"Uncle Duy, can I join your training?"
On the training ground, Mu Feng made his request directly.
In other people's eyes, Mu Feng was just a seven-year-old child.
So it was hardly an unreasonable request.
After hearing him out, Might Duy wasn't angry. Instead, his smile grew even brighter.
Beside him, Guy's eyes widened with excitement.
"Really?"
"Mu Feng, you're joining us too?"
"Ha... then let's do this together!"
"Youth is all about sweating your heart out!"
With his son being so enthusiastic, Might Duy found it even harder to turn Mu Feng down.
Soon, he was about to lead Mu Feng and Guy through another round of taijutsu training.
But before Might Duy could assign their next task, Guy cut in.
"Father, didn't you just say you had a new taijutsu technique to teach me?"
Hearing Guy's words, Mu Feng felt a surge of delight.
He had been too embarrassed to bring it up himself.
But Guy, you absolute lifesaver!
After speaking, Guy looked at Might Duy with eager anticipation.
Might Duy immediately frowned, glanced at Mu Feng, then shook his head.
"That won't work!"
"Guy, as I just said, this is an extremely powerful taijutsu technique that puts an enormous strain on the body!"
"It's only because you've trained in taijutsu for so long that I dare teach it to you!"
"But with Mu Feng joining us now, I can't go ahead with the lesson!"
At that, Might Duy patted Guy's head.
"Next time! I'll teach you next time!"
Although Guy was a little disappointed, he still nodded.
Watching from the side, Mu Feng was inwardly falling apart.
He had asked to join the training specifically for the Eight Gates Released Formation!
What do you mean, you're not teaching it?
Then didn't I come here for nothing?
Mu Feng grew anxious. Without thinking further, he spoke up.
"Um... Uncle Duy, I'm pretty good at taijutsu too!"
"I should be able to learn that ninjutsu you mentioned, right?"
"You're good at taijutsu?!"
Hearing Mu Feng's claim, Might Duy frowned again and studied him carefully. But even after looking him over for a while, he couldn't see what made Mu Feng's taijutsu so good.
"Father, Mu Feng really is strong! He beat Obito with one move in our class today!"
Once again, Guy came through with a perfectly timed assist, backing Mu Feng up.
Still, Might Duy wasn't entirely reassured.
It wasn't that he was unwilling to teach Mu Feng the Eight Gates Released Formation. He was genuinely worried that Mu Feng might practice recklessly on his own and end up hurting himself.
But faced with Guy's and Mu Feng's eager gazes, Might Duy hesitated, then decided to give Mu Feng a chance.
"How about this? Mu Feng, have a match with Guy!"
"No ninjutsu. Taijutsu only!"
"If you can beat Guy, I'll teach you!"
Having said that, Might Duy struck another pose, pleased with his own cleverness.
Hearing that his father wanted him to spar with Mu Feng, Guy's eyes lit up. His fighting spirit soared as he turned to fix his gaze on Mu Feng.
Mu Feng, however, was dumbfounded.
Compete with Guy in taijutsu?
Seriously?
What level was my taijutsu on the panel again?
Beginner!
How am I supposed to fight Guy with that?
Mu Feng had enough self-awareness to know where he stood against Guy in a taijutsu-only fight!
It was almost impossible to beat Guy with beginner-level taijutsu, even if Guy was still a child just like him.
Mu Feng's expression immediately turned strained.
"What's wrong, Mu Feng? Is that a bit too much for you?" Might Duy seemed to notice his predicament and said, "How about you train with Guy and me for a while before learning it?"
Seeing Might Duy's frown, Mu Feng glanced at the eager Guy, and his own brow furrowed slightly.
What should I do? Should I give it a shot?
I'll try first!
At worst, I'll just get beaten up!
After a moment's hesitation, Mu Feng finally decided to give it his all.
Let's see how strong Might Guy's taijutsu is right now!
But just as Mu Feng made up his mind...
[Ding!]
The system notification suddenly sounded.
[Your 'Basic Taijutsu' sensed a disdainful gaze, began cursing, and entered darkening mode!!] [Your 'Basic Taijutsu' successfully darkened and advanced to 'proficient level'.]
Hearing that, Mu Feng froze again.
And this time, as his taijutsu evolved, he clearly felt his body change. It seemed sturdier and lighter.
Proficient-level Basic Taijutsu!
Now I should have what it takes to fight Guy! The system really comes through! Mu Feng smiled.
The next moment, Mu Feng's gaze grew resolute as he looked at Might Duy.
"Uncle Duy, I'm ready!"
Then Mu Feng looked straight at Guy.
Their gazes met in midair, almost seeming to strike sparks.
"Mu Feng, hot-blooded youth means fighting with everything you've got!!"
"Haha, Guy, bring it on! There's no telling which of us will fall first!"
"Mu Feng!"
"Guy!"
On the training ground, the two seven-year-old boys roared at each other.
Might Duy was swept up in the moment too, and the atmosphere grew heated.
"All right, here's my announcement!"
"Let the battle begin!"
Might Duy raised his right arm high, his roar ringing across the training ground.
At the same time...
Guy and Mu Feng moved at once.
Whoosh, whoosh...
The two figures suddenly blurred into motion, stirring sharp gusts of wind.
With his Basic Taijutsu at proficient level, Mu Feng's speed had improved by far more than a little. At his current level, he could definitely have won a world championship in his previous life.
Being seven years old hardly held Mu Feng back. The instant the fight began, he locked his gaze on Guy opposite him and started searching for an opening.
Across from him, Guy likewise held off on attacking at first and observed Mu Feng instead.
The two shifted their positions, circling each other.
As they watched each other, both Mu Feng and Guy felt a flicker of shock. Each realized that the other could keep up with his speed.
As expected of Might Guy. He's already mastered proficient-level Basic Taijutsu at this age?
Mu Feng really is a genius. Not only is he good at ninjutsu, but his taijutsu can keep up with mine too! Still, who's stronger, him or Kakashi?
On the training ground, the two had very different thoughts.
But a moment later, after completing a circle, they returned to their original positions, and their eyes met again.
"Mu Feng!"
This time, Guy's gaze sharpened, and he launched the first attack.
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