It was a youth with thick eyebrows, wearing a black vest, and with an otherwise 'unremarkable' appearance. If his eyebrows were a bit more normal, he would probably disappear into a crowd.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop! I saw your training earlier, and it was really amazing!" The exposed Rock Lee scratched his head sheepishly, then spoke with a face full of excitement.
Naruto noticed that Rock Lee's hands were wrapped in bandages, he walked with a slight limp, and there were even small cuts on his face, as if from a sharp object. The black vest Lee wore was somewhat faded from washing, his ninja shoes were a bit worn, and calluses were visible on his exposed toes. It wasn't hard to see that this was likely a commoner, desperate to become a ninja and change his fate.
"Not at all, it's just routine training. If you want to change your destiny, you have to put in the effort," Naruto said, offering a gentle smile and a friendly nod to Rock Lee.
"That's right! Only through hard work can one become an outstanding ninja!" Rock Lee empathized deeply, nodding vigorously.
"I believe so too."
With this initial common ground, the two began to chat.
Through their conversation, Naruto learned about Rock Lee's background. He came from an ordinary family and would be eligible to enter the Ninja Academy next year to become a ninja. Rock Lee yearned to be an excellent ninja, so he had always been doing some rough training on his own. However, most of his training was haphazard, leaving his body with many hidden injuries.
Rock Lee's background seemed far too ordinary to Naruto, but his desire to become stronger and his diligent efforts were quite satisfactory.
"Lee-kun, you're the hardest working person I've ever met," Naruto began with praise, then shifted his tone. "However, do you know that the direction and method of your efforts are even more important?"
"Direction and method? Naruto, what do you mean…?"
"If you find the right direction, your training can be twice as effective with half the effort. You're at an age where you're still developing, but I see you're covered in injuries. Clearly, you haven't been protecting yourself well during your daily training. Moreover, excessive training will also deplete your body's potential."
"Naruto, you're right! My arms often ache so much I can't sleep," Rock Lee said, completely convinced. Lee, who understood nothing about proper training, would just swing his fists, learning taijutsu through trial and error. As for ninjutsu, that was out of the question; his family had no opportunity to expose him to chakra prematurely.
Through their in-depth discussion about training, Rock Lee was further captivated by Naruto's demeanor and elegance. Naruto unreservedly shared every detail of training, from strength conditioning to stamina building. Many aspects that had previously been a complete mystery to Lee suddenly became crystal clear. He also understood what constituted a scientific training method.
"No one achieves success overnight. This world has no shortage of talent; without the accumulation of time and effort, talent is merely wasted. But if you choose the wrong direction for your efforts, it can be counterproductive." Finally, Naruto recited the maxim someone had taught him just the day before, adding a small modification at the end.
"Thank you, Naruto!" Rock Lee was deeply moved. For the longest time, his thick eyebrows and seemingly foolish training methods had been a target of ridicule for the village children. Every time he went out, he would be pelted with stones. He too had doubted himself, but in the end, he had gritted his teeth and persevered. Naruto was the first person to so earnestly share his training methods. Even if they weren't absolutely perfect, he felt the sincerity.
Rock Lee bowed deeply to Naruto, his eyes sparkling with fervent enthusiasm. "Please, let me train alongside you!"
"I would be delighted." Naruto smiled. The strong are destined to be lonely, but on the path to becoming strong, one needs many subordinates.
On the training ground, Naruto quietly watched Rock Lee run endless laps. Under the blazing sun, Lee was drenched in sweat, his face etched with exhaustion, his lips dry, and his chest heaving like a broken bellows. Yet, even so, his eyes remained resolute, and his pace never faltered.
Naruto's gaze was calm. He lowered his head, carefully assessing Rock Lee in his mind. Plain looks, passionate and simple personality, seems easy to deceive. Talent unknown, but definitely a hardworking genius.
"Naruto, I've finished!" Rock Lee's voice suddenly sounded beside him.
Naruto looked up to see a gasping Rock Lee collapsing opposite him, utterly spent. He immediately beamed a gentle smile. "Well done. That's enough for today. Rest well; your body needs it."
"Let me treat you to Ichiraku Ramen," Naruto said, patting Rock Lee's shoulder. Rock Lee, a guy whose dedication to hard work is almost terrifying.
On the way to Ichiraku Ramen, Rock Lee, walking with Naruto, also became the target of some vicious villagers' pointing and snide remarks.
"Look, that thick-browed kid is walking with the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox."
"How disgusting."
"Bad enough he's ugly, but he's brainless too."
Naruto was already accustomed to these malicious words, so he maintained his refined composure. Rock Lee, however, was hearing such comments for the first time. He remembered his parents also speaking about the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox – how it was an arch-villain, perverted in nature, and fond of eating children. But he simply couldn't equate the gentle and elegant Naruto with that Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.
He turned to look at Naruto. Faced with curses so vile they angered even him just by hearing them, Naruto merely offered a faint smile and, instead, apologized to him.
"I'm sorry, Lee-kun. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be cursed by them. How about we walk separately and meet up at Ichiraku Ramen?"
Rock Lee felt anger and incomprehension brewing within him. And even… empathy. Like Naruto, he was often the target of ridicule from bullies. The difference was, adult villagers also subjected Naruto to their scorn. In such circumstances, Naruto still maintained his grace and even considered Lee's feelings. How could such a person be the village-destroying, arch-criminal Nine-Tailed Demon Fox that people spoke of?
So, he stepped forward, eyes blazing, fist raised high as he roared, "Listen up, all of you! Naruto hasn't done anything wrong from the start! It's you people, you…"
Before he could finish, a rotten egg exploded on his face. He dazedly wiped away the slimy yolk.
Seeing this, Naruto stepped in front of Rock Lee and shouted, "You go on ahead!"
Naruto had originally thought that by changing his demeanor and his way of interacting with people, he could stop the villagers from venting their frustrations on him. And initially, it had seemed to work. But when Rock Lee stood up to voice his discontent, it ignited the deep-seated resentment within the villagers.
We all know Naruto hasn't done anything truly harmful since he was born. But he is the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. He should be cursed. He should die. You should be condemning him with us, not standing up like a hero.
And so, the villagers' anger extended to Rock Lee as well.
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