Let’s not talk about how Namikaze Minato was trying to surpass Seven Nights, thinking about how to become stronger.
When he was focused, time flew by like a white horse passing through a gap, fleeting quickly.
Just over a month had passed, and Seven Nights’ carving skills had greatly improved. He could already replicate the appearance of the Azure Bird on wood at a one-to-one scale.
This was thanks to his taijutsu training, which allowed him to control his strength far beyond his previous life.
Combined with chakra, a supernatural force, his progress was rapid.
Wood grain and carving marks, smoothness and roughness, concave and convex surfaces, round knife arrangement, flat knife cutting…
Seven Nights discovered that as he gradually removed waste material from the outside to the inside, his mind would gradually calm down.
At the same time, through repeated subtractive modeling, Seven Nights not only experienced the joy of his works "breaking free from their shells."
He was even terrified at first, afraid that he would use too much force and remove parts that shouldn't be removed.
But if the knife techniques were handled properly, he could also feel joy amidst the dangers.
At the same time, Seven Nights could also feel the special flavors produced by the application of various knife techniques and the taste of various strengths. Some accidental effects could even give the works a new charm.
“Next, I should try using different kinds of wood…”
“And, I can also broaden the range of subjects I copy. I’m not limited to just the Azure Bird…”
“Animals, plants, pedestrians, houses… they can all become subjects for me to copy…”
When Seven Nights practiced the Gentle Fist again, he felt a difference.
Although he had spent some time carving, his more refined control of strength made his taijutsu even more powerful.
His mastery of Body Flicker was also gradually improving.
Faster! Lighter! More natural!
…………
A small forest, beside a stream.
A figure darted back and forth on the water surface, kicking up splashes.
Seven Nights was practicing Body Flicker on the water.
He had already completed water-treading training, but even water-treading could be advanced.
Practicing punches on the water surface and practicing Body Flicker could both enhance his strength.
After all, training on a soft, flowing surface like water was different from the feeling on solid ground.
“Bang! Bang! Bang…!”
Suddenly, there were impact sounds.
Along with the sounds of exhaling and shouts.
Seven Nights stopped his movements, tapped his foot, and leaped to the shore.
He had chosen a secluded location, and hardly anyone ever came here, so the noise had attracted his attention.
“This is… the sound of hammering wood.”
After listening carefully, Seven Nights was able to discern the source of the sound.
Moreover, the sound of the impact… this person’s physical strength is strong!~
Seven Nights was slightly curious, and he followed the sound.
Then, the shouting became clearer.
“One hundred and eighteen! One hundred and nineteen!… Aaaah!~”
“Five hundred hammer strikes on the wood pile today!”
“If you can’t do it, you’ll do a thousand-meter handstand run!”
“Burn! Youth!… Boil! Youth!”
“Release your blood…!”
“Aaaaah!!!”
Even before getting close, he heard those strange yet passionate slogans from afar.
Seven Nights’ expression changed.
Those slogans, could it be that guy?
As he drew nearer, Seven Nights saw a very shocking sight.
A green figure was punching a tree that was so thick it took three or four people to embrace it. Each punch caused the tree to shake back and forth, and leaves fell to the ground.
Seven Nights' eyelids twitched slightly, this exaggerated training method…
It really is him, Might Guy!
What incredible physical strength and body strength!
Seven Nights could tell that Might Guy wasn’t using chakra to increase his attack power, he was relying entirely on his own physical strength.
He looks like he’s only fifteen or sixteen years old, right?!
Perhaps Seven Nights’ gaze was too direct, and Might Guy sensed it.
He turned around to see a little kid?
Is he a student from the Ninja Academy?
Those eyes… they’re the Hyuga clan’s!
He gave Seven Nights a bright, cheerful smile, and then Might Guy turned back to continue his hammer strike training.
Youth cannot be wasted!
“Bang! Bang! Bang…”
The tree swayed back and forth, and leaves covered the ground.
“Four hundred fifty-three! Four hundred fifty-four!…”
The bandages on his hands were stained red with blood, but Might Guy seemed not to feel the pain. With each punch, he would yell loudly as if encouraging himself.
Seven Nights admired Might Guy’s perseverance and effort, but training like this would exhaust his body.
However, thinking about his son, Might Gai, the future Gai-sensei… perhaps the Might family has unique physical traits!~
“Four hundred ninety-nine!… Five hundred!”
He landed the final hammer strike, and Might Guy’s hands hung tiredly. Sweat mixed with blood dripped down, but his expression was happy, and he laughed with his mouth wide open.
“Indeed, youth… is endless!”
Seeing that the other person had stopped training, Seven Nights strolled over.
“Training like that, you’ll have more hidden injuries than you know.”
Might Guy didn’t mind.
He laughed heartily: “Yo! Kid, that’s what youth is all about!”
“Youth cannot be separated from passion.”
Seven Nights glanced at his body. He had many visible injuries and his palms were covered in calluses.
“I know you, you’re Might Guy, a ninja who specializes in taijutsu.”
“My name is Hyuga Seven Nights.”
Might Guy was instantly excited, his eyes welling up with tears.
Because Seven Nights’ statement, “a ninja who specializes in taijutsu,” was a recognition of his tireless efforts!~
He felt his fatigue disappear at once, and he was filled with passion, his spirit revitalized.
“Seven Nights-kun…”
Might Guy’s voice choked, his eyes fixed on Seven Nights.
This was the first time anyone had acknowledged him!
…………