"We will definitely continue working hard to earn your recognition as soon as possible!"
"Yeah." Might Guy nodded.
"Tenten, Lee, you two should stick to the previous training regimen to further improve your physical fitness."
Upon hearing Might Guy's words, Rock Lee didn't hesitate for a second. He immediately responded, "Yes, Guy-sensei! I'll run around the entire Hidden Leaf Village three times!"
Seeing Lee's enthusiasm, Tenten quickly followed up, "Guy-sensei, I'll go for a run too!"
As Rock Lee dashed off, Tenten closely followed.
Meanwhile, Kazuki was left standing before Might Guy.
"Kazuki, basic physical conditioning is no longer enough for you. It's time to step things up in your training."
"What kind of adjustments?"
"Weight training."
Might Guy's expression grew serious.
"I remember your family runs a ninja tool shop, correct? When you go home, start weight training. Begin with 30 pounds, and each time your body adapts, increase the weight by another 10 pounds."
"Understood, Guy-sensei." Kazuki nodded.
He had been considering asking about weighted training before, but before he even had the chance, Might Guy brought it up himself—truly a master of taijutsu.
"Good! Now, I'll teach you a fundamental move." Might Guy walked to the center of the training ground and gestured for Kazuki to follow his movements.
"Konoha Whirlwind is the foundation of my taijutsu. The key to mastering it is using your waist as the central axis to generate power throughout your entire body while focusing chakra into your legs. You must learn to…"
Time passed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had gone by since Kazuki and the others entered the Ninja Academy.
After the New Year, Kazuki and the siblings, Tenten and Kazuki, turned seven years old.
Before they knew it, winter vacation was nearly over, and the academy's reopening was just around the corner.
During these six months, Kazuki, Tenten, and Rock Lee had undergone tremendous changes.
Among the three, Kazuki's progress was the most remarkable.
His training weights had increased from 30 pounds to a staggering 100 pounds—almost the weight of a grown woman!
For a seven-year-old to carry such a load was unheard of. If anyone were to hear about it, they'd struggle to believe it.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of powerful impacts echoed from a distance.
At the Konoha training grounds, Rock Lee momentarily paused his training, his gaze fixed on the source of the sounds.
"How strong is Kazuki now…?" Lee muttered in curiosity.
Tenten, who was perched on a wooden training post, her legs swinging, grinned mischievously.
"Why don't you take a guess?" She smirked, her eyes glinting with mystery. "Aside from Guy-sensei, I doubt anyone truly knows my little brother's strength."
Meanwhile, in the adjacent training ground…
Kazuki was receiving personal instruction from Might Guy.
"Kazuki, are you ready?" Guy's voice carried a weight of expectation.
"Ready!" Kazuki nodded firmly.
"Then let's begin!"
"Yes, Guy-sensei!"
The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the training ground. A gentle spring breeze stirred the air.
Kazuki's long black hair fluttered behind him as he narrowed his eyes, locking his gaze on a training post twenty meters away.
In the next second—
Kazuki had already shot forward like an arrow released from its string!
The transition from stillness to movement was seamless, with no hesitation or pause.
In an instant, his muscles swelled, veins bulging like thick cords along his forehead. His heart pounded at full throttle, sending a rush of oxygen through his body, optimizing his explosive power.
To an outsider, his expression might have seemed as if he were about to pass out.
Tread! Tread! Tread!
His footsteps were as heavy as boulders, and the very ground beneath him cracked visibly with each impact.
Then—he leaped.
Kazuki twisted mid-air, his spine coiling like a living dragon, gathering all his momentum into a singular, devastating force.
His right leg snapped forward, whipping through the air like a lightning-charged strike.
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
BOOM!!
The wooden training post exploded on impact.
Splinters and shards of wood shot outward in all directions, scattering like shrapnel. The stake didn't just break—it was pulverized, with deep cracks spreading from its core like the aftermath of a violent detonation.
A terrifying display of raw, physical power.
If this strike had landed on a human body, their capillaries would have burst instantly, their internal organs shifting under the force.
A direct hit to the skull? Fatal. No question.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Applause rang out.
Might Guy, standing to the side, beamed with pride, his eyes glistening with admiration.
"To think that after just six months of training, you've already mastered the essence of the Konoha Whirlwind!" he exclaimed. "I originally expected it to take you at least two years! This is beyond my expectations, Kazuki!"
Kazuki wiped the sweat from his forehead and grinned.
"It's all thanks to your guidance, Guy-sensei," he said sincerely.
Then, with barely a pause, he asked, "So, can I start training in the Konoha True Whirlwind now?"
The Konoha True Whirlwind—a significant upgrade from the basic Konoha Whirlwind. Despite the minor difference in name, it was an entirely different beast.
Unlike its predecessor, it demanded far greater physical conditioning and strength, pushing taijutsu users to a level comparable to Tsunade's monstrous "Strength of a Hundred" technique.
An elite B-rank taijutsu, and one of the deadliest purely physical techniques in existence.
But Might Guy shook his head.
"Not yet, Kazuki. The flame of youth burns bright, but patience is key!" he said, his voice uncharacteristically serious.
"The Konoha True Whirlwind requires immense physical endurance. At the very least, you need to be capable of handling a weighted load of over 200 jin (about 220 pounds) before you can even begin practicing it."
Guy folded his arms, his usually carefree expression giving way to one of deep wisdom.
"I've analyzed the physical development of many shinobi over the years. Based on my calculations, a seven-year-old like yourself should only be handling a maximum of 150 jin (about 165 pounds). Anything beyond that would place excessive strain on your developing bones and muscles, leading to irreparable damage."
His voice softened, yet remained firm.
"Remember, Kazuki—growth in taijutsu isn't just about pushing limits. It's about respecting your body. If you rush this, you'll compromise your future potential. Do you understand?"
For a moment, Kazuki was silent, digesting his teacher's words.
Then he nodded.
"Yes, Guy-sensei. I understand."
Might Guy's smile returned in full force, his signature Nice Guy Pose at the ready.
"Good! That's the spirit! Now—let's get back to training!"