Emerging Edge

"Konoha: Hurricane Whirlwind!" A powerful kick slammed directly into Bai Yue's guarding arms.

"Gentle Fist! Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms!" After easily deflecting the force, Bai Yue immediately launched a counterattack.

"Ah-da-da-da!" A barrage of punches came at him—some caught, some blocked, some endured head-on. Bai Yue's Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms failed to inflict any real damage on Might Guy.

Instead, the repeated head-on clashes left Bai Yue's arms numb.

"Rising Dragon Fist!" Seizing an opening after Bai Yue used the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms, Guy threw an uppercut.

Damn it! That bastard still won't give up on ruining my handsome face!

If that hit me, forget my teeth—even my gums would get punched out!

Bai Yue crossed his hands around Guy's uppercut and used the terrifying force to launch himself backward into the air.

"Ora Ora Ora Ora!" Guy pressed his advantage without mercy, closing in at once and unleashing a barrage of Wilderness Fist attacks at Bai Yue's retreating body.

A heavy punch crashed into Bai Yue's stomach, nearly making him throw up last night's dinner.

"Bai Yue, you still haven't corrected your problem," Guy said seriously after stopping his attack.

"..." Bai Yue gave a bitter smile. Who do you think I am?!

I'm a flower raised in a greenhouse! I've never seen any kind of storm! The fact that I could fight you for this long before losing is already impressive, okay?!

Aside from trading a few rounds of Turtle Fist with childhood friends in his previous life, he had never fought at all.

In this life, he was even more of a pampered young master.

With hundreds of thousands, even millions, in monthly allowance, why the hell would I risk my life?!

"But, youth! Your reaction speed is getting faster and faster!" Setting aside their earlier playful sparring, Guy had been serious ever since taking over Bai Yue's training.

He truly treated every fight with Bai Yue as a real battle.

"Whether it's the rhythm of your attacks or finding an enemy's openings while defending, Bai Yue, you're still far too inexperienced! Only a storm-like offensive can leave an enemy unable to cope! Only the sharp perception of an eagle can find an enemy's weakness while defending!"

???

Who the hell are you? Guy may look rough, but he's actually attentive. Still, there's no way Guy would say something like that!

"Bai Yue, you lost again!" Just as Bai Yue was distracted, a mocking voice rang out.

Huh? Since when did my training ground become a backyard you can all visit whenever you want?!

Bai Yue stared helplessly at Mitaraishi Anko sitting atop the wall, along with the equally helpless Kurenai Yuhi.

Thanks to their relationship with him, these people now entered the Hyuga Clan compound as casually as they entered a barbecue restaurant.

Guy was one thing—after all, Bai Yue had specifically asked him to be his Taijutsu sparring partner. Kurenai Yuhi was one thing too, since Bai Yue had a very favorable impression of her. But! Anko, of all people! Who gave you the right to be so arrogant?

And you two were only Chunin. Shouldn't you be out doing missions to support yourselves?!

Did they think everyone was like Young Master Bai Yue, with more money than they could spend?

After learning more over time, Bai Yue had gained a rough understanding of Konoha's structure.

Ninja clans, such as the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Inuzuka clans.

Declining ninja clans, such as the clan of a certain Shippuden protagonist, the Kurama Clan, and Guy's clan!

That's right! Guy was also from a ninja clan—or rather, he had once been. The Forbidden Jutsu: Eight Inner Gates was a technique passed down through Guy's family for generations. (Fan interpretation—otherwise, how could Might Duy, a mere Genin, possibly have come into contact with a Forbidden Jutsu? Besides, Madara had clearly looked a little excited when he saw Guy open the Eight Gates. That meant he knew of the technique, though he probably had never fought anyone who used the Eight Inner Gates before.)

Then there were commoner ninja. Their techniques were not exactly commonplace, but they were ordinary and utterly lacking in distinction.

Some Outstanding Persons among commoner ninja would become Jonin, spread their branches, and form ninja families.

For example, Kurenai Yuhi and Kakashi!

And the brightest Little Sun among all commoner ninja—Minato Namikaze!

It was worth mentioning that not every commoner was unable to access Forbidden Jutsu or secret techniques.

As long as someone was outstanding enough, gaining access to Forbidden Jutsu was only a matter of time. As for secret techniques, that depended on whether some Big Shot admired them enough.

"Anko, Bai Yue is very strong!" Kurenai Yuhi said with a smile. Though still young, she already carried herself like a mature beauty.

"Then let's test that!" Anko provocatively crooked a finger at Bai Yue.

Who could put up with that?!

I'm really pissed off right now!

He had already taken a beating, so he was in a bad mood. Now this stupid woman was actually provoking him!

"Let's have a round!" Sparring with Guy was for close-range Taijutsu combat, but sparring with Anko?!

If he didn't give her a Tortoise Shell Bind, it would mean his rope skills were lacking!

Hmm...

Forget it! He would save the Tortoise Shell Bind for later. Kurenai Yuhi was one thing, but Guy's presence was clearly rather irritating.

"Form the Seal of Confrontation!" Kurenai Yuhi also wanted to know just how strong Bai Yue truly was, so she hurried between them to act as referee.

"Kid, do you want to treat your injuries first?"

"Dealing with you will only take a moment~" Bai Yue shrugged and began forming hand seals.

"Begin!" With that, Kurenai Yuhi immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.

"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!" In an instant, a high-speed stream of flame shot toward Bai Yue.

"Fancy tricks! Take this—Adamantine Sealing Chains!" Dozens of chains flashing with golden-red light first tore apart the Dragon Fire Technique with overwhelming force, then rushed toward Anko at terrifying speed!

The exaggerated scene stunned everyone present.

"Adamantine Sealing Chains?! Isn't that Lord Kushina's technique?!" Kurenai Yuhi had always known that Bai Yue specialized in Sealing Jutsu, but she never expected that he had even learned such a powerful sealing technique as Adamantine Sealing Chains!

Bai Yue had never been one to boast.

In an instant, though the Tortoise Shell Bind did not make an appearance, wrapping someone into a rice dumpling was no problem at all!

"Mmmph, mmmph..." With the Chakra in her body sealed, Anko wriggled like a caterpillar. She could only let out muffled, aggrieved whimpers, because Bai Yue had sealed her mouth as well.

"Bai Yue~ If you're this strong, why do you still need me as a sparring partner..." Guy said dejectedly.

Faced with such a terrifying scene, Guy felt that he was no different from Anko. Both of them were weaklings who could be instantly defeated within minutes.

Deep down, he only felt miserable.

Bai Yue was obviously so strong, yet he had still been protecting Guy's pride!

And Guy had shamelessly lectured him!

This simply...

This was absolutely not the flavor of youth!

"Did that shake him up?!" Bai Yue was a little speechless when he saw Guy's dejected expression.

"Guy~ Although my Sealing Jutsu is powerful, you know that close-range Taijutsu is clearly my weakness!" Bai Yue said calmly. "As a ninja, isn't it normal to make up for your weaknesses?! You're the strongest in Taijutsu among my friends. What's wrong with seeking you out for combat training?!"

"I... you..." Bai Yue's question made the inarticulate Guy's face turn red from holding it in.

That's more like the Guy I remember! That Guy who was spouting grand principles earlier just didn't feel right!