A few days later, the two returned to Konoha after completing their mission of slaying the giant bear.
At four o'clock the next morning, Shinichi went out as usual and began his daily morning run around the village.
Before dawn, the streets were quiet, with only the sound of his regular and powerful footsteps echoing.
After running for an unknown amount of time, as he passed the perimeter of a training field, a bright green figure cut in from the side like a gust of wind and stayed steadily beside him.
"Shinichi, it's been a long time!"
The newcomer was none other than Might Duy, dressed in his signature green bodysuit, his steps full of bouncy energy, the red ribbon of his headband fluttering in the wind, and his face bearing his ever-present, seemingly unfading, passionate smile.
"Yes, senior Duy."
Shinichi nodded slightly, responding calmly.
As a dedicated exerciser who has been doing this for years, Shinichi has encountered the famous, passionate father-and-son pair more than once during his morning workouts.
Over time, although they weren't close friends, they became familiar with each other and could stop and chat for a bit.
"Isn't Guy with you today?"
Shinichi asked casually.
"He went on a mission."
Might Duy replied, his voice still loud, but a subtle pause could be detected if you listened carefully.
"Didn't you go with him, senior?"
Shinichi asked.
Although it may sound surprising, Might Guy is indeed one of those who graduated early, even earlier than Shinichi. He successfully graduated last year and became a Genin.
However, like Shinichi, he was not assigned to a regular squad and has been following his father, Might Duy, since graduation, handling basic D-rank missions around the village.
Upon hearing Shinichi's question, Might Guy's ever-bright smile faltered almost imperceptibly for a moment. He raised a hand to scratch his stiff black hair, revealing a rare expression of embarrassment and helplessness: "Guy... said he's grown up and can carry out missions on his own now, so..."
Before he finished speaking, Shinichi already understood.
This is probably a stage that every child goes through in their growth. When they are young, they see their father as an all-powerful hero, but once they step into a wider circle and come into contact with the outside world's perspectives and evaluations, their mindset will quietly change.
Especially at Might Guy's age, it's a time when self-esteem is sensitive, and one is particularly concerned about the opinions of others.
After becoming a ninja, he probably felt more directly the contempt and even ridicule of some people in the village for his father being an Eternal Genin and only knowing Taijutsu.
His father's youthful declarations that once ignited his passion now seemed like clownish behavior in the eyes of others, making him feel embarrassed and even ashamed to appear with his father.
This estrangement and contradiction will likely continue until that turning point arrives, until Might Duy teaches him the Eight Gates, until he is trapped in a desperate situation and surrounded by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist during a mission.
His father, whom he had always considered a disgrace, descended from the sky like a burning meteor, radiating a miraculous brilliance despite being an ordinary man.
Only then will all the knots in his heart be completely washed away by burning tears and pride.
But that's all for the future.
Thinking this, Shinichi suddenly stopped running. He turned to Might Guy beside him and said seriously, "Senior, there's something I'd like to discuss with you. I heard that this year's Chunin exams will be held in the Village Hidden in the Sand, and I plan to participate, but my team is currently one person short. I'd like to invite you to be my teammate and go with me."
Might Duy was visibly taken aback. He blinked, seemingly doubting he had misheard, then quickly waved his hand, his usual cheerful smile tinged with a hint of unease: "Shinichi, don't joke around! You're the village's recognized genius; everyone has seen your strength. I... I'm just a low-level ninja who only knows a few Taijutsu moves. I'm completely clueless about Ninjutsu and Genjutsu. Teaming up with me would only hold you back and ruin your future!"
"Senior, I'm serious."
Shinichi looked at him and said earnestly, "In my eyes, you are a very strong person. You have devoted all your energy to Taijutsu. Your focus and perseverance over the decades are admirable. A person who can hone Taijutsu to the extreme is not to be underestimated. To be honest, I know another ninja who has mastered Taijutsu to an extremely high level. I am planning to invite him to be the team leader of our team."
Might Guy was somewhat flustered by these words, his voice lower than usual: "Shinichi, you... You flatter me too much, I really..."
"Senior!"
Shinichi interrupted him, his tone becoming even more earnest: "Senior, you often told Guy that even if he only knows Taijutsu, he can become a great ninja. That statement is full of power. But if even you, the person who said that, doesn't believe it from the bottom of your heart, if you think you're not qualified and will hold me back, then how much power is left in that statement?"
He gazed into Might Duy's somewhat bewildered eyes and slowly said, "Senior, a father is a child's first and most important role model. If you yourself cannot face and believe in your own path, how can you make Guy truly believe that even if he only focuses on Taijutsu like his father, he can walk a glorious path as a ninja?"
As the morning light gradually brightened, it shone on Shinichi's calm and earnest face.
Might Duy looked at the sincere-eyed boy in front of him, and the flame that had been burning in his chest for many years, which he sometimes ignored, seemed to be quietly stirred and burned even brighter.
"You're right, Shinichi! Then let's let our youth shine in the Village Hidden in the Sand!"
After successfully inviting Might Duy, Shinichi found Master Chen, who was instructing Takashi Ishizuka at the training ground, that same evening.
He earnestly invited Master Chen to be the Jonin leading his team, citing Master Chen's promise that, once you're promoted to Chunin, I will teach you a new Taijutsu technique, to go to the Village Hidden in the Sand together.
Shinichi's reason was straightforward: He wanted Master Chen to be the first to witness his promotion to Chunin.
Master Chen adjusted his round sunglasses, hesitated for a moment, and then agreed.
Late at night, lying in bed, Shinichi fell into deep thought.
Graduating and becoming a Chunin in the same year was a path he had planned before graduation. He needed to rapidly advance in his occupation to gain the career boosts from Genin to Chunin.
More importantly, the opportunities to draw talent that come with each occupation advancement are crucial. Based on previous patterns, starting from the Chunin level, there is a high chance of having access to higher-level blue talent draws.
This is the fundamental motivation behind his eagerness and even willingness to consider going to the Village Hidden in the Sand to participate in the Chunin exams. He needs to solidify his foundation as soon as possible before a possible full-scale war begins.
However, he did hesitate when he learned that this year's Chunin exams would be held in the Village Hidden in the Sand.
Now, the team is led by Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, along with Master Chen, Konoha's strongest Taijutsu user, and Kosuke Maruboshi and Might Guy, two Eternal Genin, as teammates.
The third Hokage might even attend the finals.
Shinichi thought about it and realized there was nothing to worry about. Even if something unexpected happened in the Village Hidden in the Sand, he would be able to handle it.
Because this lineup could easily stage the version of Operation Destroy Konoha in the Village Hidden in the Sand.