Coma

"...Heh."

Hearing what Might Guy said to him, Naruto could only smile helplessly: "Might Guy-sensei, you really don't need to add my name... Many of these training methods have actually existed in Konoha for a long time; I just summarized them and slapped a title on them."

"Then why hasn't anyone else summarized them?" Might Guy said sternly. "This is your achievement. If it weren't for the fact that they wouldn't take it seriously if only a genin's name were submitted, I wouldn't even want to add my own name."

"Naruto, don't underestimate yourself. While this Mixed-Oxygen Method concept might seem inferior to those powerful ninjutsu or forbidden techniques, it is a foundational concept akin to nature transformation or Kekkei Genkai. It is an addition to the training philosophy of taijutsu in the Ninja World... This is not some trivial matter as you claim."

At this, Might Guy's tone softened, and he continued: "Furthermore, from a personal standpoint, I also hope the knowledge system of taijutsu can be more perfected... To be honest, training like Rock Lee and I do is something only a few can endure; it cannot be popularized. Only by having more universally applicable conceptual methods like your Mixed-Oxygen Method will ninjas place more importance on taijutsu."

"..."

Naruto looked at the very serious Might Guy. Since things had reached this point and the boat had already sailed, what else could he say? He could only heave a long sigh in his heart.

He never expected things to develop to this stage.

Originally, it was just that Might Guy hadn't seen the training methods he'd learned from the cinema and asked him a few questions. Naruto hadn't paid much mind to it, casually using the knowledge he'd seen before to explain, wondering if Might Guy had some pointers for him.

As a result, Might Guy became more and more serious the more he heard, especially regarding the concepts related to "mixed-oxygen." He said it was very close to the combat characteristics ninjas needed, balancing long-distance travel with instantaneous combat, and that improving acid tolerance could also strengthen a ninja's combat power.

By the time they finished talking, Might Guy suddenly lamented that he had never heard such a brilliant theory, and insisted on writing this concept he had "created" into a report for the Hokage, rambling about how he was truly a genius...

Actually, Naruto had felt something was wrong by then.

What did he mean by never having heard such a brilliant theory?

This Ninja World even had missiles, yet it didn't have a mere Mixed-Oxygen Method?

And the key point was:

Naruto knew his own situation.

This Mixed-Oxygen concept really wasn't created by him!

He had plagiarized it too!

If it were really submitted by Might Guy like this, and he became the creator of this Mixed-Oxygen Method, wouldn't he become the kind of literary plagiarist who deceives the world for fame that people cursed in the bullet comments?

Preposterous.

Naruto prided himself on having a moral standard so high that even the Nine-Tails was moved by it; how could he accept doing such a thing?!

The noble-minded Naruto naturally expressed his opposition immediately, at least wanting to remove his name. Then Might Guy kept refusing, and the two of them tugged back and forth until now.

"Might Guy-sensei, you really don't need to add my name." Naruto decided to make a final struggle. "No one will believe that a genin like me came up with these."

"Don't worry, Naruto. I will help you prove that this is your achievement. No one's skepticism will matter, and when the village's reward comes down, it will all be yours."

"? What reward?" Naruto's eyes sharpened.

"Don't you know, Naruto? The village gives rewards of varying amounts to those who make significant achievements... At the very least, it should be equivalent to the reward for completing a B-rank mission."

"Then please, Might Guy-sensei, you must help me prove it." Naruto's final struggle ended.

He gripped Might Guy's hands tightly: "I have drifted for half a lifetime... and am fortunate today to burn my youth alongside Might Guy-sensei. How joyous, how joyous!"

Damn it, finally, there's money.

Naruto's eyes welled up with tears.

Heaven knows how he had been scrimping and saving during this period.

Since he began his training, Naruto's budget had been constantly drained by various unexpected expenses: damaged ninja tools, the replacement of weights, his shoes constantly losing their soles, and later, even his clothes becoming tattered due to the high intensity of his training. Once all his clothes had holes in them, he had to spend money on repairs.

In fact, to save money, Naruto had started buying necessities only on promotion days three weeks ago, buying cheap food nearing its expiration date, and training shirtless most of the time... but he couldn't do anything about his pants; he couldn't train with his butt exposed in broad daylight, could he?

So, once he heard there was a reward for this, all his high morals were thrown to the back of his mind. Damn it, how many bowls of Ichiraku Ramen can this bit of morality buy?

Isn't it just plagiarism? I'll just copy, copy, copy, copy.

Although Might Guy didn't understand anything Naruto said except for the word "youth," it didn't stop him from being moved as well: "Yes, Naruto! This is... our burning youth!"

"Might Guy-sensei!"

"Naruto!"

"Wuuuuuu!"

"Rock Lee, why are you crying along with them, hey!"

Looking at the three men hugging each other for no reason, Tenten complained powerlessly.

To the side, Neji, who had been silent the whole time, revealed a look of contemplation in his eyes.

Regarding Naruto's Mixed-Oxygen Method and his visibly significant progress during this period, Might Guy and Rock Lee had already spoken about it many times within Team 10. After spending time together during this period, Neji did indeed feel that what the two said was true, and even felt that Naruto's talent was even greater than described.

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

Neji could clearly see that the chakra in Naruto's body was as magnificent and vast as the sun. This terrifying amount of chakra, which seemed as if it were about to overflow, was simply at a monster level.

"...So, will Naruto be participating in this year's Chunin Exams?"

Neji couldn't help but think. Team 10 had long since decided that everyone would participate in this year's Chunin Exams, and before this, they didn't think any Konoha genin could pose a threat to them.

But now, Naruto had become a problem they had to consider.

And he heard that the strongest newcomer of this generation wasn't even Naruto, but a guy named Uchiha Sasuke.

There are actually two monsters like this?

"If only I could ask Hinata..."

This subconscious thought had barely surfaced before it was snuffed out by the gloom rising in Neji's heart.

"Hmph... it doesn't matter."

The look in Neji's eyes as he watched Naruto returned to indifference. He certainly didn't look down on Naruto; on the contrary, he acknowledged that Naruto was a born elite, just like himself.

It was just that he also firmly believed.

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

After a while, having repeatedly confirmed that the reward would be issued within two weeks barring any accidents, Naruto bid farewell to Team 10.

Their schedules didn't align for the entire day; each had their own tasks to attend to.

Yet, before leaving, Naruto glanced at Neji a few times, appearing as if he had something to say, but in the end, he left without uttering a word.

After Naruto departed, the atmosphere of Team 10 suddenly became much quieter.

Neji remained as aloof and expressionless as ever.

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

Tenten, however, had noticed the look Neji gave Naruto just moments ago, and a faint trace of worry lingered in the depths of her eyes.

At this moment, as if remembering something, Might Guy suddenly spoke to Neji:

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

The term "younger sister" stung Neji's nerves, but knowing that Might Guy meant no harm, he replied:

"Yes, she is still unconscious, only occasionally muttering nonsensical words like 'Boruto', 'bastard', and 'I'll kill you'... The Medical Corps cannot find the cause at all. The Hokage has also come to check on her and ruled out the possibility of it being the influence of a ninjutsu... The clan head is even considering seeking out Tsunade."