Bab 39: Recognized
"Make the seal of opposition!"
All the students of Class 1A gathered on the school's training grounds, forming a circle. In the center stood their teacher, Iruka, with Yato and Naruto facing each other.
For today's combat practice, they were unfortunately assigned to the same group.
After hearing Iruka's command, the two simultaneously put their fingers together like swords in front of their chests.
In the world of Shinobi, this gesture symbolizes the start of a fight. The stone statues of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama at the Valley of the End represent the seal of opposition, while the opposite "seal of reconciliation" symbolizes that after the battle, they are still companions.
Yato didn't fully understand this, but the people of Konoha regarded it as sacred etiquette that everyone must follow.
Seeing both fighters ready, Iruka gestured. "Ready, start!"
Naruto took the lead, raising his fist as he ran toward Yato, ready to punch him. Due to his lack of proper guidance, his movements were a bit clumsy and easy to dodge for someone trained like Yato.
Naruto knew he was weaker, but he still ran toward Yato without fear or hesitation.
Due to the Nine-Tails' influence, Naruto was more sensitive than ordinary people to the kindness and malice of those around him.
Deep down, he knew that even the children who played with him excluded him from their hearts and treated him as an outsider. But he didn't mind because he hated the loneliness and cold, empty walls when he returned home. Therefore, even if he was laughed at as a clown, he never changed and continued to live this way, eager to enter others' circles and not be alone. However, since entering the ninja school and meeting Yato, his behavior has been slightly restrained.
Naruto didn't understand why he cared so much about Yato's opinion. Maybe it was because they shared the same suffering and had similar experiences, never being accepted by Konoha.
But unlike him, Yato seemed to close himself off to others and not try to be their friend. Did he not hate loneliness?
Naruto didn't want to admit this, as it would mean denying the way of the ninja. He wanted to prove that his way was not wrong, that caring for others was not weakness, and that everyone was afraid of loneliness. He wanted to defeat Yato because he couldn't think of a better way to convince him.
"Wake up, you stinky boy!" Naruto roared as he got close and punched at Yato's face without hesitation. But Yato simply tilted his head and countered with a much faster and stronger punch.
Bang!
There was no suspense. As soon as Naruto approached, he was knocked away by Yato's punch and fell to the ground. It all happened so fast that it caught people off guard.
Naruto was very weak and was recognized as the last one in the class. Yato's Taijutsu skills were very strong, and even Sasuke was not his opponent. But the battle, ending with one punch, still shocked many people. Even Iruka was stunned for a moment before he came back to his senses. "The winner has been decided; the winner..."
"Wait..." Naruto stood up again, wiped the blood from his nose, and said, "I haven't lost yet!"
Ignoring Iruka's attempt to stop him, he raised his fist and rushed forward again. "I can lose to anyone, but I don't want to lose to you, bastard." Roaring in his heart, Naruto clenched his fists tighter, but soon he was ruthlessly beaten again.
Bang!
It was still a simple punch. Yato had no intention of feigning weakness and directly beat Naruto several meters away. However, Naruto stood up again, not giving up, and wanted to fight again.
Bang!
He was beaten again without any suspense. However, he still refused to admit defeat, raised his fist again, and shouted forward, "Damn it, ah..."
In one of the offices of the Ninja School, two people were watching this scene from the window.
"That kid, is it the disciple you often mentioned to us?"
"Well, his name is Yato. Isn't he pretty good?"
"He was merciless and used his companion as a sandbag. Is that pretty good?!" Kakashi was faintly angry. The child who was beaten up was the son of his teacher.
Kakashi even had the idea of adopting him, but for some reason, he was unfortunately rejected by the Hokage.
"What are you talking about, Kakashi? Isn't the friendship between men built with fists, just like the two of us?" Guy laughed, then his expression suddenly turned serious. "Yato never opens his heart to others. It's difficult to get close to him with normal methods. You should know this better than me, Kakashi!"
Kakashi stopped talking and fell silent. He knew Naruto's identity and Yato's life experience, so he understood Yato's behavior very well because he used to be like that too.
He was closed in his own world, taking his father's death as a warning, and became a person who only had the mission in his eyes, willing to do anything for the mission, even abandoning his companions.
It was not until his good friend Obito sacrificed himself to rescue him that he realized people who ignore their companions are worse than rubbish.
Thinking of this, he said sadly, "Guy, I can't be a role model for others!"
"So Yato's role model will be me." Guy gave a thumbs up, as if a flame were burning in his eyes, and said passionately, "The road to growth is full of ups and downs and thorns. He is destined to get hurt and fall. But no matter how many times he falls, I will help him up and get back on the right path. Kakashi, this is the real youth!"
