Chapter 311: Koyuki Kazahana Joins the Taijutsu Class; Guy... Sensei?! [HN]

The next day.

The taijutsu training class was set up at a relatively isolated training ground on the outskirts of the village, with more spacious facilities than the others.

The registration area was set up beside the training ground, where several temporarily assigned Chunin were responsible for registering participants.

However, the registration turnout was not as enthusiastic as expected.

Although the performance of Might Dai and his son yesterday had shocked many people, those truly willing to stake their ninja careers on taijutsu were still in the minority.

Most of those who came to register were children whose ninjutsu and genjutsu grades had been at the bottom of the Ninja Academy, leaving them with almost no other path to take, along with civilian Genin from ordinary families who had no Kekkei Genkai inheritance.

Their eyes held confusion, along with a faint hope that this was their last chance.

Might Dai looked at the unfamiliar names on the registration forms, most of which had received rather poor evaluations.

He showed no discouragement at all.

Instead, his passion burned even more fiercely.

“Oh! These are all young sprouts waiting to have their youth ignited! I will give everything I have and live up to the trust of the Hokage and the choices these children have made!”

Just then, a figure appeared at the registration area.

He had white hair, wore a mask, and had a lazy look in his eyes.

It was Hatake Kakashi, who had just finished reporting on his mission.

“Kakashi?!!”

The Chunin responsible for registration was somewhat surprised.

Kakashi did not look at the registration forms.

Instead, he walked directly toward Might Dai and Guy, who were excitedly planning their training program.

“Kakashi! Are you here to cheer for my blazing youth?”

Guy immediately approached him excitedly.

Kakashi’s eyelids drooped as he replied lazily.

“No, I’m here to register.”

“What?!”

Guy and Dai cried out at the same time.

Even the other applicants and staff members who had been listening with their ears perked up were stunned.

Hatake Kakashi was a famous genius of Konoha and the son of Hatake Sakumo, the head of the ANBU.

This famous Kakashi had come to register for the taijutsu class?

That was even more unbelievable than Might Dai becoming the consultant of the taijutsu class!

“Ka… Kakashi, are you serious?”

Might Guy actually stammered for once.

“Yeah.”

Kakashi nodded, his tone still calm.

“Lately, I’ve felt that my body has become a little stiff, and my chakra training has also hit a bottleneck. Perhaps… it wouldn’t be bad to look at things from another angle and strengthen my fundamentals.”

He paused and glanced at Guy.

“Besides, some guy keeps talking about taijutsu and youth in my ear every day. It’s getting a little annoying, so I might as well come and see for myself what kind of magic it has.”

Only Kakashi himself knew that during his recent battle against Sasori’s army of puppets, the feeling of helplessness caused by his rapidly depleting chakra and the difficulty of breaking through the puppets’ defenses with taijutsu had made him begin to reflect on how heavily he relied on ninjutsu.

Teacher Chiya valued taijutsu so highly.

Perhaps he had already seen something that Kakashi had overlooked.

Kakashi’s arrival was like a huge stone thrown into a pond, once again causing considerable waves.

“Even Kakashi…”

“Could taijutsu really have some secret that we haven’t discovered?”

“Perhaps… I should really go take a look?”

“…”

Some of the Chunin who had originally been watching from the sidelines, and even a few Jonin, began to consider joining.

They did not completely believe in taijutsu.

Rather, Kakashi’s actions themselves were a powerful signal.

The flow of people at the registration area quietly increased.

That afternoon, the taijutsu class held its first official gathering.

Around thirty people stood on the training ground.

Most were teenagers and Genin, while Kakashi’s conspicuous figure stood among them and looked somewhat out of place.

Might Dai stood before everyone, his face flushed with excitement.

“Everyone! Welcome to the taijutsu class! I am your consultant, Might Dai! From today onward, we will sweat together in the name of youth and explore the ultimate secrets of taijutsu!”

His opening speech was still filled with his personal brand of fiery enthusiasm, leaving many of the teenagers below looking at one another in confusion.

“First, we must understand this! What is the core of taijutsu?”

Dai shouted.

“Strength!”

One boy called out.

“Speed!”

Another answered.

“No! Neither is completely correct!”

Dai shook his head vigorously and pointed at his chest.

“It is perseverance! It is the belief that never gives up! It is the courage to break through your own limits!”

His eyes swept across the entire group.

“I know that many of you came here because you encountered setbacks on other paths.

But I want to tell you that taijutsu is absolutely not a second choice after giving up on everything else!

It is an equally glorious path to becoming strong, and one that tests your will even more!”

His words inspired some of them, but there were still people whose eyes remained filled with doubt.

“Consultant Dai.”

A voice came from the group.

It was a Chunin.

His tone was fairly polite, but his question was very direct.

“We all know how important perseverance is. But as ninjas, what we need even more are methods of defeating our enemies.

What exactly is this ultimate secret you mentioned? How can we believe that training under you will really make us stronger instead of… wasting our time?”

The question voiced the doubts of many people present.

Even Kakashi slightly raised his eyelids and looked toward Might Dai.

Might Dai took a deep breath.

