Chapter 21: What... kind of training do you like?Two lines of information floated in the void before Naruto at the right moment:[Rock Lee][Current Affinity: 55][Might Guy][Current Affinity: 60]Positive values again, and not low ones at that.The tight string in Naruto's heart relaxed slightly, but not completely. After all, Uchiha Sasuke's affinity had also been positive, yet he hadn't held back at all when they fought.He muttered to himself, were all the people who were slightly close to him, or who didn't have obvious malice towards him, such... uniquely eccentric guys?He nodded at the two of them, trying his best to keep his tone calm and polite: "Yes, Lee, Might Guy-sensei. I was doing some Taijutsu and Chakratraining in the woods nearby. I heard some noise over here, got a bit curious, and came over to take a look... Sorry for interrupting your training, I'll leave now."After speaking, he bowed slightly and prepared to turn away."Woooooooah—!!!"Two earth-shattering, ecstatic howls exploded in the forest like thunderclaps! The leaves rustled down, and even the birds resting on the branches nearby were startled into flight!Naruto was so frightened by this sudden "sonic attack" that he shuddered all over, almost jumping on the spot!Reflexively, he instantly created distance, assumed a fighting stance again, and subconsciously channeled Chakra to his limbs, his azure eyes filled with vigilance and disbelief.What the hell?!Was the affinity value just now fake? Are they about to fight? Are people in Konoha always this unpredictable when they go crazy?!However, the attack he anticipated did not come.He saw Might Guy and Rock Lee, the master and disciple, as if injected with an overdose of stimulants at the same time. Their eyes were wide open to the limit, shining with dazzling light, staring fixedly and unblinkingly at Naruto. That gaze was so intense it almost felt like it would set him on fire!Their green spandex suits seemed to be trembling slightly with excitement.Naruto felt unnerved by this strange gaze and subconsciously looked down at himself—sweat, dirt, battle marks... nothing special, right?The expressions of Might Guy and Rock Leebecame unprecedentedly serious, even carrying a kind of pilgrimage-like solemnity. The two stood side by side, straight as if they were Ninjas facing their ultimate exam."May I ask you a question, Mr. Naruto..."Might Guy spoke, his voice loud and solemn, every word articulated with exceptional clarity, "What... is your favorite type of training?""Huh?" Naruto was stunned by this sudden, overly formal question.What kind of approach was this?"I... let me think..."Looking at their expressions, which were so serious it was as if they were deciding their life paths, Naruto rubbed his chin, hesitated for a moment, and gave his answer:"Probably... Taijutsu."The moment the words left his mouth.Time seemed to freeze for a second.Immediately after, Naruto witnessed a scene he would never forget, and one that would be his "psychological shadow" for a long time to come.He saw Might Guy and Rock Lee, like puppets controlled by the same invisible string, moving in perfect synchronization, suddenly tilting their heads back and facing the sky!"Waaaaaaah—!!!""Youth—!!!"Two howls mixed with extreme ecstasy, supreme emotion, as if they had found the long-lost meaning of life, shot straight into the clouds!Hot tears poured out like a broken dam from their wide-open eyes! Their snot also lost control, flowing wantonly from their nostrils like two rushing streams!The tears and snot converged and splashed in the air, refracting strange colors under the last rays of the setting sun."We—are—best—friends—!!!"The two used all their strength, towards the sky, towards the forest, towards the dumbfounded, petrified Naruto, and issued a deafening declaration, thick with nasal congestion and sobbing!Then, they opened their arms, with faces full of tears and snot, and lunged at Naruto like tigers pouncing on prey, wanting to give him a solid hug full of "Youth" and "Friendship"!"Wait, wait! You guys... Ugh!"Naruto was terrified and wanted to dodge, but their movements, while seemingly ridiculous, were actually shockingly fast and blocked his space to dodge left and right.The next second, he was firmly embraced by two green, sweaty, damp figures, one on the left and one on the right!An extremely absurd, bittersweet emotion diluted his initial shock and vigilance.Naruto stood stiffly on the spot, held tightly by two "green watermelon heads" like a piece of wood, with their continuous, emotional sobbing and shouts of "Best friend! Youth!" in his ears.He lifted his eyes, lifeless, and looked at the panel in his consciousness.[Rock Lee Affinity: 55 → 68][Might Guy Affinity: 60 → 70]The numbers had truly skyrocketed.Naruto: "..."He gave up struggling, and also gave up trying to understand. His gaze drifted blankly past the shoulders of the two green watermelon heads, looking at the sky.So this... this counts as... making new friends?Hehe...Konoha really is full of weirdos...He twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a helpless, bitter smile that looked worse than crying.Forget it... having a quirky train of thought... it seems... not entirely unacceptable?It's better than those Uchiha lunatics who pull out Explosive Tags at the slightest disagreement, right?He tried, raising his somewhat stiff arms, and awkwardly, gently patted their broad backs that were soaked with sweat and still trembling slightly."O-okay, Might Guy-sensei, Lee... I... I get it... We are... ugh... best friends... Could you... let me go first... I'm a bit... can't catch my breath..."...In the evening, the horizon was dyed a warm orange-red.After saying goodbye to the two, Naruto dragged his slightly tired but fulfilled body, habitually walking towards the Village convenience store, using his remaining living expenses to buy two packs of the cheapest instant noodles, plus a few fat fish he caught by the river and fresh mushrooms from the forest—This was the "sumptuous dinner" he had prepared for himself.Although the aroma of Ichiraku Ramen was tempting, for his shy wallet, it was still a luxury he could only enjoy occasionally.He carried the simple "ingredients" and walked towards the slightly dilapidated apartment building on the edge of the Village.The light in the stairwell was a bit dim, the walls were mottled, and when he walked to his door where the paint was peeling, Naruto was about to take out his key, but his movements suddenly paused.Through the crack in the door... light was shining through?Someone was in his room!Naruto's eyes instantly sharpened, and the muscles all over his body quietly tensed.A thief?