Kakashi rolled his eyes, turned around speechlessly, and said, "Then I wish you success!"
"Oh, don't worry, Kakashi. Yato will definitely become a better ninja than me." Guy was greatly encouraged, and the fire in his heart was completely ignited and could not be stopped.
"Yato!" Suddenly, he stepped on the edge of the window and roared towards the playground. "Is this the extent of your youth? Use the Konoha Whirlwind I taught you to knock him down!"
Plop!
Kakashi staggered and almost turned around to shove Chidori up Guy's ass.
****
"That's it!"
When Naruto was beaten by Yato for the tenth time, Iruka finally stopped him. Looking at Naruto with a bruised face, he felt mixed emotions.
"Stop it! Now, line up and make the seal of reconciliation!" Iruka let go of the two and stood between them, ordering them to follow through.
Yato slowly extended his right hand, his expression unchanged. Meanwhile, Naruto, even though beaten countless times and with a swollen left eye and bleeding nose, still stared at Yato stubbornly.
Even now, he wasn't convinced and wanted to beat Yato's annoying, cold face. He not only thought so but also acted on it. However, Yato reacted much faster, hitting Naruto in the face and knocking him away again.
The current Naruto was too weak for him to use his full strength. His talent was hindered by the Nine-Tails within him, making it difficult to succeed in any ninjutsu he learned. Without proper guidance, he was no match for Yato.
"Naruto..." Iruka didn't expect Naruto to be so persistent or Yato to be so cruel. Seeing Naruto knocked away again, covered in blood, Iruka hurried over to pick him up and take him to the infirmary.
Watching the scene, many children whispered among themselves, most of whom were warned by their parents to avoid Naruto and Yato. Some showed gloating expressions, while a few fell silent.
Unbothered by their stares, Yato ignored them and walked under a tree to rest.
***
At Ichiraku Ramen, Guy brought Yato for dinner. Despite its small size, Ichiraku Ramen was the most famous ramen restaurant in Konoha, known for its delicious ramen and thoughtful service.
"Sorry for the wait." Teuchi brought two bowls of hot ramen, handing the seafood ramen with extra ingredients to Yato. "This is your seafood ramen; please enjoy it!"
"Thank you, Manager Teuchi!" Guy spoke, thanking him on behalf of his rude disciple. Teuchi waved it off, not wanting to recall bad memories for Yato, but he noticed that he was less lively compared to Naruto.
"Teacher Iruka, I want two servings. No, I want three!" Naruto's voice interrupted as Iruka and Naruto walked in.
"Okay, just eat as much as you want today; there is no need to be polite to the teacher," Iruka said as they entered the store. Teuchi smiled, familiar with their usual orders. "Iruka and little Naruto, is it the same as usual today?"
"Yes, please, Manager Teuchi," Iruka replied, noticing Guy. "Is Guy-sensei also here to eat ramen?"
"Of course, I am very impressed by the cooking skills of Manager Teuchi." Guy replied. Seeing Naruto, he added, "Oh? Aren't you the kid who fought with Yato this afternoon? I'm sorry; my disciple didn't control his strength. Are you feeling better?"
"I didn't lose to him!" Naruto glared at Yato, then climbed onto the seat. Despite his anger, he kept glancing at Yato, muttering, "What's so great about him? He's just an idiot!"
Guy grinned, seeing the rivalry between them as a reflection of his own with Kakashi. "As an apology for this afternoon, I'll pay for your dinner tonight!" he announced.
Iruka tried to refuse, "How can you, Guy-sensei? Let you do it."
"It's okay, just a few bowls of ramen. Naruto, eat without worry; don't be polite. Yato, you too. You must eat more after exercise to replenish your strength. Oh, have you finished a bowl already? You are truly my disciple!"
"Humph, what's so great about that? I won't lose to you in eating!" Naruto challenged and ordered, "Manager Ichiraku, I'll eat all the ramen in your store today!"
"Here it is, extra-large miso ramen!" Teuchi brought out an enormous bowl. Naruto's eyes widened, but he vowed to win even if he had to vomit.
"Sure enough, only constant competition can create the brilliant sparks of youth. Iruka, we can't admit defeat. Manager Teuchi, give us two more extra-large ramen!"
"No, one bowl is enough for me!" Iruka protested.
"What? You want another bowl? You are worthy of it, Iruka. Manager Teuchi, give us four extra-large ramen; we won't leave until we finish it."
Damn, I didn't say I wanted another bowl! Iruka was extremely depressed, realizing Guy was truly Konoha's beast, incapable of understanding human language!
****
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