Senju Akari's voice followed Kuroha to the door, threaded with worry she could no longer hide.
"Kuroha… your instructor spoke to me a few days ago. He said your chakra control is still unstable. He thinks taijutsu may be your only real path."She hesitated, then added softly, "Taijutsu is… cruel on the body. Harder than most realize. You should think carefully before choosing that road."
As far as she was concerned, a quiet life like Uchiha Jōan's was more than enough.
Kuroha straightened, meeting her gaze with a seriousness too heavy for a three-year-old."I'll stick with it. And… Mother, I can use ninjutsu now. One day, I'll become a real shinobi. A strong one."
"You can use ninjutsu?"Akari's eyes widened.
The instructors had said his chakra was too chaotic to shape.Yet now—
"Watch."
He formed a few hand signs — nothing special, just enough to maintain his cover — and let a controlled pulse of chakra flow outward.
Smoke rose.
Two shadow clones appeared at his sides, blinking up at Akari before offering her cheerful greetings.
"Shadow Clone…?"Light flickered in Akari's eyes, equal parts hope and disbelief. Her child, who'd been called talentless, had done what many five- and six-year-olds still struggled with.
It was enough to make her shoulders tremble.
"Mother, I'm heading out," Kuroha said with a small wave, slipping from the yard before she could bombard him with questions.
He started jogging along the perimeter path circling the village walls. His pace was steady, almost leisurely — clearly waiting.
A familiar cry rang out.
"Little Kuroha! I have arrived!"
Might Guy careened toward him… upside down, running on his hands, teeth flashing like a miniature sunrise.
Kuroha gave him a deadpan look and increased his pace.
"H-hey! Wait for me!"Guy flipped upright and tore after him.
They ran ten full laps before stopping on an open plateau overlooking a jagged cliff face.The rock wall rose a hundred meters, steep and uneven — unforgiving for an adult, merciless for a child as small as Kuroha.
Guy folded his arms. "You sure about this? Climbing that without chakra is no joke."
"I'm sure," Kuroha said, eyes narrowing at the cliff. "You said you'd accept my challenge only if I climbed it. So I will."
Guy rubbed the back of his head. "Why challenge me at all? I'm not exactly looking to beat up toddlers."
"I want to know what a top-class taijutsu shinobi feels like up close," Kuroha replied evenly. "Unless you're planning to go back on your word?"
"Me? Never!" Guy puffed his chest. "But the rule stands. No chakra. Pure strength only."
"I know."
"Oh — one more thing," Guy added, grinning. "If you fail, you'll wear the outfit I prepared for you. Then we can spar."
Kuroha froze.
"…What outfit?"
Guy's smile widened like an omen.
The green jumpsuit.
Kuroha felt his soul attempt to leave his body.
"I'm climbing," he said flatly. "And I'm not wearing that."
With a sharp exhale, he leapt upward, driving a single fingertip into a thin crack in the stone.Barely a knuckle's depth. But enough.
He scanned higher, spotted the next handhold, and launched himself again.
One meter. Two meters. Ten meters.The higher he climbed, the fewer footholds remained.His arms burned. Sweat stung his eyes.
Soon he reached a dead zone — the next foothold lay nearly two meters above him.Too far for a single-arm hold. Too far for a normal jump.
Guy's head suddenly popped into view beside him, hanging upside down from a higher ledge.
"Kuroha! This is dangerous! If you're tired, you know… the jumpsuit is always—"
"No."
Kuroha didn't hesitate.
He channeled every shred of strength through his core, released his grip, and twisted his body upward in a controlled burst.
His fingertips brushed stone.
Caught.
Kuroha hauled himself up, breath sharp.Then higher, and higher again.
Thirty minutes later, he pulled himself over the final ledge and collapsed onto the top of the cliff, chest heaving.
"Made it…"He wiped the sweat from his face, a rare grin tugging at his mouth.
He'd done it with pure physical strength.
After a brief rest and a few bites of food, he stood, eyes bright.
"Guy-san… I'm ready."
Guy looked strangely proud — and maybe a little alarmed.
"Alright. As promised, I'll accept your challenge. I'll even handicap myself."He lifted one arm and one leg, binding them behind his back."During this spar, I will not move from this spot. If you make me step back even once, you win."
Kuroha cracked his knuckles."You said it. I'm coming."
He surged forward.
His heel cut through the air like a whip —Leaf Whirlwind.
Guy blocked it with a single arm, expression thoughtful.
"Excellent power. Already around a mid-level chunin's physical strength. But for us taijutsu users… that's only the starting point. Tomorrow, we add weights."
Kuroha snarled and twisted, flipping his body to throw a punch toward Guy's abdomen.
"Nice try — but telegraphed!"
Guy snapped his knee upward in a fast, clean counter.
Kuroha's pupils tightened.
He raised a hand.His palm brushed Guy's knee lightly—