This was one of the few taijutsu techniques once mastered by Hashirama himself.
As expected, the wild boar let out a thunderous roar and slammed heavily into the swamp, thrashing like a cornered beast fighting for its life.
It struggled forward inch by inch, forcing its way through the mire toward the riverbank.
Just as it was about to escape, Julian White leapt down from a tall tree. His kick sent the boar flying back into the swamp, swift and decisive, like a flash of lightning that shattered its final hope.
Thrown back into the water, the boar's snout sank beneath the surface like a drowning animal. Before long, it suffocated.
After bleeding it and removing the organs, Julian dragged the carcass toward the clearing where Might Duy and Might Guy were training.
The setting sun bathed the untended forest clearing in warm orange light, stretching the two green-clad figures into long shadows.
Unusually, Might Duy did not raise his trademark thumbs-up. He stood rigid as stone, glaring at his son.
"Guy, watch carefully. Your body is finally strong enough to perform this move."
Duy moved without warning. He became a green whirlwind, his right leg chopping downward in a fierce arc, then stopping just a finger's width from the wooden post.
The power was perfectly controlled. The wind peeled away a layer of dry bark, yet Duy himself remained completely still.
"Listen well," he said as he drew his leg back, his voice steady. "The Leaf's Diamond Whirlwind is not about brute force. The secret is in the twist of the waist and hips. Your whole body must explode at once. Use your heel as the pivot, rotate your waist, drive with your hips, and focus every bit of strength into your leg."
He slowed the motion deliberately, like a scene played frame by frame, allowing Guy to see the power rise from the ground, coil through the core, and burst outward.
Guy held his breath and nodded hard, then charged forward. His spinning kick slammed into the post.
A dull impact echoed as fragments flew. The recoil threw him backward.
"Wrong!" Duy shouted at once. "Your rotation is too loose. Half your power leaked away. Remember this. Your body should be like a fully drawn bow. Your spin should be like a top turning around a fixed axis. Create a concentrated whirlwind, not scattered gusts. That is the essence."
Guy was not discouraged. His thick eyebrows knit tighter as he reset. Everything began again. Sprint, rotate, kick. Once, twice, three times.
Sweat soaked his green jumpsuit and shimmered in the sunset. Bruises bloomed along his calves. With every attempt, his movements grew smoother and stronger.
Duy corrected every tiny flaw. "Toes straight. Eyes follow the motion. Yes. Feel the explosion in your core."
After countless tries, Guy leapt and spun again. This time, his leg cut through the air with a sharp whistle. He landed hard, panting, and looked up.
Duy's usually fiery face broke into a brilliant smile, white teeth flashing in the fading light. He raised his thumb high.
"Oh, this is youth, Guy! Did you feel it? That instant when all the power came together!"
"Dad, I finally did it!" Guy nearly jumped with joy.
"You did great, Guy! But replenishing energy after training is vital!" Duy said excitedly as he pulled out an enormous rice ball.
Inside were a few pieces of dried fish and a single pickled plum.
Guy took a bite, and his entire face twisted.
A sharp, bitter saltiness slammed into his taste buds. His eyes went wide, and he nearly spat it out.
The rice ball was packed with coarse salt. Refined salt was expensive in the Leaf, and even coarse salt was precious.
It was this kind of hardship that made the father and son's efforts all the more admirable.
"No spitting," Duy reminded him, a faintly wistful smile on his face. "After hard training, this is the best time to restore your strength."
He pulled out his own rice ball and took huge bites.
"Of course," Guy said bravely. "Dad's cooking is delicious."
Guy forced the mouthful down and gulped water until a cool sensation spread through his stomach. His fatigue eased.
It was the salt. After intense exercise, the body craved it. That was why the rice had been soaked in saltwater.
"Still, rice can't compare to meat," Nawaki said with a laugh as he walked over, carrying the entire wild boar on his shoulders.
Julian followed behind him, holding an iron pot and a bag of freshly picked mushrooms.
"Hey, what's all this?" Might Duy asked curiously. "You made such a commotion just to eat a wild boar?"
Boars could be hunted, but they were rarely seen in this part of the forest.
"You shouldn't ask for help empty-handed," Julian said cheerfully. "Tomorrow, after today's entrance exam results are finalized, there will be an all-grade melee. Outsiders who passed the physical test can also participate."
"A high ranking earns priority access to missions. It's an investment in future ninja."
"The rules are vague, but the format is teams of three fighting multiple opposing teams."
"There aren't many students who can match us, and those with talent are still too young."
"We need a frontline taijutsu specialist."
"Based on today's test, you were flawless. Join us, and we'll secure a slot for you."
Guy thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I agree. But leave the boar here. Catching one like this wasn't easy for you either."
Duy spoke up loudly, but Julian shook his head.
Before he could explain, Nawaki shouted, "Uncle, don't underestimate me! I'm going to become Hokage and bring victory to the whole village!"