Chapter 310: The Debate Over Taijutsu; Konoha's Most Beautiful Sight [HN]

The news of Chiya’s strong support for Might Dai and his announcement of the “Taijutsu Specialty Class” was like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing an uproar throughout Konoha.

“Can Taijutsu really be compared to Ninjutsu and Genjutsu?”

“What is Lord Hokage thinking? Why would he make such a decision?”

“Isn’t Taijutsu just meant to lay the foundation for Ninjutsu and Genjutsu?”

“…”

Amid the surge of attention, there was even more doubt, confusion, and even undisguised mockery.

The next morning, the corridor outside the Hokage Office was almost completely blocked by people who had come to “express their opinions.”

There were representatives from various clans, experienced Jonin, and even instructors responsible for administrative affairs at the Ninja Academy.

The noisy discussions gathered into a wave of dissatisfaction.

“Lord Hokage! Please reconsider!”

A highly experienced Jonin from the Ninja Academy spoke first, his face filled with disapproval.

“Taijutsu is certainly a foundation for shinobi, but elevating it separately to the level of a ‘specialty’ alongside Ninjutsu and Genjutsu… isn’t that a little too hasty?”

“That’s right, Lord Hokage!”

An instructor responsible for theoretical education pushed up his glasses, his tone filled with the stubbornness of a scholar.

“The shinobi system has developed over several decades, and Ninjutsu and Genjutsu are the keys to determining victory and defeat.

If we pour a large amount of resources into so-called ‘Taijutsu specialties,’ won’t we be putting the cart before the horse and wasting the potential of those truly gifted students?”

“No matter how strong ordinary people become through Taijutsu, can they really surpass the power of Ninjutsu? Can they compare with the Gentle Fist of the Hyuga Clan?”

A voice rose from within the crowd, carrying undisguised contempt.

“At the end of the day, isn’t it just a helpless choice for people who cannot control their Chakra and have no way to become true shinobi?”

The questions continued one after another, but their core arguments were essentially the same.

Taijutsu had a low upper limit and was not worth investing in.

And allowing a so-called “eternal Genin” to lead such an important department was simply absurd.

Inside the office, Chiya sat calmly in his chair, listening to the faint uproar outside.

Tsunade stood against the wall with her arms crossed, her brows slightly furrowed.

“See? The resistance isn’t small. Those people won’t easily accept this.”

Chiya lifted his teacup and gently blew on it.

“Reform will always be accompanied by doubt. What matters is whether we can produce something convincing.”

“Something convincing? You mean Might Dai?”

Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

“I’m not questioning his determination, but his ability and reputation… are indeed difficult to convince people with.”

“That’s why we need a catalyst.”

Chiya’s gaze turned toward the window, as if he could see the scene on the training ground through the walls.

“And the catalyst has already returned.”

…

While the arguments continued at the Hokage Building, the Third Training Ground on the outskirts of the village was already surrounded by a crowd of curious onlookers.

This place had temporarily been designated as the preparatory grounds for the “Taijutsu Specialty Class.”

In the center of the training ground, Might Dai was still wearing his iconic green jumpsuit.

Facing the pointing fingers and undisguised comments around him, the passionate smile on his face remained unchanged, but his tightly clenched fists and slightly trembling arms still revealed the pressure weighing on him.

“Look, that’s him. Might Dai, the eternal Genin.”

“I heard he can’t do anything except Taijutsu. He even messes up basic D rank missions all the time.”

“You’re letting someone like that lead the class? What is he going to teach? How to clean river garbage more efficiently?”

“I really can’t understand Lord Hokage’s decision this time…”

“…”

The discussions were like cold needles piercing the solitary green figure standing in the center of the training ground.

Might Dai opened his mouth, wanting to say something, wanting to loudly proclaim the value of Taijutsu and youth.

But before such an enormous wave of doubt, even his voice seemed weak and powerless.

Just then, a brighter and more energetic green figure rushed into the training ground like a whirlwind and landed firmly beside Might Dai.

“Father!”

Might Guy’s voice was loud and filled with unquestionable determination.

“I’m back! Let us prove the power of youth to everyone together!”

It was Guy!

He had returned from his mission!

Guy’s appearance caused the noise at the scene to quiet down slightly.

After all, although Guy specialized in Taijutsu, his strength was genuine, and he had a considerable reputation among the younger generation.

“Guy? Even if he’s strong, that doesn’t mean his father is qualified to lead a department, right?”

“Exactly. Being personally strong at Taijutsu doesn’t mean you know how to teach, much less that you can support an entire system…”

“…”

The doubtful gazes remained focused on Might Dai.

Guy felt the pressure his father was enduring. He suddenly turned around and faced the crowd, his thick eyebrows framing eyes burning with blazing fire.

He did not directly argue against the doubts.

Instead, he raised one finger and pointed toward the enormous circular track surrounding the training ground.

“I have heard everyone’s doubts!”

Guy’s voice was loud enough to overpower all the discussions.

“Words are pale! Action is the proof of youth!

