Chapter 266: Konoha's Strongest Taijutsu

"I didn't expect to become teammates with you, Guy. I'm really lucky." On the way to the training ground, Shiranui Genma said to Might Guy, whom he had happened to meet.

Compared to average classmates, Shiranui Genma naturally wanted to team up with strong people like Obito and Might Guy.

On one hand, it meant having a reliable teammate for future missions; on the other, he could ask them for advice during daily training.

"Can I ask you about taijutsu from time to time?" Shiranui Genma asked with a smile.

"Of course, no problem!" Might Guy gave a thumbs-up in response. He was always happy to share.

Then the two arrived at the training ground and saw Ebisu standing there waiting.

"Morning, Ebisu." Shiranui Genma raised his hand to greet his old acquaintance.

Ebisu greeted Shiranui Genma back.

"Strange, where's our instructor? The meeting point should be here." Shiranui Genma looked around in confusion.

"The meeting point is here. Maybe something delayed him." Ebisu nodded in agreement.

"Youth should seize every second. Let's train while we wait." Might Guy started doing one-finger push-ups and invited Shiranui Genma and Ebisu to join.

"Haha, I'll pass. I don't have as much stamina as you, Guy. I'll just wait here and see what the instructor has planned." Shiranui Genma politely declined Might Guy's offer.

Although training wouldn't hurt, since this was their first meeting with the instructor, he didn't know what kind of drills were coming. He thought it better to conserve his energy.

Ebisu felt the same way as Shiranui Genma, so he also declined Might Guy's suggestion and waited where he was.

About five minutes later, a middle-aged man in a yellow tracksuit jacket and yellow tight pants came into view, walking slowly toward them while eating a rice ball.

"Are you Shiranui Genma, Ebisu, and Might Guy?" When he reached them, the man had almost finished his rice ball and asked.

"I'm Shiranui Genma."

"I'm Ebisu."

"I'm Might Guy!" Guy did a backflip to his feet, flashing two rows of bright white teeth as he replied with a grin.

"Do you three already know each other?" The middle-aged man asked again.

The three nodded. They were considered friends.

"Then let's skip the introductions. I'm Chen Long. You can call me Teacher Chen. I won't say much else, because if you can't pass my training, you'll be sent back to the Ninja Academy to study again." Teacher Chen said directly.

"Huh? Go back to the Ninja Academy and study again?" Shiranui Genma was stunned. The homeroom teacher hadn't mentioned any such training at graduation. How could a qualified genin be sent back for a do-over?

"Teacher Chen?" Ebisu suddenly thought of something. Behind his sunglasses, his eyes widened in surprise.

Unlike other students, Ebisu, though still a student, liked to keep up with things outside the school. If he remembered correctly, there was a Teacher Chen who was known as the strongest taijutsu user in the Leaf.

"Could it be that Teacher Chen? If it is, I have to pass this training!" Ebisu grew excited.

He believed that birth could largely determine one's strength, but having a good teacher could influence future prospects. Even if it was only the strongest in taijutsu, that was still far better than an ordinary teacher.

"That's right. If you fail my training, I will revoke your ninja status and send you back to the Ninja Academy. That's the authority I have as your instructor." Teacher Chen said flatly.

It had been a long time since he last served as an instructor. He only took on an occasional disciple to pass on his taijutsu techniques, lest they be lost.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi had told him that this year's crop from the Ninja Academy included an unprecedented taijutsu genius, which was why he agreed to take on the role of instructor again.

Teacher Chen was no young man. Though Hiruzen Sarutobi had spoken highly of this genius, he still wanted to personally test this so-called taijutsu prodigy's level. If the kid wasn't up to par, he would send him back to the Academy and resign as instructor.

"What kind of training is it?" Might Guy asked calmly.

He had full confidence in his own strength. He had already defeated his best friend, who had long become a chunin, so training aimed at genin wouldn't be a problem for him.

"The bell-snatch game. If any one of you can snatch the bell from my hand, the whole team passes. If you don't get it by nightfall, you'll spend another year at the Ninja Academy." Teacher Chen took out a bell and said.

He couldn't be bothered with scaring them. If they showed satisfactory skill, he would let them pass. If not, they'd all go back for a redo.

"You can use any means to attack me. But I'll warn you now—don't attack recklessly. I specialize in taijutsu, and I hit hard." Teacher Chen sat down on the ground and said leisurely.

After saying that, he took out a book with a picture of a lightly dressed young woman on the cover and began to read.

Shiranui Genma pulled Ebisu and Might Guy aside to discuss a strategy.

"What do we do? He doesn't seem to be joking. If we fail, we might really lose our ninja status and go back to the Academy." Shiranui Genma said seriously.

Even though Teacher Chen hadn't spoken with a stern face and instead seemed relaxed and casual, Shiranui Genma felt that Teacher Chen would truly do as he said.

"Do your best to complete it. If we can become Teacher Chen's disciple, our future prospects will be assured. He's known as Konoha's strongest taijutsu ninja." Ebisu shared the information he knew with the two.

