Two and a Half Years

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

Thump thump thump!

The rapid, solid sounds of fists and feet colliding rang out densely. Two figures in the field crossed paths at high speed, separated, and clashed again, their movements clean and sharp, the force of their blows kicking up fine dust from the ground.

One figure was dark-skinned and burly, his attacks fierce and forceful—it was Ishizuka Takashi. The other was lean and steady, his responses methodical and precise—naturally, Higashino Shinichi.

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

Outside the field, a short, stocky middle-aged man wearing round sunglasses, with a somewhat comical air about him, stroked his chin, lost in thought.

He was none other than Chen Baojun, hailed as Konoha's strongest taijutsu user, known by the epithet "Konoha's Dragon God."

In the field, Takashi's assault grew fiercer, as if trying to overpower Shinichi with brute strength. But Shinichi's defense remained orderly, watertight, occasionally seizing gaps to counter with pinpoint accuracy, forcing Takashi to pull back.

"Hmm... about time to wrap this up. The kid's about to get serious." Chen Baojun keenly sensed the subtle shift in Shinichi's rhythm and breath.

Sure enough, the next moment...

As Shinichi deflected one of Takashi's heavy punches, his footwork slid oddly, cutting into the opponent's midline, momentarily stiff from the exertion of the strike. His right hand transformed from palm to finger, tapping lightly and lightning-fast at a certain spot on Takashi's chest and abdomen.

Ishizuka Takashi let out a muffled grunt, feeling his breath suddenly disrupted. The power he'd gathered instantly scattered, and his footing faltered.

Shinichi didn't miss the chance. He followed up with a clean sweep.

Thump!

Takashi's sturdy body lost balance, crashing flat onto his back, stirring up a cloud of dust.

"Cough... haha!" Takashi lay on the ground, catching his breath for a moment, then laughed without a hint of frustration. "Shinichi, you're still so strong! I thought that last move of mine might at least push you back!"

A smile spread across Shinichi's face, his breathing steady. He stepped forward and extended a hand to the fallen Takashi.

"You've improved a lot, Takashi."

Takashi grinned, grabbed Shinichi's hand, and used the leverage to spring to his feet. He slapped the dirt off his clothes vigorously, his fighting spirit undimmed. "Next time! After school starts in a few days, we'll keep going..."

"Probably... no time, Takashi." Shinichi shook his head gently.

"No time?" Takashi blinked, not catching on.

"Kid, you're planning to apply for early graduation, aren't you?"

A slightly hoarse but vigorous voice came from the side. The sunglasses-wearing Chen Baojun had approached a few steps without anyone noticing. Arms crossed, his gaze behind the lenses seemed fixed on Shinichi.

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

Over the years, his close association with Takashi had indeed yielded the results Shinichi had anticipated.

About a year and a half ago, during one of his sparring sessions with Takashi at the training ground, Chen Baojun happened to pass by and took notice.

After that, the taijutsu master of Konoha seemed to keep an eye on him. Occasionally, after watching their bouts, he'd offer casual comments, pointing out subtle flaws in Shinichi's power generation or footwork.

Such guidance grew more frequent and deeper in content, even extending to teaching him some taijutsu techniques.

Though Chen Baojun never explicitly used the word "disciple," what he imparted had long surpassed the bounds of a senior guiding a junior.

Shinichi understood this well and always maintained the demeanor of a student, respectful and sincere.

"Makes sense." Chen Baojun nodded, his tone flat but carrying the certainty of experience. "At your current level, staying in the academy won't teach you anything new. It might even hold back your growth. Getting out early to see real missions and hone your combat skills will do you more good."

"Shinichi, you're graduating early?" Takashi finally caught on, his eyes lighting up. A surge of excitement rushed to his head. "Then I will too! Let's go together..."

"Graduate early my ass!" Chen Baojun cut him off without mercy, stepping forward and rapping Takashi solidly on the head with his knuckles. "Your training's still way off, and you're thinking about graduating?"

"Ow!" Takashi clutched his head, whining indignantly. "But Might Guy from the next class graduated early a whole year ago! Back then, his taijutsu... I don't think it was better than mine!"

"At least Might Guy can use ninjutsu! Can you?" Chen Baojun shot him an exasperated glare. "The graduation exam always tests basic ninjutsu application, especially the Three Basic Techniques! You can't even pull off the simplest Clone Technique. What are you going to use to pass? Flex your muscles?"

Chen Baojun hit the nail on the head. Might Guy specialized in taijutsu, sure, but he wasn't completely incapable of ninjutsu.

Takashi's case was more unique. Like Guy's father, Might Duy, and the later hardworking genius Rock Lee, he had an innate obstacle in chakra's shape and nature transformation, rendering him almost unable to perform any conventional ninjutsu.

That Takashi later became a ninja at all was likely due to Konoha's higher-ups making an exception based on Chen Baojun's—the Konoha Dragon God, a top-tier taijutsu jonin—reputation and guarantee. But that was a story for another time.

"Huh? Then... I'll never graduate?" Hearing his teacher ruthlessly point out the harsh reality, Takashi felt as if struck by lightning. The excitement from moments ago was doused instantly, leaving his future looking bleak.

"We'll figure something out when the time comes!" Chen Baojun rolled his eyes. "For now, just drop the idea of early graduation. Focus on solidifying your foundation and building a stronger body!"

"Teacher Chen is right, Takashi." Shinichi chimed in to soothe him, his tone sincere. "The foundation of a taijutsu-type ninja is physical fitness. You're in the golden period for building that foundation and growing. Spending more time making your body tougher will let you handle more situations and environments as a ninja, even if you only rely on taijutsu."

"...Got it."

"Hey, kid." Chen Baojun's attention shifted back to Shinichi, his voice taking on an unusually earnest tone. "I know you're a bona fide genius, top-notch in skill. At your level, even if you graduate now, you'd absolutely be among the elite in the chunin and genin ranks."

He paused, his voice deepening. "But remember this: in the ninja world, strength and talent alone aren't nearly enough. Missions change endlessly, enemies are full of tricks. Underestimating opponents and getting complacent are shortcuts to a grave. The outside world is a thousand times harsher than the academy's classrooms and training grounds. Stay alert always, never look down on any opponent, and never overestimate your luck. Got it?"

Shinichi's expression turned serious. Meeting Chen Baojun's gaze, he nodded solemnly. "I understand, Teacher Chen. Thank you for your guidance. I'll keep it in mind."

"Good." Seeing his proper attitude, Chen Baojun's expression softened slightly. He nodded, pondered for a moment as if making a decision, then spoke. "Make sure you stay alive. When you get promoted to chunin... then I'll teach you a new taijutsu technique."

A new technique?

Shinichi's heart stirred. Over the past year and more, studying under Chen Baojun, he had already mastered a wealth of exquisite techniques from the Konoha Steel Fist Style.

Konoha's Dragon God?

He suppressed the ripples in his heart and bowed respectfully once more. "Yes, I understand, Teacher Chen. I'll do my best."

Chen Baojun said no more, merely waving his hand to signal they could continue training or dismiss. He turned and ambled out of the training ground.