He knew that slogans alone would not be enough.

He looked at Guy beside him.

Guy understood immediately.

He stepped forward and spoke loudly.

“The strength of taijutsu does not come overnight. It is built upon the strongest possible foundation!

And today, my father and I will give everyone a preliminary demonstration of the first gate that can be opened when the fundamentals have been tempered to their absolute limit…”

He paused.

His voice struck everyone’s heart like the beat of a war drum.

“The Eight Gates Formation!”

“The Eight Gates Formation?”

A wave of whispers rose from below.

Most of them had never heard of the technique.

“What kind of technique is that?”

“It sounds pretty powerful…”

Dai took over, his expression more serious than ever.

“The Eight Gates Formation is a forbidden technique that removes the body’s restrictions on chakra and releases the excess energy within!

There are eight gates within the human body that restrict and control the flow of chakra!

Every time one gate is opened, strength increases by a geometric amount!

However, the burden placed on the body also increases drastically! This is a technique that can only be used when protecting something truly important, a technique that stakes one’s life!”

A technique that stakes one’s life!

A forbidden technique!

Those words instantly made the atmosphere on the training ground heavy.

“Of course, you have not even earned the right to touch the First Gate yet!”

Might Dai’s voice rang out again, carrying unquestionable severity.

“To open the Eight Gates, you need a body tempered through countless trials and far stronger than that of an ordinary person! Otherwise, the moment you open a gate will be the day your body collapses!”

His eyes swept across everyone like lightning.

“And your task now is not to aim too high. It is to start just as my father and I did that day.

Start with the basics, running, jumping, and weight training!

Temper your bodies until they become vessels capable of carrying that power!”

“Everyone, move!”

Might Dai shouted.

“Your goal is one hundred laps around the training ground!!

This is the beginning of your youth! Move!”

Although they were filled with curiosity and shock toward the so-called Eight Gates Formation, many people still sucked in a breath when they heard the number one hundred.

However, when they saw Dai and Guy already charging ahead, and Kakashi silently following close behind them, the hesitant teenagers and Genin could only grit their teeth and follow.

Under the sunlight, new sweat began to fall.

A path of taijutsu filled with doubt and hardship, but also endless possibilities, had officially begun to unfold in Konoha.

The name Eight Gates Formation was also etched into the hearts of the first batch of students like a heavy brand, becoming the first goal they would pursue.

…

News of the official opening of the taijutsu class continued to spread throughout Konoha, accompanied by the legend of the Eight Gates Formation and Kakashi’s enrollment.

It became a popular topic of discussion among the villagers.

Naturally, this wave also reached the quiet courtyard.

Koyuki Kazahana clenched her little fists as she listened to the female ninja responsible for taking care of her describe everything happening outside regarding the taijutsu class.

A determined light flashed in her large eyes.

“Taijutsu… doesn’t require relying on a Kekkei Genkai. It only requires hard work and sweat…”

Koyuki repeated those words quietly.

For her, a princess of a fallen country with no foundation in the ways of a ninja, they seemed like a ray of light appearing in the darkness.

She remembered Chiya’s gentle smile and the words he had told her, “Konoha will provide you with the best environment for learning and growth.”

She also remembered the homeland covered in ice and snow, now seized by rebels, as well as her father’s final instructions before his death.

“I must become stronger! I must take back the Land of Snow!”

“I must avenge my father!!”

A crystal clear thought took root in her heart and began to grow wildly.

The newly established taijutsu class seemed to be the first step on this path, and perhaps the step most likely to make her goal possible.

Without hesitation, Koyuki immediately ran back to her room.

She changed into a short outfit suitable for movement, adjusted her hair in front of the mirror, took a deep breath, and ran toward the taijutsu training ground she had asked about.

When she reached the edge of the training ground, panting heavily, what she saw was a scene of intense training.

Dozens of students were undergoing high intensity physical training under the guidance of Might Dai and Might Guy.

Weighted running, frog jumps, push ups…

Everyone was drenched in sweat.

The air was filled with the smell of sweat and dust, along with Dai and Guy’s signature shouts about youth.

The scene was far more grueling and… rough than she had imagined.

Koyuki watched the students grit their teeth and persevere, with some even collapsing from exhaustion.

Her little face gradually paled, and she subconsciously tightened her grip on her clothes.

Just then, Might Guy, who had finished leading one lap, noticed the small figure standing out of place at the edge of the training ground.

He slowed down and walked over.

His thick eyebrows lowered slightly, revealing a puzzled look.

“Little girl, this is the taijutsu training ground. It’s dangerous here, so don’t play around here.”

“I… I’m not here to play!”

Koyuki gathered her courage, raised her head, and shouted.

“I’m here to register for the taijutsu class! I want to become a ninja!”

Her voice was clear and carried the childish innocence of her age, making it especially conspicuous on this training ground filled with masculine energy.

Many of the students who were training looked over curiously.

Some had amused expressions on their faces.

“Register?”

Guy froze for a moment, then crouched down and tried to make his tone as gentle as possible.

“Little girl, how old are you? The training in the taijutsu class is very difficult. This isn’t child’s play.”

