On this day, Tianxing was responsible for teaching Naruto practical combat skills.
As the training progressed, Tianxing gradually discovered something terrifying.
It wasn't just that Naruto was learning fire magic faster and faster.
It was that—
The longer they fought…
The more pressure Naruto put on him.
Because of Tianlang's instructions, Tianxing was forbidden from using advanced fire techniques.
This greatly limited his combat style.
In the beginning, he could easily suppress Naruto.
But by noon…
Naruto had already begun to counterattack.
By afternoon…
Naruto was actively taking the initiative.
Tianxing had no choice but to rely entirely on his physical combat skills.
After all, even without advanced techniques, he couldn't allow himself to be defeated by a newcomer.
But what shocked him was—
Naruto's close-combat techniques were becoming more and more refined.
In some exchanges, Naruto was even more skilled than him.
"What the hell…?"
"What is going on with this guy?"
Several times, Tianxing became anxious and unleashed powerful kicks.
Each kick was heavy and ruthless.
These forced Naruto to retreat and interrupted his offensive rhythm.
Tianxing spat on the ground and cursed,
"Damn brat… you're really something!"
On the sidelines.
Tianlang smiled slightly and asked Tianjian,
"Well? What do you think?"
Tianjian answered seriously,
"This Naruto is terrifying."
"Terrifying how?"
Tianlang became interested.
Tianjian explained slowly,
"On the surface, he looks like a beginner."
"But his improvement is visible to the naked eye."
"If he really is a beginner…"
"Then his comprehension is absolutely top-tier."
"At first, Second Senior Brother handled him easily."
"But now, it's already very difficult."
"If Naruto's physical strength were on par with Second Senior Brother…"
"He might have already lost."
After hearing this analysis, Tianlang nodded in approval.
"Well said."
Indeed.
Several times, Tianxing had deliberately relied on brute strength.
Because he knew Naruto's body was still weak, he used heavy kicks to force him away.
This allowed him to reset the distance and catch his breath.
Seeing this, Tianlang smiled knowingly.
Common attributes…
Might not be useless after all.
This Naruto…
Might become a miracle.
On the training field.
Naruto was panting heavily.
Sweat dripped from his forehead.
His clothes were soaked.
But his eyes were bright and firm.
He stared at Tianxing and grinned.
"Again!"
Tianxing felt provoked.
He was instantly furious.
Then he thought—
What am I afraid of?
"Damn brat!"
"Come on! Let me beat you properly!"
They clashed again.
After more than ten exchanges, Tianlang felt it was enough and raised his hand.
"Alright, stop!"
The two separated.
Naruto almost collapsed.
He was holding himself up with sheer willpower.
Every breath felt painful.
On the other hand, Tianxing was still standing steadily.
He wasn't even breathing heavily.
"Hey, brat!"
"If Senior Brother hadn't stopped it…"
"You'd be lying on the ground already!"
Naruto bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for air.
Sweat dripped onto the ground.
He raised his head and smiled bitterly.
After resting for a moment, the exhaustion hit him all at once.
He felt like he could die on the spot.
"Okay."
"That's enough for today."
"We'll continue tomorrow."
Tianlang walked over.
"Naruto, are you alright?"
Naruto inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.
Then he stood up, wiped the sweat from his face, and smiled.
"I'm fine."
"I can still walk."
Tianlang nodded.
"Tianjian, help him."
"Alright, Senior Brother."
Tianjian supported Naruto.
"Come on, Naruto."
"I'll help you back."
"Thank you, Third Senior Brother."
"You're welcome."
Tianlang turned to Tianxing.
"Go get four portions of food."
Tianxing protested,
"Why me?"
"I'm exhausted too!"
"Don't make me slap you while I'm still in a good mood."
Tianlang looked at him calmly.
Tianxing shuddered.
"…Fine."
He turned around and ran off.
They returned to their residence.
Soon, Tianxing came back with food.
After eating, Tianlang asked Naruto to wash up and change into clean clothes.
Later, the four of them sat outside the house.
Night had fallen.
The mountain temperature dropped quickly.
The cold wind blew gently.
Tianjian lit a bonfire and brought firewood.
They sat around it, keeping warm and chatting.
The flames illuminated their faces.
Tianjian suddenly asked,
"Naruto, is this really your first time learning dark matter?"
Naruto nodded.
"Yes."
"This is my first time."
Tianxing crossed his arms.
"I don't believe it."
"Your fighting style is too mature."
"Even if you learn fast…"
"You shouldn't be able to apply it so well in one day."
"You're way too flexible."
"You don't look like a beginner at all."
Tianlang also looked at Naruto.
Waiting for his answer.
Naruto stared at the flames.
After a moment of silence, he spoke.
"Actually…"
"This isn't my first time fighting."
Tianxing clapped his hands.
"See? I knew it!"
Tianlang signaled him to be quiet.
Naruto took a deep breath.
"In my world…"
"Fighting is part of ninja training from childhood."
"Ninjas are similar to you."
"We train, grow stronger, and protect others."
"But our world is different."
"There are many villages."
"Many countries."
"War is inevitable."
He looked at them calmly.
"You only have one clan here."
"So external enemies are rare."
"In my world…"
"Conflicts never stop."
Naruto's eyes darkened.
"I once believed…"
"That love and understanding could solve everything."
"But after experiencing so much…"
"I realized it's not that simple."
"Even among people of the same clan…"
"There are struggles, right?"
Tianlang, Tianxing, and Tianjian nodded.
"Yes."
But their internal conflicts rarely led to death.
Naruto continued,
"In my world…"
"Struggles are often bloody."
"Since childhood…"
"I've lived with battle."
"Winning or losing doesn't matter."
"What matters is survival."
"Most fights are about life and death."
His voice became deep.
"I've lost count…"
"Of how many life-and-death battles I've experienced."
The mountain wind blew.
The bonfire crackled.
Naruto's silhouette looked lonely and worn.
Tianjian murmured,
"No wonder…"
"You can adapt under extreme pressure."
Tianlang nodded.
"That's the instinct born from life and death."
"It can't be taught."
Tianxing clicked his tongue.
Only now did he realize—
Naruto's hands had been stained with blood.
No wonder…
Those eyes…
Sometimes felt frightening.