"I have it!"
He practically roared it out, tears suddenly welling up in his eyes, yet stubbornly refusing to fall:
"I am not afraid of hardship! I am not afraid of pain!
As long as there is a path that can make me stronger, that can let me protect the people I want to protect, and that can make me a true ninja, even if it is a thousand times or ten thousand times harder, I will never give up!"
"Good!"
A flash of approval crossed Kumoi's eyes.
He reached into his pocket, actually retrieving a rather thin yet solidly bound book from his personal storage space.
The pages were slightly aged, with "Basic Physical Conditioning and Potential Awakening Outline" written on the cover.
This was a foundational taijutsu theory he had compiled in advance, combining his own insights with some basic energy utilization concepts from Ray and Gaia.
"This book can lay the most solid foundation for you.
Inside are recorded some preliminary methods and concepts for tempering the body, forging the will, and mobilizing bodily potential.
It doesn't matter if you don't understand it; just start by practicing the most basic parts, and train your body to the limit."
He handed the book to Might Duy with a solemn expression:
"This is not a shortcut, and it might even be a much more rugged starting point.
If you are ready and willing to pay any price to walk this 'foolish' path, then take it.
I will personally guide you after you pass the initial test."
Might Duy looked at the book before him, which seemed to carry the future, and then looked at the Hokage's gaze filled with trust and expectation.
Without the slightest hesitation, he reached out with both hands and, as if receiving a sacred artifact,