Two and a half years later, Konoha's Fourth Training Ground.
Bang, bang, bang!
The rapid and solid sounds of fists and feet colliding rang out densely. In the center of the grounds, two figures crossed paths, separated, and collided again at extreme speeds. Their movements were clean and precise, and the fierce winds stirred up by their actions swept up fine dust from the ground.
One of the figures was dark-skinned and burly, his attacks fierce and powerful; it was Ishizuka Ryu. The other was lean and steady, responding with strict and methodical discipline; naturally, it was Higashino Shinichi.
"This brat's physique is truly extraordinary."
Outside the field, a short, stout middle-aged man wearing round sunglasses, whose demeanor appeared somewhat comical, was stroking his chin and musing to himself.
He was none other than the man hailed as Konoha's strongest taijutsu ninja, nicknamed the "Konoha Dragon God," Master Chen.
In the field, Ryu's attacks grew increasingly fierce, seemingly trying to suppress his opponent with sheer power. However, Shinichi's responses remained methodical, his defense watertight. His occasional counterattacks, seizing upon any openings, were precise and effective, forcing Ryu to fall back on the defensive.
"Hmm... It's about time to end this. The brat is going to get serious." Master Chen acutely noticed the subtle shift in Shinichi's breathing and rhythm.
Sure enough, in the next moment...
In the instant Shinichi parried a heavy punch from Ryu, his footsteps slid in an eerie manner, cutting into his opponent's centerline, which had slightly stagnated due to the exertion of force. Changing his right hand from a palm to a strike with his fingers, he lightly tapped a specific spot between Ryu's chest and abdomen with lightning speed.
Ryu Ishizuka let out a muffled grunt. He only felt his breath suddenly hitch; the power he had gathered instantly dissipated, and his footing immediately grew unsteady.
Shinichi did not miss this opportunity, taking advantage of the momentum with a simple and clean sweep of his leg.
Thud!
Losing his balance, Ryu's burly body fell heavily on his back, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Cough... Haha!" Lying on the ground, Ryu gasped for breath a couple of times and then began to laugh, not showing the slightest bit of frustration. "Shinichi, you're still as strong as ever! I thought that last move of mine would at least force you back!"
A smile also appeared on Shinichi's face, his breathing perfectly steady. He took a step forward and extended a hand to the fallen Ryu.
"You've improved a lot, Ryu."
Ryu chuckled, grasped Shinichi's hand, and used the leverage to leap to his feet. He vigorously patted the dirt off his body, the fighting spirit in his eyes undiminished. "Next time! We'll continue this in a few days after school starts..."
"There might... not be time for that, Ryu." Shinichi, however, gently shook his head.
"No time?" Ryu paused, not quite registering the words.
"Brat, are you planning to apply for early graduation?"
A slightly hoarse yet deeply resonant voice came from the side. Master Chen, wearing his sunglasses, had walked a few steps closer at some unknown point. He stood with his arms crossed, the gaze behind his sunglasses seemingly fixed on Shinichi.
Shinichi turned toward Chen and bowed slightly in respect. "Yes, Teacher Chen. That is exactly my intention."
His close association with Ryu over the years had indeed achieved the effect Shinichi had anticipated.
About a year or so ago, during one of his sparring matches with Ryu at the training ground, they happened to be seen by Master Chen, who was passing by.
After that, this taijutsu master of Konoha seemed to take notice of him. Occasionally, after observing from the sidelines, he would offer a few seemingly casual critiques, pointing out subtle flaws in Shinichi's exertion of force or footwork.
The frequency of such guidance gradually increased, and the content became deeper and deeper, to the point where he even imparted some taijutsu techniques to him.
Although Master Chen never explicitly uttered the words "taking you as a disciple," the things he taught had long surpassed the scope of an ordinary senior guiding a junior.
Shinichi understood this perfectly well. He consistently treated him with the respect of a disciple, his attitude deferential and sincere.
"Makes sense." Master Chen nodded. His tone was flat, yet it carried the certainty of someone with experience. "With your current level, staying in the Ninja Academy really won't teach you anything new. Instead, it might restrict your growth. Getting out early to experience real missions and hone yourself in actual combat will do you more good."
