A Showdown of Youth!

"My name is Uchiha Kōki, and I really admire you!" Koki shouted. In that moment, the hot blood surging within him seemed to find an outlet. Why did it feel as though meeting Guy had somehow fired him up too?

Guy resumed his training, maintaining his handstand as he flashed a cheerful smile. "My name is Might Guy! Nice to meet you."

Koki knew that although Might Guy had only gotten into the Ninja Academy because the Third Hokage had made an exception to admit him, his strength was not to be underestimated!

As a ninja who was skilled almost exclusively in Taijutsu, Might Guy had graduated from the Ninja Academy at seven. It was an astonishing miracle.

As the saying went, "When God closes a door, he opens a window." It was precisely because Guy had little talent in other areas that he devoted all his energy to training in Taijutsu, and that had also earned him his place at the pinnacle of Taijutsu in Naruto!

In those war-torn times, children embarked on the path of the ninja early, starting to learn Ninjutsu at three or four.

Kakashi had graduated from the academy at five, and Guy was not to be outdone, graduating at seven. He had always chased after Kakashi, and although he still had not caught up to him, his efforts had made him outstanding among his peers.

At first, Koki had thought Guy only knew Taijutsu. Later, he realized that Guy was the only one who knew Taijutsu!

In his daily training, Fugaku's strict instruction and Shisui's attentive guidance had helped Koki improve rapidly, but he could not find out how strong he really was. Whenever he sparred with Shisui, Shisui always held back, unwilling to hit him, as though he were a porcelain doll. It troubled Koki greatly, and now that he had happened to meet Guy here, why not spar with him?

Koki made up his mind at once.

"Senior Might Guy, may I spar with you in Taijutsu? I know you're the best at Taijutsu in Konoha. If you want to train first, that's fine too. I can wait..."

"Wow!"

Might Guy's eyes lit up at once when he heard that.

As though electrified, he somersaulted several times through the air, then landed on one foot and pointed at Koki. "Young man, I acknowledge you! You're the first person to challenge me. Let's have a contest of youth!"

Guy had once looked forward to testing himself against Kakashi, only to be coldly turned down time and again. This young Uchiha was actually the first person to challenge him of his own accord. Guy certainly would not go easy on Koki just because he was young, and he was thrilled!

Might Duy also gave Koki a thumbs-up from the sidelines, his eyes full of approval.

Seeing Guy like this, Koki truly regretted what he had just said a little. It seemed he had gotten himself into big trouble.

"Koki, shouldn't we be having dinner?" Mikoto stepped forward to tactfully persuade him at just the right time, and Itachi chimed in just as aptly from beside her. "Big brother, I'm hungry."

Koki caught her unspoken meaning. His mother was afraid he would get hurt and did not want him to compete.

He gave Mikoto a smile as bright as the sun as she approached and said gently, "Mom, please trust me." Then he picked up his little brother and planted a gentle kiss on his soft cheek. "Itachi, do you trust me?"

"I trust you, big brother!" Dazed by his sly brother's kiss, Itachi nodded vigorously.

"Please don't worry, Lady Mikoto. Guy will know when to stop," Might Duy said. He knew that the beautiful woman before him, dressed in a purple skirt and wearing a gentle smile, was the Uchiha Clan Head's wife.

"All right." Mikoto nodded slightly, though she could not help worrying.

"Uncle Might Duy, please be our referee."

"No problem!"

"Come on! I can't wait for this showdown of youth!"

For an instant, Koki seemed to see raging flames rising from Guy and was utterly shocked. It was truly terrifying, but things had come too far for him to back out now. Besides, he was the one who had proposed the match. Gritting his teeth, Koki followed Guy onto the training ground.

"Mom, stand farther back!" Koki saw that his mother was standing a little too close to him and worried that Mikoto might get caught up in the fight.

"All right." Holding Itachi, Mikoto moved a little farther away, leaving the center of the training ground to Guy and Koki.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the two in the very center of the training ground.

"Come on!" Koki struck a classic fighting pose.

Guy's eyes lit up at the sight. He immediately extended one hand and struck his classic Bruce Lee pose.

"Begin." No sooner had Might Duy spoken than he leaped several meters away.

Might Guy wore a green bodysuit that showed the definition of his muscles, giving off a powerful impression of strength. His Taijutsu focused on power, and every punch carried a thunderous force, as though he meant to kill his opponent in a single blow.

Koki, meanwhile, wore a blue training outfit and moved lightly and nimbly. His Taijutsu focused on flexibility and agility, and he was adept at using changes in speed and angle to evade his opponent's attacks while looking for a chance to land a fatal blow.

At Might Duy's command, swish, swish, swish! The two charged at each other almost simultaneously and quickly threw themselves into the fight.

Might Guy attacked first, pouncing like a tiger down a mountain. His right fist cut through the air straight toward Koki's head, but Koki nimbly sidestepped the heavy punch. He immediately countered with a punch of his own, only for Might Guy to deftly dodge it.

Their attacks came in waves as they went back and forth, moving so fast they were almost impossible to follow. Neither could gain a decisive advantage.

Thanks to his superior strength, Might Guy had the upper hand in close combat, while Koki's nimble movements and quick reactions allowed him to handle long-range fighting with ease.

During one fierce exchange, Koki suddenly launched a swift counterattack. He stuck to Might Guy like a shadow, throwing punch after punch, each striking a vital point with precision. Might Guy was forced to retreat step by step, but he did not lose heart. Instead, he adjusted his strategy, trying to suppress Koki with his superior strength.

He took a deep breath, gathered all his strength, and shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, driving a fierce punch at Koki's chest. Koki had not expected Might Guy to launch such a ferocious attack so suddenly. He dodged quickly, then counterattacked, his fist shooting toward Might Guy's head like lightning.

Might Guy turned sideways to evade it, but he was still shaken.

He had not expected Koki to be so fast.

The two reached another stalemate, breathing hard as sweat ran down their cheeks.

"Koki, your speed really is astonishing," Might Guy said admiringly.

"Of course." Koki was brimming with confidence. His grueling daily training and those scrolls at home had not been for nothing.

"In that case, I can't underestimate you either!" With that, Might Guy removed the two weights strapped to his legs.

The instant they fell, it was no exaggeration to say that the earth seemed to tremble.

Koki's heart jolted, and his expression turned serious. Might Guy had not been using his full strength just now!