Your Youth Has My Approval!

Might Guy couldn't help clenching his fist.

Nebula Kotetsu's voice continued.

"But I wasn't good enough."

"I had no talent for ninjutsu. Even performing the Three Basic Techniques was a struggle."

"I wanted to study Taijutsu, but the pain and setbacks, again and again, made me doubt myself."

"In the dead of night, I often wondered..."

"Maybe this was as far as I'd ever get."

"Maybe I really was just someone with no talent."

"I'd fail to graduate, never become a proper ninja, and end up an ordinary person—marrying some rich family's pretty daughter and living a dull life of luxury."

Might Guy couldn't quite follow his train of thought.

A "?" had barely begun to form in his mind when Nebula Kotetsu's next words drew his attention away.

"Until I met you."

"Guy!"

"I heard your story from other students and teachers."

"How you faced the pressure, took things one step at a time, entered the Academy, and grew into the person you are today."

"An excellent student with incredible Taijutsu!"

"When I look at you, it's as if I can see the light of youth shining through the darkness ahead of me."

"I found my confidence!"

"I knew I could become an excellent ninja!"

"So I made the resolute decision to repeat a year."

"Two years."

"For those two years, I worked hard every single day. Sometimes, I was so busy I didn't finish until eleven or twelve at night."

"I had just one goal: to improve!"

Might Guy felt a surge of respect.

Just then, Nebula Kotetsu, his strength mostly recovered, slowly got to his feet.

"Guy."

"Tomorrow is my third graduation exam!"

"So I'm challenging you now!"

"I spent two years finally feeling that I'd made progress. So even though I'm still behind you, even though I may be biting off more than I can chew, I still want to challenge you."

"Please accept my challenge. I'm asking you."

He formed the Seal of Confrontation.

Might Guy's eyes lit up.

With the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end, he rose and took his place opposite Nebula Kotetsu, forming the Seal of Confrontation.

"Don't say you're biting off more than you can chew."

"It's an honor to accept your challenge."

"Come at me, Nebula Kotetsu. Out of respect for you, I'll give it everything I've got."

Nebula Kotetsu's heart tightened.

His body was in better shape now, and he had a decent amount of chakra for his age, but he wasn't sure he could withstand Might Guy once he got serious.

Still, at this point, he had to keep up the act.

"Here I come, Guy!"

"Thud!" Dirt burst beneath his feet as he unleashed his strength and shot forward.

The next instant, he was locked in battle with Might Guy, who stood ready for him!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

After three impacts, Nebula Kotetsu was hurled out of the fray and hit the ground with a thump.

Fortunately, the dirt and grass beneath him kept him from taking a second hit. Even so, his face had gone a little pale.

Might Guy was strong.

Nebula Kotetsu had only managed to block two heavy attacks in succession before a front kick sent him flying.

Across from him, Might Guy looked flustered.

Had he hit him too hard?

"Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know—"

"I'm fine!" Nebula Kotetsu raised a hand to cut him off.

He braced one hand against the ground and slowly got up, rubbing his numb chest. Once he was sure nothing was wrong, he settled into a fighting stance again.

Again!

A flicker of emotion crossed Might Guy's eyes.

"Okay, here I come!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Fists and feet collided, each impact landing with a dull thud.

Nebula Kotetsu gave it everything he had, ignoring his exhaustion and pushing his body to its limits. Whenever an attack proved too difficult to block, he used his Lv. 1 Big Slap skill, which was likely to stop it.

However, Might Guy was far stronger than he was.

With his exceptional physique, quick reflexes, and movements that flowed from one response into the next like instinct, Might Guy was incredibly well-rounded when it came to Taijutsu.

Before long, Nebula Kotetsu had been knocked to the ground several times.

But as long as he could still go on, he gritted his teeth, got back up, and resumed the fight.

This was the approach he'd chosen to make sure his friendship with Might Guy progressed.

Nothing brought boys closer than a good, hard-hitting fight.

Finally, when Nebula Kotetsu tried to stand but his legs buckled and he stumbled back to the ground, Might Guy lowered his fists.

"That's enough, Nebula."

"I... I can still go." Nebula Kotetsu forced himself up again, enduring the stinging in his muscles as he slowly rose to his feet.

He took up a fighting stance once more.

Might Guy shook his head.

"Nebula, that's enough."

"You've earned my respect."

Nebula Kotetsu looked at Might Guy, then slowly lowered his hands.

"Sorry I couldn't bring out your full strength."

"Don't say that," Might Guy replied.

"I'm happy to have someone like you as an opponent."

"Really?"

"Of course."

"Nebula, I'll look forward to your next challenge, but we can't keep going today."

"Your graduation exam is tomorrow. You need to be in good shape."

"I understand. Thanks."

"I'll challenge you again, for sure."

Might Guy left.

He'd wanted to help the injured Nebula Kotetsu home, but Nebula had refused.

Someone else was waiting for him.

"Let me think, whose turn was it for today's date... Right, Honjo Aya."

"Then Kanako."

Recalling his dates, Nebula Kotetsu tidied himself up as best he could, then limped along a path behind the mountain. Before long, he arrived at a quiet, secluded spot.

By a small lake, willows swayed and a spring murmured. A woman stood on the pebbled shore, her tall figure impossible to hide even beneath her ninja uniform. She stared into the distance.

Hearing footsteps behind her, the woman turned around.

Her beautiful face held a touch of heroic spirit, with slender brows, a high nose, and an imposing air.

Honjo Aya.

She was a year younger than Nebula Kotetsu but had graduated from the Ninja Academy a year ahead of him. One of the previous class's standout students, she had both exceptional ninja talent and a striking appearance. In the terms of his past life, she was a cool, mature beauty with bold features.

But now, when she saw Nebula Kotetsu, displeasure showed in her eyes.

Frowning slightly, she asked coolly, "Where have you been? What happened to you?"

Nebula Kotetsu was used to her cool demeanor.

She'd always been like that at school, keeping everyone at arm's length. But with her tall figure and sharp, heroic eyes, she still had plenty of admirers.

Who knew how many boys privately said that one cool glance from her gave them enough material to dream about for several nights in a row?