Guy, What is True Victory?

"Keep it up, I believe in you!"

Tsunade nodded, offering further encouragement.

Might Guy was so moved he couldn't contain himself, immediately declaring that he would work hard and strive to never let down Tsunade's expectations.

He then vanished in a flash.

Tsunade was silent for a few seconds, then turned her head: "Is this guy always like this?"

"He can be a bit unpredictable, but you get used to it. In truth, he is a good ninja who is willing to work hard and has talent."

Kyohiko put in a good word for Guy.

Tsunade nodded.

She certainly knew Guy was decent and hardworking; otherwise, she wouldn't have given him substantive support.

Tsunade, Orochimaru came so quickly—did they happen to see me, or have they been keeping an eye on me all along?

Kyohiko observed while secretly pondering.

Then...

He asked: "Sister Tsunade, have you overcome that?"

"It's not that easy."

Tsunade shook her head.

She had indeed been researching and searching for information on the matter, looking to see if there were any corresponding medicines, but Konoha had no records in this area; it was a completely blank field.

Looking on the bright side—

There was plenty of room for progress in medical science, and she had many directions in which she could strive.

As she spoke, she couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

"I was just discussing with Orochimaru whether the Hozuki Clan has specific nerves after they liquefy."

"This..."

Kyohiko couldn't answer.

Tsunade gave a dashing smile.

"Don't you worry. I am Tsunade; a mere little ailment won't stump me. If I overcame it now, wouldn't I lose the reason to look for medicinal herbs in that area?"

She walked forward, then suddenly paused.

"By the way, Jiraiya hasn't been in the village lately. Did I mention the Joint Chunin Exams to you?"

"No, but Guy just told me about them."

Kyohiko said.

Tsunade slapped her own forehead.

"I've been so busy with research lately that I completely forgot to tell you!"

Then, she explained the situation regarding this Joint Chunin Exams.

It was roughly the same as what Guy had said.

The difference was that Tsunade mentioned deeper aspects.

The issue in the Land of Waves was largely as Kyohiko had imagined.

At the national level...

Nobles from various countries were gathering in the Land of Waves these days, preparing to discuss a set of maritime shipping policies to prevent the shipping industry from being maliciously monopolized by commercial companies.

At the ninja village level, Konoha had joined forces with Kumogakure, Yugakure, and other villages with interests in shipping routes to force Kirigakure to declare that they would not support Gato behind the scenes and would not interfere in the internal affairs of the Land of Waves—

Konoha was doing the same.

Jiraiya was serving as the representative, having gone to attend this meeting.

The Joint Chunin Exams were essentially a side dish to this meeting; in essence, everyone wanted to know how well the other villages had recovered their strength after the war.

The venue was chosen in Yugakure.

"Everyone is still having small-scale battles and conflicts in private, so no one feels at ease going to anyone else's territory. We simply chose the neutral Yugakure. It's a very special exam, so the village is being very cautious with the selection."

Tsunade said, looking at Kyohiko, "You and Kurenai are among them."

Kyohiko asked: "Can Kakashi participate?"

Tsunade shook her head.

Kakashi was already a Chunin; participating in a joint exam of this level would inevitably invite criticism.

"Even if you and Kurenai both participate, you still need to choose a temporary teammate. Do you have any candidates?"

"What about Guy and the others?"

"They don't have enough strength, and as for Might Guy..."

Tsunade recalled the information she had reviewed.

Setting aside ninjutsu and academic performance, Might Guy's strength was not weak, though his two teammates were somewhat substandard; forming a temporary squad for the exams was certainly feasible.

She had initially intended to offer to ask on Kyohiko's behalf.

However.

Thinking back to Guy's performance just moments ago, the corners of her mouth twitched, and she lost any desire to have further contact with him in the near future.

"I will ask Kurenai for you, but you had best ask Might Guy yourself to avoid any misunderstandings. If you are certain about participating, you still have one month to hone your skills."

