Your Ideal Type?

Neji rubbed his temples, feeling a dull ache there. "Core members of the Hyuga Main Family rarely leave the compound unless it's for an important matter or they have a strong escort. You want to break into the Hyuga Clan Compound and kidnap someone under the watchful eyes of the Military Police Force and countless Byakugan?"

"Fine." Akimichi Denji reluctantly let go of the idea.

The conversation returned to square one.

"Then who should we look for if we need a ninja proficient in soul jutsu and Sealing Jutsu?"

Akimichi Denji stroked his chin. A name with a cold, slimy air about it was the first to come to mind—Orochimaru!

One of the legendary Sannin, he was highly skilled in soul transference, forbidden jutsu development, and sealing research! If they wanted to break the Caged Bird, he was absolutely the best candidate.

Unfortunately, that was impossible for now.

Once he was strong enough, perhaps he really could try to approach him.

"What about a ninja from the Yamanaka Clan? The Mind Transfer Jutsu involves research into the soul, too." Akimichi Denji thought of Yamanaka Ino.

"Would a ninja from the Yamanaka Clan join us?" Hyuga Neji gave Akimichi Denji a sidelong glance.

"You don't need to worry about that." Akimichi Denji waved a hand.

"What about someone who knows Sealing Jutsu?"

"We'll see about that later," Akimichi Denji said.

When it came to Sealing Jutsu, the Uzumaki Clan of the Land of Whirlpools was the obvious best choice. But the Land of Whirlpools had already been destroyed, and he didn't even know whether their Sealing Jutsu had been passed down.

The only descendants of the Uzumaki Clan left were Uzumaki Naruto and Karin, who was far away in the Land of Grass.

Never mind how he'd bring Karin back; even getting his hands on knowledge of Sealing Jutsu would be a hassle.

The Scroll of Seals ought to contain information about Sealing Jutsu.

But he couldn't get access to it yet.

Akimichi Denji had pinned his hopes on Tsunade. If she became Hokage, he'd have a chance to learn about Sealing Jutsu.

Shaking off those thoughts, Akimichi Denji felt a little worn out. All that thinking was still too much for him.

It was easier to just use his fists.

"Oh, right. Your sister's going to come train at my place every other day from now on. You can keep escorting her over." Akimichi Denji reminded him.

"My sister?" Hyuga Neji asked, confused. It took him a long while to remember who Akimichi Denji meant. "Hinata?"

The two had been sitting outside the doorway. Akimichi Denji patted himself down and stood. "Since your injuries don't seem serious, I'll head back first."

Hyuga Neji nodded and got up to leave as well.

"Shizune, I'll be back a little late tonight! Please tell Lady Tsunade," Akimichi Denji called out. He had to make arrangements for the training of Sasuke Uchiha and Hyuga Hinata today.

"Okay!" Shizune replied from inside. "Remember to come back early. Lady Tsunade said she'd teach you Yin Healing Wound Destruction today."

Hyuga Neji, who had risen with him, looked at Akimichi Denji. "You're already able to train in Yin Healing Wound Destruction?"

Yin Healing Wound Destruction was a B-rank Medical Ninjutsu. Any ninja who could learn it had already reached the threshold of becoming a medical jonin.

Akimichi Denji waved him off. He was just keeping a low profile.

"Why don't you help me study the Caged Bird seal, then?" Hyuga Neji grumbled.

"Find a way to undo the seal first, then we'll talk."

Hyuga Neji's gaze shifted. He took Akimichi Denji's words to heart.

When the two returned to the training ground, they saw a crowd gathered around, buzzing with excitement. The scene was every bit as lively as when Akimichi Denji and Hyuga Neji had fought.

"Why are those two still fighting?"

"This is a proper Taijutsu showdown!"

"Neither of them is throwing a single ninja tool!"

"Maybe it's not that they won't throw them, but that they don't know how?"

"That makes sense."

Akimichi Denji immediately spotted that distinctive head of blond hair in the crowd: Yamanaka Ino.

She was watching the match on the training ground intently and hadn't noticed him approaching at all.

Denji walked up behind her and gently tapped her shoulder. Ino turned at the sound, her silky hair brushing across the tip of Denji's nose as she moved.

"So close!" Ino only then realized how near they were, almost face-to-face.

A pair of blushes bloomed on her fair cheeks.

Denji didn't seem to notice her embarrassment and simply asked curiously, "What's going on? Why is it so lively?"

"Oh!" Ino collected herself and hurriedly pointed to the field. "It's Uzumaki Naruto. He's fighting again! His opponent is... um..." She faltered, unable to remember the name.

"I forgot his name. He's some green weirdo. He seems even weirder than Naruto."

At that description, even the usually composed Hyuga Neji wore a helpless expression. He clearly knew who she meant.

Akimichi Denji looked toward the field. Rock Lee and Uzumaki Naruto were evenly matched, trading blows back and forth.

"They've been fighting for about twenty minutes."

Both were panting and completely exhausted.

"They actually ended up fighting each other..." Akimichi Denji said, somewhat surprised.

Umino Iruka really couldn't stand watching any longer. He stepped forward and said, "All right! You're evenly matched, so let's call this one a draw!"

"I can still fight!" Uzumaki Naruto protested, though his steps were already unsteady.

"So can I! We have to burn through our youth!"

With that, the two clashed again.

Umino Iruka watched them helplessly.

After another five minutes of deadlock, Uzumaki Naruto punched at Rock Lee while Rock Lee kicked Naruto. They both fell to the ground.

Seeing this, Umino Iruka hurried over.

"Okay, okay! You can fight again next time!" Umino Iruka called a halt by force.

"Not bad!" Rock Lee pushed himself to his feet. "You're a worthy opponent. I acknowledge you!"

"I think you're pretty good, too. You actually managed to trade blows with me!" Uzumaki Naruto said.

"What's your name?"

"Uzumaki Naruto! I'm going to be Hokage!" Uzumaki Naruto declared.

"Good! You've set your sights high. No wonder I acknowledged you. I can already see the flames of youth burning within you!"

The two left the field. They'd become friends through their fight and already seemed like close buddies.

Akimichi Denji wasn't surprised. Naruto's personality really did mesh with Rock Lee's.

Rock Lee suddenly slung an arm around Naruto's shoulders, his expression utterly serious. "My friend, for the sake of our shared youth, I must ask: what's your ideal type?"

Uzumaki Naruto was a little taken aback. He hadn't expected Rock Lee to ask that. He glanced at Sakura by the edge of the field and looked a little embarrassed.

"Do I really have to say?"

"Of course! It's an important part of youth, too!" Rock Lee said firmly.

"If I have to..." Naruto's voice was as quiet as a mosquito's buzz. "Pink hair... a broad forehead... I don't mind if she's a little short-tempered..."

Rock Lee froze instantly.

How could this be? They were exactly the same!

He could almost see the two of them training together, eating together, and sweating through their youth.

His eyes grew hot beneath his thick eyebrows, and a tear slid down his cheek.

"We're... best friends!"