The strength of Taijutsu does not lie in beautiful words, but in the foundation forged through sweat day after day!”

He took a deep breath.

“What is Taijutsu? It begins with the most basic physical strength, endurance, and speed!

If you cannot even acknowledge this, then all your arguments are nothing but castles in the air!”

His gaze swept across the disdainful shinobi and students present as he issued the most direct challenge.

“Do you doubt us? Do you not believe us? Then let us prove it in the simplest and most direct way! Run laps around this training ground! Keep running until you cannot run anymore!

Let’s see whether us Taijutsu shinobi who only know ‘stupid hard work’ have greater endurance, or whether you elite shinobi who specialize in ‘advanced Ninjutsu’ can last longer!”

“My father and I will start running right now!

Until sunset!

Anyone willing to use their body to understand the importance of Taijutsu fundamentals is welcome to join us!

Those who only want to question us with their mouths are free to leave!”

After saying this, Guy ignored everyone’s gazes and turned toward Dai, nodding firmly.

“Father! Let Konoha see that our youth has never gone out!”

Might Dai looked at his son, his eyes slightly red. All the tension and pressure he had been carrying transformed into surging motivation at this moment.

“OH!!! Guy! This is youth! We will answer all their doubts with the steps of our feet!”

The next moment, father and son simultaneously started running, charging onto the training track like two green whirlwinds.

Their steps were firm and powerful, each foot landing solidly and kicking up tiny clouds of dust.

At first, laughter erupted from the surrounding crowd.

“Running? This is way too childish!”

“You think this can prove anything?”

“Let’s see how long they can last. One hour? Two hours?”

“…”

However, as time passed, the laughter gradually disappeared.

One hour passed, yet Dai and Guy’s speed had not slowed down at all, and their breathing remained steady.

Two hours passed, and some Chunin who had originally come to watch the spectacle tried to keep up with their pace.

Yet they soon found themselves panting heavily, their steps becoming disordered, and they had no choice but to drop out.

Three hours… four hours…

The sun rose to its highest point before gradually beginning its descent toward the west.

The crowd around the training ground did not decrease.

Instead, more and more people gathered.

Everyone’s attention was focused on those two tireless green figures.

Their foreheads were covered in sweat, and their jumpsuits had long since been soaked through, yet their eyes remained bright and their steps remained steady.

That pure and almost stubborn perseverance began quietly changing the attitudes of the onlookers.

“They… really aren’t tired?”

A young Genin muttered, his face filled with disbelief.

“That stamina… it’s terrifying. If they had this kind of endurance during a mission…”

“I… I think I understand what Lord Hokage meant now.”

Another Chunin who had previously been skeptical spoke quietly to his companion.

“That kind of willpower really is… extraordinary.”

Some shinobi who had originally looked down on Taijutsu watched those two figures who were still running, then looked at their companions who had already given up and collapsed on the ground.

For the first time, thoughtful expressions appeared on their faces.

When the setting sun dyed the sky orange-red, Dai and Guy finally came to a slow stop.

White steam rose from their bodies, and the sweat on their skin glimmered golden beneath the sunset.

Although they were utterly exhausted, their backs remained straight.

They had run for an entire day!

The training ground fell completely silent.

Before this day’s uninterrupted running, all the doubts and mockery seemed so pale and powerless.

Might Guy looked around at everyone, seeing that their attitudes had completely changed.

His voice was tired, but it was still filled with strength.

“The foundation of Taijutsu is sweat and perseverance! There are no tricks and no shortcuts!

This is the path we believe in! If anyone still doubts the value of Taijutsu or doubts my father’s ability…”

He paused.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with Might Dai, father and son raised their fists at the same time and shouted in unison.

“Then use your own bodies to experience it for yourselves! Youth means never admitting defeat!”

What answered them was no longer ridicule, but a complicated silence.

And more and more gazes filled with respect and recognition.

Several Genin who had been among the loudest critics looked at one another.

Then they silently walked to the edge of the track and began trying to jog.

They expressed their initial acceptance through action.

In the distance, at the window of the Hokage Office, Chiya and Tsunade had taken in everything that had happened on the training ground.

“Looks like your catalyst worked quite well.”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Tsunade’s lips.

“You solved the most troublesome problem of trust with the simplest method possible.”

Chiya looked at those two green figures standing beneath the sunset like statues, his gaze deep and distant.

“Because this is the simplest truth.

The dignity of Taijutsu was something they ran into existence one step at a time.

Now the seed has been planted. Next, we just need to let it take root and grow.”

The flame of Taijutsu in Konoha had endured a storm of doubt without being extinguished.

Instead, it had begun burning with even greater determination.

The running on the training ground was like a silent declaration, powerfully answering most of the public criticism.

Although some conservatives and Ninjutsu supremacists still secretly remained unconvinced, the open mockery directed at the “Taijutsu Specialty Class” and Might Dai had clearly subsided.

The establishment of the Taijutsu Specialty Class was now unstoppable.

“YOUTH!”

“LET IT BURN!”

“…”

For a time, the two figures running across the training ground became Konoha’s most beautiful sight.