Ch 116 - A Bond of Youth

Two years ago...

The sun hung low over Konoha, casting long shadows across the training grounds. The air was fresh but thick with the determination of a young boy.

Naruto Uzumaki was in the middle of his daily training. His body glistened with sweat, muscles burning with exhaustion, but his gaze remained sharp and focused.

This wasn't training to grow stronger. No, it was about control... about discipline.

Alex had set a schedule for himself—not to gain strength, but to master his mind. To discipline his body and spirit.

After all, strength without control was meaningless.

Grunting, he pressed his palms against the earth and pushed his body up once more.

"Nine hundred and ninety-eight… nine hundred and ninety-nine…" His arms trembled a little.

But he refused to yield, to quit.

"One thousand."

He collapsed onto his back, gasping for breath. The cool breeze kissed his skin, drying the sweat that clung to him. He shut his eyes, letting the exhaustion seep into his bones.

He was not using any mana or chakra... any sort of power, just pushing himself with his physical strength.

But then an enthusiastic voice startled him.

"Yosh! The best time to train is in one's youth!"

He opened his eyes, finding himself staring at a boy who stood with his hands on his hips, smiling brightly. His thick brows, dark hair, and energetic stance were impossible to ignore.

Naruto blinked, confused. He hadn't even noticed anyone approaching him during his focused training. Yet here this boy stood, shining with the kind of energy that made the sun look lazy.

"Couldn't agree more," Naruto said with a faint chuckle, sitting up. He wasn't looking for company, but there was something about the other boy's sincerity that made him respond.

The stranger's grin widened. "Then you wouldn't mind me joining you for a run?"

Naruto wiped his forehead, flashing a grin of his own. "Be my guest."

Without another word, Naruto got up and started running, his legs heavy but determined. The other boy joined him instantly, his steps strong and enthusiastic.

But just a few strides later, the boy called out cheerfully, "How rude of me to not introduce myself! I am Konoha's Blue Beast, Rock Lee!"

Naruto chuckled again, though his gaze remained forward. "Naruto Uzumaki. A ninja who's going to be the strongest!"

Lee's eyes sparkled. "Ah! A kindred spirit! Your words burn with passion, Naruto-kun!"

His fists clenched at his sides as he ran. "I am very glad to meet someone who shares my love for training. We must run towards the setting sun together! What do you say?"

Naruto arched a brow, grinning slightly. "Are we talking or running?"

Lee laughed loudly, his voice echoing through the trees. "Both! Talking about the flames of youth fuels the body!"

And so they ran.

Their feet pounded against the earth and their breaths came hard and fast.

Their sweat glistened under the golden sun.

Minutes turned into an hour. An hour turned into two.

Naruto's legs burned. His arms felt heavy. Finally, he slowed, coming to a stop beneath the shade of a large tree. He leaned against the bark, panting.

But Rock Lee?

He kept going. His pace never faltered, his expression never wavered. He ran as if the world would end if he stopped.

Naruto couldn't help but chuckle. "You're a monster. Still going strong, huh?"

Lee skidded to a stop, turning with a bright smile. "Of course! I cannot stop until I have surpassed every limit of my body and mind!"

Naruto shook his head with a grin. "You've got guts. I'll give you that."

Lee's expression softened with pride. "I have no talent like others. I cannot use ninjutsu or genjutsu. My only path is through taijutsu. I will become the strongest ninja using only my fists and strength!"

Naruto's grin widened. "That's impressive. No shortcuts, huh?"

He stretched his arms, feeling the ache deep in his muscles. "You know… I'm trying to be the strongest too. And that means I need to be the strongest in taijutsu as well."

Lee's eyes shone brighter than ever. "Then... then you will be my sparring partner?!"

Naruto shrugged, though his grin never faltered. "If you're up for it."

Lee bowed deeply, his eyes shimmering with genuine gratitude. "Naruto-kun! You honor me! My passion burns brighter than ever to have found a comrade in youth! I will work hard, harder than ever, to become worthy of our rivalry!"

Naruto laughed, waving him off. "Easy, bushy brows. We haven't even fought yet."

Lee beamed. "You remind me of my sensei, Might Guy! His flames of youth are an inspiration to all! His strength in taijutsu is unmatched in all of Konoha!"

Naruto tilted his head, his grin turning thoughtful. "Yeah… I've heard of him. The infamous Green Beast of Konoha. The only guy who can go head-to-head with Kakashi-sensei, right?"

Lee's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Indeed! Gai-sensei is my eternal guide! My mentor who showed me the beauty of perseverance and strength!"

Naruto chuckled, pushing himself off the tree. "Sounds like a good teacher."

Lee nodded fiercely. "The best!"

Naruto's grin grew as he cracked his knuckles. "Alright then. If you're gonna be like him, you better show me what you've got. Let's spar."

Lee's fists clenched with excitement. "Yosh! My flames of youth will burn bright today!"

And so they squared off, the dirt beneath their feet shifting as they took their stances.

The first punch came swift—Naruto's hand slicing through the air, but Lee deflected with ease, stepping in close with a sharp knee strike. Naruto twisted, blocking the blow with his forearm, his muscles flexing under the pressure.

Lee grinned, eyes burning. "You're fast, Naruto-kun!"

Naruto smirked. "You haven't seen fast yet."

They clashed—fist meeting fist, kicks sweeping through the air with sharp precision. The sounds of impact echoed through the clearing.

Thud!

Wham!

Snap!

Their spar wasn't just a test of strength, but of endurance. 

Naruto's sharp instincts guided his movements, allowing him to anticipate Lee's strikes, but Lee's sheer speed and determination kept him on edge.

Each block, each counter, each strike tested their resolve.

Finally, after an intense hour of relentless sparring, they broke apart, gasping for breath, faces flushed with exhaustion but eyes bright with exhilaration.

Naruto wiped the sweat from his brow, grinning. "You're good, Lee."

Lee beamed. "And you are strong, Naruto-kun! You will become a worthy rival, I am sure of it!"

Naruto chuckled, collapsing onto the ground. "We'll see. Just don't expect me to go easy on you next time."

Lee laughed, sitting beside him. "And I expect nothing less! We will grow strong together, Naruto-kun!"

The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting the world in a golden glow. And as they sat side by side, a bond was formed—not just of rivalry, but of mutual respect and understanding.

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Spoilers for the next three chapters!

Chapter 117: A Mission Beyond the Norm

Chapter 118: The Ambush

Chapter 119: A Sinister Gathering

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