Reasons and Rock Lee's Decision

Reasons and Rock Lee's Decision

Ayato frowned as he watched Rock Lee cry out in pain, pondering the reason behind it.

The Lightning Release Chakra he needed to control while massaging Rock Lee had to be projected outward, so his control over it dropped significantly.

But after the improvement from the Void State, it should not have been that poor. Using himself as a reference, Rock Lee's results should not have been so minimal.

So, what was different between his body and Rock Lee's?

Rock Lee's body was undoubtedly far stronger than his. That much was beyond question. Then it had to be a Chakra issue—perhaps because it was his Chakra, it could not help Rock Lee.

No, that should not be it. His Lightning Release Chakra had not even entered Rock Lee's body before the other boy had already cried out in pain.

So what exactly was going on? Ayato thought. As expected, his knowledge was too shallow; he could not figure it out.

What other differences were there between him and Rock Lee? Their bloodlines were naturally different, but they were both ordinary people. Neither had any reason to look down on the other.

Still, there was one more thing: Rock Lee could not use Chakra. But that should not matter either. His massage had nothing to do with whether the other person could use Chakra; no Chakra cooperation was needed during the massage.

After thinking for a moment, arcs of electricity began dancing over Ayato's body again. He barely felt anything from them himself. He wanted to try once more and see why, but when Rock Lee saw them, he could not help backing away several steps. It was an instinctive fear of lightning.

Seeing Rock Lee's reaction, Ayato suddenly paused. Then his eyes lit up. "Rock Lee, come touch it and tell me how it feels."

Though the arcs of electricity on Ayato's body made Rock Lee's scalp tingle, he trusted that Ayato would not hurt him. So he gritted his teeth and touched him.

Then Rock Lee swiftly pulled his hand back.

"How was it? What did it feel like?" Ayato asked.

"It hurt a little," Rock Lee answered.

Rock Lee's response confirmed Ayato's suspicion. It was an issue with the other boy's Chakra affinity.

Lightning was an innate part of Ayato's Chakra nature, so even the first time, it had felt tingly and numb to him—almost comfortable.

But Rock Lee's body was even stronger than Ayato's, yet touching it still hurt. The reason was probably that Rock Lee did not have Lightning among his affinities, so his resistance or affinity toward lightning simply could not compare with Ayato's.

That was probably the reason. Ayato could not be completely certain, but it was most likely the case.

"It's fine. It's probably because I can't use Chakra. It has nothing to do with you, Ayato." Though Rock Lee was somewhat dejected, he saw Ayato constantly thinking and assumed he was blaming himself, so he hurriedly spoke up.

"No, it's still my fault." Ayato took a deep breath.

"How is it related to you, Ayato? Clearly, it's because I—"

"It's my problem. My Chakra control isn't precise enough," Ayato said. If his control were refined enough, he could use subtler strands of Lightning Release Chakra to help Rock Lee.

The effect would still be nowhere near as good as it was on himself, but it would certainly be better than the current situation.

In the end, his control over projected Chakra was still lacking.

As Ayato thought, he said, "How about this? I'll keep helping you every day from now on. The effects may be small, but there will still be some, and I can use it to train my Chakra control."

Rock Lee stared blankly at Ayato. In the end, tears filled his eyes, and he suddenly hugged Ayato, thanking him over and over.

"You don't need to thank me so much. Didn't I say I can use this to train too?" Ayato said helplessly. He felt he had even found a way to test his Chakra control, so it was quite a good deal for him. He tried to break free, but Rock Lee was stronger than him, and he could not get loose, which made him even more helpless.

Unfortunately, Rock Lee did not believe him. Even if it could help Ayato train, he did not necessarily have to do it with him. Rock Lee did not even know how he could repay Ayato for helping him.

Seeing Rock Lee like this, Ayato understood that the boy probably had not taken his words in. Still, he did not feel any burden over it. Just because the help was small, did that mean it was not help?

Then Ayato sensed the Chakra he still had left and felt rather speechless. He had thought he would not even have enough to give Rock Lee a Lightning Release Massage, yet he had not used it all. He might as well head home early today.

"Rock Lee, I'm going home first. You should head back early too," Ayato said.

"Alright. I'll go back after training a little longer," Rock Lee replied seriously.

Ayato knew that although Rock Lee said that, he would probably keep training for quite a while. There was nothing Ayato could say about it, so he left directly.

Some time later, Rock Lee was also nearly finished. At that moment, Might Guy happened to arrive after finishing his business and ran into Rock Lee.

"Yo, finished training for today?" Might Guy looked at the sky and was very satisfied with Rock Lee's diligence.

"Yes, Lord Guy." Rock Lee's eyes immediately lit up when he saw Might Guy. From Ayato, he had learned that this man had become a jonin through taijutsu alone. He was practically Rock Lee's future goal!

"Mm. You already tried Ayato's massage, right? Was it useful?" Might Guy asked expectantly.

Rock Lee's expression immediately darkened. He really was too weak. He could not even withstand the help of Lord Guy and Ayato.

In a somewhat low voice, Rock Lee told Might Guy what had just happened.

"So that's how it is." Might Guy understood as well. Thinking carefully, it was not strange. If it were really that simple, then all those Lightning Release shinobi could use the same method.

"Since it doesn't work, then work even harder. If the shortcut is blocked, then use our youth and hard work to fill the gap. I believe you can do it!" As Might Guy spoke, he flashed his gleaming white teeth as though they were shining.

"Yes, Lord Guy!" Flames erupted in Rock Lee's eyes, and seeing those flames, Might Guy's own spirit ignited as well.

"Lord Guy, there's something I want to ask you!" Rock Lee shouted.

"Go ahead!" Might Guy shouted back. It was merely an ordinary conversation, yet it somehow felt so passionately stirring. If Ayato had been there, he probably would have been struck speechless by it again.

"I want to help Ayato, but I don't know what I can do to help him. I want to ask Lord Guy what I should do."

Might Guy fell silent at once. Thinking of Ayato, even someone who did not pay much attention to worldly affairs understood how terrifying Ayato was.

His frightening talent was probably on par with Kakashi in Might Guy's estimation, and he worked far harder than Kakashi. Wanting to surpass someone like that was simply far too difficult.

But there was nothing impossible in youth!

"Are you prepared?" Might Guy took a deep breath and asked.

"I'm prepared!"

"Even if it damages your body?" Might Guy continued.

"Even if it damages my body!"

"Then keep adding more training!" Looking at Rock Lee, Might Guy seemed to see himself. To surpass those geniuses through taijutsu, there was only hard work, more hard work, and still more hard work. One had to force their body beyond its limits. Only then would there be even a chance to surpass those geniuses! And this was Rock Lee's only path and opportunity!

"Oh!!" Rock Lee cried out, as though strength had surged into his body once more.

Naturally, Ayato, who had already returned home, knew nothing of any of this.