Konoha's Azure Beast

The summer sun blazed, cicadas chirping incessantly.

"Ah~" Naruto yawned, crouching on a tree branch, bored.

Kakashi had promised him special training, but the sun was already high in the sky and he still hadn't shown up. Just as Naruto was contemplating skipping, Kakashi finally arrived, fashionably late.

"Yo, Naruto," Kakashi greeted him with a smile, looking up at Naruto on the tree, showing no sign of being late.

"You're wearing your forehead protector, right?"

"Yeah."

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

"Especially during missions. A ninja only takes it off when they die. So, under normal circumstances, ninjas don't take off their forehead protectors voluntarily; it's considered bad luck."

"Okay, Teacher Kakashi."

"What is it?"

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

"She did."

"Really?"

"Of course, it's true." Kakashi's eyes crinkled into slits as he smiled. "Otherwise, why would I be giving you special training?"

"You only became a Genin not too long ago. You need further guidance from a Jonin to handle the Chunin Exams. Sakura and Sasuke have already finished their training, so now it's just you, Naruto."

"Hooray!"

"Naruto, don't get too excited yet," Kakashi warned, glancing at Naruto with one eye. "This training is going to be very tough."

"It's okay, Teacher Kakashi, I can do it!" Naruto said excitedly. "Let's start quickly!"

Honestly, he didn't want to train at all.

However, considering how much trouble he'd caused recently, even attracting Root Ninja... Naruto had toned himself down a bit.

"Alright, then go report to Teacher Guy," Kakashi said, clearing his throat.

"What!!!"

Naruto was stunned. Training with Might Guy? Seriously? Was he outsourcing the job?

"Ahem, the only area you're a bit lacking in is Taijutsu," Kakashi said, scratching his head with a serious expression. "Sakura's training was also completed with the Medical Unit."

"Huh?"

Naruto clutched his head, his face showing the same bewildered stare as a Psyduck, completely disbelieving Kakashi.

"Well, I'm quite busy, you know."

Naruto: "..."

Watching Naruto leave, Kakashi stood in place with his hands in his pockets. The image of the Third Hokage's aged face flashed in his mind, standing by the window, speaking while smoking his pipe.

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

"And one more thing, Jiraiya has returned to the village. Kakashi, after the training, hand Naruto over to Jiraiya."

The decision was made, and Kakashi had no room to object.

After standing in the open field's sunlight for a while, the number one technician of Konoha soon turned and left.

"Yoho! Konoha's Azure Beast reporting!"

"Burn with passion! Youth!~"

Two ninjas, one big and one small, with green watermelon-like hairstyles, leaped across each other, performing the Konoha Whirlwind mid-air in a passionate entrance!

Naruto was dumbfounded. Neji Hyuga stood expressionlessly in place. Tenten, looking troubled, rubbed her forehead.

It all started when Might Guy insisted on having Rock Lee help him put on a show for Naruto, resulting in the goosebump-inducing scene at the beginning.

After landing, Might Guy walked towards Naruto and asked with a wide, toothy grin.

"How was it? Naruto, wasn't that cool?"

"It was awesome! Please teach me Taijutsu training, Teacher Might Guy!"

"Naruto, I like kids like you who have good judgment!" Might Guy roared with laughter, half-crouching, his bright white teeth gleaming.

Neji Hyuga couldn't take it anymore and turned to leave. He had always trained by himself, though Guy occasionally offered him pointers on Taijutsu.

Tenten smiled at Naruto and waved goodbye before leaving. After all, she had already introduced herself.

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

What else could Naruto say? He tearfully agreed.

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

Hearing this, Naruto froze for a second. Why was he being tested now?

"Is it... hard work?" he ventured tentatively.

"No!"

Might Guy held up a finger and shook it, then magically pulled a green, tight-fitting outfit, essential for spirited youths, from his pocket!

What the hell?

Staring at the garish green bodysuit, Naruto swallowed hard and looked up at the sky, tears welling up.

I'll wear it!

Suffering and hardship are nothing, and mental anguish doesn't matter. For the sake of cool taijutsu, I'll grit my teeth and do it!

I'm going all out, I don't believe the system options won't trigger!

And so, Naruto, who had run five hundred laps, was exhausted, resembling a Psyduck. His eyes were vacant, and he was muttering strange things about Halloween.

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

"Sensei!" Rock Lee beside him said spiritedly, "Naruto must have grasped the power of youth!"

"You're right!"

In response, Naruto weakly extended his hand, wanting to call for help. His hand was half-clenched, his thumb sticking out, looking like he was giving a thumbs-up.

Seeing this, Might Guy and Rock Lee's expressions instantly stiffened. After exchanging glances, they were suddenly so moved that tears streamed down their faces as they embraced.

"Rock Lee! Naruto is the true embodiment of passionate youth!" Might Guy shouted, tears flowing. "This is truly moving!"

"Sensei! I will definitely surpass Naruto!"

"Good! Let's start now!" Might Guy declared with great spirit, pointing forward. "Walk five hundred laps around the village on your hands! If you can't do it, do three thousand push-ups!"

Under the setting sun, the two Azure Beasts of Konoha, one large and one small, departed on their hands, while Naruto lay on his back on the ground, already contemplating the menu for a few feasts.

The sound of footsteps approached. Suddenly, Naruto felt someone stop beside him. He opened his eyes to see.

It was late, and the thick blonde hair was all too familiar.

Ino, with a hairstyle similar to Deidara's, leaned down and looked at Naruto with a frown, seemingly hesitating. Naruto suddenly opening his eyes startled her.

"Ah! A corpse that's alive!"

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

The sunset clouds in the sky were like fire, illuminating half of Konoha. Ino's entire face was tinged with a shy blush, making her look a bit reserved.

"What are you wearing?" Ino asked disdainfully.

"A training outfit."

"It's so disgustingly green."

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

Damn it!

You stupid system!

"Ding!"

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