The first five months of the Academy had been a relentless test of endurance and discipline for Haruto. Every day was a grind, but with each passing week, he could feel himself growing stronger. Whether it was through the grueling taijutsu sparring sessions, the chakra control exercises that required unyielding focus, or the strategy lessons that sharpened his mind, Haruto had made real progress. His time at the Academy wasn't just about learning; it was about survival, growth, and pushing himself to the limit.
But the biggest surprise came not from the teachers, the lessons, or even the challenges the Academy threw at him—it came from Might Guy. Haruto hadn't expected to make close friends. He had been determined to focus solely on his own progress, to distance himself from others as much as possible. Guy, however, had broken through those defenses with his relentless enthusiasm and determination. Over time, their sparring and training sessions had turned into something resembling a genuine friendship.
Training with Guy
Haruto had to admit that Guy's energy was infectious. No matter how exhausted Haruto was, no matter how much the day's training had worn him down, Guy was always ready for more. By the time they reached the end of their first five months, it was clear that their bond had grown beyond simple rivalry. Haruto had found in Guy a kindred spirit, someone who shared his hunger for improvement, albeit with a very different approach.
On the last day before the one-month break, Guy had excitedly approached Haruto after class, his eyes practically glowing with excitement.
"Haruto! This break—it's not just for rest!" Guy had exclaimed, waving his arms wildly. "It's the perfect time to push ourselves even further! I've already got a training plan, and—" Guy paused dramatically, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "my father will be there to help us push beyond our limits!"
Haruto raised an eyebrow at that. He had heard about Might Duy, Guy's father, who was rumored to be a dedicated but unremarkable Genin. While Duy didn't hold a high rank, it was clear that his approach to hard work had shaped Guy's unbreakable spirit.
Haruto smirked slightly. "So, you want me to join your training? With your father?"
Guy grinned, his excitement undeterred. "Of course! Together, with my father's guidance, we'll go beyond what we've learned at the Academy. We'll push our bodies, our minds, and our chakra control to new heights!"
Haruto couldn't deny that the idea intrigued him. He had already planned to spend the break training, but having an additional mentor—especially one like Duy, who had drilled the power of hard work into Guy—could be an advantage.
"Alright," Haruto said with a nod. "But don't expect me to go easy on you."
Guy's grin widened, and he gave Haruto a thumbs-up. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Haruto!"
The One-Month Break Begins
The first morning of the break, Haruto arrived at the training grounds before the sun had fully risen. The village was still waking up, but he could already hear the sound of training. As he approached, he saw Might Guy and his father, Might Duy, warming up. Duy, despite his advanced age and Genin rank, radiated an aura of pure, unwavering determination. His simple green jumpsuit matched Guy's, and his eyes held the same fire that burned so brightly in his son.
"Ah! Haruto!" Duy called out cheerfully as he spotted him approaching. "I'm so glad Guy invited you! Today, we begin the ultimate challenge: training to surpass the limits you thought were unbreakable!"
Haruto gave a respectful nod, a small part of him unsure what to expect from this session. But he had heard enough about Duy's Eight Gates training to know that he was in for a brutal workout.
Pushing Beyond Limits with Might Duy
The training that followed was nothing short of brutal.
Might Duy didn't train them like an Academy instructor. There were no carefully planned exercises or structured breaks. Duy's training philosophy was simple: push until you can't move, then push some more. For hours, Duy had them running drills that tested their endurance and willpower. They ran until their legs felt like jelly, sparred until their arms ached, and worked on taijutsu forms until their muscles screamed for rest.
Every time Haruto thought he had reached his limit, Duy would shout words of encouragement, pushing him further. "Your body is stronger than you think, Haruto!" Duy exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "The real limit is in your mind! Break through it!"
Even Guy, who thrived on intensity, seemed to struggle under the rigorous training regimen his father set. Yet he never complained, his spirit unbroken no matter how much his body protested. Haruto, too, found himself gritting his teeth and continuing, refusing to be the first to drop out.
The most grueling part of the training was the endurance run around the village's outer perimeter. Duy led them, setting a pace that seemed far too fast for such a long distance. They ran through forests, up steep hills, and across rocky paths. Every part of Haruto's body screamed for him to stop, but he refused to slow down. The sounds of Guy's heavy breathing and Duy's relentless encouragement echoed in his ears.
Finally, after what felt like hours, they reached the top of a hill overlooking the village. Duy clapped both Haruto and Guy on the back, his face beaming with pride.
"Well done, boys!" Duy exclaimed. "You've pushed yourselves further than most shinobi ever will. This is just the beginning of your journey!"
Haruto, panting heavily, nodded. He could feel it in his body—the exhaustion, yes, but also the subtle improvement. Duy's methods might be harsh, but they were undeniably effective.
For the entire month, Haruto trained with Might Guy and his father, Might Duy, every single day except Sunday. The training was grueling, hitting every aspect of shinobi development—strength, agility, stamina, and chakra control. Each day presented new challenges, each workout more intense than the last. But nothing could have prepared Haruto for the sheer freakish endurance and raw physical power of Guy.
Haruto had always prided himself on his hard work, his ability to push beyond limits and train himself to the brink. But Guy? Guy was on a different level. Whether it was the endless sparring matches, the long-distance sprints, or the punishing taijutsu drills, Guy never seemed to tire. He would finish a round of training, dripping with sweat and grinning like he hadn't even started.
