Naruto's eyes lit up with anticipation. "So, Master Guy, are you going to teach me powerful taijutsu techniques now?"
Guy shook his head firmly. "No. For the next few years, I won't be teaching you any offensive techniques at all."
Naruto blinked, caught completely off guard. He had been ready to learn secret moves and legendary taijutsu strikes, but Guy's answer shattered that expectation.
"I told you before," Guy explained, his tone unusually serious, "I will first help you build an unshakable foundation. Only with a body forged in strength and endurance will taijutsu come as naturally as breathing. Without that foundation, even if I handed you the strongest techniques, you wouldn't be able to use them properly. Worse, they could break you from the inside."
Naruto straightened, listening carefully. Instead of sulking, he felt strangely energized by Guy's words. For the first time, someone was mapping out a future for him—not with pity or doubt, but with genuine care.
"I understand," Naruto replied, his young face unusually solemn. "Then please, Master Guy, tell me what I need to do. I'll complete any training you give me!"
Guy's stern expression softened into approval. "Good. That's the spirit of youth I want to see. Naruto, you were born with an extraordinary body. No matter how much punishment you take in training, one night of rest, and you're already healed. I'm sure you've noticed it yourself."
Naruto nodded vigorously. At first, he thought everyone recovered as quickly as he did. Only recently had he realized most people needed days of rest after heavy training. The fact that he could bounce back so easily filled him with pride. Maybe this really was his sign—he was destined to become Hokage.
"I've thought long and hard about your condition," Guy continued. "And I've created a training method designed just for you. I call it… Extreme Training."
Naruto swallowed hard. Just the name made his stomach twist. It sounded… painful.
Guy didn't hesitate. "Through this training, I'll build every aspect of your body: strength, flexibility, speed, reflexes, endurance, and resilience. I will forge you into someone with no weaknesses, a body capable of standing against anything. With such a foundation, whether you choose to devote yourself to taijutsu or balance it with ninjutsu, you'll stand as one of the strongest shinobi alive."
Naruto listened intently. Having a powerful, experienced teacher lay out a clear path for him was beyond what he ever dreamed. All he had to do was follow.
He bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master Guy. I'll work hard. Please guide me!"
Guy's chest swelled with pride. "Excellent! Then from today, your Extreme Training begins!"
Naruto pumped his fist in the air, his voice ringing with excitement. "Yeah! This is youth!"
They arrived at a desolate stone field, where jagged boulders littered the ground like the bones of giants. Harsh winds whipped sand across their faces, stinging their skin.
"Your first task each day," Guy announced, "is to move these stones. All of them."
Naruto stared. Each boulder was massive, some taller than he was. He felt his throat dry up. But Guy's firm gaze left no room for complaint.
"Begin."
Taking a deep breath, Naruto wrapped his arms around a smaller boulder. The rough stone bit into his palms, scraping his skin raw. He gritted his teeth and strained, his young muscles trembling violently. For a moment, the rock refused to move. Then, with a guttural roar, Naruto heaved upward. The stone lifted—slowly, painfully. Sweat streamed down his face, stinging his eyes, but he kept moving. Step by step, knees shaking, he carried the burden forward.
Each drop of sweat that hit the dirt was a vow to himself. I'll become Hokage. No matter what.
By the time the sun bled into the horizon, Naruto's shadow stretched long across the field, dragging behind him like a second weight. But his training wasn't over.
At the riverbank, Guy tied a rope to a tree and tossed the other end to Naruto. The river churned with frothing white water, its roar drowning out everything else.
"Run against the current," Guy ordered. "Don't stop until I say."
Naruto's eyes widened, but he gripped the rope and leapt in. Instantly, icy water clutched his legs, trying to drag him under. He stumbled, choking as muddy water splashed into his mouth. Every step felt like fighting invisible hands pulling him back. His body shook, his breath came in ragged gasps, but he leaned forward and pressed on.
By nightfall, Guy placed weighted gloves into Naruto's hands. They were rough and covered in small bumps. In the center of the training ground stood a thick wooden post riddled with scars and fist marks.
"Punch," Guy said simply.
Naruto's first strike sent a jolt of pain up his arm. He winced but didn't stop. Again and again, he hammered the post. His fists split, blood soaking into the coarse fabric of the gloves, but he never faltered. The night echoed with the sound of fists meeting wood.
The next morning, Guy led him into a specialized training ground filled with ropes controlled by hidden mechanisms.
"From now on," Guy said, blindfolding Naruto, "you must rely on your senses. Listen to the wind, to the ground, to the smallest sound. That's how you'll survive."
Naruto stood tense as ropes snapped toward him with whistling speed. He twisted, ducked, and stumbled, using instinct to dodge. But he wasn't perfect red welts soon lined his arms and legs where he failed. Still, he gritted his teeth, refusing to quit.
Later, Guy tied Naruto to a tree, then lobbed a rock at a beehive above.
"Wha—wait, what are you doing?!" Naruto yelped.
The hive split open, and a furious swarm of bees buzzed down. Naruto shrieked and flailed wildly, ducking and dodging as stingers jabbed at him. His wails echoed through the forest, but Guy only nodded approvingly.
At the base of a steep cliff, Guy pointed up. "Climb. No chakra. Just your hands and feet. If you fall, you start again."
Naruto stared at the near-vertical wall. His small fingers dug into cracks in the rock, his nails breaking as he clawed upward. Sharp stones sliced his hands and knees, but he kept climbing. Every inch was agony, but every inch was progress.
From the shadows, Kakashi watched silently, his single eye narrowing. His heart twisted at the sight. This training was too much even he and Guy hadn't endured such extremes at Naruto's age. Yet he didn't step in. He knew Naruto's body healed faster than any normal child. For him, this was the only way to truly bring out his potential.
Kai, you're reckless, Kakashi thought. But maybe… maybe this is exactly what Naruto needs.
He clenched his fist, silently cheering. Endure, Naruto. You're going to have a place in the future of the shinobi world. I believe in you.
Under Guy's Extreme Training, Naruto's body began to change. His muscles toughened, his reflexes sharpened, and his will grew unbreakable. Pushing past his limits became his new normal. Every day was a battle against himself, and every night he rose stronger than before.
This was only the beginning.