Training Hall
Kiba stood across from the Jonin, Might Guy, hardly believing his luck or misfortune at being matched against such a legendary opponent.
This time, Kiba chose not to wear his blindfold. He knew just how experienced Guy was, and underestimating him would be a mistake.
Guy settled into his stance, fingers waving playfully.
"Whenever you're ready!" he said, flashing his signature gleaming smile.
Kiba exhaled sharply and shifted into his boxing stance, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. In an instant, he shot forward using the Body Flicker Technique, his speed startling Guy.
'For a ten-year-old, this is impressive!'
Kiba closed the distance and threw a sharp right hook toward Guy's ribs. But the Jonin was faster, he casually placed a hand on Kiba's head, disrupting his balance and sending the punch wide. Before Kiba could recover, Guy launched a powerful kick straight at his head.
Anticipating the strike, Kiba raised his arm to block. The impact still sent him skidding back several meters. 'What kind of power is behind that kick?!' he thought, shaking off the numbness in his forearm.
He reset his stance, ready to continue. Guy wiggled his fingers again, taunting him to come closer.
'Should I try grappling?' Kiba considered, then dismissed the idea. 'No, that's too risky. Stick to what I know.'
But his hesitation cost him. Before he could act, Guy was already airborne, legs extended in a flying kick.
"Dynamic Entry!"
Kiba rolled aside just in time, narrowly avoiding the attack. Guy landed, eyebrows raised in surprise.
Guy observed Kiba closely, noting how the boy had managed to block his attack. 'His reflexes are sharp, how is he tracking my movements?'
Unbeknownst to them, the Hokage had arrived, watching silently from the stands.
Since this match was restricted to taijutsu, Kiba felt his fighting style was incomplete. He had always trained using a combination of ninjutsu and taijutsu, and relying solely on physical combat left him at a disadvantage.
'I need to fix this dependent style,' Kiba thought. 'This could get me killed one day.'
An idea struck him, and he raised his hand toward Might Guy. "Can I ask something?"
"Go ahead," Guy replied.
"I know this is a taijutsu test, but would it be possible to use the Transformation Jutsu? Just to make it fair for me," Kiba said, testing the waters.
From the audience stands, Hiruzen spoke up. "Let him, Guy."
The Hokage wanted to see what Kiba was capable of.
Kiba and Guy both turned toward the stands, spotting Hiruzen. After a brief pause, they nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Kiba said.
Hiruzen smiled, curious about Kiba's plan.
Guy took his stance, and in an instant, Kiba transformed into Satoru Gojo.
"Let's go," Gojo said.
They clashed again, but this time, Gojo adopted a hit-and-run strategy launching quick jabs before retreating several meters, then repeating the process. With his Seismic Sense active, he could time his movements perfectly.
Guy blocked or deflected each strike, attempting a counterkick, but Gojo was always just fast enough to evade.
This style of combat was unfamiliar to Guy, but he was impressed that a ten-year-old could devise such a tactic.
Still, Guy refused to let this continue unchecked. As he rushed forward, Gojo threw a hook aimed at his face.
Guy blocked, shifting his weight to the left before leaping into a spinning kick.
Gojo barely managed to block, the force sending him skidding back several meters. He shook out his stinging arm, feeling the sheer power behind Guy's strike.
Guy grinned, already identifying the flaw in Gojo's approach. His taijutsu fundamentals were solid, but his fighting style was too predictable.
Charging again, Guy minimized his footwork, reducing his contact with the ground.
Gojo sensed the shift immediately, his expression twisting into something resembling a defeated dog meme.
'It's only been a few minutes, and he's already found my weakness.'
Guy unleashed a rapid series of aerial kicks, leaving Gojo no choice but to defend. The moment Guy landed, he sprang back up, denying Kiba any chance to counter.
Trapped in a relentless defensive loop, Gojo realized he had no openings to strike. If he tried, he'd only leave himself vulnerable.
So he waited, biding his time.
Then he saw his chance, the instant Guy's feet touched the ground, Gojo unleashed a crushing uppercut to his chin. At the same time, Guy's kick slammed into Gojo's ribs.
The impact sent Gojo flying backward, a puff of smoke erupting as he reverted to his original form. Kiba hit the ground hard, clutching his ribs with a sharp hiss. He pushed through the pain, forcing himself up on unsteady feet. Across from him, Guy stood with an approving grin.
"You passed," Guy announced, rubbing the faint red mark on his chin. "You actually landed a hit."
The Hokage smiled from the stands before making his way down to the training field.
Kiba and Guy approached him, both offering respectful bows, though Kiba's was noticeably shallower, his ribs still protesting.
"Congratulations on passing," Hiruzen said, extending the forehead protector toward him. "Here is your headband."
Kiba accepted it and fastened it around his waist without hesitation.
"Hokage-sama," he began, hesitating only slightly, "may I make a request?"
Hiruzen studied him for a moment before nodding. "If it is within my power to grant."
"I'd like to join the Genin Corps."
The Hokage's eyebrows lifted. "Any particular reason?"
"I want to remain in the village," Kiba explained. "It would make studying medical ninjutsu easier."
"Ah, following in your sister's footsteps?"
Kiba nodded firmly. "Yes. I want to be like her."
Hiruzen stroked his chin thoughtfully before giving a slow nod. "Very well. I'll allow it."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Kiba dipped his head again before turning to Guy. "And thank you for the test. I should get going."
Guy responded with his signature thumbs-up, his usual exuberance softened into something more approving.
Hiruzen watched Kiba leave, a faint smile lingering on his face. Once the boy was out of earshot, he glanced at Guy.
"What's your assessment of him?"
"Tons of potential," Guy replied without hesitation. "He reminds me of Obito."
The Hokage's smile deepened. "High praise." With a final nod, he added, "Good work today, Guy," before vanishing in a flicker of movement.
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