This Is Youth

The mission lasted a month. A month later, Toru, Kurenai, and Asuma completed it and returned to Konoha to report in.

After spending a month together, Asuma had become much more familiar with Toru and Kurenai. At the very least, when the three of them walked together, they actually looked like members of the same squad.

After the mission, the three went their separate ways. Once Toru had seen Kurenai home, he started toward his own house.

On the way, Toru spotted an odd figure in a green bodysuit walking upside down on his hands down the street. He immediately knew it was his classmate, Might Guy.

Might Guy noticed Toru as well. Even from his inverted perspective, Toru's handsome appearance was highly recognizable.

Might Guy immediately supported himself with one hand and waved at Toru with the other. "Long time no see, Toru."

Toru returned the greeting. "Yeah. I just got back to Konoha after finishing a mission."

Might Guy said happily, "What a coincidence. I was just thinking of challenging you, Toru."

As he spoke, Might Guy flipped through the air and landed on his feet.

He wore a dark green sleeveless bodysuit, a Konoha forehead protector tied around his waist, and a Ninja Tool Pouch strapped to his right leg. A short bright red scarf hung around his neck, bandages wrapped both hands, and orange weights were fastened around his ankles. His outfit had changed somewhat since their days at the Ninja Academy.

But his bowl cut and signature thick eyebrows remained the same. Still, he now seemed a little more like a real ninja.

After speaking, Might Guy flashed a mouthful of gleaming white teeth and waited for Toru's response with a silly grin.

After observing him with the Six Eyes, Toru was somewhat surprised. "You've gotten stronger."

Toru could see that Might Guy's muscles had become far more powerful, and he possessed more Chakra than before. However, the problem Toru had noticed in the past remained—he still had difficulty using ninjutsu.

"But you can't possibly beat me."

Toru stated it calmly.

Toru did not want to discourage Might Guy, but he was merely stating the truth.

Might Guy's taijutsu was indeed excellent, but it was only excellent by ordinary standards. The gap between them was not that great.

Moreover, Toru could make up for his slight disadvantage in taijutsu with his abundant Chakra and Cursed Energy. Combined with his mastery of ninjutsu and genjutsu, if Toru wished it, Might Guy would not even be able to withstand a single exchange.

Might Guy said optimistically, "Nothing in this world is impossible. I used to think I could never beat Kakashi either, but I've beaten him twice recently. My record is now two wins and sixteen losses."

"Of course, I'm not planning to compete with you in ninjutsu. How about we only compare taijutsu?"

Toru found that somewhat interesting, so he accepted Might Guy's challenge.

The two went to one of Konoha's Training Grounds. It was a rocky wasteland without any vegetation to obstruct the view, making it ideal for a pure taijutsu match.

They stood facing each other on the brown earth beneath the blazing sun.

Might Guy raised a thumbs-up. His brilliant white teeth shone especially brightly in the sunlight, while his green bodysuit was almost blindingly green.

"I'm ready!"

Might Guy was excited to have the opportunity to fight Konoha's genius ninja, Uchiha Toru.

Toru rolled a pebble around in his hand, then tossed it into the air. "We start when it hits the ground."

The pebble soared high into the sky, then began to fall after reaching its peak.

Thud!

The pebble struck the hard ground with a dull sound.

They moved at the same time, charging at one another.

So fast! Might Guy was shocked by Toru's taijutsu. From the very beginning, he was already struggling.

Fists and kicks flew as they traded blow for blow, their bodies slamming into each other with heavy thuds.

Might Guy threw a straight punch. Toru caught his fist in his palm while driving a knee into Might Guy's abdomen.

The stomach was one of the softest and most vulnerable parts of the human body. Even Might Guy, who had trained intensely for years, found it difficult to endure the force of that attack.

Might Guy tensed his body and took the blow head-on. Even as the impact forced his mouth open and made him let out a hoarse growl, he did not yield.

He took a step back, then leaped up and unleashed several heavy consecutive kicks.

Toru raised both arms to protect his head. If not for the ample Chakra he had employed, even he would have found it difficult to withstand them.

"Not bad power, but you'll need to try harder."

Seeing that Might Guy's taijutsu truly had some skill, Toru still had the energy to comment during the fight. He even wore a smile, looking completely at ease.

Might Guy gritted his teeth and shouted, "When it comes to taijutsu, I won't lose to you! Leaf Hurricane!"

Might Guy spun through the air and brought down a fierce axe kick.

Toru dodged aside. The force of Might Guy's attack actually shattered the rocky ground, leaving a string of cracks and pits as dust rose into the sky.

Witnessing the astonishing power of that move, Toru could not help but regard Might Guy in a new light. He called out, "Might Guy, I underestimated you before!"

"I originally thought your future achievements would be limited, but now it seems your future accomplishments will be no less than Kakashi's!"

"Thanks for the encouragement!" Might Guy shouted from within the dust.

Then came a heavy landing sound, and Might Guy's figure shot out from the dust, moving so fast he became a blur.

Might Guy instantly rushed in front of Toru. Sunlight cast Toru's shadow on the ground, and at that moment, Might Guy stood within it.

Might Guy bent backward at the waist, his body nearly parallel to the ground. One hand and one foot supported him, while his other hand remained raised to maintain balance. His remaining leg swiftly kicked toward Toru's chin.

That kick drew on the strength of his entire body. Its power could not be underestimated.

"Shadow! Dancing! Leaf!"

Might Guy had already removed the weights from his legs and poured every ounce of strength into his body. The strain of the move was so great that he had to shout its name to vent the burden it placed on him.

Thud! Toru was struck and sent flying several meters before landing.

"Did... did it work?"

Might Guy rose eagerly and looked toward Toru, whom he had sent flying, but what he saw left him stunned.

"Ah... my hands are numb." Toru casually shook out his hands.

Toru had actually reacted to Might Guy's all-out strongest attack and raised both hands in advance to block his chin.

Toru found Might Guy somewhat troublesome. That move had been powerful, but fortunately, he had been prepared. Still, if there had been no restrictions, Might Guy would already have been restrained by the Shadow Cursed Technique.

Seeing that his strongest attack had failed, Might Guy was dejected for a moment, but he quickly pulled himself together.

"Hahahaha! Even that didn't work? Just as expected of you, Toru!"

"Looks like I need to work even harder. This is youth!"

Toru laughed as well. "That's right! Enjoy the battle to the fullest!"

For once, Toru and Might Guy were actually on the same wavelength.

The two charged at each other once more.

With his weights removed, Might Guy's fists and kicks rose to another level in both speed and power.

For a time, Toru could only defend himself, unable to find an opportunity to counterattack beneath Might Guy's fierce onslaught.

Toru forced Might Guy back with a sweeping kick. When Might Guy charged again, Toru's fighting style had completely changed.

"This is... Gentle Fist?"