“I know it’s difficult!”

Koyuki looked stubbornly at Guy, without the slightest hint of retreat in her eyes.

“I’m not afraid of hardship! I want to become strong, as strong as the Hokage! I want to… I want revenge!”

She spoke those final four words with tremendous force.

The heaviness and hatred in them were completely out of proportion to her age, causing Guy to be slightly moved.

At that moment, Might Dai also walked over.

He scratched his watermelon shaped hair and looked at Koyuki.

“Oh! Another young sprout summoned by youth? How moving!

However, you really are a little young. Your body hasn’t fully developed yet, and training too intensely could injure you.”

“I can do it! I definitely can!”

Koyuki spoke urgently, afraid that they would reject her.

“Please give me a chance! I can endure any hardship!”

Just as Dai and Guy were struggling with what to do, a calm voice came from the side.

“Let her try.”

Everyone turned toward the voice.

Kakashi had walked over at some point.

He still had that lazy appearance, but his exposed eye was studying Koyuki.

“Kakashi?”

Guy was somewhat surprised.

Kakashi looked into Koyuki’s eyes, which were filled with longing and determination, as if he had seen another figure from many years ago who had possessed the same kind of persistence.

He spoke calmly.

“Determination has nothing to do with age. Since she has the resolve, let her experience the real intensity of the training.

If she can endure it, she might be a good prospect. If she cannot, she will naturally realize that this path is beyond her.”

Dai touched his chin when he heard this, then clapped his hands firmly.

“Kakashi is right! Youth knows no age! Little girl, are you sure you want to join? The training here is at a hellish level!”

“I’m sure!”

Koyuki nodded without hesitation, determination flashing in her eyes.

“Good!”

Dai waved his hand.

“Then follow everyone else and start with the basic physical training! Start with… well, start with two… no, ten laps! If you can’t keep up, take it slowly. Don’t push yourself!”

“Yes!”

Koyuki answered loudly, a delighted smile appearing on her face as if she had received some great blessing.

However, ideals were one thing, and reality was another.

When Koyuki actually began running with the group, she finally understood the meaning of “hellish level.”

Her stamina was far worse than that of the boys and girls who had at least undergone basic training at the Ninja Academy.

After only three laps, she was already panting heavily, her little face flushed red, and her legs felt as heavy as lead.

Although the surrounding students did not say anything, the occasional glances still made her feel embarrassed and anxious.

‘No… I can’t give up…’

Chiya’s figure appeared in her mind.

She saw the falling snow of the Land of Snow and the vicious faces of the rebels.

‘I must persevere!’

She pushed herself to the limit and moved her legs that felt as though they no longer belonged to her, taking one step after another.

Sweat blurred her vision, and her lungs burned with pain.

Just then, a green figure slowed down and ran beside her.

“Keep your rhythm! Pay attention to the rhythm of your breathing!”

Might Guy’s voice sounded beside her, carrying a reassuring strength.

“Don’t rush to chase after speed. Find a pace that suits you, adjust your breathing, inhale… exhale… yes, just like that!”

Guy ran beside her while giving her simple guidance on breathing and exerting force.

He did not urge Koyuki simply because she was slow.

He patiently accompanied her and reminded her what to do.

Feeling Guy’s kindness and guidance, Koyuki’s chaotic breathing gradually became steadier.

Her speed was still very slow, but it no longer felt as painful and desperate as before.

“Th… thank you, Guy-sensei.”

Koyuki gasped as she spoke gratefully.

“Guy… sensei?!”

Hearing the word “sensei,” Might Guy immediately became excited.

“No need to thank me! Helping a hardworking junior is also a part of youth!”

Guy revealed his shining teeth and gave her a thumbs up.

“Keep going! You can definitely do it!”

With Guy’s encouragement and guidance, fighting spirit once again burned within Koyuki’s heart.

She stopped caring about how many laps the others had run.

She no longer cared about those strange looks.

She focused only on her own footsteps and breathing, one lap, then another…

When she finally completed the tenth lap, practically crawling across the finish line, Koyuki collapsed onto the ground and gasped for breath.

Her entire body was drenched as though she had just been pulled from the water.

Extreme exhaustion swept over her, but at the same time, an unprecedented sense of accomplishment rose within her heart.

She had done it!

Although she had been the slowest, and although the process had been incredibly difficult, she had completed this first challenge through her own willpower!

Might Dai walked over.

Looking at Koyuki lying on the ground with bright eyes, he nodded approvingly.

“Oh! Those are good eyes! Your physical strength is still poor, but that refusal to give up is exactly the quality a taijutsu practitioner needs most! Welcome to the class officially!”

Koyuki struggled to get up and bow, but Dai pressed a hand against her shoulder.

“Rest for a while, then go over there and stretch. Otherwise, you won’t be able to move tomorrow.”

“Yes… Consultant Dai…”

Koyuki replied weakly, but a sincere smile appeared on her face.

After the training ended, Koyuki dragged her exhausted yet unusually excited body back to her residence.

The first thing she wanted to do was find Chiya.

“Hokage-sama, I definitely won’t disappoint you!!”