A few days later, after completing the mission to subjugate the giant bear, the two returned to Konoha.
At 4:00 AM the next day, Shinichi went out as usual and began his daily morning run around the village.
The sky was not yet bright, and the streets were silent, with only the sound of his steady and powerful footsteps echoing.
After running for an unknown amount of time, while passing the outskirts of a certain training ground, a bright green figure cut in from the side like a gust of wind, steadily keeping pace beside him.
"Shinichi, long time no see!"
The newcomer was none other than Might Duy. He wore his signature green jumpsuit, his steps full of bouncy vitality, and the red silk ribbon of his forehead protector tied around his waist fluttered in the wind. His face wore its usual, seemingly never-fading, hot-blooded smile.
"Yeah, Dai-Senpai," Shinichi nodded, responding with steady breath.
As someone who had exercised consistently for years, it wasn't the first or second time Shinichi had encountered this famous hot-blooded father-son duo during his morning practice.
Over time, although they weren't close friends, they were familiar faces—running buddies who could stop and chat for a few moments.
"Is Guy not with you today?" Shinichi asked casually.
"He went on a mission," Might Duy replied. His voice was as loud as ever, but upon careful listening, one could detect a subtle pause.
"You didn't go with him, senpai?" Shinichi followed up.
Although it sounded somewhat surprising, Might Guy was indeed one of those who graduated early—even earlier than Shinichi. He had successfully graduated last year and became a Genin.
However, similar to Shinichi, he hadn't been assigned to a regular squad. Since graduation, he had been following his father, Might Duy, handling basic D-rank missions around the village.
Hearing Shinichi's question, the perpetually exuberant smile on Might Duy's face faltered for an imperceptible moment. He reached up to scratch his stiff black hair, revealing a rare expression of embarrassment and helplessness.
"That kid, Guy... said he's grown up and can handle missions on his own now, so..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but Shinichi already understood.
This was likely a stage every child goes through while growing up—viewing their father as an omnipotent hero when young, but once they step into a wider circle and encounter the gaze and judgments of the outside world, their state of mind quietly changes.
Especially at Might Guy's age, a period when self-esteem is sensitive and one cares exceptionally about others' opinions.
After becoming a ninja, he perhaps felt more directly the contempt or even ridicule from some in the village toward his father being an "Eternal Genin" who "only knows taijutsu."
Those declarations of youth from his father that once made his blood boil now seemed, under the strange looks of others, like the out-of-place antics of a clown. They made him feel embarrassed, even ashamed to be seen with his father.
This alienation and conflict would likely persist until that turning point arrived—until Might Duy passed the Eight Gates on to him, and until he was cornered in a desperate situation during a mission, surrounded by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
That father he had always found "embarrassing" would descend from the sky like a burning meteor, blooming with the radiance of a miracle from a mortal body.
Only then would all the doubts in his heart be completely swept away by hot tears and pride.
But all of that was a story for another time.
---
Thinking this, Shinichi suddenly stopped running. He turned to Might Duy beside him and spoke with a serious expression:
"Senpai, there's something I want to discuss with you. I heard that this year's Chunin Exams will be held in the Hidden Sand Village, and I plan to participate. However, my team is currently short one person. I want to invite you to join me as a teammate."
Hearing this, Might Duy was clearly stunned. He blinked, seemingly doubting he had heard correctly, then hurriedly waved his hands. His smile carried its usual heartiness but also a hint of awkwardness:
"Shinichi, don't joke around! You're a recognized genius in the village, and everyone sees your strength. I... I'm just an Eternal Genin who only knows a few taijutsu moves and nothing of ninjutsu or genjutsu. Teaming up with you, I'm afraid I'll only hold you back and ruin your future!"
"Senpai, I'm serious." Shinichi's eyes were clear, his tone devoid of any jest. "In my eyes, you are a very strong person. You have poured all your heart and soul into the path of taijutsu. This focus and perseverance over decades is admirable in itself. Someone who can hone taijutsu to its limit is definitely not to be underestimated. To be honest, I know another ninja who has cultivated taijutsu to an extremely high level, and I plan to invite him to be our squad's leader this time."
Might Duy was left somewhat flustered by these words, his voice dropping a bit lower than usual. "Shinichi, you... you're overestimating me, I really..."
"Senpai," Shinichi interrupted him, his tone becoming even more earnest. "You often tell Guy that even if one only knows taijutsu, they can still become a great ninja. That sentence is full of confidence. But if even you, the one saying it, don't believe in yourself—if you think you're not good enough or will be a burden—then how much power is left in those words?"
He gazed into Might Duy's somewhat dazed eyes and said slowly, "Senpai, a father is a child's first and most important role model. If you cannot face and believe in your own path, how can you expect Guy to truly believe that even by focusing on taijutsu like his father, he can truly forge a glorious path as a ninja?"
The morning light grew brighter, reflecting on Shinichi's calm and serious face. Might Duy looked at the sincere youth before him. The flame that burned constantly in his chest—which he sometimes ignored himself—seemed to be quietly stirred, burning even brighter.
"You're right, Shinichi! Then let our youth bloom in Sunagakure!"
---
After successfully inviting Might Duy, that same evening, Shinichi found Instructor Chen, who was instructing Ishizuka Takashi at the training ground.
Using Instructor Chen's promise that "I will teach you a new taijutsu move once you become a Chunin" as a reason, he sincerely invited Instructor Chen to be the Jonin leader of his squad and travel to Sunagakure together.
Shinichi's reason was direct: he hoped Instructor Chen could witness the moment of his promotion to Chunin first-hand.
Instructor Chen adjusted his round sunglasses and, after a moment of deliberation, agreed.
---
Late at night, lying in bed, Shinichi fell into thought.
Graduating and becoming a Chunin in the same year was the path he had planned even before graduation. He needed to quickly advance his career to gain the attribute boosts provided by the [Genin] and [Chunin] class talents.
More importantly, the entry extraction opportunities that came with each career promotion were crucial. According to previous patterns, starting from Chunin, there would likely be a chance to access higher-level blue entry extractions.
This was his fundamental motivation for being so urgent and even willing to consider going to Sunagakure for the Chunin Exams. He needed to solidify his foundation of strength as quickly as possible before any potential widespread upheaval.
However, when he learned that this year's Chunin Exams would be held in Sunagakure, he had hesitated.
But now, with Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, serving as the overall leader, Instructor Chen, Konoha's strongest taijutsu ninja, and Maruboshi Kosuke and Might Duy, the two Eternal Genin, as teammates...
Even the Third Hokage might attend the finals.
Shinichi pondered that there was really nothing to worry about. Even if some unexpected incident occurred in Sunagakure, this lineup would be enough to handle it.
Because this lineup could completely stage a Suna version of the Crush Plan.