Two and a Half Years Later

Two and a half years later, at Konoha Training Ground 4.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The rapid, solid impacts of fists and feet rang out in quick succession. Two figures moved at incredible speed, crossing, separating, and colliding again, their movements clean and decisive as the force of their blows kicked up fine dust from the ground.

One of them was dark-skinned and heavily built, his attacks fierce and powerful. He was Ishizuka Takashi. The other was lean and composed, responding with precise, disciplined movements. Naturally, he was Higashino Shinichi.

"That brat's physique really is something else."

Off to the side, a short, stocky middle-aged man wearing round sunglasses rubbed his chin and pondered inwardly. His appearance and manner were somewhat comical.

He was Chen Baojun, known as Konoha's Dragon God and hailed as Konoha's strongest Taijutsu shinobi.

In the training ground, Takashi's attacks grew increasingly fierce, as though he intended to overwhelm Shinichi with sheer strength. Yet Shinichi remained calm and orderly, defending without leaving a single opening. Whenever he found a gap, his counterattacks were precise and effective, forcing Takashi to defend.

"Hmm... It's about time to end this. The brat's about to get serious." Chen Baojun keenly sensed the subtle change in Shinichi's aura and rhythm.

Sure enough, the next moment...

The instant Shinichi deflected one of Takashi's heavy punches, his foot slid strangely. He cut into the centerline that had become slightly sluggish from Takashi's exertion, then transformed his right hand from a palm into two fingers and lightly touched a certain point between Takashi's chest and abdomen with lightning speed.

Takashi let out a muffled grunt. He suddenly felt his breath go awry, and the power he had gathered instantly collapsed. His footing became unsteady.

Shinichi did not miss the opportunity. He took advantage of the opening and swept out a simple kick.

Bang!

Takashi's sturdy body lost its balance and crashed heavily onto his back, sending a cloud of dust into the air.

"Cough... Hahaha!" Takashi lay on the ground and took two breaths before laughing. He showed no sign of discouragement. "Shinichi, you're still as strong as ever! I thought that last move would at least force you back!"

A smile appeared on Shinichi's face as well. His breathing remained steady. He stepped forward and extended a hand toward Takashi, who was lying on the ground.

"You've improved a lot, Takashi."

Takashi gave a cheeky grin, grabbed Shinichi's hand, and sprang to his feet with his help. After vigorously brushing the dirt from his body, the Fighting Spirit in his eyes remained undiminished. "Next time! Once school starts in a few days, we'll continue..."

"Maybe... I won't have time, Takashi." Shinichi gently shook his head.

"No time?" Takashi froze, unable to process it.

"Boy, are you planning to apply for early graduation?"

A slightly hoarse yet powerful voice came from nearby. Chen Baojun, still wearing his sunglasses, had approached at some point. He stood with his arms folded, the gaze behind his lenses seemingly fixed on Shinichi.

Shinichi turned toward Chen Baojun and respectfully bowed slightly. "Yes, Teacher Chen. That's exactly what I intend to do."

His close association with Takashi over the past few years had indeed achieved the effect Shinichi had anticipated.

A little over a year ago, Chen Baojun happened to see Shinichi sparring with Takashi at the training ground while passing by.

After that, the Taijutsu expert of Konoha seemed to take notice of him. From time to time, he would watch from the sidelines and offer a few seemingly casual comments, pointing out tiny flaws in Shinichi's exertion of force or footwork.

His Guidance gradually became more frequent, and the content grew increasingly profound. He had even taught Shinichi several Taijutsu moves.

Although Chen Baojun had never explicitly mentioned taking him as a disciple, what he taught had long since exceeded the bounds of what an ordinary senior would pass on to a junior.

Shinichi understood this perfectly. He had always treated Chen Baojun with the respect due to a disciple, maintaining a respectful and sincere attitude.

