Instead of getting angry, Seiki nodded in agreement. "You're right. I am too weak. If it hadn't been for me, that night wouldn't have ended up with..."
Earlier, he had claimed to become the greatest Medical Ninja ever as part of his effort to be accepted as Tsunade's apprentice. While this boosted his chances during the apprenticeship process (the traditional mentor-disciple relationship in martial arts and ninja culture), it also naturally restricted his legitimacy in learning other jutsu.
Studying Genjutsu could be justified as improving patient treatment; learning Monstrous Strength could be framed as following the teacher's guidance.
But how about learning [Eight Gates]?
Although few would think this deeply, once he reached a high position in the future, every action he had taken and every decision made would be scrutinized under a magnifying glass.
While these things wouldn't necessarily have much impact, for perfectionist Seiki, any flaw was extremely irritating.
"That's why I must prepare logically self-consistent reasons in advance!" Seiki sighed inwardly, looking brightly at the tool before him.
Guy didn't catch the last part of Seiki's mumbling something cryptic, but he didn't care anyway. He simply spoke excitedly, "Senior Seiki, let's sweat together in our youth! As long as you train with me, I guarantee no one will ever hit you again!"
A strange feeling rose in Seiki's heart. He felt an odd sensation—this was the first time the master manipulator had been played.
And by such a bizarre rationale, no less.
Still, looking behind Might Guy, Seiki's expression turned odd. "You're working so hard at this rehabilitation exercise—surely it's just to get discharged early and avoid being cornered at the hospital by your classmates?"
"Sure enough, Senior! You're as smart as me!" Might Guy gave Seiki a thumbs-up, flashing an especially bright smile.
"By the way, Senior, what are we going to compete in?"
Seiki gave him a pitying glance, speaking gravely, "Competitions can wait until you've rested properly."
"No problem! I've already rested enough!" Might Guy grinned.
"That's not what I meant. I mean, wait until *after* you've gotten your ass kicked."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Just then, a sinister laugh cut through the air from behind Guy.
"To keep us from quitting the club, he pasted our information all over the school!"
"And tricked us into cutting such stupid hairstyles, making us laughed at!"
"Because of him, I've lost my dating rights on campus!"
"Wait, with your appearance affecting the village's aesthetics, didn't you basically never have dating rights to begin with?"
"I don't care! Brothers, beat him up!"
Realizing something bad was about to happen, Might Guy immediately prepared to escape.
The others were ready too, instantly piling onto Might Guy in a group tackle.
Then, someone's pleasurably pained cries echoed through the hospital.
Seiki didn't go to stop them. As a medical ninja, he could clearly tell that Might Guy's classmates weren't really hitting him—they were only playfully pinching and rubbing his face.
About twenty minutes had passed when Might Guy finally stood before Seiki with a swollen face, mumbling, "Senior Seiki, I'm ready!"
Seeing the pig-like figure in front of him, Seiki tried to suppress a smile and formed hand seals toward Guy.
Might Guy let out a groan during the Healing Technique—an involuntary sound that might be easily misunderstood—then yelled energetically, "Senior Seiki, I'm all healed! Let's start the competition quickly!"
Seiki smiled and said, "Let's make it a race!"
Guy immediately perked up and eagerly asked, "Senior Seiki, are we racing who can run twenty laps around Konoha first?"
Seiki frowned slightly and coughed. "Right now, both of us are still patients. Excessive exercise isn't advisable. How about just one lap around the playground?"
"Just one lap?" Guy scratched his head, clearly disappointed, but soon rallied himself and shouted, "Senior Seiki, I definitely won't lose to you!"
"Then, here we go! Three, two, one, go!"
As soon as he spoke, Might Guy darted forward like he was trying to break free of life itself, his facial features distorted by the wind.
"What speed! Truly terrifying!" Seiki marveled inwardly, his gaze sharpening. "Looks like I have to take this seriously too!"
Although he never truly intended to win, losing too disgracefully wouldn't be good either.
On the playground, two gusts of wind tore through violently, startling the slowly strolling patients, making them shiver involuntarily.
The pair sprinted side by side—sometimes Seiki led, sometimes Might Guy took the front, taking turns leading the race.
"Should I 'collapse from exhaustion' right now?" As Seiki hesitated, suddenly noticing that his companion had erupted into an entirely different kind of aura.
"Dad once told me, no matter how much of a genius someone is, they can still be defeated by ordinary people through effort! Hard work always pays off!" With memories flashing through his mind—his father, their daily training, others looking down on them with scorn—tremendous power burst forth within Guy. At the final quarter of the course, he completely overtook Seiki.
With one final burst of strength, he dashed across the finish line!
"I… I won!" Exhausted, Guy fell straight to his knees, his lungs burning as if they were on fire, barely able to speak.
"That's right. You won," Seiki chuckled, laughing without caring about his own posture as he sat down. "Never thought my first defeat since entering the academy would come at your hands!"
"So, as your forfeit for losing the race...let me give you weekly checkups and treatments from now on!"
Guy froze, staring blankly at Seiki.
Smiling gently, Seiki's voice seemed to carry a warmth that soothed others' hearts. "Your training methods are too extreme. They leave hidden injuries in your body. Normally, these don't show symptoms, but once they erupt fully, they could completely destroy your body!"
At this, tears of gratitude from Guy began flowing freely.
Though simple-minded at times, Guy wasn't foolish. He naturally understood that this must've been an intentionally arranged match proposed by Seiki, giving him a way to accept treatment while preserving his dignity.
To think about my feelings, Senior Seiki is even willing to harm his own reputation!
"Don't get the wrong idea, I didn't intentionally lose to you, Might Guy. Your perseverance truly deserves admiration!"
"Whoa! Dad was totally right! I can already feel the fire of youth burning bright! Senior Seiki, I won't let you down—I promise!"
Seiki smiled gently. As a medical ninja, with good models to follow, he could rapidly absorb others' expertise.
After all, he was destined to spend no excessive time on Eight Gates. The best way to keep improving was to find training partners and gain experience just by hanging around them.
One could say that after Might Guy mastered Eight Gates, the data gained from him through checkups and treatments would be his biggest harvest.
[Medical Ninjutsu], [Genjutsu], [Taijutsu], [Space-Time Ninjutsu], [Sage Art]... Now I finally somewhat understand Orochimaru's feeling. This world has too many wonderful jutsus waiting for me to learn. Time is really too short—far too short!
"But fortunately, I have many excellent training partners!"
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