The mornings at Konoha's training grounds belong to sweat and footsteps.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, and heavy dewdrops still clung to the blades of grass. The air was cool and refreshing, and breathing it in brought a sense of invigorating clarity.
The three figures had already spread out on the gleaming dirt track.
Leading the pack was Rock Lee. His short black hair was soaked with sweat, strands clinging to his forehead, and the front and back of his training uniform were stained a darker shade.
He ran very seriously, his eyes fixed on the front, each step large and solid, his feet landing with a dull thud, as if he were slamming all his strength into the ground and using that recoil to propel himself even further.
His breathing was heavy, but the rhythm was not disordered.
Shira followed half a step behind him, keeping pace side by side. His breathing was different from Rock Lee's; it was longer and deeper, with his chest expanding noticeably when he inhaled and a wisp of hot white vapor when he exhaled.
That's right, this is supported by the basic rhythm of the Seven Heavens Breathing Method.
Shira's footwork didn't seem as explosive as Rock Lee's, but the distance and landing point of each step were extremely precise, as if measured with a ruler, conserving every bit of energy.
His face was also covered in sweat, but his eyes were calm, and he would occasionally glance at Rock Lee beside him.
A few steps behind, struggling to catch up, was Naruto.
His blond hair stood out in the brightening morning light, now soaked with sweat and plastered to his scalp and cheeks.
He was wearing his somewhat worn-out tracksuit, and he was clearly struggling to run; his breathing was rapid and erratic, and his face was flushed red.
Naruto's Six Paths small mustache lines furrowed with each movement. But he gritted his teeth, widened his azure eyes, and stared intently at the backs of the two people in front of him, his short legs moving incredibly fast, desperately trying not to fall too far behind.
"Go for it, Naruto!" Rock Lee shouted without turning around, as a form of encouragement.
"Damn it! I... I can do it!" Naruto squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, took a deep breath, and tried to take bigger steps.
Although he was tired, his eyes didn't show the usual blankness or feigned strength he had when he was alone; instead, they held a spirit of never giving up.
Is this what it feels like to run with others, sweat together, and strive towards a certain goal together? Even if the chase is tough, your heart feels like it's warm and cozy, like it's sitting on a little stove.
Shira listened to Naruto's heavy breathing and defiant mutterings behind her, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.
Hey, this kid, he really is the real Naruto Uzumaki! At least that stubborn streak is just right!
After running a few laps, Shira slowed down a bit and landed next to Naruto, running alongside him.
"Adjust your breathing, don't just pant through your mouth," he said as he ran, his voice steady. "Like this, inhale—exhale—, follow the rhythm of your steps. Yes, slower, deeper."
Naruto turned his head to look at Shira profile and tried to imitate his breathing. At first, it was a little awkward, and he almost choked, but he slowly got the hang of it, and the burning, suffocating feeling in his chest seemed to ease a little.
He nodded vigorously, without saying a word, conserving his energy.
" Shira! Naruto! There's an uphill slope ahead! Charge!!" Rock Lee's voice came from ahead, filled with excitement.
Sure enough, the track turned a corner ahead and began to slope upwards.
"Whoa--!!" Rock Lee let out a low roar first, and his speed increased again as he rushed towards the top of the slope. His back looked like an energetic little leopard in the morning light.
Shira's eyes narrowed, and she said to Naruto, "Brother, keep up!" She then accelerated suddenly by pushing off with her feet.
Naruto's eyes widened and he exclaimed "Ah!" Seeing that the distance was about to increase again, he didn't care about his breathing rhythm anymore. He took a deep breath, buried his head, and charged forward, his little face turning even redder.
Three teenagers, in the deserted training field at dawn, chased each other, pouring out seemingly endless energy and sweat.
Footsteps, panting, occasionally interspersed with Lee's encouragement or Shiro's brief reminders to Naruto, along with Naruto's efforts to respond or his muffled groans, broke the silence of the forest, filling it with vibrant energy.
And at the edge of the training field, deep within the canopy of that ancient tree that seems to always be lush and provides the best view.
A figure, almost blending into the shadows of the branches and leaves, lay lurking silently.
His standard equipment from the Konoha Anbu made him look like a cold, lifeless rock. Only his almost indifferent eyes, hidden behind the slits of his mask, slowly turned, precisely tracking the three small, constantly moving dots on the ground below.
