Your Efforts Have Always Inspired Me, Seisui's Chicken Soup!

Might Guy was in tears as he stepped forward, fists clenched tightly. "Seisui, this is the youth you've been burning!"

"Please forgive me for rudely thinking you'd lost your resolve to become a ninja... You were silently working hard all along, training your strength to this level while staying so low-key..."

"Meanwhile, I got lost in short-term gains and wanted to apply for early graduation this year... But you've spent five years at the Ninja Academy, even resisting the Sharingan's Genjutsu with sheer willpower!"

"Show me your full power, Seisui! Let me taste the flavor of your youth through your strength and conviction!!"

Might Guy's expression was a whirlwind of emotions.

Excitement, remorse, exhilaration, shame...

Iruka Umino silently carried the unconscious Obito Uchiha aside, looking at Might Guy with a mix of relief and emotion.

After Seisui displayed that exquisite Water Release...

When he announced he'd choose a third opponent, almost everyone present instinctively shrank back, their eyes darting away, none daring to meet Seisui's gaze.

Only Might Guy.

He saw Seisui's strength, and though shocked, he grew increasingly excited, ultimately choosing to challenge Seisui without hesitation!

"Don't say that, Guy."

Seisui dropped his smile and spoke seriously to the still-crying Might Guy. "Everyone's training path is different. You might think my low-key approach is better, but you don't know my thoughts..."

"Whenever I see you striving and working hard, I'm greatly inspired and train even more earnestly..."

"My low-key nature is just who I am, but I prefer your passion, Guy. Your presence has inspired many confused classmates, helping them stop agonizing over their talent and instead strive to be the best they can be..."

"Guy, all along this journey, I need to thank you for your constant encouragement."

"Today, let's have a full-on, unrestrained duel!"

Seisui's expression was dead serious as he assumed the traditional Senju Style Taijutsu starting stance.

After hearing Seisui's words, Might Guy's tears burst forth like a broken dam, streaming down his face.

His heart was filled with indescribable joy.

Having weathered rumors and gossip all the way here, Might Guy had doubted himself too. But his father, Might Duy, had always been his solid emotional anchor, supporting him to this day.

And now, Seisui—who had effortlessly swept the field—openly admitted in front of everyone that he'd been inspired by Might Guy's efforts, his words full of approval...

This was recognition from a top genius of the Uchiha clan for his way of the ninja!

"Seisui, you..." Might Guy's tears flowed even harder. He recalled how Seisui had always cheered him on, never minding his unfashionable clothes or exaggerated poses, always giving him a thumbs-up...

So Seisui had always been encouraged by me, and had been encouraging me too?

A strange sense of fate and warmth filled Might Guy's heart.

"Come on, Guy. This is our first duel—give it everything." Seisui's voice grew louder, his eyes full of encouragement.

"Alright, alright..." Might Guy forced back his tears, rubbed his face vigorously, and assumed the Leaf Style Taijutsu starting stance. "I'll give it my all, Seisui!"

Seisui nodded.

The next moment, Seisui's body shifted, his abundant strength granting him astonishing speed as he charged straight at Might Guy.

Might Guy did the same. His relentless self-discipline training had given his physique a remarkable boost.

"Boom!"

Two powerful whip kicks collided. The sound of muscle impact echoed through the training ground, as if rippling out a silent shockwave!

A flicker of surprise appeared in Might Guy's eyes.

He was hardworking, but also proud. Considering himself a genius of effort, he didn't believe any peer in the Leaf could match his strength.

But after that exchange, Might Guy had to admit: Seisui's power was a notch above his...

Thanks to the refinement of the Uchiha Bloodline and the incomplete Sage Body from Tobirama Senju.

Seisui's base strength was formidable enough, and the "Essentials of Uchiha Taijutsu" had granted him part of Tobirama Senju's combat experience.

Might Guy made a snap decision, retracting his leg and using Seisui's force to bend low, dodging the kick before launching a sharp low kick at Seisui!

"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"

Behind Seisui's seemingly pure black pupils, the Double Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly.

The Sharingan's excellent dynamic vision made Might Guy's movements look like slow motion. Seisui anticipated and leaped, wrapping Chakra around his hand, and using the momentum of his jump, he hammered a fist down at Might Guy's head like a mountain falling!

With beast-like instincts, Might Guy rolled sideways without caring about his dignity, barely dodging Seisui's fist!

"Boom!"

The heavy punch landed, shattering the floor tiles within a meter radius and kicking up clouds of dust.

The Ninja Academy students watched numbly, all thinking the same thing: "Why is this monster still at the Academy instead of applying for early graduation?"

"If that punch hit a body, it'd snap it in half, right?"

At that moment, many eyes shifted to Kakashi...

Could this universally recognized prodigy of Konoha beat Seisui?

Seisui smiled, deliberately dispersing the Chakra from his hand, and expertly used Senju Style Taijutsu techniques as he clashed fiercely with Might Guy.

The two exchanged blows, each punch landing on flesh, unleashing a full array of techniques with unrestrained vigor.

Iruka Umino watched the scene with appreciation.

Frankly speaking, though he was a veteran Chunin, when it came to taijutsu, he couldn't measure up to these two students.

Kakashi, meanwhile, had already furrowed his brow.

The dead-last who used to pester him back in the day—had he really grown to such a level now?

And Seisui was someone he simply couldn't see through at all.

Far outshining his peers, the long-dormant competitive spirit in his heart stirred for the first time in ages...

After a full-force kick exchange, Might Guy collapsed to the ground, clutching his thigh and gasping for breath.

He had a cramp...

To keep up with Seisui's moves, he had to squeeze every ounce of strength from his muscles.

No matter how hard Might Guy tried, the flowers watered by his sweat at age seven couldn't yet rival the brilliant hue of the Sage Body.

"Seisui-kun..."

"Guy, just call me Seisui."

Seisui smiled without mentioning winning or losing, as a greenish glow formed in his hand and settled over Guy's leg.

I have a meeting in the morning, ugh...

Afraid I won't be able to slack off at work and type, so I thought I'd write a chapter early...

But I woke up way too early, startled by the cat, up at four in the morning...