Uchiha Mai and Sarutobi Asuma stood facing each other from opposite sides of the field, each raising one hand to form the Sign of Confrontation.
Konoha was a great village, and it placed great importance on etiquette.
Before any formal sparring or combat exercise, shinobi were required to form the Sign of Confrontation—the same hand seal carved into the two statues at the Valley of the End.
After the fight, they would also form the Sign of Reconciliation, symbolizing that once the battle ended, no grudges would be held.
In other words—
I just beat you up pretty badly. Please don't take it to heart.
"Asuma-bro, you've got this! Knock him flat!"
"Boss, smash that pretty face!"
Asuma's lackeys waved their fists wildly, shouting encouragement for their leader.
Uchiha Mai had long grown used to the hostility of the Academy boys.
Being handsome—was that his fault?
Seeing this, the girls naturally refused to be outdone and began cheering just as loudly.
"Mai-kun, teach that arrogant guy a lesson!"
"Mai-kun, mess up that monkey's face and show him he's nothing but someone who hides behind the Hokage's authority!"
In the original Naruto manga and anime, there was very little description of what Kakashi's generation experienced during their Academy days.
It was only mentioned that Asuma had been a delinquent in his youth—rebellious, clashing with the Third Hokage before running off to the Fire Capital.
Now that he was experiencing it firsthand, Uchiha Mai could confirm—
Asuma really was a delinquent back then.
Dragging a group of followers around all day, acting flashy and domineering. He didn't actually do anything evil, but he was undeniably annoying.
Naturally, the girls had no fondness for this kind of behavior.
Seeing all the girls unanimously cheering for Uchiha Mai, Asuma's young face flushed crimson.
Am I really that unpopular with girls?!
Yūhi Kurenai looked around, and when she saw everyone supporting Uchiha Mai, she timidly raised her hand and called out,
"Mai-kun… please be careful."
Thump.
That was the sound of Asuma's heart being stabbed clean through.
Seeing the atmosphere fully built up, instructor Murakami Keinin raised his hand—then brought it down sharply.
"Begin!"
Asuma was just about to rush forward and smash Uchiha Mai's face when he saw him suddenly adopt a strange stance, lightly bouncing in place.
He instinctively halted.
Uchiha Mai raised his left fist forward, level with his shoulder, elbow bent at roughly ninety degrees.
His right hand was clenched near his chin, guarding it. His head dipped slightly downward.
His torso remained upright, yet with a slight bend at the waist, causing his upper body to lean subtly forward.
His legs were staggered—one in front, one behind—knees slightly bent. Both feet faced forward, spaced roughly shoulder-width apart.
"What kind of weird posture is that?"
Asuma couldn't make sense of it.
"That stance looks kind of ugly," Obito muttered from the sidelines. "Doesn't match that infuriating face of his."
"How is it ugly? If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense," Yūhi Kurenai snapped back, glaring at him.
Obito obediently shut his mouth, grumbling internally—
If anyone else used that stance, you'd be the first one calling it ugly.
Might Guy stared at Uchiha Mai for a long moment.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up with overwhelming excitement. Tears streamed down his face as he shouted,
"I—I get it! I get it now!
I'm not the only one in the Academy who specializes in taijutsu! And taijutsu isn't something only ninjas with no talent for ninjutsu are forced to train!"
Guy's emotions were always explosive—hot-blooded and sincere.
That sudden outburst drew everyone's attention, including Asuma, who was facing Uchiha Mai.
"Damn it, you bowl-cut idiot," Obito asked in confusion. "What do you get?"
Guy wiped away his tears, explaining passionately,
"Mai's stance may look strange, but it's actually an extremely advanced taijutsu-ready posture!
With his left fist forward, he can probe and attack more easily.
His right fist stays back to protect the chin, but can also unleash a heavy punch at a crucial moment. Pulling the fist back is for striking harder when it's released.
The chin is one of the most fragile parts of the human body. A solid hit there can easily cause unconsciousness. To further protect it, he even lowers his head slightly.
At the same time, his knees are bent so he can generate force more efficiently.
His feet are staggered yet parallel, maximizing balance.
Overall, this is a stance that allows both offense and defense in frontal taijutsu combat!"
Seeing Uchiha Mai focus on taijutsu made Guy happier than anyone.
For a long time, taijutsu specialists had been undervalued across all the great villages.
Guy's father, Might Duy, lacked talent in ninjutsu and remained a genin even into his later years.
No one understood better than Guy just how strong his father truly was.
Once the Eight Gates were opened, Might Duy could defeat ordinary chūnin with absurd ease.
Guy himself was the same—little talent for ninjutsu—but he worshiped his father and firmly believed that even with taijutsu alone, one could become a powerful shinobi.
Yet because he looked foolish and couldn't use ninjutsu, he was often looked down upon at the Academy.
Now—
The Academy's idol, Uchiha Mai, was walking the path of taijutsu as well.
Let's see what you all have to say now!
That was an Uchiha!
"Oh." Obito merely nodded, not really understanding, then turned his attention back to the field.
The reactions of the other students were nearly identical.
Guy's explanation didn't make them think taijutsu was amazing—
It just made them think Uchiha Mai was amazing.
A kid that young had already researched something that impressive.
Guy still didn't understand this world.
Everything depended on looks.
"Offense and defense, huh? I don't buy it."
On the field, Asuma clenched his teeth.
Hearing Guy praise Uchiha Mai only made him angrier.
What did a pretty boy know about taijutsu?
Asuma burst forward, throwing a punch straight at Uchiha Mai's face.
Uchiha Mai's pupils contracted.
He tilted his head back slightly, narrowly avoiding the punch.
At the same time, his left hand snapped out—fast and precise—striking Asuma squarely on the cheek.
The impact instantly swelled Asuma's face.
"Good!"
Inside the office, Sarutobi Hiruzen clapped loudly.
He had wanted to teach that little bastard a lesson for a long time.
After landing the hit, Uchiha Mai immediately retreated two steps, reopening the distance instead of pressing the attack.
"Tch—!"
Asuma sucked in a sharp breath. The pain nearly brought tears to his eyes.
How was that pretty boy's punch so accurate?!
Having learned his lesson from that exchange, Asuma no longer rushed in recklessly.
With a serious expression, he circled Uchiha Mai, searching for an opening.
Uchiha Mai smiled faintly.
Mayweather's fighting techniques—at least at the level of genin—were extremely effective.
At this stage, most genin lacked combat experience. Their hand seal speed was slow, their chakra reserves limited.
Fights were largely decided through taijutsu alone.
Occasionally someone might throw out a ninjutsu, but it was usually nothing more than the basic Three Techniques.
In the end, victory still came down to physical combat.
At this stage, Mayweather's boxing skills could display tremendous value.
Even though ninja battles weren't boxing matches, the principles still applied.
A boxing stance could be used just as effectively in unrestricted combat or free fighting.
More importantly—
It was the mindset.
Just as Brazilian jiu-jitsu was known as "human chess," boxing was never mere brute-force confrontation.
Within it lay countless techniques, layers of judgment, and combat wisdom—
All of which could be borrowed.
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