Chapter 48

After the tragedy that befell the Uchiha clan, Sasuke's life took on a new rhythm—one marked by solitude and self-reliance. Gone were the days of waking up to a warm breakfast prepared by his mother, of playful banter with his parents, and the comforting routine of attending the ninja academy. Now, his mornings were silent, the table empty, and the refrigerator bare. The Uchiha mansion, once filled with life and light, now stood dark and lifeless, a stark reminder of what he had lost.

At some point, Sasuke had started leaving the lights on when he went to sleep, as if trying to fill the void with artificial brightness. He tried to adapt, learning to cook for himself. While the food from restaurants was convenient and delicious, his limited finances couldn't sustain eating out every day. If he wanted to survive, he needed to become self-sufficient.

But cooking proved to be a challenge. His first attempts were barely edible, and he often ended up forcing himself to eat the unpalatable meals. Still, he persisted, determined to master this basic skill. It was a small step, but it was one he had to take.

Meanwhile, life for everyone else seemed to move forward as usual. Naruto continued his daily training at the practice grounds, though today he was alone. Sasuke was busy cleaning and organizing the Uchiha mansion, and Rock Lee had a family gathering to attend. Naruto didn't mind the solitude; it gave him a chance to focus on his own progress.

As he practiced his sword techniques, his movements precise and fluid, a voice broke through the stillness of the forest.

"Yosh! Today, I'll walk 10,000 steps on my hands! And if I can't do it, I'll do three laps around Konoha on one foot!"

Naruto paused, intrigued by the sheer determination in the man's voice. Walking 10,000 steps on his hands and doing frog jumps around the village? That level of endurance and discipline was impressive. He turned to see a man in green spandex, his face drenched in sweat, walking on his hands with trembling arms. Despite the obvious strain, the man pushed forward, his resolve unshaken.

Naruto felt a surge of admiration. This was the second person he'd met, aside from Rock Lee, who trained with such relentless intensity. The man's attire marked him as a Konoha ninja, and someone with that level of dedication couldn't be ordinary.

Curious, Naruto approached him. "Hi, I saw your training. It's really impressive."

The man, Might Guy, looked up, his face lighting up with a grin. "Ah, a young admirer! You have a keen eye for the flames of youth!" He flipped onto his feet, dusting himself off. "You look familiar. What's your name?"

"Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto replied with a warm smile.

"Uzumaki Naruto… Ah, I remember now!" Guy's eyes widened in recognition. "The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, right? I've heard about you. You're quite the talk of the village."

Naruto nodded, unfazed by the mention of his status. "And you are?"

"I am the Blue Beast of Konoha, Might Guy!" Guy struck a dramatic pose, his teeth gleaming in the sunlight. "The embodiment of youth and perseverance!"

Naruto chuckled. "Blue Beast? That's a cool title."

Guy's eyes welled up with tears. "You think so? Naruto, you truly understand the spirit of youth! To commemorate this moment, I'll do ten laps around Konoha on one foot!"

Naruto blinked, slightly taken aback by Guy's exuberance. "Uh, that's… great. But I was actually wondering if you'd be interested in a sparring match. I'd like to see how I measure up against a real ninja."

Guy's expression shifted to one of excitement. "A sparring match? With me? Naruto, you've got guts! I like that!" He paused, noticing the sword in Naruto's hand. "You use a blade? Interesting. Not many ninjas in Konoha specialize in swordsmanship."

"Yes, but I'm also decent in hand-to-hand combat," Naruto said, his tone calm but confident.

Guy grinned. "Then let's make this interesting. No holding back, Naruto. Show me the full extent of your youth!"

Naruto nodded, his expression serious. He began removing the weights strapped to his legs, dropping them to the ground with a heavy thud. The impact left small craters in the dirt, a testament to their weight.

Guy's eyes widened in surprise. "You've been training with weights like that? At your age? Naruto, you're full of surprises!"

Naruto smiled faintly. "I try my best."

Guy's grin widened. "Then let's see what you've got!"

The two took their positions, the air between them crackling with anticipation. Guy's demeanor shifted, his usual exuberance replaced by a focused intensity. Naruto, too, felt the weight of the moment. This wasn't just a sparring match—it was an opportunity to test his limits and prove himself.

"Ready?" Guy asked.

Naruto nodded. "Ready."

In an instant, Guy disappeared, his speed so fast that he seemed to vanish. Naruto's eyes narrowed, his senses sharpening. Through his training in the art of the sword and his heightened spiritual awareness, he could perceive Guy's movements, even if only faintly.

"He's fast," Naruto thought, his grip tightening on his blade. "But not fast enough."

As Guy reappeared, launching a powerful kick, Naruto sidestepped, his movements fluid and precise. The two clashed, their movements a blur of speed and skill. For Naruto, it was a chance to push himself further than ever before. For Guy, it was a chance to witness the potential of a young ninja who carried the weight of the village's hopes and fears.