Might Duy had always wanted to take on this special C-rank mission. No matter what anyone said, he refused to give up and kept arguing with the mission office's administrative ninja.
Even though the administrator had already eEXPlained how dangerous the mission was, Duy still wouldn't back down.
The mission administrator, though he rather looked down on this "Eternal Genin," didn't actually want to see a fellow villager throw his life away for nothing.
But Duy had been pestering him for so long that even his patience was wearing thin. Finally, he snapped:
"If you really insist on taking this mission, then find another ninja who's willing to team up with you. The reward will be split fifty-fifty. Even so, half the pay is still equivalent to a C-rank mission.
If you can't accept that, then forget it. Even if you complain to Lord Hokage, it won't change anything."
"Huh? Split the reward? Form a team?"
"Well… I suppose that's not impossible."
Duy scratched his head awkwardly, then quickly recovered. Half the pay is better than no pay at all!
He turned around, looked at the other ninjas in the office, grinned, and called out:
"Everyone! Does anyone want to form a team with me?"
"Heh, who'd team up with you, an Eternal Genin?"
"Wouldn't we just end up having to protect you instead?"
"Yeah, what use is a guy who only knows taijutsu anyway?"
The group broke into jeers and snickers. Clearly, none of them had any interest in teaming up with him.
The smile on Duy's face gradually froze, until it disappeared altogether.
He'd just been looked down on again.
The administrator gave Duy a glance and said coolly, "If you can't meet the team requirement, the mission can't be approved."
"I'll team up with you."
A calm voice came from the side.
Everyone turned toward the sound—and saw Leo standing at the edge of the crowd.
"Who's this brat?"
"Hey, kid, you think this is a playground?"
"Wait, look at his arm—his forehead protector! He's a ninja. That young?"
A wave of murmurs rippled through the hall, everyone wearing a different eEXPression.
Duy's eyes went wide as he stared at the boy in disbelief.
This kid looks familiar… Where have I seen him before?
"Please hand me your forehead protector for verification," the administrator said, focusing on Leo.
Without a word, Leo removed the protector and passed it over.
Aside from the Leaf insignia engraved on the metal plate, there was also a faint registration number etched at the end. Each ninja of Konoha was cataloged by this unique number.
The administrator pulled out the Leaf Ninja Registry and found the matching entry. He murmured as he read:
"Leo, ID number 1314520… Ninja Academy Tournament Champion…"
The moment those words left his lips, the entire room changed.
A prodigy!
The Ninja Academy Combat Tournament Champion—just that title alone carried enormous weight in Konoha.
After all, the academy was full of clan heirs and kekkei genkai users; winning that championship was harder than climbing to the heavens.
And this young boy before them had actually done it.
If he continued on this path, he would surely become one of Konoha's pillars in the future.
Duy's gaze filled with admiration. He himself had no ninjutsu talent and could only devote himself to taijutsu.
He couldn't help but sincerely envy someone born with such brilliance.
Youth is a wonderful thing. So is talent.
The administrator respectfully handed the forehead protector back to Leo and said,
"Since you've now formed a two-man team, you meet the requirements for this mission. Because of its special nature, it will need Hokage-sama's personal approval. Once that's done, you may proceed."
"How long will the approval take?" Leo asked. If it dragged on for a month, that would be awkward.
"This mission is classified as special. The request can go directly to Hokage-sama—half a day at most," the administrator replied.
"Alright."
Leo tied his protector back onto his arm and turned to leave under the curious gazes of the other ninjas.
Duy stood frozen for a few seconds before hurrying after him. "Thank you, Leo-kun!"
"How do you know my name?" Leo asked, glancing back. They hadn't really interacted before; he'd only teamed up with Duy on a whim.
Still, in all of Konoha, there were only a handful of people worthy of the title true ninja.
Right now, Sakumo Hatake—White Fang of the Leaf—was one, and Might Duy was another.
Both were the kind to sacrifice themselves for their comrades. Foolish, maybe—but how many people could really do that?
Being around someone like Duy was easy. In battle, he'd never have to worry about a knife in the back.
"The administrator just said your name, remember? I didn't eEXPect you to be the champion of the Ninja Tournament, that's amazing!" Duy said, eyes full of admiration.
In truth, Duy was of the same generation as Sakumo, so being idolized by him like this felt a bit strange to Leo.
Still, he understood—this was simply Duy's nature: honest and unpretentious. From his son Guy's future antics, that much was clear.
"It's nothing," Leo said with a faint smile. "There's no such thing as a real genius. I'm just an ordinary ninja who's worked harder than most. I believe that effort always brings results."
Even though he had a system on his side, he still subjected himself to grueling, almost insane training. Without that, his body wouldn't have grown so strong so fast.
"Wow! Leo-kun believes in hard work too?"
"Ah, my youth burns bright once more!"
"Leo-kun, you're absolutely right!"
Duy grabbed Leo's arm, eyes sparkling like he'd found a soulmate. His teeth gleamed as he grinned from ear to ear.
Leo could hardly stand his overwhelming enthusiasm—he was worried that if he stayed any longer, this guy's energy would rub off on him.
"Duy, I've got something to take care of, so I'll be going."
"Training, right? So diligent, Leo-kun! I can't fall behind either!" Duy exclaimed, already working himself up.
"…Whatever you say."
Leo gave a helpless smile, then waved goodbye and left.
Duy watched his back disappear into the distance, eyes shining with emotion. He threw his arms toward the sky and shouted,
"Youth! Sunset! How beautiful you are!"
"Alright, I've decided—one hundred laps around Konoha!"
And with a whoosh, Might Duy dashed off, running full tilt around the village to train.
Even though Leo was much younger than him, age had never mattered.
To find a true kindred spirit in life—there was no greater blessing.
He had trained alone before, day and night, mocked and misunderstood by everyone.
But Leo was different—he said there were no true geniuses in this world.
That all true genius was born from effort and sweat.
I, Might Duy, will make my youth shine brilliantly!
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