Things aren't as difficult to resolve as imagined

Miya sighed, then crouched down to look Shin-chan in the eyes. "What are you planning to do tomorrow?"

Shin-chan looked up, his face blank. "I don't know."

"Do you want to learn Blade Techniques?"

"Yes."

"Then will you still train with Might Guy's Father?"

Shin-chan thought for a moment.

Might Guy's Father, that Uncle who always shouted about youth and gave a thumbs-up.

"I... I guess so?"

Miya looked at his conflicted expression and couldn't help but sigh.

"Shin-chan, listen to Mother."

Shin-chan looked at her.

"If you promised two people something, you can only choose one, but you can explain it well to the other. They are both good people. As long as you apologize properly and explain the reason, they won't blame you."

"Really?"

"Really." Miya nodded. "But you have to apologize properly, because you promised him first."

Shin-chan nodded thoughtfully.

"And," Miya continued, "you can also discuss it with him. For example, you can go every other day, or go to his place first and then the other one. Adults can discuss things."

Shin-chan's eyes lit up. "We can discuss it?"

"Of course." Miya patted his head. "As long as you talk nicely, adults will understand."

Shin-chan thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Mother, do you and Father discuss things too?"

Miya froze for a moment, then smiled. "Yes, we do. For example, when he comes back from a mission, we discuss who will wash the dishes."

"What about when you can't reach an agreement?"

Miya's smile stiffened.

"Then... I win."

Shin-chan blinked. "Why do you win?"

"Because I'm Mother."

Shin-chan nodded thoughtfully, then asked seriously, "Then can I say tomorrow, 'Because I am Shin-chan, I have the final say'?"

"No."

"Why can Mother say it but I can't?"

"Because I am an adult."

Shin-chan sighed and shook his head, "Adults are so convenient. When they want to win, they say they're adults. When they want to reason, they reason."

"Stop the nonsense." Miya stood up, her face flushed with anger. "Go take a bath, you're all sweaty."

Shin-chan slowly stood up and walked towards the bathroom. When he reached the door, he suddenly turned back.

"Mother."

"What is it now?"

"Thank you."

Miya was slightly stunned. She stood in the living room, watching the small figure, and the corners of her mouth slowly turned up.

This child has grown a lot.

That night, Shin-chan slept restlessly, tossing and turning in bed, his mind filled with the apology he had to make tomorrow.

Would Thick-Eyed Uncle be angry?

Would he never let him train with him again?

Thinking about it, he fell asleep in a daze.

In his dream, Might Guy looked at him with teary eyes, constantly shouting, "Shin-chan, you liar." He wanted to explain, but his mouth felt sealed, and he couldn't utter a single word.

"Shin-chan, wake up."

Miya's voice pulled him out of his dream.

Shin-chan opened his eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling. Then he slowly sat up, uncharacteristically not lingering in bed.

"Mother."

"What?"

"I don't want to grow up."

Miya peeked her head out from the kitchen, looking utterly bewildered. "What are you talking about now?"

"Growing up is so troublesome," Shin-chan said, hugging his blanket. "You have to apologize, explain, and worry if others will be angry."

Miya paused, then smiled, "You still have a long way to go before you grow up, but there are things you need to do today."

Shin-chan sighed and dawdled as he got dressed, dawdled as he finished breakfast, dawdled as he put on his schoolbag, and even spoke with a weak voice.

"I'm leaving."

Miya stood at the door, watching his "going to his death" expression, and couldn't help but smile.

"Go for it."

"Mhm." Shin-chan waved his hand and walked heavily towards the Ninja Academy.

For the entire day, Shin-chan was a bit absent-minded, the dream from last night occasionally surfacing in his mind.

The school bell finally rang.

Shin-chan shouldered his bag and slowly walked out.

Might Guy was already waiting at the school entrance. As soon as he saw Shin-chan, he waved excitedly, "Shin-chan, let's burn with youthful passion today too!"

Looking at Might Guy's brilliant smile, Shin-chan's heart grew heavier. He thought about how to speak all the way.

When they arrived at the training ground, Might Duy was already standing there, wearing his iconic Green Spandex and giving a thumbs-up.

"You're here, youths of passion!"

Shin-chan stood before him, opened his mouth, and closed it again.

Might Duy looked at him, a bit puzzled, "What's wrong?"

Shin-chan took a deep breath, bent down, and bowed deeply.

"Uncle, I'm sorry."

Might Duy froze.

Might Guy froze too.

"I can't train with you today," Shin-chan's voice was muffled. "I promised Kakashi's Father that I would go learn Blade Techniques."

Shin-chan remained in his bowing posture, not daring to look up.

"It's alright." Might Duy seemed to sigh in relief. "Actually, I've been thinking about something these past few days."

"What is it?"

"My training method might not be very suitable for you."

Shin-chan blinked, not understanding.

Might Duy revealed a serious expression: "Shin-chan, do you know why I make Might Guy break through his limits again and again?"

Shin-chan shook his head.

"The only way I know to become stronger is to constantly challenge my limits, breaking through again and again. Each breakthrough makes me a little stronger."

Might Duy paused, then scratched his head: "But you are different. Although you've been training with me these past few days, you've never truly reached your limit."

Shin-chan was stunned.

"So," Duy patted his shoulder, "it's probably right for you to go learn Blade Techniques. My method can't teach you."

Shin-chan looked at him, suddenly feeling a warmth in his eyes: "Uncle, aren't you angry?"

"Angry?" Duy laughed heartily. "There isn't only one way to burn with youth! You going to learn Blade Techniques is also burning with youth!"

Shin-chan stared at him blankly, then bowed deeply: "Uncle, thank you for teaching me these past few days. Although I was tired, I was happy."

Large tears welled up in Duy's eyes, and he hugged Shin-chan tightly: "Shin-chan, you are a true man of youth!"

"Let, let go, I can't breathe..."

Might Guy stood nearby, watching this scene, and also started crying.

The three of them cried and laughed, hugging each other.

After a long while, Shin-chan broke free from Duy's embrace.

"Uncle, I'll be going now. Kakashi's Father is still waiting for me."

"Go ahead," Duy gave a thumbs-up. "Study hard."

Shin-chan turned and ran a few steps, then stopped and looked back at Might Guy.

"Might Guy."

"Hmm?"

"I'll come find you to play again tomorrow."

Tears welled up in Might Guy's eyes again, and he nodded vigorously, giving a thumbs-up: "Yeah, I'll wait for you."

Shin-chan waved his hand and disappeared around the street corner.

On the training ground, only Might Duy and Might Guy remained.

Might Guy stood in place, looking in the direction Shin-chan had disappeared, his eyes red.