The Anbu codenamed "Owl" has been observing this place for some time. From the first contact between the Sunagakure Genin Shira and the school student Rock Lee with the target, to the unpleasant incident on the street yesterday, and then to this morning's sudden three-person morning exercise.
All the details were compiled in real time through encrypted channels and finally reported to the old man sitting in the Hokage's office.
He remembered the old man's reaction when he reported to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, yesterday. Amidst the swirling smoke, the Lord Hokage looked at the blurry image in the crystal ball, listened to his calm statement, and remained silent for a moment.
Then the other person tapped their fingers lightly on the table, and then said in their usual calm tone, devoid of much emotion:
" Taijutsu Genin Sunagakure, and Rock Lee... What an unexpected combination. Let's continue to observe, 'Owl.' That kid named Shira has a clean background and an impressive mission record; I can't see any other intentions for now."
" Rock Lee... he's a simple and hardworking kid. As long as they don't convey dangerous ideas to Naruto or do anything inappropriate that might trigger the seal, there's no need to interfere for now."
The old man paused, took a drag of his cigarette, and the smoke blurred his wise and profound eyes.
"However, we cannot let our guard down. If we discover any signs that could negatively impact Naruto —whether intentional or unintentional—you need to immediately find a 'reasonable' way to get that Sunagakure boy and his team out of Konoha."
"The reason could be the completion of the caravan handover, or an additional task being assigned temporarily. Avoid causing unnecessary attention or friction."
"Yes," Xiao replied simply at the time.
"As for now..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze seemed to pierce through the crystal ball, looking into the distance, "Letting Naruto interact more with his peers, especially those with pure and honest hearts, might not be a bad thing."
"It's better than him wandering around alone, or being targeted by some people with ulterior motives. Appropriate physical exercise will also help him grow. You decide, Xiao."
Thus, the Anbu codenamed Owl continued his surveillance.
At that moment, looking down at the three exhausted teenagers whose eyes shone brighter than the last, the tension in his heart eased almost imperceptibly.
Is it beneficial?
This question clearly surfaced in his mind. Putting aside all the heavy things like Jinchūriki, Nine-Tails, and political considerations, just looking at the scene before him: what his target, Naruto Uzumaki, was doing was regular, healthy, and physically demanding training.
His emotional state was stable, even pleasant.
That kind of determination, that effort to catch up, that sparkle in their eyes from the encouragement and guidance of their companions—it was something I had rarely seen during my long-term surveillance.
In the past, his goal was more to wander aimlessly in the village alone, play pranks, or sit on the swing in a daze with empty eyes.
Sunagakure, Genin Shira, behaved normally. She guided his breathing and adjusted his rhythm, without being overly intimate or probing beyond what is typical of a training partner.
Rock Lee from the Ninja Academy is passionate, simple-minded, and single-mindedly focused on training. He seems to have no concept of his target's "special identity," treating him only as a training partner who needs encouragement and is a little behind.
At least for now, this accidental "three-person team" appears to have a positive impact on the target's physical and mental health.
Not only can it stabilize emotions and improve physical fitness, but it might also subtly instill positive ideas of perseverance and hard work. Although I have reservations about Rock Lee's overly passionate "theory," for a child who has been isolated for a long time and lacks positive guidance, this kind of simple enthusiasm might be more easily accepted...
Well, as long as this state can be maintained, without crossing the line or touching the sensitive nerves of the seal and the village, then continuing to observe, or even tacitly allowing this contact, seems to fit the Lord Hokage's judgment that "it may not be a bad thing."
Owl's gaze swept down again. Shira seemed to sense something; as she ran to a certain spot, her steps paused almost imperceptibly, and she briefly looked up, glancing in the general direction of his hiding place.
His gaze was quick and indifferent, carrying a hint of alertness, more like a martial artist's habitual perception of their surroundings than a discovery of something.
The owl's aura was now perfectly concealed, like a truly withered tree.
That kid from Sunagakure has decent sensory perception. But that's about it.
He stopped thinking about it and refocused his attention entirely on the surveillance, continuing to watch the ordinary yet extraordinary morning training session.
The sunlight gradually grew brighter and warmer, filtering through the branches and leaves, casting dappled light on the three running boys. Sweat was still dripping down their faces, but their steps never faltered.
The eyes on the treetops continued to silently watch all of this.