"I'm back."
A weary Might Guy returned home after finishing his afternoon training.
Because he was in particularly good form, Might Guy trained more earnestly and diligently today than usual, which made him even more exhausted.
"Welcome home. It seems like today was another day full of youthful vigor!" said Might Duy at the entrance, clenching his fist with tears in his eyes as he saw Might Guy looking exhausted.
Might Duy, having practiced Taijutsu for decades and spent every day with Might Guy, knew how strong Might Guy's body was at this moment. It was impossible for him to be this tired without extremely intense training.
Despite his current physical exhaustion, Might Guy immediately flashed a bright smile and gave his father a thumbs-up when he heard Duy's words.
"You'll need to replenish your energy well today. Guy, let's go buy some groceries together. Get whatever you like; today we'll have a feast!" Might Duy aimed to reward the tired Might Guy.
Back when funds were tight, Might Duy went to great lengths to support Might Guy's cultivation. Now that they could earn money by completing missions, Duy felt it necessary to spend a little more on food.
Might Guy nodded in agreement and went to the market with Might Duy.
On the way, Might Duy asked, "What kind of meat do you want?"
"Beef," Might Guy answered without hesitation.
He didn't particularly dislike any food; whether it was beef, lamb, fish, or pork, he could eat it all. But if he had to choose, Might Guy preferred beef.
Among normal meats, beef was the most expensive, and previously, Might Guy rarely got to eat it, mostly having pork instead.
However, Might Guy's fondness for beef wasn't because he had less of it before; he simply thought it tasted better than pork.
"Alright, let's buy some beef first." Carrying Might Guy, Might Duy found a stall selling beef.
"How much is the beef per pound?"
"Two hundred forty ryo."
"How about two hundred ten ryo if I buy four pounds?"
"At two hundred ten ryo, I wouldn't make any profit. Let's make it two hundred thirty ryo."
"Two hundred twenty ryo, or I'll check elsewhere," Might Duy threatened to leave.
"Alright, two hundred twenty ryo it is then." The vendor reluctantly took up the knife to cut the meat.
Might Duy wore a victorious smile as if he had won a battle.
Though not as financially strained as before, Might Duy had well-preserved the habit of living frugally.
"Even buying groceries, one must go all out with youthful passion!" declared Might Duy triumphantly as he lifted the bargained beef.
Might Guy took it as a lesson and chimed in with Might Duy.
Their highly recognizable attire and unique youth slogans caught the attention of some other ninja buying groceries.
However, this time no one mocked the pair, as Might Duy had long since been promoted from a perpetual Genin to a Chunin, and Might Guy had made a name for himself in the Chunin Examination, considered a Taijutsu genius with a promising future.
Only a fool would make fun of a genius ninja and his father.
"Why can Might Duy nurture a genius like Might Guy? I give my child more cultivation resources," someone even envied Might Duy for having such a good son as Might Guy.
Though Might Duy had been promoted to Chunin, his experience as a perennial Genin was unforgettable. Compared to Might Guy, who became Chunin at nine and shone brightly in the Chunin Examination, Duy felt he was far inferior as a father.
But these thoughts stayed internal; no one dared voice them aloud.
Unaware of others' thoughts, Might Duy and Might Guy continued bargaining and buying groceries, eventually returning home, laughing, with bags full.
Might Guy found the meal particularly satisfying. Though Might Duy's cooking wasn't as magical as Mokgetsu's, he never grew tired of it.
After a break post-meal, Might Guy and Might Duy trained together.
Might Guy had requested this himself; he was on the brink of a breakthrough with the Eight Gates, and his father, who had trained in Eight Gates for decades, could provide great assistance.
"Breath of Rock, Full Concentration!"
"Eight Gates, Opening Gate, open! Healing Gate, open! Life Gate, open!"
Might Guy focused his breathing to the extreme, opening the first three gates of the Eight Gates, his formidable aura causing the fallen leaves nearby to stir without wind.
Might Duy, feeling Might Guy's full force aura up close, burst into laughter.
He was genuinely happy, proud of his son's excellence.
"Eight Gates, Life Gate, open!"
Might Duy also opened the first three gates of the Eight Gates and launched an attack on Might Guy.
Bam bam!!
The two green-clad figures, one tall and one short, collided with tremendous force, causing the dust on the ground to shake fiercely.
"Such power, and his fists are so hard!" Might Duy thought as he retreated five steps.
Even with just three gates open, he seemed to be lagging behind Might Guy in every aspect.
Swoosh!
When Might Guy flashed toward him, Might Duy felt even more certain because he could not keep up with Guy's speed.
"Eight Gates, Injure Gate, open!"
Might Duy unhesitatingly opened the Fourth Gate, as Might Guy's demand was to apply pressure, and thus Duy had to be stronger than him.
After opening the Four Gates, Might Duy's strength increased again, but he was surprised to find he still couldn't beat Might Guy, who only opened three gates and hadn't even used the Konoha Dragon God.
"Hahaha, Guy, your youth truly surprises me beyond expectation."