Konoha Hospital. Might Duy was wrapped up like a mummy, with only his eyes and mouth able to move. His two most severely injured arms were encased in thick plaster casts. Given such injuries, he should have been long dead.
However, much to the doctors' surprise, Might Duy had managed to cling to life and return to Konoha. His vitality was as tenacious as a cockroach's, truly astonishing.
*Thump, thump!*
Nobi Kuma entered, seeing that Might Duy was awake. He exclaimed in surprise, "Duy! You're awake? Thank goodness! I thought you were dead back then!"
Great.
Another person wishing him dead!
Might Duy was speechless. If he weren't immobilized, he would have shown Nobi Kuma what his passionate youth was all about!
As for that brat Kai... once I'm better, I'm going to subject him to my devilish training!
Might Kai, who was peeling an apple nearby, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. His hand, holding the small knife, trembled. With a "poof," the knife plunged into Might Duy's cast-covered arm, the blade disappearing completely. Yet, Might Duy seemed unfazed.
Oh no!
Might Kai quickly pulled the knife out, but in his haste, he forgot about the apple in his hand. It fell to the ground with a "thud."
Damn it! This was the apple I painstakingly peeled for my father! What rotten luck!
Might Kai hastily tossed the knife aside and picked up the apple with both hands. He wiped it with his sleeve, but it was no use! It was still dirty!
*Poof*
The small knife again penetrated Might Duy's cast. One had to admit, this knife was really well-made. Could it be that Might Kai had secretly infused it with some chakra!
"Kai, what was that sound? Aren't you going to greet your Uncle Nobi!"
Might Duy, lying flat on the bed, couldn't see what Kai was doing. He only heard two sounds, like kunai piercing something. But he didn't think much of it. No one would possibly stab a patient with a kunai, right!
That would be utterly insane!
"Ah! Yes!"
Might Kai stealthily pulled the small knife that had been stuck in his father's cast out. He wiped the sweat from his brow, blaming himself for being so careless!
What if he had damaged his father! That would be life-threatening!
I need to be more careful in the future.
Nobi Kuma, who had witnessed the entire scene, stood awkwardly. He didn't know what to say.
If he said Might Kai was careless, he had stabbed his father, Might Duy, twice.
If he said Might Kai did it on purpose, it didn't seem like it. He was peeling an apple for his father, a perfect scene of filial piety!
All he could say was, this father and son pair were both quite thick-skinned! Couldn't afford to offend them!
"Uncle Nobi, thank you for saving my father! I'm truly grateful!"
Might Kai bowed to Nobi Kuma. He was indeed very thankful. Thinking about this...
Sigh, if there's an opportunity, I should go visit Uncle Nobi's niece!
I wonder if she can fight, and how many punches she can take?!
Nobi Kuma was completely unaware of Might Kai's thoughts. He smiled and said, "Not at all. Compared to your father, I'm far behind. He managed to defeat the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist! That strength is simply incredible!"
Even now, Nobi Kuma couldn't believe that Might Duy, the perpetually genin, could fight seven people and defeat five!
After all, they weren't ordinary genin. They were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, each possessing the strength of a jonin, or even an elite jonin.
And Might Duy managed to kill five and drive off two. This kind of strength was likely possessed by few in Konoha.
If he hadn't personally turned in the remaining five ninja swords, Nobi Kuma would never have believed that this somewhat naive middle-aged man possessed such power!
"Hahaha, at the time, I was prepared to die. I thought as long as Kai could retreat safely, I wouldn't mind losing this life!"
Might Duy's eyes suddenly darted around. He said to Nobi Kuma, "Kuma, do you want to know how I managed to defeat the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
"Huh? Duy, you mean..." Nobi Kuma was somewhat surprised. Might Duy would even tell me this?
He felt a little overwhelmed.
"Isn't that... not so good..."
"What's not good about it! We should share blessings! I, Might Duy, am not someone who hoards benefits for myself!"
"Cough, cough... Duy, I believe you are not that kind of person."
Nobi Kuma awkwardly scratched his head. He really didn't want to go to the outhouse to relieve himself!
"So, what do you say! Join us! I can pass on my Youth Training Manual to you!"
Might Duy's eyes gleamed with excitement as he looked at Nobi Kuma. If he weren't bound by casts and bandages, he would probably be leaning all over Nobi Kuma.
"Youth Training Manual? Is this the secret to your power, Duy?!"
Nobi Kuma became excited. Youth Training Manual, the name itself was filled with youthful passion!
It must be at least an S-rank ninjutsu! I can't miss this!
"Of course! This book contains my thirty-plus years of interpretation and understanding of youth!"
"Alright! I'll join!"
"Kuma! From now on, you're one of us. Remember to put on our exclusive attire!"
"We have exclusive attire too?"
Nobi Kuma's eyes flickered towards Might Kai's green spandex suit, and his eyelids twitched violently.
Oh no... I'm not going to have to wear this kind of green spandex too, am I?!
"Of course! Kai, take your Uncle Nobi to get a youthful, sunny hairstyle! Then, we'll be the most dazzling trio in Konoha!"
Might Duy was pumped, as if he could see the glorious moment of the green-clad, bowl-cut trio dominating Konoha!
"What the heck, they're not even going to leave my hair alone?"
Nobi Kuma regretted his decision. Why did he agree so quickly!
Why didn't I ask about the entry requirements before agreeing! It wouldn't have been too late then!
Can I still back out now...
"Kai! Did you hear that? Hurry and take your Uncle Nobi to handle the paperwork, the sooner the better!"
"Also, until I'm recovered, you'll lead your Uncle Nobi in the daily warm-up exercises."
"Y-yes, Father."
Might Kai was a little puzzled. He didn't remember having a 'Youth Training Manual' at home. Could this be an even more ultimate taijutsu than the Eight Gates that his father taught him!
It seems I need to master the Eight Gates as soon as possible, and then have my father teach me even more formidable taijutsu!
"Let's go, Uncle Nobi! Let's cheer for youth together! Let's burn our youth!"
"Sigh..."
Nobi Kuma wore an expression of deep regret. He knew his good days were numbered from today onwards.
However... if I can truly learn high-level ninjutsu and increase my strength, then this spandex and bowl cut... might not be entirely unacceptable!
Here goes! Fight on, Nobi Kuma!
You will become the most radiant man in Konoha!
Youth Training Manual, I, Nobi Kuma, am determined to master you completely!