Naruto: Starting with Creating a Genius Persona

On the sidelines, the referee announced loudly that Shinichi Higashino had automatically advanced due to Kosuke Maruhoshi's forfeit.

Immediately afterwards, the match-up list for the next game was announced:

Matt Dai VS Sunagakure genin and Sunamaru!

The intention behind this arrangement is quite clear—it's yet another war of attrition.

Even if Might Guy wins, the next match will inevitably be an internal Konoha showdown.

Regardless of whether Shinichi or Might Guy advances, it means that Konoha's participants will experience unnecessary internal friction and physical exhaustion before the finals.

Game start.

Sunamaru is a typical Sand Village tactical ninja who excels at using Wind Release ninjutsu to control opponents at mid-range, combined with precise ninja tool throws to block their movement.

His strategy was clear: never let this Konoha ninja, who seemed to only know taijutsu, get close.

Matt Day's offensive was direct and pure; he had no ranged attacks, but simply charged forward at an astonishing speed, trying to close the distance.

Each step he took left a shallow mark on the hard rocky ground. Sunamaru's Wind Release: Great Breakthrough and continuous shuriken were all narrowly dodged by him with simple yet efficient movements, or directly knocked away by his fists and feet wrapped in chakra.

The situation reached a stalemate for a moment.

Sunamaru was unable to effectively injure his opponent with ninjutsu and ninja tools, and Might Guy also struggled to break through the dense mid-range firepower network to truly reach his opponent.

"Leaf Whirlwind!"

Unable to break through after a prolonged attack, Might Guy let out a loud shout, his body suddenly spinning around, and with a powerful sweeping kick, he forced back Sunamaru, who was trying to sneak up on him, and also used the force to retreat a few steps.

He was slightly out of breath, and his eyes narrowed as he looked at his opponent who was starting to form hand seals again.

"This can't go on... Should we use that? But if it's just the first one..."

The image of Kai's face filled with anticipation and excitement when he learned that he was going to participate in the Chunin Exams flashed clearly through my mind at this moment.

"...At least, we can't stop here! We can't let Kai down!"

He took a deep breath, and it felt as if some kind of restriction within him was quietly broken free.

Open the door, close the door—open!

boom!

A powerful surge of chakra arose, forming a powerful, invisible wave of energy that suddenly spread outwards from Might Guy's center!

His skin flushed slightly, a faint warmth rose from his body, and his aura suddenly surged.

"Youth, it's time to bloom!"

Before he finished speaking, his figure had already disappeared from the spot.

So fast!

Sunamaru's pupils contracted sharply, and his hand seals froze in mid-air. A fist wreathed in blue chakra filled the entire field of vision.

Using the explosive power and speed gained after opening the two doors, he concentrated all his strength into this one strike.

boom!

The fist landed solidly on Sunamaru's crossed arms as he parried.

The terrifying force shattered his defensive stance, and the remaining force sent him flying backward in an arc before crashing heavily to the edge of the arena. He struggled for a moment, but ultimately couldn't get up.

The entire arena fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a cacophony of discussion. The speed and power unleashed in that instant had exceeded many people's understanding of physical techniques.

On the high platform, the Third Kazekage's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He turned to the Third Hokage beside him: "Hokage, the genin from your village just used... it doesn't seem to be ordinary taijutsu. Was that sudden burst of chakra and speed some kind of special secret technique?"

The Third Hokage took a drag of his cigarette, a perfectly timed, slightly puzzled, and amiable smile appearing on his face: "Well... Lord Kazekage has stumped this old man. Perhaps he figured it out himself, some kind of way to unleash potential? Young people always have some unexpected ideas."

He skillfully avoided giving a substantive answer and pushed the question back to him.

The Third Kazekage's eyes narrowed slightly. Knowing he wouldn't get any information, he remained silent and turned his gaze back to the arena.

The weight that had been lifted from my heart by Maruboshi Kosuke's withdrawal from the competition seemed to lift slightly again.

This Konoha ninja who only knows taijutsu seems to be more than he appears.

Off the court, Might Guy walked back to the dugout and took the water and towel Shinichi handed him. He silently wiped his face, hesitated for a moment, and then tentatively spoke up: "Shinichi, how about... I forfeit the next match like Kosuke-senpai? That way you can be in top form to face your final opponent..."

"Withdraw? Kosuke-senpai has his reasons, but you..." Shinichi interrupted him: "Dai-senpai, don't you always say that there's no such thing as giving up in youth?"

You're supposed to abstain? No way!

If you abandon it, what am I supposed to upgrade?

He specifically invited Might Guy, not only because he valued the Eight Gates Formation, which could turn the tide of battle at crucial moments, as a guarantee of safety.

Another important reason is the anticipation of the possibility that the two might meet in the final.

He planned to confront this man, who had taken his belief in physical combat to the extreme, entirely through his physical skills at that time.

The people of Konoha have become so accustomed to his genius that their threshold for success is too high.

But the viewers of Sunagakure are not immune to this.

On the highly anticipated final stage, a showdown of pure power and skill is undoubtedly the perfect opportunity to break through the halo and allow the world to rediscover his physical prowess.

This is crucial for his advancement in the [Physical Skills Fundamentals] and even the [Innate Super Strength] attributes.

"But..." Might Guy scratched his head, looking somewhat hesitant.

"Rankings aren't everything," Zhenyi said earnestly, looking at him. "As long as you fully demonstrate your strength, willpower, and character during the competition, the judges will naturally give a fair evaluation. Fighting with all your might is the best proof of your promotion to Chunin."

"Well said!"

Teacher Chen, arms crossed, walked over, his gaze sweeping over the two behind his round sunglasses. His voice boomed, "The way of taijutsu is all about relentless advance! Thinking of retreating and calculating gains and losses before even fighting—Dai, your fist hesitated, and your spirit faltered. Since Shinichi has this awareness and confidence, you should respond with all your passion! Let the people of Sunagakure, and everyone else, see what a courageous, diligent, and fearless heart our Konoha taijutsu ninjas possess!"

Teacher Chen's words were like a shot of adrenaline, instantly replacing the hesitation in Might Guy's eyes with a familiar gleam of hope. He clenched his fist and nodded firmly: "I understand! Teacher Chen, Shinichi! Then let's... let our youth shine in the upcoming battle!"

"Senior Might Guy, please use the same move that defeated your opponent in our battle. Don't hold back." Shinichi looked at Might Guy and spoke clearly again.

He had his own considerations.

Might Guy's normal strength is probably just barely enough to reach the threshold of Chunin.

Shinichi assessed his own strength as being at least at the level of a Special Jonin.

There is a significant gap in basic strength between the two.

If Might Guy hadn't used the Eight Gates, Shinichi could have won easily.

But this is contrary to his vision of a "shocking showdown" that would shake the audience's perception and redefine his physical skills.

He needs Matt Day to demonstrate that extraordinary power.

Of course, opening a few doors is enough; who knows if the audience can actually see them?

Upon hearing this, Might Guy's face showed hesitation again, but looking into Shinichi's calm yet unusually firm eyes, and recalling the other's previous encouragement and trust, he hesitated only for a moment before nodding forcefully and squeezing out a single word through gritted teeth:

"good!"

He agreed not only to meet Shinichi's expectations, but perhaps also to prove to himself and everyone else just how dazzling the path of physical martial arts he had persisted in could be.