Youth Guy

In the end, Naruto gave Hizashi 1,000 grams of Chakra Metal as startup capital, along with something else: the manuscript for the Ninja World version of Battle Through the Heavens.

He did not know what manuscript fees were like in this world, but Jiraiya had made a fortune writing Little Liu Bei in the original story, so it should count as a source of income.

After taking care of business, Naruto carefully reminded him to use Chakra to activate the Flying Thunder God mark left on him in an emergency. Then, with a "whoosh," he vanished from the spot.

After returning to Konoha, Naruto first transformed into an ordinary villager and bought several more Fox Masks at the market. He had already given the previous one to Neji. Then he casually returned to his usual training routine.

A few days later, as Naruto was doing his morning training, a shout suddenly tore through the air.

"Ohhh! In order to let youth bloom even brighter during Konoha's next crisis! Starting now, I'll run around Konoha one hundred times! Then walk on my hands for one hundred laps! Finally, five hundred push-ups and five hundred finger push-ups!"

Passersby stared as if they were looking at some rare beast, and some even laughed outright. But the green figure had long grown accustomed to such treatment. He had decided long ago how to respond to those looks.

"Laugh if you want! But I won't stop!"

He called himself the "Proud Azure Beast of Konoha—Crazy Guy," but Guy was not crazy. He was simply an overly passionate man.

The signature bowl cut, thick bushy eyebrows, and a blindingly bright green jumpsuit—yes, Konoha's Azure Beast, Might Guy, had finally returned to the village!

Luckily, this guy had been out on a mission when I caused that mess in Konoha... Naruto silently added, while discreetly adjusting his training route and beginning to "coincidentally" head toward Guy.

"Please wait! Senior, who is pouring out the sweat of youth!"

A clear child's voice suddenly came from behind him. Might Guy came to an abrupt stop, kicking up a tiny whirlwind of dust beneath his feet. He spun around sharply, his thick eyebrows shooting upward as anticipation gleamed in his eyes.

"Oh? Could it be... has someone finally understood my way of youth...?"

But when he saw who had called out to him, his enthusiastic words came to an abrupt halt. Though he could already tell from the voice that the other party was young, this blond, blue-eyed little kid who barely reached his knees still left Guy momentarily speechless. A three-year-old wearing such a serious expression created a strangely incongruous sight.

"I can tell!" Little Naruto planted his hands on his hips and loudly declared with his head raised, "Senior, you must be a Jonin of Konoha! And—a very, very powerful one!"

Might Guy froze. But in the next instant, his expression burst into dazzling brilliance. With a "ding," his pearly white teeth reflected a flash of light—even the sun in the sky seemed to be playing along with his performance.

"That's right!!!" Guy replied at a deafening volume, raising a thumbs-up with his right hand. "I am Konoha's Proud Azure Beast—Might Guy!!"

His voice echoed down the street. "What do you need from me, Konoha's future?"

"Since you're training in taijutsu, Senior..." Naruto puffed out his tiny chest. "Race me! I'm also working hard at taijutsu training so I can become a powerful ninja!"

Before his words had even faded, Might Guy's body suddenly stiffened as though someone had pressed pause. His thick eyebrows rose high, and suspicious moisture began to gather in his eyes.

"Th-That's... incredible!!!"

With a deafening cry, Guy's tears burst forth like a breached floodgate. He abruptly crouched down and tightly clasped Naruto's hands in his own.

"To understand the true meaning of youth at such a young age!! I like your courage! Fine! I accept your challenge!"

As he spoke, Guy sprang to his feet and scanned the surroundings like a radar, finally locking onto a tree not far away. He extended an arm and pointed straight at it with his index finger.

"Decided! We'll race to see who reaches that tree first! The loser has to do... one push-up!"

Naruto followed the direction of Guy's finger—the tree was no more than ten meters away. He was stunned at first, then suddenly understood. Well, well. So this thick-browed guy is actually this thoughtful?

Naruto gently shook his head, an expression of calm far beyond his age appearing on his childish face. Though his voice still carried a child's clear lilt, he said,

"No, Mr. Guy—please allow me to address you that way. This is no game. What I seek is a pure contest of taijutsu. My resolve has long surpassed my age."

Guy's body abruptly stilled. He stared at the child before him, who did not even reach his waist, and realized that this boy was different.

"I see..." Guy once again dropped to one knee, bringing himself level with Naruto. He gently placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "These eyes... contain such weighty resolve?"

Guy's gaze burned brightly. "Tell me, young child. What has made you carry a resolve that surpasses your age?"

Naruto knew this was the crucial moment for forming a bond. When facing Guy, this was the right answer.

"I want to become stronger! I want to become a powerful ninja who can protect the people important to me!"

The air seemed to freeze in that instant. Guy's pupils widened slightly, and then—

"This is youth!!!"

The deafening shout pierced the sky, startling flocks of birds from the treetops. Guy sprang to his feet and howled toward the heavens, tears streaming down his face like a fountain.

"I understand! From this moment onward, you are an opponent acknowledged by me, Might Guy! Age? It's nothing more than a number that records the passing years!"

He took a starting stance. "Come! Try to keep up with my footsteps!"

Before his words had even finished, Guy shot out like an arrow released from its bow. But Naruto immediately noticed that Guy was deliberately controlling his speed, maintaining a pace Naruto could barely keep up with.

The first step had succeeded.

A faint, imperceptible smile tugged at Naruto's lips as he took off after him on his tiny legs.