[Through unremitting effort and physical improvement, you have received a favor.]
[Reward: Energy Crystals x 30]
[Skill Scroll: Basic Taijutsu (Proficient)]
Training triggers rewards too?
Aokawa paused. First, it was punishing evil (killing bandits). Then, surviving a bounty hunter. Now, just working out.
The System wasn't just a kill-counter; it rewarded struggle.
He needed more data, but for now, 30 crystals was a nice bonus.
He pulled a pair of tinted goggles from his pocket and strapped them on. Sitting in the shade at the edge of the training field, he crossed his legs and began the procedure.
Isolate forearm. Absorb. Mix.
Sage Mode.
Hidden behind the dark lenses, orange pigment bloomed around his eyes.
He cycled the Sage Chakra through his battered muscles. The lactic acid burned away. Micro-tears in his fibers knitted together. The crushing fatigue of the "Youthful Running" evaporated, replaced by a cool, vibrant energy.
Twenty seconds later, the pigment faded. He was fresh again.
"Aokawa!"
A shout from the distance.
Aokawa slid the goggles up. A spherical object with short legs was bouncing toward him.
As it got closer, the sphere resolved into Hyuga Ryosuke.
Aokawa watched his friend waddle over, the contrast between Ryosuke's rotund build and the typical slender Hyuga physique sparking a question he couldn't suppress.
"Ryosuke... be honest. Did your ancestors have... close relations with the Akimichi clan?"
Ryosuke stopped, panting. "The Akimichi? No. Why?"
"Nothing."
Aokawa shook his head, suppressing the urge to ask for a DNA test.
He stood up, doing a casual backflip to get to his feet.
Ryosuke narrowed his eyes. "You don't look tired at all. Were you slacking off again?"
"You wouldn't understand." Aokawa waved him off. "Let's go. Grandma's making dinner."
"Oh, I couldn't possibly imposing—"
"Fine, then don't come."
"—impose on anyone else but you! Lead the way!" Ryosuke finished shamelessly, falling into step beside him.
As they walked, a green blur zoomed past them.
"Aokawa! Let's continue the Youthful Training tomorrow!"
Whoosh.
Might Guy vanished into the distance before Aokawa could respond.
Ryosuke raised an eyebrow. "Why are you hanging out with that hot-blooded dead-last?"
"He's not a dead-last," Aokawa said quietly.
"He is. You've repeated a year twice, and even you have better grades than him."
"Don't compare me to him." Aokawa rolled his eyes. "He might become the strongest of our generation."
Ryosuke stopped walking. He looked at Aokawa like he had grown a second head.
"Strongest? Him? Are you high on soldier pills?"
Aokawa usually didn't praise people. He was arrogant in his own quiet way. For him to say that about the Spandex Weirdo?
"Do you know something I don't?" Ryosuke whispered conspiratorially.
"Not really. There are many kinds of geniuses," Aokawa said, watching the dust settle where Guy had run. "The genius of hard work is one of them."
He nudged Ryosuke. "Could you do that training? Every day? For years? Without seeing results?"
"Absolutely not." Ryosuke shook his head instantly. "I'd die. Or quit. Probably both."
"But he endures it. His recovery ability alone is superhuman."
"I guess..." Ryosuke rubbed his double chin. Then he puffed out his chest. "But in the end, he's a civilian. Bloodlines rule this world. The Byakugan is superior."
Aokawa didn't argue.
If you only knew.
One day, that 'civilian' will almost kick the finale of this entire anime into oblivion.
He'll make Madara Uchiha—the god of ninjas, the man with Hashirama cells, the Rinnegan, and the Ten-Tails—declare him the Strongest.
That recognition is worth more than any Hokage title.
"Hello, Aokawa-kun!"
A chorus of sweet, chirping voices interrupted his thoughts.
A group of Academy girls walked by, arm-in-arm. They waved at Aokawa, giggling and blushing.
"Kyoko, Haruna, Hitomi, Risa..."
Aokawa nodded politely.
Ryosuke watched them go, his mouth slightly open.
"Life is unfair," the fatty muttered. "Why do girls only like the brooding type?"