Gai, looking disappointed, stashed the green spandex suit somewhere—Ayato was now convinced Gai knew space-time ninjutsu!
"Let's see how fiercely your youthful spirit burns!" Gai declared, striking a combat stance.
Ayato knew the test was coming. Jonin teachers tailored their training to their students' needs.
The Leaf Village had plenty of enthusiastic teachers, but getting their guidance usually meant a spar to reveal your weaknesses.
Ayato didn't expect Gai to coach him as closely as he did Lee, Neji, or Tenten. A few pointers to guide his own training would be enough.
Taijutsu had no shortcuts—just long, hard work.
Before Ayato could respond, Lee jumped down from the pull-up bar and stepped in front of him.
"Let me spar with the new guy to explore our youth!" Lee's fiery enthusiasm made Ayato feel like they were about to do something bizarre.
Though Lee had little role in the mission and hadn't spoken to Ayato all morning, he already saw him as part of the group. That was the logic of a hot-blooded fool.
Gai nodded at Lee's eagerness. Neji and Tenten, still on the pull-up bars, watched the impending fight.
Neji wanted to see what this bold, troublemaking rookie who begged for training was capable of—whether he'd truly drag them down.
Tenten was simply curious about Ayato's skills. If he was too weak, she'd consider helping him improve.
The two moved to a nearby clearing, and Lee took a stance.
"Ready?"
Ayato nodded, standing straight. He hadn't learned proper fighting techniques.
"No trace of training. He's probably weak," Neji concluded.
"He'll need basic training. So annoying. But as someone aiming to be like Lady Tsunade, helping a struggling genin is my duty, right?" Tenten thought, already planning Ayato's training regimen.
With a shout, Lee charged. "Leaf Whirlwind!"
Whirlwind Kick. So predictable, Ayato thought.
He raised his left arm. The Leaf Whirlwind's windup was long—anyone with decent reflexes could block before the kick landed.
Most injuries from the move came not from catching foes off-guard but from overpowering their defenses, knocking arms and all aside.
As Lee's leg connected, Ayato prepared to grab it with his left hand and counter with a right punch to the stomach.
But in an instant, Lee's leg slipped from Ayato's grasp. He missed, and his punch hit air.
Lee crouched in front of him, one hand on the ground.
The next moment, Lee launched an upward kick to Ayato's stomach—a move Ayato hadn't anticipated. It sent him slightly airborne.
No real damage—Lee hadn't gone full force—but the blow made Ayato realize the gap in combat experience.
Opponents' moves are always unpredictable. I've got a lot to work on. His past fights relied on raw physical strength, not skill or strategy.
He could handle the current Sasuke, but after Kakashi's training, Sasuke might outmatch him.
His chakra control was terrible!
"I slacked too much at the academy. More real combat would've helped," Ayato thought.
As he steadied himself, Lee held back, checking his condition. That kick wasn't something an average genin could shrug off, even at partial strength.
"How's that?" Lee asked.
"Not bad. Let's keep going," Ayato said with a grin.
Training taijutsu with a taijutsu specialist was the way to improve fast.
Lee kept attacking, and Ayato grew in the fight. He shifted from trying to grab Lee for a counter to anticipating Lee's moves, striking first to interrupt.
Lee got more excited, using more strength, until he was going all out but still couldn't overpower Ayato.
He landed hits, but Ayato took them without injury, guarding his vitals well. Lee's attacks felt like scratches.
Ayato's own attacks couldn't hit Lee, but the fight looked even.
Neji's gaze grew serious. He hadn't expected Ayato's potential. With no formal training, his physicality and reflexes outshone Lee's, letting him keep up.
Tenten was surprised too. Besides Neji, she'd never seen anyone match Lee like this.
Gai's expression turned focused. Ayato's growth in mere minutes was remarkable—he was even counterattacking now.
Finally, Ayato seized an opening, landing a punch on Lee's arm.
Lee couldn't dodge and blocked instead.
The punch sent Lee skidding back two meters. All four onlookers froze.
Lee sprang up, grinning, flashing a thumbs-up and sparkling teeth. "I didn't expect you to be this strong!"
Neji and Tenten stopped their pull-ups, stunned. Ayato beating Lee? Impossible.
How did someone like this not have a team?
Neji couldn't resist activating his Byakugan to analyze Ayato.
"What!" Neji gasped after one look.
"What's wrong?" Tenten asked, noticing his Byakugan.
"His chakra—it's more than a jonin's!" Neji said, swallowing hard.
"What!" Tenten exclaimed.
Such a strong guy proposing to me? He must be serious! Tenten thought.
The spar ended, and Gai approached Ayato.
"Your strength is solid, but you're not using it right."
Ayato nodded—he came to learn exactly that.
"You need to work on combat experience and chakra control. It's not hard to improve—just fight more."
"Missions or sparring with friends will help, but missions, even against beasts, push you to grow in life-or-death moments."
Ayato nodded, realizing he hadn't considered that.
"Can I come here every afternoon to train with you guys?" Ayato asked Gai.
"Of course!" Lee chimed in. Neji and Tenten stayed silent, looking to Gai for the final say.
"When we're not on missions, sure. Sparring will boost our team's strength, and you're strong enough to motivate them. Helping the village's youth is our duty."
"Thanks!" Ayato bowed to Gai.