"Give me some time to think it over."
Teacher Chen stared at Shisui Uchiha for a long time before finally letting those words slip out with a sigh.
Shisui Uchiha wasn't surprised by this outcome.
He wasn't in a hurry, either. After all, he still had more than twenty days left before the deadline for the check-in mission the system had given him.
More than twenty days was plenty of time to coax the man's address out of him.
"In that case, old Chen, I'll come find you again in a few-"
"Whoa!"
Just as Shisui Uchiha was about to leave, a familiar voice suddenly rang out nearby.
"Was that the legendary Konoha Dragon God just now? So this is the power of that great veteran! Oh, oh! I feel like my whole body is on fire!"
"Burn, youth!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
As that final cry rang out, chakra enveloped the figure in the distance, and he charged toward them, shattering the ground beneath his feet.
Watching the figure race toward them, Shisui Uchiha covered his forehead with one hand and shook his head helplessly.
Uh, that settles it. It really is him.
"Ye, do you know that youngster?"
Shisui Uchiha nodded lightly at the question.
"You could say that. His name is Might Guy. He's a pretty good guy, and he really loves taijutsu, but his head might be a little... well, ahem."
"He loves taijutsu?"
At Shisui Uchiha's words, old Chen turned to look at Might Guy as he came charging toward them.
He simply filtered out the latter half of Shisui Uchiha's remark.
How much could possibly be wrong with someone who genuinely loved taijutsu?
Bang!
As the two watched, Might Guy suddenly sprang into the air mid-sprint, arranging his body into a kneeling position before he even landed.
A moment later... bang!
Might Guy dropped from the sky and slammed down in front of Teacher Chen and Shisui Uchiha, bowing to Teacher Chen with excitement written all over his face.
"Teacher Chen! Ahh, is it really you? Rumor had it that you died during the Third Shinobi World War. I never imagined I'd get to see you here today!"
"Oh, right, right! You were the one who made that attack just now, weren't you? As expected of the Konoha Dragon God, the strongest taijutsu practitioner! Hahaha! Planning to train my thigh muscles tonight was definitely the right call!"
"Well..."
Teacher Chen opened his mouth, wanting to explain.
But Might Guy had clearly already gotten into his "zone."
"Hahaha! I feel like my whole body is on fire! Today I'm doing twice as much thigh muscle training! No! Three times! Five times!"
"Burn, youth!"
Uh, what's wrong with this kid?
Looking a little awkward, Teacher Chen turned toward Shisui Uchiha, who merely shrugged helplessly.
Only now did Teacher Chen understand what Shisui Uchiha had meant before Might Guy arrived.
This youngster really is a little... well.
Still...
As though something had occurred to him, a little light returned to Teacher Chen's dull eyes.
So there are still shinobi who love taijutsu.
Taijutsu still has a future!
"Your name is Might Guy, right? Keep it up. You've got real promise."
"Oh, oh, oh! Teacher Chen, you actually know who I am! I'm so excited! No, tonight I have to do ten times as much thigh muscle training!"
"Hah!"
True to his word, Might Guy began training right there on the spot.
As he trained, he flashed Teacher Chen a brilliant grin and said,
"Teacher Chen, I've always believed that taijutsu is the strongest! Don't worry, I definitely won't let you down. I'll work hard on my taijutsu and do everything I can to get stronger."
"Then I'll show everyone that taijutsu is the strongest!"
"Good. Very good."
Teacher Chen nodded. His somewhat stooped body suddenly straightened, his bones crackling as he moved.
An intense light now shone deep within his eyes as well.
"Might Guy, was it? If you're willing, come here once a week from now on."
"What! Really? Teacher Chen, don't worry! I'll be here on time every single day!"
"Burn, youth! Ahhh..."
Uh, I said once a week.
Seeing Might Guy slip back into his "zone," Teacher Chen shook his head helplessly.
But soon, a faint smile appeared on his face, and he looked up at the moon overhead.
Still, this doesn't seem so bad.
My student, just watch. I'll live on for both of us and pass on the beauty of taijutsu.
I promise!
Before you continue