After Bai Lin's explanation, he finally managed to comfort Kushina. He promised to give her a one-of-a-kind gift someday, and only then did she calm down.
"Boss!" Might Duy's hearty, passionate voice rang out. "I challenge you!"
"As your most devoted follower, and as a ninja who yearns for youth and passion, I must follow in your footsteps!"
"Only by constantly challenging the strong can we surpass ourselves. This is the perfect chance to prove our youth!"
"Youth has no limits! Stand still, and you'll fall behind! If we don't improve every day, what's the point of training? If I want to fight alongside you, Boss, I have to follow in your footsteps. Only then can I see the gap between us and unleash my boundless potential!"
Might Duy's green jumpsuit strained against his bulging muscles. His smile shone brighter than the sun, and he made the classic "youth" pose with both hands. His eyes burned with the "Fire of Youth."
"Well said, Duy!" Nawaki chimed in, stepping closer. "That's exactly what youth should be: burning with passion! Only by constantly challenging the strong can we grow stronger! I'm with you!"
He patted Might Duy on the shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance. "As someone who once took down a jōnin, I approve of you!"
"But you're no match for Bai Lin right now. So let me be your opponent—it'll be a duel of youth."
Bai Lin looked at Nawaki's proud, confident face in confusion. He couldn't help thinking that Nawaki hadn't been like this before. When had he turned into such a chūnibyō?
Might Duy froze for a moment, then burst out laughing and patted Nawaki on the shoulder. "Good lad! You've got the fire of youth! Youth never backs down. I'll fight with everything I've got—that's how you show respect for youth!"
"Sounds good!"
"Let's have Boss witness it!"
Might Duy gave a thumbs-up, his youthful spirit blazing like the sun.
Bai Lin stared at the scene, at a loss for words.
"In that case," Jiraiya said, folding his arms before suddenly bursting into laughter, "why not hold a 'Youth Duel'!"
"My student, Minato Namikaze, will join the challenge too. That way, you three can have a proper showdown and see whose youth burns brightest!"
Minato Namikaze paused, then smiled gently. "I'll do as you say, Sensei. It'll be meaningful to spar with Duy and Nawaki."
"The winner gets the chance to challenge yours truly!" Jiraiya thumped his chest, looking smug. "I'm a genius ninja, after all. Getting to fight me will be the proudest moment of your youth!"
The "Fire of Youth" in Might Duy's eyes blazed even brighter. "A chance to challenge Lord Jiraiya? That's the trial youth yearns for most! I'll give it everything I've got and claim victory!"
Bai Lin smiled at the scene. They finally had a day to relax, so he might as well see how everyone had improved.
He stepped forward and said seriously, "If it's a duel of youth, then we might as well make it lively."
"Kushina, Mikoto, you two should join in as well. I'll be the referee."
Everyone froze at his words.
Kushina pointed at herself, looking surprised. "Me? I have to join too?"
Then she folded her arms and curled her lips into a smile. "Hmph. I suppose I can join. It'll give Brother Lin a chance to see how much I've improved lately. But don't start crying when I beat you!"
Mikoto smiled warmly, anticipation in her eyes. "Sure. Sparring with everyone sounds like a great experience."
"You're definitely joining!" Bai Lin nodded, then continued, "I've already figured out the rules. We'll have a challenge match. I'll randomly pick someone to be the defender, and everyone else will take turns challenging them. If the defender wins, they keep their position and face the next challenger. If they're defeated, the challenger becomes the new defender."
"Hold back, and don't strike any vital points."
"There'll be no time to recover between rounds. Whether you can last until the end depends on your own ability."
Tsunade held her forehead and shook her head helplessly. "Bai Lin, Jiraiya, don't encourage this nonsense. This is a battlefield, not somewhere to kick back and have fun."
Ignoring Tsunade's complaints, Bai Lin found a flat patch of ground nearby.
"Might Duy, Kushina, Mikoto, Minato Namikaze, and Nawaki can challenge for the defending spot."
"Yeah! That's me!" Might Duy excitedly strode to the center of the clearing, baring his signature White Fang. He looked thrilled. "The first defender is ready! Who wants to challenge me? Let's see how hot your youthful passion burns!"
"This is youth!"
"I'm up!" Nawaki rushed forward first, brimming with confidence. "Duy, since I've taken down a jōnin before, you'd better be careful!"
Might Duy was only a Genin. After so many days of Bai Lin's brutal training—and especially after taking down a jōnin alongside Uchiha Mikoto—Nawaki already considered himself a strong ninja, and his confidence showed.
"I'm pretty strong, so don't you—"
"Enough talk! I'll count to three, and then the fight begins!" Bai Lin cut off Nawaki's pre-fight boasting. "One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
"Challenger Nawaki, defender Might Duy! The first round of the Youth Duel begins!"
The atmosphere ignited in an instant. Kushina stood by the edge of the clearing, excitedly pumping her fist. "Go, Nawaki!"
Nawaki turned back and gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, my dear little sister! The fight will be over in no—"
Kushina lived at Tsunade's house, and Nawaki was older than her, so it made sense for her to call him big brother.
Before he could finish speaking, a powerful surge of Chakra erupted from the clearing.
Might Duy gave Nawaki no chance to finish. He shouted, "Eight Inner Gates: Gate of Opening! Gate of Healing! Gate of Life! Open!"
The instant he opened all three gates, Might Duy's presence surged. Green Chakra flared around him, his muscles tensed, and his speed and strength multiplied in an instant.
His opponent was Nawaki, who had taken down a jōnin—a true genius. Might Duy couldn't afford to underestimate him.
A genius like that was worthy of his all-out effort. Only by defeating one could he prove the value of all his hard training.
Without a moment's hesitation, he drove off the ground with both legs and shot toward Nawaki like a cannonball. The moment he reached him, he dropped low and launched a fierce upward kick at his abdomen. "A battle of youth never drags on!"
Nawaki's face changed. His former arrogance vanished, replaced by shock.
He'd always thought Might Duy was just an ordinary Genin. He'd never expected him to unleash such terrifying speed.
Before his mind could react, a heavy kick slammed into his abdomen.
"Whoosh!"
The tremendous impact sent Nawaki flying like a broken kite, straight up into the air.
"No! There's no way the enemy would get kicked so easily. It must be a Substitution Technique!"
Might Duy showed no trace of triumph. Instead, he scanned his surroundings with a grave expression.
In his mind, no ninja capable of taking down a jōnin would be this weak. He's taken down a jōnin. I can't afford to let my guard down!
"Impressive, Nawaki! You reacted to my speed so quickly!"
Might Duy stood warily at the center of the clearing, searching for the real Nawaki—until the Nawaki falling from the sky hit the ground with a "poof."