The afternoon sun was scorching.
In the center of the training field, four people are in a handstand position, with their hands on the ground, their bodies straight, and pointing towards the sky. This is not a static handstand; each person has sandbags strapped to their ankles.
"Inverted poses are the ultimate test for developing core control, shoulder and arm strength, and overcoming dizziness! Adding weights amplifies the effects!"
Kai's voice came from below. He was upside down, as steady as a rock, and could even speak with ease, "Keep your breathing steady, engage your core, and imagine yourself as a tree rooted to the earth!"
"Now, let's move! Walk upside down! The goal is to circle the training field five times!"
Shira felt the blood rush to his head, his vision turning red, and the muscles in his arms and shoulders began to scream. He struggled to maintain his balance, engaging all the muscles in his abdomen and back, like a taut net.
He tried, carefully moving his left hand, then his right, his body swaying slightly, taking an extremely slow, small step forward.
Yes, the weight of the sandbags makes this simple movement ten times more difficult.
Rock Lee fell down with a "thud," but without a sound, he immediately got back up, his face flushed, and tried again, only to fall down once more...
This cycle repeated itself. Naruto never managed to stay upside down for more than three seconds, constantly struggling in a cycle of "standing up - falling down - standing up again." But every time he fell, he would get up, muttering defiantly to himself, displaying astonishing resilience.
Kai, like a circus performer, stood upside down and began to circle steadily, even having the energy to adjust the position of the sandbag with his feet.
"Keep going! Feel the subtle shifts in your center of gravity! Control with your core! Falling down is part of youth; getting back up is how you continue your youth!"
Shira steadied herself from the brink of falling countless times, sweat streaming down her upside-down face into her hair and dripping onto the sand.
He felt his perception of his body had reached an unprecedented level of subtlety; the tremor of every muscle and the slightest shift in his center of gravity were crystal clear.
This extreme control shares a subtle similarity with the Seven Heavens Breathing Method's precise manipulation of internal energy.
He gradually found a rhythm, and his upside-down walking speed began to increase. Although he was still wobbly, at least he could keep moving forward.
As the sun set, Kai transformed the training course into a complex and challenging obstacle course, complete with stakes of varying heights and a rope net suspended precariously in the air.
At the deep pit, at the low wall covered with slippery moss, and at the last section of barbed wire that required crawling through and had bells hanging on it.
"This is the ultimate test of a full day's training! A full-on test of speed, strength, agility, balance, endurance, and willpower! Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!"
Kai stood at the starting line, waving his hand, "The rules are simple: the fastest to pass and the one with the fewest bell rings wins! The last place winner has to buy everyone tonight's 'youth booster drink' (which is actually super-concentrated vegetable juice)."
"Oh--I want to follow Teacher Kai's will!!!" Rock Lee was the first to shout with enthusiasm.
Shira stretched her aching joints, intently observing the entire track, her mind rapidly simulating the optimal path and movements.
Naruto looked at the obstacles with a pained expression, thinking they were much harder than Tree Climbing.
"Ready—Go!"
Four green figures shot out like arrows. Shira started very quickly, leaping and bounding across the plum blossom stakes with lightning speed. Every step she took was precise and steady, making full use of the sense of balance she had honed during the day by climbing mountains and doing handstands.
As he crossed the rope net, his body was as supple as a monkey's, his core tightened, and he used both his hands and feet to pass through quickly, the bell only ringing softly twice!
Rock Lee relied entirely on brute force to overcome the obstacles. His footsteps on the plum blossom stakes thudded loudly, he stumbled a bit but moved quickly; he almost got tangled in the rope net, but roared as he broke free; when climbing the low wall, he simply rammed into it with brute force, while Kai shouted from behind, "Li, use technique! Use technique!"
Naruto fully demonstrated his survival wisdom through unconventional means, crawling across plum blossom stakes, squeezing through loopholes in rope nets, and almost not being able to get out of a deep pit, finally being lifted up by Guy. As for the low wall... he tried to climb it three times before succeeding, falling and getting covered in dust.
Guy himself was like a green whirlwind, all his movements were so fluid as if he had practiced them a thousand times, and his speed was so fast that it was dazzling. The bell barely rang, showing his terrifying physical qualities and control at the Jonin level.
In the end, Shira arrived at the finish line second, only behind Kai, with her bell ringing five times. Rock Lee came in third, panting heavily, with his bell ringing more than ten times.
Naruto scrambled to the top, covered in dirt, the bells jingling countless times, but his eyes shone brightly because he had truly accomplished it all on his own!
"The winner is—burning youth!"
Kai announced with a loud laugh, slapping everyone hard on the back, causing Naruto to stumble.
"Everyone did a fantastic job! See? Sweat doesn't lie! Every bit of pain you endure today will become a strong foundation for tomorrow!"
In the afterglow of the setting sun, four figures in green sat side by side on the edge of the training field, holding specially made, bright green "youth booster drinks" with an indescribable taste.
The group sipped their drinks, gazing at the magnificent sunset. Their bodies ached all over, their bones felt like they were falling apart, but their hearts were filled with a sense of fulfillment and a strange warmth.
Looking at Rock Lee, who was gulping down vegetable juice and grimacing, then at Naruto foolishly, and then at Guy, who was smiling broadly with his White Fang gleaming, Shira felt the soreness deep in her muscles, a sign of growth, and her lips unconsciously curled up into a smile.
This feeling of striving towards a goal, giving it your all, and pouring out your sweat and passion seems pretty good.