I Can Teach You

Might Guy obediently followed Sandaime. He did not think too much about it. Since Sandaime had told him to follow, he would follow.

Following Sandaime, they arrived at a riverbank. It was the Konoha River that flowed through Konoha. Legend had it that the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan had once fought over this boundary.

After the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan reconciled and joined hands to establish Konoha, this river became a symbol of reconciliation.

It represented Konoha setting aside its prejudices and coming together.

Conflict and peace intersected here, beginning and ending.

"Might Guy, throw a punch at me."

"Lord Third?"

Even someone as simple-minded as Might Guy could not help hesitating.

"Don't worry."

Sandaime added something that was highly convincing to Might Guy.

"I am the Third Hokage."

That was right! This was the Third Hokage! The legendary strongest Hokage of all generations!

How could his current self possibly hurt this strongest of shadows?!

And precisely because he was the strongest shadow, he could cast aside all concerns and sing to his heart's content! Sound the sonata of youth!!!

"Lord Third! Here I come!"

Might Guy passionately clenched his fist and punched forward.

Though he preferred using his legs, Lord Third had said to use his fist, so he would use his fist!

"Take this, Konoha Hard Fist!!!"

What power!

Sandaime could not help praising him inwardly.

He raised a hand and caught the incoming fist. With a light pull, his body shifted with it, and then—Iron Mountain Lean!

Bang!

Might Guy was sent flying.

He flew all the way into a tree, making it shake violently!

Might Guy gritted his teeth and rubbed his chest. His teeth gleamed, while his eyes burned with even greater excitement and passion.

"As expected of the invincible Lord Third Hokage!!!"

When had I ever said I was an invincible Hokage?

The Third Hokage, who considered himself quite humble, thought to himself. Oh, right. Sandaime had always carried the title of the strongest Hokage.

What fake political propaganda.

After mocking it inwardly, he saw Might Guy climb back to his feet, spread his legs, lower his body, and clench his fists.

That posture reminded Sandaime of Dragon Ball, which he had watched in his youth.

"Lord Third! I'm coming again!"

After shouting that, Might Guy, who had assumed this stance to gather strength, charged over even faster.

He was so fast that he was nearly impossible to see with the naked eye.

Sandaime grinned.

He raised his hands into a stance to receive the punch.

This martial artist's stance had a distinctly Chinese flavor... and this world had it too. One could only say that this world had absorbed quite a few Chinese elements. Then again, it was a hugely popular Japanese anime.

Therefore, seeing Sandaime assume such a martial artist's stance, Might Guy did not find it out of place.

He himself had used such stances before.

That was right. As a National Martial Arts grandmaster, Sandaime could actually blend very well into this world's style.

After all, this world had absorbed far too many Chinese elements, especially elements from Chinese martial arts.

Bang!

Fist collided with fist.

"Youth!!!" Might Guy roared.

Very soon, their fists crossed and collided continuously like raindrops.

Might Guy felt his passion erupt! He charged! Charged! Charged! Against Sandaime's unfathomable fist strength, he too kept drawing out his full power! His full power!

"Might Guy!"

Sandaime suddenly roared as well.

"Take this!"

His fists spread apart, then smashed down!

His shoulders and back seemed to swell and rise, like a pair of wings about to unfurl!

Along with his fists came a roar like that of a fierce tiger!

Faced with such fists, Might Guy widened his eyes. He actually saw a tiger pouncing at him, savage and man-eating!

Behind the fierce tiger, he saw a magnificent white Crane spread its wings and soar into the sky!

Then the tiger and Crane merged, becoming a winged tiger that pounced toward him!

Tiger Crane Form! Harmonious Strike!

Bang!

Might Guy was blasted away. He tried to struggle, only to discover that his entire body seemed to have lost control. He tumbled to the ground and crashed into a large stone by the riverbank.

His whole body was weak. He wanted to raise his hand, but found himself unable to move.

Faintly, he could actually still hear tiger roars and crane cries?

Genjutsu?

When had it happened?

Might Guy was somewhat startled. He truly had little answer against genjutsu; once he was caught in one, it was difficult for him to break free.

But he knew this weakness and had always been careful not to be struck by genjutsu. But the problem was, Lord Third had fought him so fiercely just now. When had he found the time to use genjutsu?

Could it be that he had been inside a genjutsu from the very beginning?

After quite some time, Might Guy opened his mouth. Realizing that he could speak again, he directly asked the question in his heart. "Lord Third! Did you use genjutsu? When did you do it?"

"It would not be wrong to call it genjutsu."

After all, there was Chakra, and there was mental energy.

The mental shock unleashed along with Fist Intent could indeed be considered a kind of genjutsu attack.

"But more accurately speaking."

Sandaime looked at Might Guy, whose face was filled with yearning, and said, "This is a kind of Aura."

"Aura?"

"That's right. An Aura born from the heart, and an Aura struck out through one's fists. It requires unwavering resolve, a strong sense of self, an inner pursuit of the self that one must hold firmly to. From within to without, it is expressed through the fists."

"So this is a genjutsu that can be cast with fists!" Might Guy's eyes lit up.

"It would not be wrong to understand it that way."

"Then can I learn it?!" Might Guy asked, thrilled and excited.

Then he thought of something and immediately said, "This must be a secret technique! Lord Third, I will definitely complete my missions well and accumulate merits so that I can exchange them with you for this technique!"

After all, it was genjutsu cast with fists!

It was simply too exhilarating for Might Guy!

"This is a technique I created," Sandaime said frankly. "I can teach you."

"Then thank you very much, Lord Third!"

Might Guy's eyes lit up. He sprang to his feet, and at that moment, he regained control over his entire body.

After standing up, he gave Sandaime a thumbs-up and flashed a toothy grin, his teeth gleaming brightly!

Seeing Might Guy remain so spirited, vigorous, sincere, and genuine even after being defeated like this,

Sandaime could not help himself again.

"Hehehehe, hahahaha!"

He laughed.

His laughter was exceptionally hearty and carefree.

Honestly, Sandaime truly had the intention of taking Might Guy as his disciple.

But after thinking about it, he ultimately did not do so.

Though he was now a retired Hokage, he was still a Hokage in the end.

A disciple of the Hokage's line would have a rather sensitive status.

It was better not to invite such trouble.

If Konoha were treated as a sect within the Shinobi World, then he would simply act as an elder founder of the sect, offering guidance to the younger disciples he favored.

Might Guy was one of the younger Konoha disciples favored by him, an elder founder of Konoha.

To put it another way.

It was like Feng Qingyang teaching Linghu Chong.

Sandaime felt that he was quite like Feng Qingyang himself: a master of a generation, with exceptional bearing and an extraordinary demeanor.

In his eyes, Might Guy's temperament and talent surpassed Linghu Chong's by far.

As for Might Guy's appearance?

Well, best not to mention it.