It was humbling, to say the least. No matter how hard Haruto pushed himself, no matter how much effort he poured into every punch, every sprint, every chakra exercise, Guy always seemed to be one step ahead. Relentless, unstoppable—the man was an absolute freak of nature.
But Haruto never gave up.
Chasing Guy's Pace
The first few days had been the hardest. Haruto could barely keep up. During one of the more brutal endurance runs, Guy had powered through the course, practically sprinting the entire way, while Haruto found himself lagging behind, his legs burning with each step. By the time he crossed the finish line, Guy was bouncing on his toes, still full of energy, while Haruto was struggling to catch his breath.
"You're doing great, Haruto!" Guy had said, offering his usual bright grin. "Just push a little harder! The flames of youth burn brightest when you're at your limit!"
Haruto had nodded, panting too hard to respond, but there was no way he was going to let himself fall behind. Not now. Not ever. Every part of his body ached, but he would not give in to the fatigue. Not when Guy was still bouncing around like the run hadn't even fazed him.
Over time, Haruto's body began to adapt. At first, he had struggled to match Guy's ridiculous pace, especially during the taijutsu drills and endurance runs. But every day, he pushed himself just a little harder. Whether it was sparring, sprinting, or working on chakra control, Haruto refused to be left behind. Slowly but surely, he found his body catching up. His punches were getting faster, his movements sharper, and his stamina was increasing.
There was no denying it: Guy was a freak, and keeping up with him was like trying to chase a hurricane. But Haruto learned that the more he tried to match Guy's insane pace, the more his own limits expanded.
Experiencing Huge Gains
After the first two weeks, Haruto could feel the difference. His body was changing—his muscles were becoming more defined, his endurance was improving rapidly, and even his chakra control was more refined. He no longer felt as winded during the long-distance runs or completely drained after sparring sessions. His punches were quicker, his kicks more powerful, and his recovery time after intense workouts was significantly shorter.
Even Guy noticed.
"Haruto!" Guy had exclaimed one day during a sparring session. "You're getting faster! I can feel the flames of youth burning hotter in you!"
Haruto, drenched in sweat and breathing hard, gave a slight nod. He could feel it too. The workouts, while still brutal, were becoming more manageable. His body had adapted to the constant intensity, and he was starting to see the results. Huge gains, both physically and mentally. Where before he had struggled to keep up with Guy, now he was starting to hold his own.
The taijutsu sparring, in particular, had made a noticeable difference. Haruto's strikes were cleaner, more precise. Every time Guy came at him with a punch or kick, Haruto was quicker to react, either blocking or countering with a move of his own. He still wasn't at Guy's level—who was?—but he was closing the gap, inch by inch, every day.
The Role of Might Duy
Through all of this, Might Duy remained a constant presence, guiding them both through each workout. His role wasn't just to train them but to teach them how to push beyond what they thought was possible. He had an uncanny ability to push Haruto and Guy to the edge, knowing exactly how far to take the training before allowing their bodies to recover. It was this balance—between relentless training and calculated rest—that allowed Haruto to make such significant gains.
Duy was also a master at instilling mental resilience. Every time Haruto felt like he couldn't go on, like his body was ready to collapse, Duy would say something that made him push through the pain.
"Your body can handle more than you think, Haruto," Duy had said during one of the particularly brutal training sessions. "It's your mind that holds you back. Break through that wall, and you'll find that there's always more in the tank."
It was simple advice, but it was exactly what Haruto needed to hear. And as the days passed, Haruto realized that Duy was right. There was always more—more strength, more stamina, more willpower. He just had to tap into it.
A New Normal
By the end of the month, Haruto felt like a different person. He had come into the training with an iron will, determined to become stronger. But the gains he had made, both physically and mentally, far exceeded his expectations. He had pushed his body to its absolute limit, and in doing so, he had broken through barriers he hadn't even realized were holding him back.
Though Guy still had an edge—there was no getting around the fact that Guy was a freak of nature—Haruto was no longer struggling just to keep up. He was right there with him, matching him punch for punch, sprint for sprint. It hadn't been easy—there were days when Haruto had felt like he couldn't go on, like his legs were made of lead and his arms had turned to jelly. But he had kept going, and the results spoke for themselves.
He could feel the changes in every part of his body—stronger muscles, greater stamina, sharper reflexes. His chakra control had also improved tremendously, and he had mastered several techniques that had previously eluded him.
Most importantly, Haruto had gained something beyond the physical and technical skills. He had forged a bond with Guy and his father, built on shared struggle, mutual respect, and an understanding that true strength came not just from physical ability but from the will to never give up.
The Final Day
On the last day of the month-long training, Haruto stood alongside Guy and Duy as they looked out over the village from their training spot on the hill. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over Konoha, and Haruto could feel the exhaustion in his bones—but it was a good kind of exhaustion, the kind that came from knowing he had given everything he had.
"You've come a long way, Haruto," Duy said with a proud smile. "I knew you had it in you."
Haruto nodded, still catching his breath. "Thanks… Duy-san. It wasn't easy."
Guy grinned, throwing his arm around Haruto's shoulder. "See? I knew we'd bring out the best in each other! The flames of youth are burning strong in you, Haruto!"
Haruto couldn't help but smile. The month had been tough—tougher than anything he'd experienced before—but he had emerged from it stronger, more focused, and more determined than ever.
The Academy would be starting again soon, and Haruto felt ready. He had trained with one of the strongest and most determined people he'd ever met. If he could survive that, he could survive anything.
And with Guy and Duy by his side, he knew he could push beyond any limit.