Youth Duel, Round One: Might Duy vs. Nawaki

After some explanation, Bai Lin finally managed to soothe Kushina, promising her a one-of-a-kind gift in the future to calm her down.

"Boss!" Might Duy's deep, passionate voice rang out. "I want to challenge you!"

"As your most steadfast follower, as a ninja who yearns for youth and passion, I must move forward while watching your back!"

"Only by constantly challenging the strong can one break through their limits; this is the perfect opportunity to prove my youth!"

"Youth has no limits! To stand still is to retreat! If there is no progress every day, what is the point of training? To fight side-by-side with you, Boss, I must watch your back to see the gap between us and ignite my infinite potential!"

Might Duy's green spandex was stretched tight by his bulging muscles. He wore a smile brighter than the sun, and his hands formed the standard "youth" gesture, his eyes burning with the Fire of Youth.

"Well said, Brother Duy!" Nawaki chimed in, stepping forward. "Youth should be this hot-blooded! Only by challenging the strong can one become stronger! I support you!"

He patted Might Duy on the shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance. "As someone who has taken down a Jonin, I acknowledge you!"

"But you're no match for Bai Lin right now. Let me be your opponent instead—a Youth Duel."

Bai Lin looked at the proud and confident Nawaki with confusion, lamenting that the boy hadn't been like this before. When did he turn into such a chunibyo?

Might Duy paused, then burst into hearty laughter and patted Nawaki's shoulder. "Good lad! You have the passion of youth! Youth never retreats; I will fight with all my might—that is the true respect for youth!"

"Good!"

"Let Boss be our witness!"

Might Duy gave a thumbs-up, the aura of youth radiating like the scorching sun.

Bai Lin watched the scene blankly, at a loss for words.

"In that case," Jiraiya said, crossing his arms and laughing wildly, "why not make it a 'Youth Duel'!"

"My disciple Minato Namikaze will join the challenge too. It's the perfect chance for the three of you to compete and see whose youth burns the hottest!"

Minato Namikaze paused, then smiled gently. "I will follow my teacher's arrangements. It would be meaningful to spar with Brother Duy and Brother Nawaki."

"The final winner gets a chance to challenge yours truly!" Jiraiya patted his chest, looking smug. "I am a genius ninja, after all. Getting a chance to cross blades with me will be the most glorious moment of your youth!"

The Fire of Youth in Might Duy's eyes burned even brighter. "Challenge Master Jiraiya? This is the trial youth craves most! I will give it my all and claim victory!"

Bai Lin smiled at the scene. Since they had a rare day of leisure, he might as well see how everyone had improved.

He stepped forward, his tone serious. "If it's a duel of youth, let's make it lively."

"Kushina, Uchiha Mikoto, you two join in as well. I'll act as the referee."

At these words, everyone froze.

Kushina pointed at herself, looking stunned. "Me? I have to participate too?"

Then, she crossed her arms and a smirk tugged at her lips. "Hmph, fine, I'll participate reluctantly. It's a good chance to let Brother Bai Lin see my progress lately. Just don't cry when I beat you!"

Uchiha Mikoto smiled gently, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Alright, sparring with everyone sounds like a wonderful experience."

"Of course you're participating!" Bai Lin nodded and continued, "I've already thought of the rules: a King of the Hill match. Rules: I will randomly select one person to be the 'King,' and the others will take turns attacking. If the King defends their position successfully, they remain the King and face the next challenger. If the King is defeated, the challenger becomes the new King."

"Stop at the limit; no striking vital points."

"There is no recovery time in between. Whether you can last until the end depends on your own ability."

Tsunade held her forehead and shook her head helplessly. "Bai Lin, Jiraiya, stop messing around. This is a battlefield, not a place for fun and games."

Bai Lin ignored Tsunade's grumbling and found a flat, open space nearby.

"The first King is Might Duy. Kushina, Uchiha Mikoto, Minato Namikaze, and Nawaki may now challenge."

"Yeah! It's me!" Might Duy walked to the center of the clearing, flashing his signature white teeth, looking incredibly excited. "The first King is in position! Who's coming first? Let me see how hot your youthful passion is!"

"This is youth!"

"I'm coming!" Nawaki rushed out first, looking confident. "Brother Duy, as someone who has taken down a Jonin, you'd better be careful."

Might Duy was only a Genin, but after so many days of devilish training under Bai Lin—and having taken down a Jonin alongside Uchiha Mikoto—he already viewed himself as a powerhouse, so he naturally looked proud.

"I'm very strong, don't get—"

"Enough talk! I'll count to three, and the battle begins!" Bai Lin cut off Nawaki's posturing. "One!"

"Two!"

"Three!"

"Challenger Nawaki, King Might Duy, first round of the Youth Duel, begin!"

The atmosphere ignited instantly. Kushina stood at the edge of the ring, waving her fists excitedly. "Go, Brother Nawaki!"

Nawaki turned back with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, my dear sister! The battle will be over soon—"

Since Kushina lived at Tsunade's house and Nawaki was older, calling him brother was correct.

Before he could finish, a violent surge of Chakra erupted on the stage.

Might Duy didn't give Nawaki a chance to finish his sentence. He let out a low shout: "Eight Inner Gates! Space Gate! Gate of Healing! Gate of Life! Open!"

The moment the three gates opened, Might Duy's momentum surged. Green Chakra flames erupted around his body, his muscles tightened, and his speed and strength skyrocketed.

He was facing Nawaki, a genius who had taken down a Jonin. Might Duy wouldn't be careless.

Only such a genius was worthy of his full-power battle. Defeating a genius was the best proof of his day-and-night cultivation.

Without a moment's hesitation, he pushed off with both legs, his body launching toward Nawaki like a cannonball. In the blink of an eye, he crouched low and delivered a fierce upward kick aimed straight at his opponent's stomach: "The battle of youth never drags its feet!"

Nawaki's expression shifted violently, his initial arrogance instantly replaced by shock.

He had always assumed Might Duy was nothing more than an ordinary genin, never expecting him to unleash such terrifying speed.

Before his brain could even react, his abdomen was struck with a brutal blow.

"Whoosh!"

The immense impact sent Nawaki flying like a kite with a snapped string, launching him ten meters into the air.

"No! The enemy couldn't have been hit that easily—it's a Substitution Technique!"

Might Duy showed no trace of triumph, instead scanning his surroundings with a grave expression.

In his experience, a ninja capable of taking down a jonin would never be this fragile. "He is someone who has defeated a jonin; I absolutely cannot let my guard down!"

"As expected of you, Nawaki! To react to my speed so quickly."

Might Duy stood in the center of the arena, vigilant and searching for the real Nawaki, until the figure in the air hit the ground with a "poof."