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Might Guy was greatly encouraged—the flame of youth in his heart had been completely ignited, and there was no stopping him now.
"Ye Dou!"
Suddenly stepping onto the edge of the window, he shouted toward the academy training grounds, "Is that all your youth amounts to? Use the Konoha Whirlwind I taught you—knock him down!"
Puff!
Kakashi, standing nearby, staggered slightly. He nearly turned around to send a Raikiri flying in Guy's direction on instinct.
[A Rival for Life]
"That's it!"
As Uzumaki Naruto was knocked down for what felt like the hundredth time by Ye Dou, Umino Iruka finally stepped in.
He looked down at Naruto—his face bruised and swollen—and then turned his gaze to Ye Dou, whose expression hadn't shifted once throughout the whole match.
A storm of emotions churned in Iruka's heart.
"That's enough! Everyone stop!"
"Line up and perform the Seal of Reconciliation!"
Releasing the two boys, Iruka stood between them and gave the order.
Ye Dou extended his right hand slowly. His face remained expressionless—as if fighting Naruto Uzumaki meant nothing to him.
But Naruto, even after taking such a beating, with a swollen eye and blood still trickling from his nose, glared at Ye Dou with unrelenting defiance.
He still wasn't satisfied. Still wanted to wipe the arrogant look off Ye Dou's calm face.
Bang!
He didn't just think it—he acted.
But Ye Dou was stronger. He moved first and struck Naruto clean in the face, sending him flying once again.
At this point, Naruto Uzumaki was simply too weak.
His talent wasn't lacking, but the Nine-Tails sealed inside him constantly disrupted his chakra control. Mastering even basic ninjutsu had become a nearly impossible task.
Without a proper teacher or support system, he stood no chance against Ye Dou. No matter how many times he tried, the result was always the same: defeat.
"Naruto…"
Iruka hadn't expected Naruto to be so persistent—or Ye Dou to be so cold and efficient.
Seeing Naruto sprawled on the ground, bruised and battered, Iruka no longer cared about decorum. He rushed over, scooped Naruto into his arms, and hurried toward the infirmary.
Seeing this, many of the watching students whispered among themselves. Most of them had been warned by their parents to stay away from both Naruto and Ye Dou.
Now, watching the two "problem children" fight like wild dogs, some sneered in schadenfreude, while a few fell silent.
Ye Dou paid no attention. He walked calmly beneath a nearby tree, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.
---
That Night
Ichiraku Ramen
Might Guy brought Ye Dou to Ichiraku to eat after training.
Despite being a humble ramen stand with only a handful of seats, Ichiraku was the most beloved ramen shop in all of Konoha.
This was partly because Teuchi, the owner, cooked with real heart—and also because his ramen was simply unbeatable.
"Thanks for waiting!"
Teuchi emerged with two steaming bowls and passed the one with extra seafood to Ye Dou, smiling warmly.
"Here's your seafood ramen—take your time and enjoy!"
"Thanks a lot, Master Teuchi!" said Guy, speaking on behalf of his famously reserved student.
Teuchi chuckled and waved it off, choosing not to pry into the boy's past, even as he noticed how unlike Naruto this one was.
Just then—
"Teacher Iruka! I want two… no, three bowls today!"
"You can eat as much as you want today, Naruto. Don't hold back."
As if on cue, Iruka walked into the shop with Naruto—still wrapped in bandages but smiling through the pain.
Teuchi looked up and grinned. "Iruka, Naruto—same order as usual?"
He was clearly used to them by now, and already knew their favorites.
"Yes please, Master Teuchi—eh?"
Iruka suddenly noticed Might Guy nearby. "Senior Guy, you're here too?"
"Of course!" Guy beamed. "The chef's cooking brings tears to my eyes!"
"Oh? You're the kid who sparred with Ye Dou earlier today?" Iruka looked at Ye Dou and bowed slightly. "Sorry if my idiot student got carried away. Hope you're alright."
"I didn't lose to him!" Naruto snapped before Ye Dou could answer. He glared toward the corner where Ye Dou sat, then stomped to his seat in a huff.
Still, he kept sneaking glances in Ye Dou's direction, muttering under his breath.
"What's so great about him anyway, that bastard…"
Guy caught every word and grinned ear to ear.
It reminded him so much of himself and Kakashi in their youth—mutual rivals, pushing each other to grow stronger.
He laughed heartily.
"Well then! As an apology for earlier, dinner's on me tonight!"
Iruka waved his hands. "You don't have to, Senior Guy—I can pay."
"It's no problem at all! Just a few bowls of ramen! Eat up, Naruto! Don't be shy!"
He turned to Ye Dou and added, "You too, Ye Dou. After a good workout, nutrition is key! Oh—already finished your bowl? That's my student!"
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