Assessment Before Learning

However, Uchiha Arashi's arrival did not seem to draw their attention.

Instead, some passing civilians nearby, and even a few ninja who looked like genin, pointed at them, their faces openly mocking.

"Look, it's that eternal genin Might Duy again, and his idiot son."

"All they do every day is scream and shout here, doing useless training and wasting time."

"I heard he's almost forty and still a genin. What an embarrassment to the Hidden Leaf Village."

"His son's probably about the same. Besides shouting a few lines about youth, what else can he do?"

Those words stabbed into the air like needles, and into Arashi's ears as well.

He frowned.

Although he was no saint, this kind of baseless, malicious slander still irritated him.

Especially when he saw that Might Duy seemed not to have heard any of it and remained focused on guiding Guy, while Guy also seemed used to this ridicule and instead shouted even harder. The displeasure in Arashi's heart grew stronger.

"The weak always like using mockery to cover up their own incompetence," Arashi snorted coldly, then walked straight toward Might Duy.

The sound of his footsteps startled the father and son who were training.

Might Guy stopped moving. When he saw Arashi, his eyes lit up. "Ah! Arashi! Why are you here? Did you come to feel youth with us?"

Might Duy also turned around. His gaze was very calm, carrying a hint of appraisal, but more than that, a gentleness toward the young.

"Young friend, you are?" Might Duy asked. He did not know Arashi.

"Uchiha Arashi," Arashi said concisely. "I'm here for you, Mr. Might Duy."

"For me?" Might Duy was a little surprised.

"I want to learn your Eight Gates Released Formation." Arashi got straight to the point, his tone carrying unquestionable arrogance.

As soon as he said this, not only did Might Duy and Might Guy freeze, even the people around them who had been mocking them stopped talking, as though they had heard something unbelievable.

A genius brat from the Uchiha actually wanted to learn taijutsu from an eternal genin?

This was simply a fantasy!

Might Duy came back to his senses, a faint bitter smile appearing on his face.

"Young friend, do you know what you're saying? The Eight Gates Released Formation... isn't that easy to learn."

"I know its risks." Arashi looked straight into Might Duy's eyes. "I also know its power. I want to learn it."

Might Duy's expression turned serious.

"The Eight Gates Released Formation is a forbidden technique. It places an enormous burden on the user's body and causes tremendous damage. One slight mistake, and it could leave you disabled for life, or even... dead."

"You're still so young, and you're a genius of the Uchiha. Your future is limitless. There's no need to take this risk."

"Future?" Arashi gave a scornful laugh. "Without enough power, a so-called future is nothing but a mirage. I need power, power strong enough!"

His eyes were filled with hunger for power, as well as a heaviness and resolve that did not match his age.

Might Duy looked at Arashi and fell silent for a moment.

In this child's eyes, he saw something familiar—a will that refused to yield, a desire to challenge the limits.

Just like himself.

"Why did you come to me?" Might Duy asked.

"Because you're the creator of the Eight Gates Released Formation, and the only one who can teach me," Arashi said. "Those people mocking you are nothing but cowards afraid of challenges. A true strong person dares to face their own limits head-on."

These words made Might Duy's eyes narrow slightly.

He had lived for so many years and been mocked for so many years, yet this was the first time someone had so directly affirmed his persistence.

Beside him, Might Guy also shouted excitedly, "Arashi! You're absolutely right! Father is the greatest taijutsu ninja!"

Might Duy took a deep breath and shook his head.

"Sorry, young friend. Although your recognition makes me very happy, I still can't teach you."

"The risk of the Eight Gates Released Formation is too great. I can't just watch you walk down this path."

"Are you afraid I can't learn it? Or afraid I can't withstand it?" Arashi's tone sharpened, his intense competitive spirit stirred up. "Do you think I'm as fragile as those flowers raised in a greenhouse?"

"That isn't what I mean." Might Duy patiently explained, "This isn't a question of strength or weakness, but..."

"Enough!" Arashi cut him off. "I only ask you one thing. Will you teach me, or not?"

Might Duy looked at the unyielding light in Arashi's eyes and sighed inwardly.

This child really was stubborn enough.

"If you want to learn the Eight Gates Released Formation, you can," Might Duy suddenly said.

Arashi's eyes lit up.

"But you must pass my test." Might Duy's tone became extraordinarily serious. "The core of the Eight Gates Released Formation is 'opening the gates,' unlocking the body's restrictions. This requires an extremely strong physical foundation and willpower. My test is simple, and also cruel. Whether you can pass it depends on your own fortune."

"Say it!" Arashi did not hesitate.

Might Duy pointed toward a small mountain in the distance.

"See that mountain? Run from here to the foot of the mountain, then circle the mountain ten times, then come back and do one thousand one-handed handstand push-ups."

"The time limit is one double-hour."

"During that time, you may not use any chakra. You can only rely on pure physical strength."

"If you can do it, I'll consider teaching you."

For a five-year-old child, this test was simply impossible!

The people watching the show around them burst into laughter even harder.

"This brat definitely can't do it!"

"Forget him, even if their clan head Uchiha Fugaku came, he might not be able to do it!"

Arashi ignored those taunts. His gaze was fixed tightly on that mountain.

Saiyan blood surged through his body, and the excitement of challenging his limits made him tremble all over.

"Good! I accept!"

With that, Arashi did not hesitate in the slightest. His body suddenly shot out!

"Whoosh!"

His speed was astonishingly fast. He stirred up a gust of wind and instantly left those mocking voices behind him.

Might Duy and Might Guy were both stunned.

They had not expected Arashi to act the moment he spoke, and for his speed to be so fast!

"Father..." Might Guy looked at Might Duy.

A trace of surprise flashed through Might Duy's eyes, then he quickly regained his calm. Only his gaze followed Arashi's figure closely.

"Let him go. This is his own choice."

Arashi was like a bolt of black lightning as he charged toward the foot of the mountain.

He did not use chakra, relying entirely on the explosive force and speed brought by his beginner Saiyan physique.

The wind howled past his ears, and the trees rapidly retreated.

Before long, he had reached the foot of the mountain.

Without the slightest pause, he immediately began running around the mountain.

One lap, two laps, three laps...

As time passed, Arashi's breathing began to grow rapid, and his legs felt as heavy as if they had been filled with lead.

His muscles began to protest, and soreness surged in like a tide.

"Hah... hah..."

He gasped for breath, sweat blurring his vision.

"Can't do it?" a voice rang out in his mind, carrying a hint of mockery. "Only this much? Sure enough, you're just a low-class warrior."

"Shut up!" Arashi roared. Not only did his speed not slow, it suddenly rose by a notch instead!

"I am Uchiha Arashi! I'm going to become the strongest Saiyan... no, the strongest ninja! How could I possibly fall here!"

He clenched his teeth. Every step felt like it was tearing his muscles apart, but he did not stop.

Finally, he finished ten laps.

Dragging legs that had almost lost all feeling, he staggered back to the starting point.

Might Duy and Might Guy had been watching him the entire time. Now, seeing him return, both of their faces revealed shock.

Might Duy in particular had originally thought that it would already be impressive if Arashi could complete half of it. He had not expected that Arashi would actually run back!

"Still... push-ups..." Arashi panted heavily, almost unable to form a complete sentence.