Haruto stood under the midday sun, beads of sweat forming on his brow. It had been a while since he last sparred with Guy, and today, after finishing his light exercises and hospital volunteer work, he felt an undeniable restlessness. He needed a challenge, something to push him beyond the usual. Sparring with Guy under the watchful eye of Might Duy was exactly what he needed to burn off the excess energy.
The secluded training ground was the perfect place for them to push their limits. As Haruto stretched, loosening his muscles, he felt the familiar weight of his Weighted Seal, set at 1.5x resistance. It helped him stay competitive with Guy, whose natural stamina and raw strength often kept him ahead. But today, Haruto was ready to test himself fully, to go all out.
Duy's POV
Might Duy stood at the edge of the training ground, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of the boys' preparations. Over the last few months, he had watched them train and grow, but there was something different about today. Haruto had always impressed him with his precision and dedication, but Duy had noticed that the boy was holding something back.
Today, Duy sensed something new in Haruto—a restlessness, a desire to test his true strength. Duy smiled, his heart swelling with pride. Both of these boys are special, he thought to himself. They push each other in ways few others can.
"Haruto," Duy called out, his tone warm but probing. "I've noticed you've been holding back in your training. What is it?"
Haruto hesitated for a moment before tapping the Weighted Seal on his body. "Yeah, I've been using this. I set it at 1.5x resistance to keep up with Guy."
Duy raised his eyebrows in surprise, then let out a booming laugh. "Ah, that explains it! Well, don't feel too bad—Guy has been using a Weighted Seal too. Also set at 1.5x."
Guy grinned sheepishly, and Haruto nodded in understanding. But Duy's expression turned serious as he stepped back. "Remove the seals, both of you. I want to see your true potential today. No more holding back."
The boys removed their seals, and immediately, they felt lighter, faster. Haruto flexed his arms, testing his newfound speed and agility. Without the resistance, his movements were sharper, more precise.
Duy crossed his arms and stepped back, his gaze unwavering. "Haruto, use everything you've got—ninjutsu, ninja tools, and Taijutsu. But remember, no holding back today."
Haruto nodded, though he had no intention of using everything. He had long incorporated the chakra scalpel into his Taijutsu style, but fully activating it was dangerous. He kept it at a semi-activated state, precise enough to graze his opponent but not cause real harm. Still, it was a technique that demanded respect.
The Fight
Guy wasted no time. He launched himself at Haruto with a speed and ferocity that left little room for error. Haruto anticipated the attack, sidestepping Guy's first punch and countering with a quick jab aimed at his ribs. Guy dodged, twisting his body with a fluidity that made it clear how comfortable he was in close combat.
The two exchanged a rapid series of punches and kicks, neither gaining a clear advantage. Haruto's Tier 2 Cognitive Boost allowed him to predict Guy's movements just a fraction of a second ahead, but Guy's raw strength and endurance kept him in the fight. Haruto's strikes were fast and precise, but Guy's counters came just as quickly.
As the fight progressed, Haruto activated his chakra scalpel, but only at a semi-activated state. The blue chakra flickered faintly around his hands, and Haruto moved in, aiming for Guy's pressure points. The first strike aimed at Guy's shoulder was dodged effortlessly. Haruto followed up with another quick jab to Guy's side, but Guy avoided it with a deft sidestep, his eyes sharp with recognition.
Guy wasn't just avoiding Haruto's hits—he was actively respecting the chakra scalpel. He knew how dangerous that jutsu could be, and he wasn't going to let it land. Each time Haruto struck with the chakra scalpel, Guy adjusted, dodging just in time to avoid the hit.
Duy's POV
From the sidelines, Duy's eyes widened as he noticed the faint blue glow around Haruto's hands. "What in the world is that?" he muttered to himself, watching in awe. Chakra control at this level? For a boy of Haruto's age to wield a jutsu like the chakra scalpel was almost unheard of. Duy couldn't believe his eyes.
Haruto's strikes were precise, calculated, each aimed at specific pressure points on Guy's body. But Duy saw the way Guy dodged them—Guy knew the danger instinctively. He wasn't just fighting recklessly; he was respecting Haruto's skill and the potential lethality of that technique.
