A Bet

Perhaps confident in the "Youth Sustenance Pills" he personally made, or perhaps the dark color and taste were simply good, Might Guy ate them one after another. In no time, he had emptied the entire basket of dark pills.

After finishing, Might Guy immediately stood up and gave Zhang Miao a thumbs-up, striking a victory pose.

At the same time, a system notification chimed in Zhang Miao's mind.

"Ding—Congratulations to the host for winning the formal match against Might Guy. You have obtained 10 Five-Star Jonin Might Guy Ninja Fragments!"

Hearing the system's notification, Zhang Miao's eyebrows shot up, and he muttered softly.

"Stalling won't help. 3... 2... 1... Down you go!"

As soon as Zhang Miao finished speaking, Might Guy, who was still in his victory pose, turned pale. Then, with a "thump," he collapsed onto the ground, foam spewing from the corners of his mouth.

Seeing this, Zhang Miao shook his head helplessly.

"Acorn Guy, you lost again!"

With that, Zhang Miao prepared to turn and leave. However, before he could take two steps, he felt his trouser leg being grabbed.

He looked back and saw Might Guy, tears welling up in his eyes, biting his lip fiercely to hold back his sobs. He then struggled to utter a sentence to Zhang Miao.

"My name isn't Acorn Guy! I'm Might Guy!"

Seeing Might Guy's expression, a mixture of grievance and despair, Zhang Miao began to reflect. Had he gone too far?

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Miao realized he had indeed been a bit excessive. So, he silently apologized to Might Guy in his heart.

"I'm sorry, Emperor Kai. I only did this to collect your Ninja Fragments. I apologize for making you suffer!"

After apologizing in his heart, Zhang Miao nodded at Might Guy, who was still lying on the ground.

"Alright, I've decided we won't compete in eating next time. Let's try something else. If you can walk a full circle around Konohagakure on your hands without falling or stopping, then you win. I'll admit you're Konoha's proud Azure Beast—Might Guy!"

"Really?"

Hearing Zhang Miao's words, Might Guy's eyes lit up again. Fearing Zhang Miao would go back on his word, he quickly nodded.

"Okay! It's a deal. If I can't do it, I'll do a thousand one-handed push-ups!"

Owl didn't know this was Might Guy's way of self-discipline, so upon hearing his words, he showed a speechless expression.

"This guy must be an idiot!"

In Owl's opinion, walking a full circle around Konohagakure on his hands, without falling or stopping, was something even no one among them, the Anbu, could accomplish, let alone a Chunin like Guy.

Owl felt that Zhang Miao was clearly making things difficult for Might Guy, but this hot-headed fool actually agreed without hesitation. And judging by his excited expression, it was as if he had gained a huge advantage.

If this isn't idiocy, what is?

Zhang Miao was naturally unaware of Owl's thoughts. After making the agreement with Might Guy, he turned and took Naruto from Owl's hands, then gestured towards Owl with his chin.

"Owl, take him to the hospital. I can guarantee I'll keep an eye on things here!"

Owl knew Zhang Miao's character. If he promised something, he would keep his word. Plus, the Leaf Village Hospital was nearby, so Owl immediately nodded. Then, he picked up Might Guy and disappeared in a flash.

After Owl vanished, Might Guy's voice echoed from a distance.

"Ryunosuke, thank you..."

Hearing Might Guy's thanks, Zhang Miao, holding Naruto, wore a wry smile.

"Thanking me after being tricked, this guy is truly hopeless!" With that, Zhang Miao carried Naruto back inside.

In reality, Zhang Miao didn't know the true reason for Might Guy's gratitude. It was because Zhang Miao had given him hope—a hope of victory.

After the duels over the past few days, Might Guy had deeply realized that he would probably never be able to beat Zhang Miao in a pure eating contest. Yet, Zhang Miao refused to compete in anything else, which made Might Guy quite despairing.

Most importantly, as Konoha's proud Azure Beast, Might Guy was unwilling to bully children. Thus, he could only endure repeated failures!

Now, Zhang Miao had proactively suggested changing the method of competition, and the method was in his strongest area—taijutsu. Might Guy felt it was tailor-made for him!

Walking a full circle around Konohagakure on his hands? Even if he failed at first, as long as he worked hard, he would definitely achieve it!

At that time, he could finally shed the titles like "Acorn Brother" and "Acorn Guy," and once again become the respected ninja, Konoha's proud Azure Beast—Might Guy!

Thinking of this, Might Guy's blood began to boil!

"Ryunosuke, thank you. I will definitely do it. I will definitely... cough..."

Owl: "..."

After sending Might Duy to the Leaf Village Hospital, Owl returned directly. As soon as he reached the entrance, he saw Zhang Miao sitting barefoot by the door, a small twig in his mouth.

Seeing this, Owl walked over and sat beside Zhang Miao, casually asking, "Is your brother asleep?"

"Yeah! But I'd still prefer if you called him by his name. His name is Naruto Uzumaki!"

Saying this, Zhang Miao let out a long sigh.

"Sigh... Actually, I know that including Uncle Cat Face and Sister Nightingale, you all dislike him and see him as the Demon Fox. I don't blame you for that. I just hope you can give him a chance to prove himself. At least... never mind, I won't say anymore!"

Seeing Zhang Miao suddenly stop, seemingly unwilling to continue the topic, Owl was taken aback for a moment, then also fell silent.

After a while, Owl finally spoke to Zhang Miao, asking, "That Chunin from today, do you think he can do it?"

Zhang Miao knew Owl was referring to Might Guy, so upon hearing his words, he immediately turned his head and smiled at him.

"You think I'm deliberately making things difficult for him, don't you? In that case, want to make a bet?"

"A bet? Me and you?"

Owl seemed surprised that Zhang Miao would say that and immediately showed a look of astonishment. Seeing his surprised expression, Zhang Miao nodded and smiled again.

"Yes, just me and you. If you win, I'll personally go to the Third Elder and ask him to change your mission, so you won't have to guard me and Naruto all day. If I win, then you'll treat me and Guy to a meal at Q's BBQ, how about it?"

"This..."

Upon hearing Zhang Miao say that he wouldn't have to guard them if he won, Owl was instantly tempted.

But then he thought about the high cost of Q's BBQ and Zhang Miao's appetite if he lost, and Owl felt like he would be bleeding money.

"Should I agree or not?"

Owl hesitated for quite a while, but in the end, he felt that no one could run around Konohagakure while doing a handstand. Even if someone could, it certainly wouldn't be a mere Chunin!

With this thought, Owl immediately nodded at Zhang Miao.

"Alright, I bet!"