The entrance exam had ended by morning.
Excited chatter filled the air as successful candidates were reunited with proud parents, their eyes brimming with relief and joy.
For those who didn't pass, there was still hope — a chance to take the makeup exam next month.
But for kids like Might Guy, who didn't make the cut this time, there was no time to rest. They had to push harder, train harder — or risk being left behind until next year.
…
Kurenai Yuhi had never known her mother, who passed away giving birth to her. Raised by her father, Yuhi Shinku — a seasoned elite Jōnin often away on missions — she learned to be strong in silence.
But today was different. Her father had returned, and she'd passed the entrance exam. It was a rare day of double happiness.
The two spent a quiet afternoon walking through the familiar streets of Konoha, sharing rare moments of peace.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees, Shinku led her beyond the village's walls.
"Dad? Why are we going this far out?" Kurenai asked, narrowing her eyes.
"You'll see," Shinku replied with a mysterious smile, nodding toward the forest trail ahead.
A few minutes passed.
Then — rustling footsteps.
Two small figures appeared from the forest path: one in black, the other in green. Both about Kurenai's height. She blinked in recognition.
Guts and Might Guy — the two boys from this morning's exam.
The pair ran past them at full sprint, sweat flying from their brows. Kurenai could hear them muttering between gasps:
"456…456…456…"
Her jaw dropped.
"Are they… still running from this morning!?"
They vanished into the distance. And then, moments later, looped back again, still counting.
"457…457…457…"
Kurenai stared, stunned.
"They're running laps… this whole time?!"
She recalled Guts' words from earlier that day. Something about running 500 laps.
No way... He was serious?
Most kids from civilian families couldn't last more than a few rounds around the training field. These two — just five years old — had been running for hours.
What are they? Monsters?
They came around again. But this time, Might Guy's legs buckled.
He collapsed into the grass, panting hard.
"S-sorry… Guts… I-I can't… go on…"
He clutched his stomach, looking like he was about to throw up. Guts didn't slow down, but glanced back.
"Not bad," he muttered, surprised Might Guy had lasted this long.
Thanks to the system's modifications, Guts' body had been reshaped — modeled after the childhood physique of Monkey D. Garp.
Compared to the average kid in the Naruto world, it was almost unfair.
After all, the average physical standards in the world of One Piece far exceed those in Naruto.
And considering Garp hails from the hyper-resilient Monkey D. bloodline, it's only natural his childhood body would be on a whole different level.
He kept running, focused.
The system required daily training equal to Garp's childhood to earn any special rewards. Missing a day meant missing a chance to grow stronger.
"I've gotta finish," he called back. "Rest up — you did good."
Might Guy struggled to get back on his feet. "W-wait! I'll… I'll come with you!"
But the moment he tried to stand, his legs gave out again.
Yuhi Shinku knelt beside him and placed a hand on his back. His tone was serious.
"You move again, and you'll strain your muscles so badly you won't walk straight for a week. Push too far, and the damage might never heal."
"Seriously?!" Might Guy's eyes widened in alarm. He collapsed flat, not daring to move.
Kurenai stepped forward, still reeling. "Are you two even human? Who trains like that?"
"Not me!" Might Guy replied defensively. "I usually stop at 100 laps. But then I met Guts… and he was already at 200."
He spoke with admiration — and a little envy.
Yuhi Shinku's brows furrowed. "Wait. How long have you known each other?"
"Since last year."
Kurenai nearly choked.
Last year? They would've been four!
As if on cue, Guts rounded the bend again, flying past them.
"458…458…458…"
He's speeding up!?
Kurenai felt a chill. "Did he… slow down earlier just to conserve energy? And now he's sprinting?"
Even Shinku looked shaken.
This kid… what kind of body was this?
Time slipped away.
By the time Guts stopped, the full moon hung high in the night sky. He stumbled to the grass, drenched in sweat, chest heaving.
Kurenai stared at him as if he'd sprouted a second head.
The system echoed softly in Guts' ears:
[Daily Training Achievement: Template – Monkey D. Garp. Completion Rate: 7.71%]
Yuhi Shinku walked over and calmly reached for Guts' wrist. "Let me check your pulse—"
"Hey! What're you doing, old man!?" Guts yanked his hand back, scowling. "I'm not into that!"
Kurenai and Shinku both froze.
"…I was just going to check your physical state," Shinku said, resisting the urge to smack the kid upside the head.
Guts gave a sheepish grin. "Well, in that case, sure. But I want a reward."
Shinku raised an eyebrow. "What kind of reward?"
"Buy me dinner."
Shinku blinked — then laughed.
"That's it? Pick any place in the village. My treat."
Of all the outrageous requests, this one's easy, he thought. But somehow, I feel like I just walked into a trap…
Behind him, Might Guy lay sprawled out, casting a look of sympathy toward the elite Jōnin.
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