Dazed

"...Heh."

Hearing what Guy said to him, Naruto could only laugh helplessly. "Teacher Kaido, you really don't need to put my name on it... A lot of these training methods already existed in Konoha. I just summarized them and gave them a fancy name."

"Then why hasn't anyone else summarized them?" Guy asked sternly. "This is your achievement. If you weren't the only Genin whose name was submitted, they wouldn't take it seriously. I'm the one who doesn't want my name on it."

"Naruto, don't underestimate yourself. Your Mixed-Oxygen concept might not seem as impressive as powerful ninjutsu or forbidden techniques, but it's a fundamental principle, just like nature transformation and Kekkei Genkai. It adds something to the Ninja World's approach to Taijutsu training... This isn't some childish little thing like you said."

At that, Guy's tone softened. He continued, "And speaking for myself, I hope the system of Taijutsu knowledge becomes more complete, too... To be honest, training like mine and Rock Lee's is something only a few people can endure. It can't be widely adopted. Only when more broadly applicable concepts like your Mixed-Oxygen Method appear will ninja take Taijutsu more seriously."

"..."

Naruto looked at Guy, who was being perfectly serious. They'd already gone this far, and the matter was settled. What could he say? All he could do was let out a long sigh inwardly.

He hadn't expected things to go this far.

At first, Guy had simply never seen the training methods Naruto had learned from the movie theater, so he'd asked him a few questions. Naruto hadn't thought much of it and had casually explained using knowledge he'd come across before, wondering if Guy had something he wanted to teach him.

But the more Guy listened, the more serious he became. He was especially interested in the concepts related to "mixed oxygen," saying they closely matched the combat needs of ninja, who had to balance long-distance travel with sudden fights. Improving their ability to withstand lactic acid buildup could also strengthen their combat effectiveness.

As the two talked, Guy suddenly exclaimed that he'd never heard such an ingenious theory. He said he would write a report about the concept Naruto had created and submit it to the Hokage, adding that Naruto really was a genius...

By then, Naruto had already begun to feel that something was off.

What did he mean, he'd never heard such an ingenious theory?

The Ninja World had missiles, and yet it didn't have something as basic as mixed oxygen?

And the main thing was...

Naruto knew the truth.

He hadn't come up with the concept of mixed oxygen at all!

He'd plagiarized it!

If Guy submitted it like this and Naruto became known as the creator of the Mixed-Oxygen Method, wouldn't that make him exactly the kind of fraud and plagiarist people cursed in the comments?

Outrageous.

Naruto prided himself on having such high morals that even the Nine-Tails had been moved. How could he accept doing something like that?!

Of course, the virtuous Naruto immediately objected, insisting at the very least that his name be removed. Guy kept refusing, and the two had been going back and forth ever since.

"Teacher Kaido, you really don't need to put my name on it," Naruto said, making one last effort. "No one will believe that a Genin like me came up with all this."

"Don't worry, Naruto. I'll prove this is your achievement. No one's doubts will matter. When the village awards you compensation, it'll all go to you."

"Compensation?" Naruto's eyes narrowed.

"Naruto, didn't you know? The village gives rewards of varying amounts to people who make major contributions... At the very least, it should be worth as much as completing a B-Rank Mission."

"Then please make sure to prove it's mine, Teacher Kaido." Naruto's last stand ended.

He gripped Guy's hands tightly. "I've wandered alone for half my life... Now, at last, I have the good fortune to burn with youthful passion alongside you, Teacher Kaido! How wonderful!"

Damn, he was finally going to have money.

Naruto's eyes filled with tears.

Heaven knew how he'd been scraping by all this time.

Ever since he'd started training, Naruto's budget had been steadily drained by all kinds of unexpected expenses. His ninja tools broke, his weights had to be replaced, and the soles of his shoes kept coming unglued. Eventually, even his clothes started to fall apart from the intensity of his training. Once every piece of clothing he owned had holes in it, he had no choice but to pay for repairs.

In fact, to save money, three weeks ago Naruto had started buying necessities only on sale days, choosing food that was close to its expiration date, and spending most of his training time shirtless... But there was nothing he could do about his pants. He couldn't train bare-assed in broad daylight, could he?

So when he heard there was compensation involved, all thoughts of his lofty morals went out the window. Damn, how many bowls of Ichiraku Ramen could those morals buy?

So what if it was plagiarism? He'd just plagiarize, plagiarize, plagiarize, plagiarize.

Although Guy hadn't understood a word Naruto said apart from "youthful passion," he was moved all the same. "That's right, Naruto! This is... our burning youth!"

"Teacher Kaido!"

"Naruto!"

"Waahhhh!"

"Rock Lee, why are you crying too?!"

Watching the three men embrace for no apparent reason, Tenten could only groan.

Off to the side, Neji, who had been silent until then, had a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Guy and Rock Lee had often talked about Naruto's Mixed-Oxygen Method and the visible progress he'd made during this time within Team 10. After spending time with him, Neji had found that what the two said was true. If anything, he thought Naruto's talent surpassed their descriptions.

After all, the Byakugan could see things others couldn't.

Neji could clearly see that the chakra in Naruto's body was as vast as the sun. The sheer amount of chakra seemed ready to overflow, making him a monster by any measure.

"...So, will Naruto take part in this year's Chunin Exams?"

Neji couldn't help wondering. Team 10 had decided long ago that all of them would take part in this year's Chunin Exams. Before now, they hadn't thought there was any Konoha Genin who could pose a threat to them.

But Naruto had now become someone they couldn't afford to overlook.

And he'd heard that the strongest rookie in this class wasn't Naruto, but a guy named Uchiha Sasuke.

There were two monsters like that?

"If only I could ask Hinata..."

The thought had barely occurred to Neji before the gloom that rose in his heart extinguished it.

"Hmph... It doesn't matter."

Neji's gaze toward Naruto returned to its usual calm. It wasn't that he looked down on Naruto; on the contrary, he recognized him as a natural-born elite, just like himself.

But he was just as certain of one thing.

"The Byakugan... I... am the strongest."

A while later, after confirming repeatedly that the reward would arrive within two weeks barring any unforeseen issues, Naruto said goodbye to Team 10.

The two groups didn't have matching schedules for the whole day. Each had their own things to do.

Before leaving, Naruto glanced at Neji a few times, looking as if he wanted to say something. In the end, though, he left without a word.

After Naruto left, the atmosphere in Team 10 suddenly grew much quieter.

Neji remained his usual cool, expressionless self.

Rock Lee was wondering if he should find a time to spar with Naruto.

Tenten had noticed the way Neji had looked at Naruto and felt a hint of worry.

Just then, as if he'd remembered something, Guy suddenly spoke to Neji.

"By the way, Neji, how is your younger sister Hinata doing? Is she still unconscious? What did the doctors say?"

The word "younger sister" stung Neji, but knowing Teacher Kaido hadn't meant anything by it, he replied, "Yes, she's still unconscious. Every now and then, though, she mutters things like 'Boruto,' 'bastard,' and 'I'll kill you'—words that don't make any sense... The Medical Corps can't figure out the cause at all. Lord Hokage came to see her too and ruled out the possibility that it was caused by a ninjutsu... The head of the family is even thinking of going to see Lady Tsunade."