Chestnut Duel

Might Guy's ninja talent was not very good. In fact, he had not even qualified to enter the Ninja Academy back then. If the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had not been moved by his hard work, his path as a ninja would likely have been even more difficult.

Might Guy himself knew full well that he lacked talent, which was why he worked even harder to make up for it. That was also why he often called himself a "genius of hard work."

This was how he regained his confidence, and also how he constantly reminded himself to work even harder!

Might Guy had put in more effort than others, so he wanted to earn their recognition. Thus, he chose an opponent for himself—Kakashi Hatake!

As the son of the Konoha White Fang and a genius known throughout Konoha, Kakashi was undoubtedly the best person for proving himself.

That was precisely why Might Guy had sought him out. He intended to prove through their duels that even without talent, one could become a respected ninja through hard work.

As for the methods of their duels, they ranged from brutal taijutsu battles with fists flying to contests like rock-paper-scissors or eating sushi balls. They were both eye-opening and absurdly hilarious.

Might Guy shouted about "youth" as he chased after Kakashi's footsteps in his own way. Though Zhang Miao often marveled at his bizarre train of thought, setting aside his strange behavior, Might Guy truly possessed qualities worthy of respect.

Take this time, for instance. He had brought chestnuts to challenge him to a "duel." Though it looked childish, Zhang Miao knew that this was probably Might Guy's way of showing concern.

This guy probably heard somewhere that I'm an orphan, and since Kakashi happened to be away on a mission, he came specifically to check on me, right?

At that thought, Zhang Miao could not stop the corners of his mouth from curling up.

He looks so reckless and careless, but I never expected him to have such a thoughtful heart. Still, even so, I won't surrender easily!

As Zhang Miao thought, he rapidly tossed chestnuts from the bag into his mouth, crunching them loudly. Before long, a large bag of chestnuts had nearly been emptied.

Seeing Zhang Miao eat so fiercely, Might Guy naturally refused to be outdone.

He kept stuffing chestnuts into his mouth until his cheeks puffed up like a frog's. Before long, his eyes bulged wide, and he pounded his chest with his fists, making loud thumping sounds. It looked like he had choked.

At this sight, Nightingale and the Anbu in the pointy-beaked mask standing at the door were both dumbfounded.

Were these two all right?

Clearly, Zhang Miao was definitely fine. With the system helping him digest food, his stomach was practically made of steel. As long as he could stuff the food down, he did not need to worry about indigestion.

But Might Guy was another matter. Looking at his massively swollen belly, Zhang Miao felt that Leaf Village Hospital would surely have a bed waiting for him today.

Sure enough, things turned out just as Zhang Miao had expected. Before long, Might Guy collapsed with a bluish face, and at the same time, the system notification sounded in Zhang Miao's mind.

Ding—Congratulations, Host, for winning an official duel. You have obtained x10 Five-Star Jonin Might Guy Ninja Fragments!

Zhang Miao: "..."

That counted too?

As though it had sensed Zhang Miao's thoughts, the system explained again.

Regardless of the method, as long as both parties acknowledge it as a duel, the system will recognize it!

Hearing the system's explanation, Zhang Miao immediately understood.

When they had been eating chestnuts just now, Zhang Miao really had wanted to surpass Might Guy, so he had seriously competed with him in eating chestnuts. But he had not expected Might Guy to be serious too.

Might Guy actually seriously competed with a child over who could eat more. This really is...

At that thought, Zhang Miao did not even know what to say. But remembering Might Guy's personality and his bizarre thought process, Zhang Miao suddenly found it completely normal.

Still, there was a benefit. Ten Five-Star Might Guy Ninja Fragments were an unexpected windfall for Zhang Miao.

Looking at Might Guy, who was clutching his round belly and twitching on the ground, Zhang Miao's eyes shifted as he immediately came up with a way to quickly gather Might Guy Ninja Fragments.

He put his hands on his hips and stood up, then looked down at Might Guy from above.

"Hey, Acorn Brother. Although you lost this time, I can keep giving you chances to challenge me. Come back at this time tomorrow. You can choose whatever we eat then!"

After saying that, Zhang Miao beckoned to Nightingale behind him.

"Nightingale, send someone to take him to Leaf Village Hospital!"

Nightingale: "..."

Who the hell are you? What makes you think you can order me around?

Nightingale was very displeased, but looking at Might Guy on the ground, who seemed about to burst from overeating, she could only glare fiercely at Zhang Miao before turning to the Anbu in the pointy-beaked mask beside her.

"Owl, take him to the hospital!"

"Yes!"

Nightingale appeared to outrank the pointy-beaked Anbu, so upon hearing her order, he immediately picked up Might Guy and vanished with a Body Flicker Technique.

Zhang Miao knew that the pointy-beaked Anbu had taken Might Guy to Leaf Village Hospital, so he grinned at Nightingale.

"Hehe, thanks, Nightingale. Give me my little brother!"

As he spoke, Zhang Miao took Naruto from Nightingale's arms.

What surprised Nightingale was that Naruto, who had been crying and fussing just moments ago, stopped crying the instant Zhang Miao took him. He even babbled as he burrowed into Zhang Miao's embrace.

At this sight, the corners of Nightingale's mouth beneath her mask could not help twitching.

Sure enough, both of these brothers are freaks!

Zhang Miao did not care what Nightingale thought. He carried Naruto straight into the house and set him on the floor, letting him crawl around as he pleased. Then Zhang Miao lay on the floor with his hands behind his head, staring blankly at the ceiling.

At some point, Nightingale followed him inside and crouched down beside Zhang Miao.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Take a guess."

Hearing that, Nightingale shot him an annoyed look and turned to leave without another word.

But she had only taken two steps when Zhang Miao's voice sounded behind her again.

"Hey, Nightingale, do you have any brothers or sisters?"

As an Anbu, she wore a mask to conceal her identity, so Nightingale should not have answered such a question. Yet facing Zhang Miao, she inexplicably chose to answer him anyway.

"I have a younger sister. She is studying at the Ninja Academy. I hope you can become good friends in the future!"

After saying that, Nightingale turned back, only to find Zhang Miao wearing a disgusted expression. She immediately frowned.

"What does that expression mean?"

"Nothing!"

Zhang Miao shrugged, got up, picked up Naruto, who was crawling around on the floor, and placed him in the crib. Only after finishing that did he turn and raise an eyebrow at Nightingale.

"Your little sister... is she pretty? If she isn't, I don't want her!"

Nightingale: "..."

You hateful brat! Who do you think you are?

Nightingale took several deep breaths before she finally suppressed the anger in her heart. Then she squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth.

"My sister is very pretty, and she is also a genius at swordsmanship. Are you satisfied now?"

"Mm... that will do!"

Zhang Miao nodded as he flipped onto his little bed, then waved a hand at Nightingale.

"Got it. Bring your sister over tomorrow so I can have a look. If she's acceptable, I'll take her as my Eighteenth Concubine. All right, you have nothing else to do here. Dismissed!"

Nightingale: "..."