Might Duy, now that's the true father of youth.
World War II was just about to end, but the Third Shinobi War wasn't far off, it would break out in just a few short years.
And it was this very man, often mocked in the village as the "eternal Genin," who, during the Third Great Ninja War, single-handedly turned the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist into a joke.
Even years later, one of the surviving members of that group would ask Uchiha Itachi if he knew a man named Might Duy.
To put things in perspective, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen weren't just any shinobi, they were all elite Jonin, renowned across the ninja world.
Might Duy may not have delivered a final-boss-kick like his son, Might Guy, almost did, but he was still a force to be reckoned with. When he opened all Eight Gates, even most Kage-level ninja couldn't stand against him.
That battle was the final lesson he passed on to his son: protect what's precious to you with your life. That is what youth is all about.
They say when he opened the Eighth Gate, the red steam he released could even be seen by Madara himself.
The Eight Gates Technique was incredibly powerful, and Yuki Seisui wanted to learn it.
"Huh?" Might Duy turned his head at the sound of someone calling him, slightly confused to be stopped.
"Uncle Duy, would you teach us taijutsu?" Seisui asked earnestly.
"Huh?" Duy blinked, stunned for a moment, then tears welled up in his eyes as he looked at Seisui and Minato.
"This... this is youth!"
"No problem at all!"
"Youth never lets anyone down!"
Flashing his brilliant white teeth, Might Duy gave them a huge thumbs-up.
"Uncle Duy, we haven't seen you training around lately," Seisui asked curiously.
"Oh, my son was just born," Duy said, a warm smile spreading across his face.
"People in the village still call me an eternal Genin, but thankfully my wife, Eri, never looked down on me."
Eri, his beloved wife.
But as he mentioned her, his expression dimmed slightly. Her health had been worsening lately, though he didn't bring it up. Instead, he turned back to Seisui and Minato with a smile. "Training in taijutsu is tough work. Are you both ready?"
"Always ready!" Seisui responded instinctively.
"In life, only through constant struggle can we spark the flames of existence!"
"Boo-hoo... That was beautiful!" Might Duy's tears returned with a vengeance. Lips quivering, he wept openly.
"I knew it! You really are the heir to youth!"
"I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, sniff, sniff…"
Still crying, Duy ran off into the distance.
"…Seisui?" Minato looked over, puzzled by Duy's dramatic reaction.
"Don't underestimate Konoha's Genin, Minato."
Seisui watched Might Duy's retreating figure and sighed with deep admiration. If there was anyone in Naruto he respected the most, it was Might Guy and Might Duy.
These two men had no special bloodline, yet they managed to stand shoulder to shoulder with the strongest.
They were the shining light of ordinary people, even if only for a fleeting moment.
Seisui might seem unserious most of the time, but when it came to things like this, he couldn't help being solemn.
Sure, he wanted to learn the Eight Gates, but that admiration? That was genuine.
Glancing up at the sky, Seisui turned to Minato. "It's getting late. Let's head back."
Minato simply nodded.
==========
The Next Day – At the Secret Base
Uchiha Haru was already waiting when the rest of the group showed up, leisurely strolling in one by one. Her face darkened.
"It's almost noon! You're just showing up now?"
She still couldn't figure out how Seisui was so much stronger than her.
Seeing her, Seisui paused for a moment, he hadn't expected her to be here. But then again, maybe it wasn't so surprising after all.
"Mind your own, "
Before he could finish, Haru stepped up and pulled out a bundle of ryo, 300,000.
"Hmph. Here's your fee."
"My deepest apologies, Miss Haru! I didn't mean to keep you waiting!" Seisui's face flipped to one of exaggerated flattery as he accepted the money, leaving Nara Shikaku and the others dumbfounded.
Weren't you just about to tell her off?
That change of attitude, faster than the Flying Raijin.
Minato, however, didn't react. He was used to Seisui by now.
As for Shikaku and the others, Seisui had just one thing to say about them: "Rich dogs. You don't know the cost of living until you're footing the bill yourself."
Ramen costs sixty ryo a bowl. Sixty!
Three hundred thousand sounds like a lot, but it goes fast.
Ahem.
"Miss Haru," Seisui said, putting on a serious face, "Would you like to add another 50,000 ryo to unlock the 'Double Training Package'?"
"Huh?" Haru blinked. "What's that supposed to be?"
"You train inside the arena, and at the same time, your body continues training in the real world. Twice the gains, twice the value!"
"Fifty thousand, you won't regret it! You won't be scammed! Heck, you couldn't even get to the Land of Wind for fifty thousand!"
Shikaku and the others exchanged glances. There was just one word in all their eyes: con man.
Shikaku rubbed his temples. His wallet was already feeling lighter. Hopefully, this huckster wouldn't bleed him dry.
Haru, on the other hand, was clearly intrigued. Without hesitation, she pulled out another 50,000 ryo.
"Alright! I'll take this 'Double Training Package.'"
Seisui casually pocketed the money and exchanged a quick glance with Shikaku, silently telling him not to pull out his own payment just yet.
Don't upset the VIP client.
"Shall we begin?" Seisui asked.
"Hold up!"
Shikaku interrupted, checking his bag. After making sure everything was still there, he gave Seisui a nod.
They'd known each other for a while now, so Seisui knew exactly what Shikaku was doing, making sure he didn't forget his chessboard again. Last time, being stuck in the duel arena without it left him bored for six whole hours.
Uchiha Haru glanced at them curiously but didn't say anything. She simply observed.
She had a black blade strapped to her back, her ninja tools at the ready, everything she needed was on her. The sword had been a gift from Uchiha Setsuna, made with rare minerals, even if not chakra-infused. A handcrafted present from grandfather to granddaughter.
With everyone ready, Seisui reached out and grasped the air, pulling them into the Duel Arena.
Haru, entering once more, looked around with curiosity.
She'd been here yesterday too, but it was in the middle of battle, she hadn't had time to examine the strange space known as the Duel Arena.
Now, she finally had the chance.
She was full of curiosity about the place. Her grandfather had told her to study it carefully.
At the same time, back in the real world, their physical bodies began to move on their own.
Seisui could have brought everyone in physically, but then they'd lose the benefit of double training. Not worth it.
"Let's fight again!" Haru suddenly stepped up, staring straight at Seisui.
"…Huh?" Seisui blinked. What was this? They just got here, and she wasn't interested in training, she wanted another fight?
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