"Is that so?"
Lin Ze remembered that when Might Duy was a Genin, his missions had all involved catching cats or carrying bags for wealthy women on shopping trips. Presumably, his income had increased considerably now that he was a Chunin.
Looking at the hefty weights in his hands, then at Might Duy's sincere, enthusiastic smile, Lin Ze felt warmth well up inside him.
"Thank you, Duy! This gift is really useful!"
Lin Ze thanked him earnestly. Without fussing, he strapped the weights straight onto his wrists and ankles.
The moment he put them on, his body felt noticeably heavier, and his movements grew somewhat sluggish.
"Oh! That's the spirit, Lin Ze! Then let's carry twice the weight and burn with twice the youth!"
Seeing Lin Ze put them on without hesitation, Might Duy's eyes filled with even greater approval, and he loudly made his suggestion.
"Yes!" Lin Ze and Might Guy answered in unison, their enthusiasm for training rising even higher.
"Guy! Lin Ze! Another five hundred frog jumps! The footsteps of youth must never stop!"
"Yes, Father! Now this is blazing-hot youth!"
"Yes, Duy!"
In the clearing beside the river, Lin Ze and the other two poured with sweat as they continued their various exercises.
High knees, push-ups, frog jumps... one high-intensity conditioning exercise followed another without pause.
"Huff... huff..."
Lin Ze wiped the sweat from his face. Just as he was about to steady his breathing, he caught sight of a familiar figure at the edge of the training ground.
Finally here?
The newcomer wore the Uchiha Clan's signature high-collared, short-sleeved shirt, with a Konoha forehead protector strapped to his arm. It was Uchiha Onibi.
His expression was not as provocative as last time, but his eyes remained sharp, his gaze fixed directly on Lin Ze.
Might Duy recognized Uchiha Onibi. Frowning slightly, he stepped in front of Lin Ze just as he had last time. "Young Uchiha, what are you here for now? Even youthful challenges should have their limits!"
Might Guy also watched Uchiha Onibi warily and took a defensive stance.
Unlike last time, Uchiha Onibi did not speak rudely. He merely looked at Lin Ze and said, "I'm not here to cause trouble. At least, not entirely."
Lin Ze had long been mentally prepared for Uchiha Onibi, who doted on his younger brother, to come looking for him. He patted Might Duy's arm to reassure him, then stepped forward. "Onibi, sir, is there something you need?"
Since Uchiha Onibi had taught Lin Ze the Great Fireball Technique last time without holding anything back, Lin Ze still addressed him respectfully.
Uchiha Onibi folded his arms and said evenly, "Ryōta hasn't been doing well since he went home. Losing to you hit him hard."
Lin Ze was not surprised. With Ryota Uchiha's proud yet fragile personality, it would have been strange if losing twice in a row to an orphan like him, who had no bloodline ability, had not shattered his composure.
Uchiha Onibi's tone, however, was very calm, as though he were stating a fact. There was little of the hostility of someone demanding an explanation.
Lin Ze thought for a moment before replying, "Wins and losses are normal in assessment matches. Ryōta is very talented. If he could focus more on training itself rather than... other things, he'd improve quickly."
He had phrased it tactfully, but his meaning was clear: your brother lost because his mindset was poor, and he was too focused on outdoing others.
Uchiha Onibi grunted. Whether he agreed or thought otherwise was unclear.
He stared at Lin Ze, his scarlet One-Tomoe Sharingan slowly turning.
"I know it wasn't entirely your fault. That kid really does need more tempering. But as his older brother, I can't watch him stay this dejected."
So you've come to fight me again to vent your brother's anger or help him save face? Does everyone in the Uchiha Clan dote on their younger brothers this much?
As though he had seen through Lin Ze's thoughts, Uchiha Onibi continued:
"I'm not here to avenge him. I just want to fight you again-a serious match!"
"If I win, you have to go tell Ryōta that you acknowledge he's strong and that he was just unlucky this time."
Lin Ze raised his eyebrows. The demand was a little childish, but it certainly fit the Uchiha Clan's awkward disposition.
"What if you lose?"
"I won't lose!"
Uchiha Onibi answered without hesitation, but after a pause, he still added:
"If I lose, then if Ryōta ever causes you trouble over something like this again, I'll teach him a lesson myself. And... I can teach you another Fire Release Ninjutsu, the C-Rank Phoenix Flower Jutsu."
Lin Ze was tempted. Although the Phoenix Flower Jutsu was also C-Rank, its method of attack was more flexible, with multiple fireballs attacking from different directions. But Lin Ze no longer needed Fire Release; one Great Fireball was enough to disguise his Bolo Breath ability.
So he said directly, "Do you know any Lightning Release Ninjutsu? Swap it for a Lightning Release technique, and I'll fight you!"
Hearing this, Uchiha Onibi rubbed his chin. "I don't know Lightning Release. How about Earth Release?"
Earth Release?
Lin Ze was not surprised by Uchiha Onibi's answer. Lightning Release was not the Uchiha Clan's specialty; the only famous practitioner was Sasuke later on.
He wanted Lightning Release because the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon also had lightning abilities. He had hoped to squeeze another benefit out of Uchiha Onibi, but unfortunately...
After thinking it over, Lin Ze nodded. "Then let's stick with the Phoenix Flower Jutsu. I accept."
Although Lin Ze had no use for the Phoenix Flower Jutsu himself, he could give it to the others at the Orphanage. Besides, this was Uchiha Fire Release.
Uchiha Onibi immediately nodded in agreement. "Fine."
His ready agreement was a classic case of someone feeling no pangs over selling off his forefathers' land...
Seeing him agree, Lin Ze took off the weights he had only recently put on and gently set them on the ground.
They landed with a dull thud.
Uchiha Onibi's gaze lingered on the pair of weights for a moment, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
This guy was training with those on the whole time?
Might Duy did not stop them this time. He merely reminded them in a serious voice, "Lin Ze, don't take it too far! Stay safe!"
He could tell that Uchiha Onibi did not seem to bear much ill will this time. It seemed more like a sort of... Uchiha-style communication?
Might Guy cheered loudly from the side. "Lin Ze! Go for it! Show him the youth of us Taijutsu ninja!"
Lin Ze flexed his limbs, which had suddenly become much lighter, and felt his body brimming with strength. He walked to the middle of the clearing, looked at Uchiha Onibi, and said calmly:
"Onibi, sir, I look forward to learning from you."
Uchiha Onibi also walked over to stand opposite Lin Ze. His Sharingan turned slowly, and his expression grew serious.
"This time, I won't hold back again. Let me see just how good you really are, number one in the practical combat assessment!"
Fighting spirit slowly gathered in the air.
Lin Ze took a deep breath, and the chakra inside him quietly began to flow. Although he had not activated the Eight Gates Released Formation, his mind was already intensely focused.
This would be a harder fight than the one during the assessment. After all, his opponent was a serious Uchiha Chunin with the Sharingan. Unlike an undeveloped genius such as Hikaru Hyūga, Uchiha Onibi had already carried out who knew how many missions as a Chunin.
Perfect. Let's see just how far my current Taijutsu can go when combined with the reactions and recovery the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon gives me, Lin Ze thought as he took an opening stance for attack.
The battle was about to erupt!
Before you continue