"Yes!"

Since Guy had brought it up just now, he was clearly willing to participate.

Kyohiko was not worried.

After bidding farewell to Tsunade, Kyohiko found Might Guy outside a forest.

He was wiping away tears while training.

Kyohiko hesitated for a moment, but ultimately walked up to him.

"Guy, I have an urgent matter. How many members of your squad are participating in the Chunin Exams? If it's just you, our team might be exactly one person short."

Might Guy's expression went blank, followed immediately by a look of pleasant surprise.

"Really?"

"I have always thought highly of you. Or were you under the impression that I was just comforting you before?"

"Kyohiko!"

Guy immediately hugged Kyohiko.

He quickly let go, saying excitedly, "I must train! I must become stronger; I absolutely cannot become a burden to you all! I'll run another five hundred laps today, and if I can't do it, I will..."

"I'll train with you!"

"That's wonderful!"

By nightfall, both were exhausted, but Kyohiko still insisted on walking Might Guy to his doorstep.

"Guy, is he the new friend you mentioned?"

"He is the Kyohiko I told you about."

Guy hesitated for a moment before saying, "Father, he even invited me to participate in the Chunin Exams together!"

Might Duy froze for a moment.

Then, he patted Guy's hair.

After a brief pause, Might Duy said, "Guy, do you remember what I told you about what a ninja's true victory is?"

"To protect the things that are important to you, even unto death."

"Yes. Today, I will teach you a technique. Although it is not quite perfect, it is time—this Chunin Exam is the moment for you to protect your comrades!"

As Might Duy spoke, a massive amount of chakra suddenly erupted from within his body.

At that moment, Guy's expression went blank.

Previously, although he no longer hated his father's "youth" quotes and had even subconsciously picked up a few, he had never imagined that his father was hiding such immense power.

"This technique is to be used only to protect your teammates. From here on, I will train you to master it!"

"Yes!"

The next day, at the designated training ground outside the village.

"You two?"

"We will never hold you back!"

Kyohiko and Guy shouted in unison.

Kurenai Yuhi's face darkened.

One look at these two was enough to tell that they had trained so hard yesterday that their energy and spirits were not in good shape today.

Kyohiko was doing better, merely slightly fatigued, which shouldn't affect today's training.

But Might Guy.

Looking at his state, he probably hadn't rested at all yesterday.

She stared at Might Guy.

Guy immediately shrank back: "I... I didn't mean to..."

A moment later, the fourth person arrived.

Although he tried to conceal it, Kurenai Yuhi could still see that Kakashi was covered in bruises.

She sighed.

"You guys! Just let me heal you first. My skills might not be top-tier, but they are more than enough for injuries like these."

"No need, it won't affect the fight."

Kakashi's tone was cold.

Kyohiko Yoshimine said, "Kurenai, don't bother talking about us; you haven't been resting well yourself, have you?"

Kurenai Yuhi fell silent.

Everyone wanted to become stronger, so how could she possibly rest?

A moment later, the fifth and sixth people arrived.

Genma Shiranui and Ebisu were, without a doubt, in the best physical and mental condition.

However.

When they saw these four.

It was evident that each of them bore the marks of insane training.

Compared to them.

The two of them...

Genma Shiranui and Ebisu exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock, while a deep sense of shame rose in their hearts.

Before, they had only compared themselves to Guy, thinking that since Guy's talent was average, such frantic effort wasn't surprising.

But.

What about Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Kyohiko Yoshimine?

They were Jiraiya's students!

Could it be that they were all just as crazy as Guy?

"Let's begin. This training is mainly to hone the coordination of those three in preparation for the Joint Chunin Exams. As for us three..."

Kakashi glanced at Genma Shiranui and Ebisu.

He instinctively wanted to make a snide remark, but his reason suppressed the impulse.

"We just need to do our best."

Anyway...

Even if it were him, unless he relied solely on swordsmanship, he might not be a match for Kyohiko.

Just do his best!