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Chapter 17: People in the Same Situation
No one makes enemies casually, and no one hates someone for no reason.
The students in the same class as Rock Lee, although they have only studied at the Ninja Academy for a year, have already created a gap with the other children.
Although they have lost their freedom and can no longer play lawlessly like before, the school rules restrain them while knowledge also influences and transforms them.
There are many people like Rock Lee who have poor talent in practicing ninjutsu and genjutsu at the school, and there are people like Rock Lee in almost every class.
But there are very few people like Rock Lee, who persist even when they know they have little chance of becoming a ninja—almost none of them.
Such a persevering person will only make his classmates feel pity and compassion.
The battle in the third training ground lasted for quite some time, and Ryosuke was just a spectator, watching the entire process quietly from the side.
Compared to his opponents, Rock Lee is much stronger in physical fitness. In both speed and strength, he surpasses the members of the Inuzuka clan.
Although the taijutsu techniques he used were just ordinary Konoha fluid techniques taught at the Ninja Academy, he was extremely skilled in their use.
During the battle, even though he didn't know ninjutsu, his advantages in taijutsu and physical fitness compensated for his shortcomings.
But... it's not enough.
"I lost."
Although Rock Lee had great perseverance and managed to hold on until his opponent's chakra was depleted to a trace, he also lacked the ability to continue fighting.
While his opponent was short on chakra, he still had some physical strength left.
"You're already very good, but you should reconsider becoming a ninja," the Inuzuka clan member said, making the seal of reconciliation with satisfaction before withdrawing from the training ground.
Rock Lee didn't say much and quietly retreated from the training ground.
"Lee, do you want to continue the actual combat? Or, let's stop here for today," many people nearby couldn't wait to ask.
"Sorry, this is all I can do today. I'm very tired," Rock Lee greeted them apologetically.
The others were obviously disappointed. Someone like Rock Lee, who was extremely skilled in taijutsu but didn't know any ninjutsu, was almost the best training subject and could bring them a lot of practical experience.
Therefore, he is quite popular at school, and many people practice actual combat with him after school.
The sky was gradually getting dark.
After standing quietly at the training ground for a while and recovering some strength, Rock Lee prepared to leave school and end his studies for the day.
Ryosuke didn't approach him immediately. He followed leisurely, without hiding himself.
He didn't quicken his pace to catch up until they walked out of the school gate.
"The battle just now was exciting."
When he came to Rock Lee's side, Ryosuke found that his expression was a little gloomy. It seemed he still cared a lot about the defeat in the previous battle.
He is not yet the Rock Lee who becomes more courageous and moves forward despite setbacks. He has not yet met the greatest luck in his life, his mentor, Might Guy.
"Who are you ?"
Ryosuke's words made Rock Lee stop and be stunned for a moment. After seeing his appearance clearly, he quickly recognized his identity.
"My name is Hyuga Ryosuke."
Ryosuke smiled and said, "Your name is Rock Lee, right? I took note of it. After watching the battle just now, I think you can become a very powerful ninja in the future." His tone was gentle and friendly.
Faced with his familiarity and his identity, Rock Lee was somewhat at a loss and replied, "Did you... watch the entire battle just now?"
"Of course, I've been there since the beginning."
Ryosuke nodded, "Are you in a hurry to go home? I can treat you to a meal as a reward for letting me experience such a wonderful battle just now. By the way, you can also replenish your energy."
"No, no, no... no thanks."
Rock Lee waved his hands in panic, "If you had watched the entire fight just now, you would have known that I am not even qualified to be a ninja. I can't learn ninjutsu at all."
He was not used to this kind of enthusiasm. Especially the praise that Ryosuke expressed for him in his words made him feel very uneasy. Did... Is there some misunderstanding?
"I know that you haven't learned the Three Body Technique yet, and even refining chakra is a little difficult," Ryosuke said in a gentle voice, "But your talent in taijutsu is really good. Even with a simple Konoha fluid technique, you can show your own unique fighting style. This is something I care about very much."
"During the battle just now, you almost succeeded a few times, didn't you? You just lacked a little bit of speed and a little bit of strength, so he didn't even have time to use the Substitution Technique."
"If you can work harder, maybe next time, you will have a chance to defeat that person and become the winner."
The stopped steps had unconsciously started moving. And Rock Lee followed him out of politeness.
"But if I only know taijutsu, there's no way I can become a ninja. It's hard for me to even graduate," Rock Lee said distressedly.
He didn't know why he suddenly started chatting with this stranger. Maybe it's because he usually hears people telling him to give up, but now suddenly someone tells him that he can actually do it.
This situation made Rock Lee want to refute Ryosuke with all kinds of reasons and at the same time make himself see the reality. Of course, part of the reason was also because he had a sunny smile on his face and he was of similar age.
"The graduation examination of the Ninja Academy is not that rigid. Special talents have special graduation channels," Ryosuke said casually as he walked forward.
"Besides... there are ninjas like you who are only talented in taijutsu and are average or even bad in other aspects."
"Eh?!"
Rock Lee suddenly stopped and looked at Ryosuke with wide eyes.
Ryosuke also stopped, but he didn't continue speaking.
"Let's go here, Ichiraku Ramen. It seems to be quite famous."
Looking at the small noodle stall with a constant stream of customers in front of him, Ryosuke lifted the curtain and walked in first.
I have always wanted to try Ichiraku Ramen, which is very famous in this world, but because I was busy with training, I didn't have much chance to go out, so I put it on hold for so many years.
This was a good opportunity for him to try the ramen here and, by the way, see if he could catch up with that little yellow-haired kid.
"Wait... wait! Please explain clearly, is there anyone like me?!"
When faced with Ryosuke, who was speaking halfway, Rock Lee hurriedly caught up with him, not caring about being polite or thinking that he felt embarrassed to ask someone he was meeting for the first time to pay for him.
"Of course, the world is so big, there are all kinds of people. Although we can't say that the situations are exactly the same, they are not much different."
Ryosuke answered, sitting down at the stand in front of the noodle stand, "A large portion of tonkotsu chashu ramen."
(End of this chapter)
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