On the Konoha Ninja Academy's training ground, a storm among the youths had already begun.
Seven-year-old Naruto, after learning the Shadow Clone Technique, often dragged Sasuke to "spar."
Such contests had become a daily routine, but in the past, wins and losses were about even. As time passed, Naruto, with the boost from his Shadow Clone, rapidly improved his Taijutsu abilities, and Sasuke gradually fell behind.
"Sasuke, I will definitely defeat you."
Naruto wiped the sweat from his forehead and then created over thirty Shadow Clones, pouncing towards Sasuke.
After a chaotic battle, Sasuke was unexpectedly ambushed and pinned to the ground by Naruto and his Shadow Clones. He clenched his fists, looking at Naruto's triumphant smile.
As a noble Uchiha, how could he lose?
Sasuke secretly went to the Uchiha training ground and quietly activated his two-tomoe Sharingan, copying Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.
He memorized the hand sign sequence and secretly practiced Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique. Soon, he was able to conjure a fireball that was beginning to take shape.
This was because he had the Yin Nine-Tails inside him, and Nine-Tails's Chakra continuously strengthened his physique, causing his Chakra reserves to be several times greater than that of an average Jonin.
During class break the next day, Sasuke proactively approached Naruto. "Let's fight again. This time, I'll use my true strength."
Naruto readily agreed. "Sasuke, let's fight. This time, I'll still win."
The two quickly arrived and faced off in a corner of the training ground.
Naruto, as usual, summoned dozens of Shadow Clones right from the start.
Sasuke, on the other hand, quickly formed hand signs.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
A huge fireball quickly rushed towards Naruto's Shadow Clones. Upon hitting a Shadow Clone, the fireball immediately exploded, and some Shadow Clones caught in the blast vanished into smoke. There were also some lingering embers that flew towards the students watching nearby.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
The Anbu protecting them in secret quickly activated a Water Release ninjutsu to block the remaining embers, but a few students still had their arms scorched by the heatwave.
Shun quickly received the report and immediately decided. "Sasuke, you are temporarily forbidden from using Ninjutsu. You need to first solidify your foundation."
Sasuke's face was filled with defiance. "Why? Naruto used Shadow Clones. Why is only my Ninjutsu forbidden?"
He stiffened his neck, his eyes full of arrogance. He was a great Uchiha, and he even had Nine-Tails's Chakra within him.
How could he be constrained by a minor matter like "being forbidden from using Ninjutsu"?
Shun looked at the seven-year-old Sasuke, not angry, but instead smiled. "Do you think Ninjutsu is the key to victory? Then I'll find a Taijutsu teacher for you to understand what true strength is."
Not long after, Sasuke, Seishin, Hamamaru , and Shiryu were called together.
Seeing Sasuke approach, Seishin's voice was full of excitement. "Sasuke! Over here, over here! Father said Chen-sensei is Konoha's strongest Taijutsu ninja, and he wants us to learn from him."
Shiryu softly said, "I heard Chen-sensei's Taijutsu, Leaf Dragon God, is very powerful. Let's all learn well together."
As they were speaking, a tall, middle-aged man wearing a yellow training uniform walked over. His hair was gray but he was spirited, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. This was Chen, known as Konoha's Strongest Taijutsu ninja.
Before the apprenticeship ceremony even began, Sasuke held his head high and said, "I am Uchiha Sasuke, and you are not worthy to be my teacher."
Hamamaru frowned, feeling that Sasuke's words were too rude.
Shiryu quietly took a step back, waiting to see what would happen next.
Chen wasn't angry, he just raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So what do you want to do?"
"I want to challenge you. A Taijutsu duel. If I lose, I'll acknowledge you as my teacher."
Sasuke spread his feet apart, assumed a combat stance, and his two-tomoe Sharingan quietly activated.
Seishin stomped his foot in a hurry. "Sasuke, are you crazy? Chen-sensei is..."
Before he could finish, Sasuke had already charged forward. His movements were fast, employing the Uchiha clan's basic Taijutsu, his fist aiming directly for Chen's chest.
Chen shifted his foot slightly, easily dodging, and at the same time, raised his hand to grab Sasuke's wrist. With a gentle twist, Sasuke was flipped over and thrown to the ground.
"He is too fast..."
Sasuke lay on the ground, his eyes wide with surprise.
Seishin leaned next to Sasuke and whispered, "I told you, Chen-sensei is super amazing. Don't be impulsive anymore."
Sasuke gritted his teeth, stiffening his neck. "If I could use Ninjutsu... I... I definitely... could win."
Chen was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "Alright, I'll allow you to use Ninjutsu."
Sasuke shouted, rapidly forming hand signs, "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball roared out, its heat causing the surrounding leaves to curl.
Seishin couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow! Sasuke's Great Fireball is so powerful."
Chen stood still, took a deep breath, and Chakra surged around him as he struck a peculiar pose.
Leaf Dragon God!
His body rotated, forming a long green dragon that crashed into the Great Fireball. With a loud "bang," the fireball was torn into countless sparks.
Chen's wind dragon didn't stop, and a final sweeping kick tripped Sasuke again.
Sasuke lay on the ground, watching the scattered sparks, finally losing his temper.
Seishin patted his shoulder and said, "It's okay. If you lose, just learn again. If we train Taijutsu with Chen-sensei, we'll definitely get stronger."
Chen walked over and extended a hand to help Sasuke up. "Ninjutsu is a weapon, Taijutsu is the foundation. If the foundation is unstable, no matter how sharp the weapon, it's useless. You are an Uchiha, you have talent, and you have arrogance, but arrogance won't feed you. If you want to win, first solidify your Taijutsu."
Sasuke looked at Chen's rough but strong hand, then at the sincere eyes of his three brothers beside him, and finally lowered his proud head. "I understand, sensei."
From that day on, four small figures could always be seen at the training ground.
Chen's demands on them were extremely strict. They had to hold horse stance until their legs trembled, and punch until their arms ached.
Once, Sasuke wanted to give up halfway through training.
Seishin said, "Sasuke, did you forget losing to Naruto last time? If we persevere together, we'll definitely surpass him in the future."
Hamamaru nodded. "Train for ten more minutes, I'll join you."
Shiryu handed over a water bottle and said, "Drink some water first, rest for a minute, then continue. Don't give up."
After training that day, Shiryu proactively walked up to Chen. "Sensei, can you teach me Leaf Dragon God? I think this move is very suitable for me."
Chen stroked his beard and smiled. "Of course, but you are too young. With your current physique, you haven't met the minimum standard for learning Leaf Dragon God, so you need to exercise your body more."
Shiryu respectfully nodded. "Then I'll work harder and exercise two extra hours every day."
***
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