Duy's admiration for Haruto grew with every passing second. "This boy is incredible," he thought. "His chakra control, his strategy… He's not just skilled—he's smart, methodical. This kind of talent is rare."
Back on the battlefield, the intensity of the fight increased. Haruto launched a series of kunai at Guy, who dodged them effortlessly, closing the gap in an instant. Guy struck with a powerful spinning kick, and Haruto barely blocked it with his forearm, the impact sending him sliding backward.
Haruto quickly recovered, using Substitution Jutsu just as Guy rushed him again. A log appeared in his place, and Haruto reappeared behind Guy, launching a flurry of punches aimed at Guy's back. Guy dodged each one, but Haruto followed up with a kick aimed at Guy's legs, forcing him to jump back.
Guy was relentless. His energy never wavered, and Haruto found himself forced to defend against the onslaught of strikes. Haruto's mind raced as he calculated his next move. He knew that he couldn't rely solely on the chakra scalpel—it was too risky. He needed a more balanced approach.
Suddenly, Haruto flung a smoke bomb to the ground, obscuring the battlefield in a thick cloud. Within the smoke, Haruto activated Clone Jutsu, sending his clones to attack Guy from multiple angles. The real Haruto hung back, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Guy, however, was unfazed by the clones. He dispelled them one by one, his fists moving like lightning. But as the last clone disappeared, Haruto emerged from the smoke, chakra scalpel flickering in his hand, aimed at Guy's side.
For a brief moment, time seemed to slow. Haruto's strike was fast, precise, but Guy reacted just in time. He twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the chakra scalpel by inches. Haruto's fist passed through the air, missing its mark as Guy flipped backward, landing on his feet.
Both boys were panting now, their bodies pushed to the limit.
Duy's POV
Duy watched in awe, his heart swelling with pride. This was a fight that would shape them both—a test of not just their skills, but their will to grow. Haruto, with his incredible chakra control and sharp mind, and Guy, with his unyielding spirit and boundless energy.
"These boys," Duy thought, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "They are pushing each other in ways that only true rivals can. This is the essence of youth—the fire that drives them forward. Watching them is like witnessing the future of the shinobi world unfold before my eyes."
Duy's respect for Haruto deepened. "He's not just a talented student," Duy reflected. "He's a tactician, a warrior who understands the balance of power and precision. His chakra control is on a level I've rarely seen in someone his age."
The Climax
As the smoke cleared, Haruto and Guy stood across from each other, both breathing heavily. Haruto knew that his chakra scalpel wouldn't land unless he found a way to force an opening, and Guy wasn't giving him one.
With a final burst of energy, both boys charged at each other, fists flying, kicks connecting. Haruto's body was exhausted, but his Tier 2 Stamina kept him going, his muscles burning but still able to push through. Guy, too, was reaching his limit, but his unbreakable will kept him in the fight.
Haruto threw one last kunai, and Guy dodged it. In that moment, Haruto saw his opening, rushing in with a series of rapid punches aimed at Guy's torso. But once again, Guy dodged the chakra scalpel, leaping back as the last punch narrowly missed.
Duy's Call
"That's enough!" Duy called, stepping forward. His voice was filled with pride, but also awe. "You've both done more than enough today."
Haruto and Guy stopped, panting, their bodies drenched in sweat. They exchanged a look, a mutual respect passing between them.
"That was incredible," Haruto said, catching his breath.
Guy, always energetic, gave a thumbs-up. "Yosh! You were amazing, Haruto! That chakra scalpel of yours—I wasn't going to let it land!"
Duy approached, his expression one of deep admiration. "Haruto," he began, his voice filled with genuine respect. "I've never seen chakra control like that in someone your age. You have an incredible gift. You've been holding back, but I can see now that your potential is far greater than I imagined."
Haruto nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "Thanks, Duy-sensei. I'm still working on it, but today was… a good test."
Duy smiled. "Both of you are destined for greatness," he thought to himself. "Today, I saw the future of the shinobi world. And it's brighter than I could have ever imagined."