Konohagakure's Azure Beast

The summer heat blazed, and cicadas chirped in waves.

"Ahh..." Naruto squatted on a tree branch and yawned sleepily.

Kakashi had promised to give him private intensive training, yet it was already late morning and he still had not arrived. Just as Naruto was considering whether to skip class, Kakashi finally showed up.

"Yo, Naruto." Kakashi smiled as he looked up and greeted Naruto in the tree, without the slightest shame about being late.

"You brought your forehead protector, right?"

"I did."

"Good. A forehead protector is a ninja's life," Kakashi said with a smile.

"Especially during missions, ninja only remove their forehead protectors when they die. So under normal circumstances, ninja do not take them off on their own. It's bad luck."

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei."

"What is it?"

"About the Chunin Exams... did Lord Hokage agree?" Naruto asked hesitantly.

"She agreed."

"Really?"

"Of course." Kakashi's eye crinkled into a line as he smiled. "Otherwise, why would I be giving you special training?"

"You only became a Genin recently. You need further guidance from a Jonin to handle the Chunin Exams. Sakura and Sasuke have already finished their training. Now you're the only one left, Naruto."

"Awesome!"

"Naruto, don't get happy too soon." Kakashi glanced at him with one eye and warned, "Intensive training is a very grueling thing."

"It's fine, Kakashi-sensei. I can do it!" Naruto said excitedly. "Let's get started!"

Honestly, he did not want intensive training at all.

But considering how much trouble he had caused recently, enough to attract Root Ninja, Naruto had reined himself in a little.

"Alright, then go report to Guy-sensei," Kakashi said with a cough.

"What?!"

Naruto was dumbfounded. Intensive training with Might Guy? What the hell, was Kakashi outsourcing his work?

"Ahem, the only thing you're somewhat lacking in is Taijutsu." Kakashi scratched his head with a straight face. "Sakura's intensive training was also done at the Medical Unit."

"Huh?"

Naruto clutched his head, wearing the same vacant stare as Psyduck. He did not believe a word Kakashi said.

"Alright, I'm busy, you know."

Naruto: "..."

Watching Naruto leave, Kakashi stood there with his hands in his pockets. The image of the aged Third Hokage flashed through his mind, standing by the window with a pipe in hand as she spoke.

"The original purpose of Jinchuriki was to protect the village, Kakashi. Naruto's power being too great is not a good thing."

"There is one more thing. Jiraiya has returned to the village. After the intensive training, Kakashi, hand Naruto over to Jiraiya."

The matter had already been decided, and Kakashi had no room to object.

After standing beneath the wilderness sunlight for a while, Konohagakure's number one technician turned and left as well.

"Yo-ho! Konohagakure's Azure Beast makes his entrance!"

"Burn, youth!"

Two green-skinned, watermelon-haired ninja—one big, one small—leaped across each other and unleashed a Konoha Whirlwind in midair, putting on a fiery entrance performance!

Naruto stared in stunned silence. Neji Hyuga stood expressionlessly nearby, while Tenten rubbed her forehead in frustration.

At first, Might Guy had insisted that Rock Lee cooperate with him to put on a little show for Naruto, resulting in that scalp-tingling scene.

After landing, Might Guy walked over to Naruto and flashed a dazzling grin.

"How was that, Naruto? Cool, right?"

"That was insanely cool! Please teach me Taijutsu, Might Guy-sensei!"

"Naruto, I like perceptive kids like you!" Might Guy said with a laugh as he crouched down, his brilliant teeth gleaming.

Neji Hyuga could not watch any longer. He turned and left without a word. He had always trained on his own, and Guy only occasionally gave him pointers in Taijutsu.

Tenten smiled at Naruto, waved, and left as well. They had already introduced themselves anyway.

"Alright!" Might Guy shouted energetically, looking at his disciple Rock Lee and Naruto. "Run five hundred laps around Konohagakure! If you can't finish, do five hundred one-finger push-ups!"

What else could Naruto say? He agreed through tears.

"Wait! Naruto, do you know the secret to becoming stronger in Taijutsu?" Might Guy suddenly asked.

Naruto froze for a second. Why was this suddenly turning into a test?

"Hard work?" he ventured.

"No!"

Guy raised one finger and shook it, then somehow pulled a green skintight suit—the essential outfit for every spirited young man—from his clothes!

What the fuck?

Staring at that bright green skintight suit, Naruto swallowed and looked up at the sky with tears in his eyes.

I'll wear it!

Pain and exhaustion were nothing. Mental damage did not matter either. For cool Taijutsu, he would grit his teeth and do it!

He was going all out. There was no way he would fail to trigger a system option!

And so—

After running five hundred laps, Naruto was as exhausted as Psyduck, his eyes wide but lifeless as he muttered strange things about Halloween.

"Naruto, how are you doing?" Guy looked down at Naruto, who was lying on the ground foaming at the mouth.

"Sensei!" Rock Lee said energetically from the side. "Naruto must have comprehended the power of youth!"

"You're right!"

In response, Naruto tremblingly reached out, wanting to cry for help. His hand was half-clenched, with his thumb sticking out, making it look like he was giving a thumbs-up.

At the sight, Might Guy and Rock Lee both stiffened. After exchanging glances, they immediately burst into emotional tears and embraced.

"Rock Lee! Naruto is the true embodiment of passionate youth!" Might Guy shouted through tears. "This is simply too moving!"

"Sensei! I will definitely surpass Naruto!"

"Mm! Start now!" Might Guy pointed ahead with overwhelming enthusiasm. "Walk five hundred laps around the village on your hands! If you can't do it, three thousand push-ups!"

Under the setting sun, Konohagakure's two Azure Beasts—one big and one small—left while walking on their hands. Naruto lay flat on his back, already planning the funeral banquet menu.

The sound of footsteps approached. Suddenly, Naruto sensed someone stop beside him and opened his eyes to look.

It was getting late, and that thick head of blond hair looked remarkably familiar.

Ino, wearing the same hairstyle as Deidara, bent down and frowned at Naruto, seemingly hesitating about something. Naruto suddenly opened his eyes and scared her badly.

"Ah! The corpse came back to life!"

"Damn it! I'm not dead!" Naruto shouted furiously.

The sunset clouds burned like fire, illuminating half of Konohagakure. Ino's entire face was covered in a hazy flush, and she looked somewhat awkward.

"What are you wearing?" Ino asked in disgust.

"A training uniform."

"It's so green. Gross."

"...Just shut up." Naruto was speechless. Of course he knew the outfit was tacky, but he had gone this far and the system still had not reacted at all!

Damn it!

Stupid system!

"Ding!"

The mechanical synthesized voice suddenly rang out, and Naruto's expression changed completely.