"That's true." Chen Baojun nodded. His tone was calm, but it carried the certainty of someone who had been through it before. "At your current level, staying at the Ninja Academy won't teach you anything new. It might even restrict your growth. Going out earlier to experience real missions and temper yourself through actual combat will do you more good."

"Shinichi, you're graduating early?" Takashi finally understood. His eyes suddenly lit up, and his blood surged. "Then I want to as well! We'll go together..."

"You can graduate early when pigs fly!" Chen Baojun interrupted him without mercy. He stepped forward and delivered a solid knuckle to Takashi's head. "Your training is still far from sufficient, and you're already thinking about graduation?"

"Ouch!" Takashi covered his head and complained, "But Might Guy from the class next door graduated early a year ago, didn't he? His Taijutsu back then... I don't think it was as good as mine!"

"At least Might Guy knows how to use Ninjutsu! Do you?" Chen Baojun glared at him impatiently. "The graduation exam requires an assessment of basic Ninjutsu applications, especially the Three-Body Technique! You can't even perform the most basic Clone Technique. What are you going to use in the exam? Go up there and show off your muscles?"

Chen Baojun had struck the nail on the head. Might Guy did specialize in Taijutsu, but he was not completely incapable of using Ninjutsu.

Takashi's situation was more unusual. Like Guy's father, Might Duy, and the later hard-working genius Rock Lee, he had an innate impairment in chakra's shape and nature transformation, leaving him almost completely unable to perform any conventional ninjutsu.

The reason Takashi was eventually still able to become a shinobi was likely that the Konoha High Command had made an exception because of Chen Baojun—the Konoha's Dragon God and top Taijutsu Jonin—and his guarantee. But that was a story for later.

"What? Then... does that mean I'll never be able to graduate?" Hearing his teacher ruthlessly point out the cruel reality, Takashi looked as though he had been struck by lightning. His excitement vanished in an instant, leaving him feeling that his future was bleak.

"We'll think of something when the time comes!" Chen Baojun rolled his eyes. "For now, forget about graduating early. Honestly reinforce your foundations and train until your body gets stronger!"

"Teacher Chen is right, Takashi." Shinichi also spoke up to comfort him, his tone sincere. "A Taijutsu shinobi's foundation lies in physical fitness. You're currently in the golden period for building your foundation and growing. Spend more time making your body sturdier. That way, even if Taijutsu is all you know, you'll have many more situations and environments you can handle once you become a shinobi."

"...Got it."

"Hey, boy." Chen Baojun's attention returned to Shinichi, and his tone took on an unusual touch of earnestness. "I know you're a genuine Genius. Your strength is outstanding. At your current level, even if you graduated, you'd definitely be among the top tier of the Genin and Chunin ranks."

He paused, and his voice grew heavier. "But remember this: in the shinobi business, strength and talent alone are far from enough. Missions are ever-changing, and enemies are devious. Underestimating your opponent and growing complacent are often the fastest roads to a gravestone. The outside world is a thousand times more brutal than the Ninja Academy's classrooms and training grounds. Stay vigilant at all times. Never underestimate any opponent, and never overestimate your own luck. Understand?"

Shinichi's expression turned solemn. Meeting Chen Baojun's gaze, he nodded gravely. "I understand, Teacher Chen. Thank you for your instruction. I will remember it."

"Mm." Seeing his earnest attitude, Chen Baojun's expression eased somewhat. He nodded, pondered for a moment as though he had made a decision, and said, "Make sure you stay alive. When you advance to Chunin... then I'll teach you another new Taijutsu move."

A new Taijutsu move?

Shinichi's heart stirred. Over the past year or so, he had studied under Chen Baojun and already mastered a great deal of the profound Taijutsu of the Konoha Steel Fist Style.

Konoha's Dragon God?

He suppressed the ripples in his heart and once again lowered his head respectfully. "Yes, I understand, Teacher Chen. I'll work hard."

Chen Baojun said no more. He merely waved his hand, indicating that they could continue training or disperse. He himself turned around and ambled toward the edge of the training ground.