"Huh, the strongest taijutsu ninja?" Shiranui Genma looked at Teacher Chen, who was reading a book nearby while letting out an unknown giggle, and showed a suspicious expression.

He didn't think Teacher Chen looked much like a taijutsu ninja. First of all, his height wasn't much taller than their nine-year-old selves—he looked only about 1.5 meters tall—and he didn't have the muscles to fill out his clothes.

"Konoha's strongest in taijutsu!" Unlike Shiranui Genma, Might Gai instantly lit up with excitement upon hearing that. His dream was to become the strongest taijutsu user in the ninja world, and since Teacher Chen was Konoha's strongest in taijutsu, his skills must be extraordinary.

Ebisu pushed up his sunglasses and said, "No mistake. They call him Teacher Chen, and he says he specializes in taijutsu."

"Then isn't that worse? If he really is Konoha's strongest taijutsu ninja, how can we possibly snatch the bells from him?" Shiranui Genma said with a worried expression.

Although having a strong instructor was a good thing, it wasn't necessarily good in this kind of situation.

"Just give it your all in the fight. Even if we fail, it just means our effort wasn't enough and our youth didn't burn hot enough." Might Gai gave a thumbs up to encourage them.

Glancing at Might Gai, Shiranui Genma regained some confidence. Even though the instructor was strong, they also had an extraordinary comrade on their side.

"That's true, but shouldn't we come up with some tactics or something?" Shiranui Genma thought for a moment and said.

"Let's set some traps to lure him over. Then Gai will take the lead in the attack, and we'll assist him in the fight." Ebisu pondered for a while and replied.

He was well aware that this training depended on Gai. Although Shiranui Genma was stronger than him, it was only by a limited margin. Might Gai, on the other hand, had the power to defeat them in an instant—he was the undisputed powerhouse for this training.

Then, while setting traps, they exchanged information about their respective specialties. Shiranui Genma was good at using ninja tools and the Body Flicker Technique, Ebisu had a balanced development with roughly equal proficiency in all abilities, and Might Gai specialized in taijutsu.

When they were almost ready, the three of them went together to lure Teacher Chen into the trap zone.

*Shush shush shush!! *

Ebisu and Shiranui Genma each drew shuriken and flung them at Teacher Chen.

"Finally ready? That took long enough." Teacher Chen unhurriedly closed his book and put it away. Just as the shuriken were about to reach him, he burst into speed and dodged the incoming shuriken.

"So fast." Shiranui Genma began to believe that this middle-aged man, who didn't look tall or muscular, was indeed Konoha's strongest taijutsu user.

"Run!" Ebisu's pupils contracted, and he shouted hurriedly.

He was worried that Teacher Chen was too fast and would catch up to them before they reached the trap zone.

Although Might Gai was eager to test Teacher Chen's strength, he knew this training was important, so he didn't act rashly. He followed Ebisu as they left, keeping Teacher Chen in his peripheral vision.

It would be one thing if he himself failed to become a ninja, but if his reckless action caused his teammates to lose their ninja status, Might Gai couldn't accept that.

"Let me see what tricks you've prepared." Teacher Chen didn't pursue at full speed, but kept a subtle distance as he followed.

When they reached the spot, Ebisu immediately activated the traps, sending a barrage of shuriken flying toward Teacher Chen.

Teacher Chen ignored the incoming shuriken, scanned the area, and looked somewhat disappointed.

"That's it?"

"Konoha Dragon God!"

Teacher Chen erupted with his full chakra and began spinning at high speed. A massive whirlwind appeared out of nowhere, gradually forming a huge green dragon.

Under the immense power of the dragon-shaped tornado, the shuriken traps set by Might Gai and the others were easily destroyed. The massive whirlwind continued to rage, rapidly breaking every trap in the area.

*Clatter! *

Shiranui Genma's kunai fell to the ground as he stared in shock at the devastated trap zone.

"What is this? How can we possibly snatch the bells like this..." Shiranui Genma looked at the enormous green dragon, over twenty meters tall, and was already thinking about how to explain to his former juniors why he had to return to the Academy.

He didn't think he could break through that terrifying hurricane with just a senbon or a kunai to grab Teacher Chen's bells. He even doubted Might Gai could do it.

"So this is the strength of Konoha's strongest taijutsu user?" Ebisu stared in utter amazement at the terrifying tornado. He had never seen such an incredible display.

"Amazing taijutsu! As expected of Konoha's strongest taijutsu user!" Might Gai's face showed some surprise, but even more excitement. He was looking forward to the coming battle.

Might Gai silently changed his breathing rhythm, concentrating his breath to its highest focus.

"Since the traps are useless, it's time for the taijutsu beast to appear!" Might Gai, full of fighting spirit, prepared to strike.

The character of Teacher Chen is an anime original, but I thought it was good enough to use. After all, since Might Gai has displayed power like this, it wouldn't make sense for the Third Hokage to assign just a regular jonin to teach him.