given up being ninjas entirely."
"Jonin..."
Rock Lee repeated the word with a look of longing in his eyes. But soon, his excitement dimmed.
"But my talent in other areas isn't just mediocre... it's terrible. I don't think I'll ever be able to use Ninjutsu. I can't even manage the basic Transformation or Clone techniques. Becoming a ninja feels like a dream I'm not allowed to have."
Ryosuke slurped the last of his noodles before replying.
"How can you say it's a dream if you haven't tried everything?"
In truth, the bowl wasn't small—training in the ninja world was just incredibly demanding. Most shinobi, especially those from physically-oriented clans like the Hyuga, developed huge appetites over time.
"Boss, another bowl of the same, please. What about you?" he turned to Rock Lee. "Want another?"
"No… no need," Rock Lee said, waving his hands awkwardly. He was already embarrassed enough that Ryosuke was treating him.
Instead, he got back to the topic.
"I've tried everything I can. Once I realized I had no aptitude for Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, I focused all my time on Taijutsu. I challenge everyone I can—doesn't matter the venue, the age, or the grade. I've fought them all… but I haven't won a single match."
He clenched his fists, his voice shaking.
"Every defeat chips away at my confidence. It's like I'm standing still while everyone else moves forward."
Ryosuke received his second bowl and smiled as he stirred the noodles.
"And yet... you haven't given up?"
Rock Lee shook his head immediately. "No."
Then, after a pause, he corrected himself softly. "Not yet."
"I don't know how long I can keep going like this. What if I never get stronger?"
"Then maybe it's time to find a teacher."
Ryosuke's voice was calm but firm.
"If you try to walk this path alone, your chances of success will always be slim. But with the right guidance, someone who understands your strengths and weaknesses, your progress could change drastically. You might really have a shot at becoming a ninja."
"The teachers at the academy..." Rock Lee frowned. "They're not Taijutsu specialists. All they know is the basic Konoha-style forms. There's no one who can teach me properly."
He trailed off mid-sentence, eyes widening as he suddenly realized something.
"Wait… do you mean Might Guy? That Jonin you mentioned earlier?"
Ryosuke smiled, pleased with his quick thinking.
"Every morning, before sunrise, Might Guy trains near the Forest of Death to warm up before his missions," he explained. "There's an old, abandoned training field next to it. You won't survive going into the forest—but you can wait at the training ground. He passes by there every day."
"As for what he looks like—bright green jumpsuit, thick eyebrows. You'll know him when you see him."
He wasn't worried about his interference affecting things. Guy's personality was already well known to him—not just from the plot of the original story, but also through real-life intelligence he gathered via the Hyuga clan's information network.
Might Guy was honest, passionate, and had a strong sense of camaraderie. Once he saw Rock Lee's determination, Ryosuke was confident the Jonin would take him in. It was only a matter of time.
But Rock Lee remained silent for a moment. His gaze turned curious, even suspicious.
"Why do you know all this? And… why are you helping me?"
This encounter—this boy named Hyuga Ryosuke—felt strangely deliberate. As if everything, from eating noodles to bringing up Might Guy, had been carefully planned.
Ryosuke smiled gently, as though he could read his mind.
"Don't overthink it. Maybe it's just fate that we met today."
Then he leaned back slightly and said, "Let me reintroduce myself. I'm Hyuga Ryosuke, from the Hyuga clan—and the next head of the family."
"As for why I know so much about Might Guy? I've been following his progress on purpose. I admire his Taijutsu. Since my clan specializes in close combat, his success means a lot to me."
"And the reason I'm helping you... is simple. I want to be your friend."
He looked Rock Lee straight in the eye.
"I meant what I said—I'm optimistic about your future. You will become a powerful ninja. I believe in that."
There were many promising children in the village. But Ryosuke, given his age, could only interact with a few. Most came from prominent clans—like the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Uchiha, Inuzuka, and Aburame.
These heirs lacked for nothing. Trying to get too close to them would only cause unnecessary attention and possibly political issues for the Hyuga clan.
But Rock Lee was different. A civilian-born boy with no special lineage, no powerful family. Overlooked by most. Dismissed by many.
But not by Ryosuke.
It's always better to offer help when someone needs it, rather than when they're already successful. And right now, Rock Lee needed it most.
After finishing his noodles, Ryosuke stood up and said goodbye.
He knew today's interaction was enough. Pushing too hard would only feel forced.
---
That evening, when he returned home, only his father was present.
"Father."
He bowed respectfully.
"I heard from Hinata that you stayed behind at the academy today," Hiashi said, his tone casual but probing. "Is there someone in that class you're interested in?"
Ryosuke nodded without hesitation. "Yes. I met someone I think is worth getting to know."
Hiashi didn't question his phrasing—despite Ryosuke not having officially started school, he referred to the others as if he were already one of them. To Hiashi, Ryosuke had long since stopped being a child.
"If you need anything," Hiashi said simply, "let me know."
He didn't ask who this person was. He didn't need to. If Ryosuke believed they were worth investing in, then that was enough.
He would take responsibility for the consequences—whatever they may be.
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