Apprentice to the Hidden Leaf's Azure Beast

So Might Guy was moved.

Might Guy nodded.

"From today onward, you'll train alongside Rock Lee. Everyone has their own ninja way. Even if you can't walk it to the very end, you'll still achieve something! Come on, let's burn with the power of youth!!!"

Hearing Might Guy's words, Josuke could not hide his excitement and laughed. Rock Lee was also happy that Josuke had earned their teacher's recognition!

Might Guy then led them to the taijutsu training grounds and gestured.

"Josuke, spar with Rock Lee first. Let me see what you're made of."

Josuke nodded.

Might Guy then spoke to Rock Lee.

"Rock Lee, you're still not proficient enough with the second gate. This may be your chance to break through it. Take off the weights tied to your legs as well. Remember, burn with the power of youth!!"

Rock Lee nodded, removed the bandages wrapped around his legs, and walked onto the field.

Seeing this, Might Guy said,

"Begin."

The two began their first duel.

Rock Lee shouted, and a faint glow appeared around his body.

"First Gate, open!"

The moment he finished speaking, Rock Lee shot toward Josuke like a cannonball. Josuke hurriedly activated his Sharingan, only then managing to make out Rock Lee's speed.

Josuke used the Body Flicker Technique and narrowly avoided Rock Lee's first attack.

Rock Lee then flipped backward and unleashed a taijutsu technique.

"Front Lotus!"

Josuke's retreat was cut off, leaving him no choice but to block with his arms.

Bang! Dust rose around them, and pain shot through Josuke. That hit was no joke.

Josuke then seized Rock Lee's leg and tried to fling him backward, but Rock Lee borrowed the momentum to break free before delivering another flying kick at Josuke.

Josuke could only block with his left hand.

That kick made half of Josuke's arm go numb. He was shocked. So this was the Eight Gates? So strong. It could beat the crap out of a small fry like me.

"Teacher Guy, can I use ninjutsu?"

Might Guy nodded.

In this duel, he was first looking at Josuke's talent, second at his adaptability in battle, and third, naturally, testing Rock Lee. Josuke had not disappointed him. His talent truly was excellent, and he could trade blows evenly with Rock Lee.

Having received Might Guy's permission, Josuke smiled faintly.

He widened the distance between them and rapidly formed hand seals.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Technique!"

With that, fireballs of varying sizes flew toward Rock Lee. Rock Lee moved as he watched the distance needed to close in, but Josuke had no sense of fair play. His Sharingan activated, and Rock Lee was instantly drawn into a genjutsu.

This was a genjutsu Josuke had comprehended through the Sharingan. Though he could only hold someone for a second or two right now, that was enough. Josuke accelerated to Rock Lee's side and sent a flying kick at him.

Rock Lee snapped out of the genjutsu just in time and blocked with both hands. The green glow around him became even more dazzling.

"Gate of Rest, open!"

Rock Lee's strength instantly surged beyond what it had been before. He grabbed Josuke's foot and hurled him away.

Damn it, Josuke cursed inwardly. He had underestimated his opponent. He slammed heavily into the ground, pain shooting through him, but Rock Lee's next attack was already upon him. Josuke had no choice but to twist his body with all his strength and evade it.

He then sent a Great Fireball at Rock Lee, and the two once again widened the distance between them.

After thinking for a moment, Josuke used Water Style: Hidden Mist. A fog briefly formed around them, and Josuke hid within the watery mist.

Josuke then used the Clone Technique, creating a clone of himself. However, he had very little chakra left at this point.

Fuck.

Rock Lee's taijutsu really hurt. Josuke had been in a mostly passive position, getting beaten around.

Josuke rested briefly, then heard the sound of footsteps running. He could still hide within the mist, but he did not know when Rock Lee would take the bait.

Josuke exchanged a glance with his clone, and they immediately understood each other.

The clone attacked first. Perhaps hearing the sound, Rock Lee's footsteps immediately moved in the clone's direction.

Seeing this, Josuke lowered his body and followed closely behind.

Suddenly, Rock Lee launched a surprise attack, sending a flying kick at Josuke's clone. This was exactly the opportunity Josuke had been waiting for.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!

A massive fireball crashed toward Josuke's clone.

Back when he had activated Water Style: Hidden Mist, Josuke had already planned his follow-up. He could not beat Rock Lee head-on, but he knew ninjutsu. So after hiding in the mist, he used the Clone Technique and had his clone confuse Rock Lee while he stayed behind to ambush him. Hahaha, perfect plan.

Thus, when Rock Lee kicked at Josuke's clone, the Great Fireball came roaring in as well.

Rock Lee could not evade it at this point and could only take the fireball head-on. However, a figure appeared before him—it was the Azure Beast of the Hidden Leaf!

With a single kick, Might Guy scattered Josuke's fireball.

Seeing Might Guy step in, Josuke knew he had won. Exhausted, he dropped to one knee.

Might Guy looked at Rock Lee.

"Rock Lee, you lost."

There was no blame in his voice, only encouragement.

"You should have fully mastered the second gate now, right? Not bad!"

After saying that, Might Guy rubbed Rock Lee's head. Rock Lee burst into tears.

"Teacher Guy! I'll keep working hard!"

Rock Lee clenched his fists, and Might Guy smiled faintly.

The two walked over to Josuke. His face had several scrapes, as did his knees, while his arms were covered in bruises.

Might Guy acknowledged Josuke's talent.

"Josuke, you were amazing. Come on, let's burn with the power of youth!!!!"

Might Guy pulled Josuke to his feet, while Rock Lee looked eager to try again from the side.

"Josuke, from now on, you are my target!!!"

Rock Lee gave Josuke a thumbs-up and smiled confidently.

Josuke nodded as well. With Rock Lee as his sparring partner, he would only improve faster. Next, it was time to learn Might Guy's Eight Gates. Heh heh.

After saying a few simple words, Might Guy began explaining the Eight Gates. (The lengthy explanation of the Eight Gates is omitted above.)

Once he finished, Josuke suddenly felt enlightened. As expected of the Eight Gates.

Might Guy also assigned him daily training tasks. Every day, he had to train his body by doing sets of push-ups, running, and the like.

He also taught Josuke the first gate of the Eight Gates. Josuke nodded. Seeing that it was getting late, he hurried home.

After returning home, he casually ate a few bites before beginning his training. He repeated this every day, and over time, Josuke sometimes even forgot to eat.

This life continued for about a year, until Josuke and Sasuke turned seven...

Josuke had achieved a modest level of success. He had completely mastered the first gate of the Eight Gates, and after opening it, his speed and strength greatly increased.

Though he was still a scrub,

he was definitely much stronger than his little brother Sasuke. Sasuke had completely shut himself off too. Other than saying a few words to Josuke, he treated everything everyone else said like bullshit.