"Shinichi, you're graduating early?" Ryu finally fully understood. His eyes abruptly lit up as a surge of hot blood rushed to his head. "Then I will too! We'll go together..."
"Graduating early, my ass!" Master Chen interrupted unceremoniously. Taking a step forward, he raised his hand and delivered a solid knock to Ryu's head, scolding, "Your training is still far from adequate, and you're already thinking about graduating?"
"Ouch!" Ryu clutched his head, whining aggrievedly, "But what about Might Guy from the class next door? Didn't he graduate early a year ago? At that time, his taijutsu... I think it wasn't even as good as mine!"
"At least Might Guy knows how to use ninjutsu! Do you?" Master Chen glared at him in exasperation. "The graduation exam strictly tests the application of basic ninjutsu, especially the Three Basic Jutsus! You can't even pull off the most fundamental Clone Jutsu, so what are you going to take the exam with? Go up there and flex your muscles?"
Master Chen's words hit the nail on the head. Might Guy indeed specialized in taijutsu, but he wasn't completely incapable of using ninjutsu.
Ryu's situation, however, was much more unique. Just like Guy's father, Might Duy, and the later hard-working genius Rock Lee, he possessed an innate obstacle when it came to the shape and nature transformations of chakra, making him virtually unable to execute any conventional ninjutsu.
The reason Ryu was eventually able to become a ninja was likely because Konoha's higher-ups made a special exception out of respect for the backing of Master Chen—the Konoha Dragon God and a top-tier taijutsu jonin. But that was a story for the future.
"Ah? Then... then doesn't that mean I'll never be able to graduate?" Hearing his teacher ruthlessly point out the cruel reality, Ryu felt as if he had been struck by lightning. The excitement from moments ago was instantly extinguished, and he felt as though his future was completely bleak.
"We'll figure out a way when the time comes!" Master Chen rolled his eyes. "Anyway, for now, give up on this idea of graduating early. Honestly focus on building a more solid foundation and training your body to be stronger!"
"Teacher Chen is right, Ryu," Shinichi also spoke up to comfort him, his tone sincere. "The foundation of a taijutsu-type ninja lies in physical fitness. You are currently in the golden period of building your foundation and growing your body. Spend more time making your body tougher. That way, even if you only know taijutsu, the situations and environments you'll be able to handle when you become a ninja in the future will be far more numerous."
"...Understood."
"Hey, brat." Master Chen's attention turned back to Shinichi, his tone carrying a rare hint of earnest gravity. "I know you're an absolute genius with top-notch strength. With your current level, even if you graduate, you would definitely be in the top tier among genin and chunin."
He paused, his voice deepening. "However, you must remember that in the ninja profession, having strength and talent alone is far from enough. Missions are ever-changing, and enemies are full of deceit. Underestimating the enemy and being complacent are often shortcuts to the grave. The outside world is thousands of times crueler than the classrooms and training grounds of the Ninja Academy. Always remain vigilant, never look down on any opponent, and do not overestimate your own luck. Do you understand?"
Shinichi's expression turned serious. Meeting Master Chen's gaze, he nodded solemnly. "I understand, Teacher Chen. Thank you for your guidance; I will bear it in mind."
"Mm." Seeing his proper attitude, Master Chen's expression softened slightly. He nodded, pondered for a moment, and, as if having made a certain decision, spoke, "Make sure you stay alive. On the day you are promoted to chunin... when that time comes, I'll teach you a new taijutsu move."
A new taijutsu move?
Shinichi's heart stirred. Over the past year or so, while studying under Master Chen, he had already mastered a large number of profound taijutsu techniques from Konoha's Strong Fist style.
The Konoha Dragon God?
He suppressed the waves in his heart and once again bowed his head respectfully, replying, "Yes, I understand, Teacher Chen. I will work hard."
Master Chen said no more. He merely waved his hand, signaling that they could continue practicing or dismiss themselves, while he turned around and leisurely swayed his way out of the training ground.