CHAPTER 82
Three days later.
Morning.
Outside the camp.
"Multi-Size Technique!"
Guy shouted.
The moment his right foot kicked out, his entire right leg swelled to nearly three times its normal size, as if it had been inflated.
Muscles bulged with fierce power as he slammed it hard into a boulder half the height of a person.
Boom!
The boulder shattered on impact, exploding into countless fragments that scattered in every direction.
Nearby, Ebisu and Genma watched the scene with undisguised envy written all over their faces.
In just three days, Guy had completely mastered the fundamentals of the Multi-Size Technique.
This once again made Ebisu and Genma question whether Guy's performance as the Ninja Academy's famous "failure in both Ninjutsu and Genjutsu" had all been an act.
After all, this was the same person who once could not even perform the most basic Clone Technique.
And now?
He had actually mastered an inherited secret technique of the Akimichi Clan in only three days.
"This guy is definitely pretending!"
Ebisu gritted his teeth.
Genma nodded in complete agreement.
Not only them, but even Guy himself was somewhat surprised.
In the end, he attributed everything to the continuous enhancement of his physique brought about by the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic.
Although the proficiency of this High Grade Supreme Technique had remained stuck at 999 for a long time and still had not broken through into the Perfection Realm, years of operating it day and night without interruption had already strengthened his bones, meridians, and control over physical energy to an astonishing degree.
At the very least, the current Guy could already use simple Ninjutsu such as the Clone Technique and Transformation Technique.
It was simply that using them was still nowhere near as natural or comfortable as using Taijutsu.
The Multi-Size Technique, however, was different.
Although it was classified as a secret technique, its essence was a special body-enhancement technique that used Chakra to act directly upon the flesh.
Guy could cultivate it without the slightest burden.
In fact, he felt unusually compatible with it, as though it had been tailor-made for him.
In only three days, he had completely mastered all the fundamental hand seals, Chakra circulation framework, and elementary control methods taught by Choza.
What he lacked now was only the accumulation of proficiency and deeper comprehension through long-term training.
However, the side effects were equally obvious.
That side effect was his appetite.
It had increased once again.
Originally, his food intake already far surpassed that of ordinary people his age.
After cultivating the Multi-Size Technique, his body's demand for energy skyrocketed.
During these past few days, Guy felt as though his stomach had become a bottomless pit.
His appetite had increased by at least three times.
Military ration pills and ordinary meals were already barely sufficient to support the energy consumption caused by his intense daily training.
As for Ebisu and Genma, after trying the basic methods taught by Choza, they wisely chose to stop pursuing further training.
Ebisu possessed excellent theoretical knowledge.
But his physical condition was still too weak.
Without a powerful physique as a foundation, forcibly cultivating a technique that placed such a tremendous burden on the body would likely cause him to collapse before he ever mastered it.
After several attempts, he decisively gave up.
Genma could barely manage to continue.
However, the moment he heard that cultivating the technique to a high level could gradually alter one's physique toward the robust build common among members of the Akimichi Clan, he immediately became hesitant.
With his current lean appearance and a senbon casually hanging from his mouth, many people already thought he looked cool.
But if he became round and heavy like an Akimichi and still walked around with a senbon in his mouth...
Anyone who saw him would probably think he had just finished eating and was using a toothpick to clean his teeth.
Combined with the fact that his progress had not been particularly smooth to begin with, Genma eventually abandoned the idea after careful consideration.
Therefore, although Choza had claimed to be teaching all three of them, the only person who truly mastered the technique and persisted in cultivating it was Guy.
Just as Guy retracted his enlarged leg and prepared to find another rock for practice, a commotion suddenly arose in the distance.
Dust billowed into the air.
Numerous figures appeared on the horizon.
The first batch of relief reinforcements had arrived.
That also meant it was time for the group scheduled to withdraw to Konoha for rest and reorganization to depart.
Guy, Ebisu, and Genma all stopped what they were doing.
They exchanged glances.
Each of them could clearly see the reluctance hidden in the others' eyes.
These six months at Mount Kikyo had left behind too much blood, sweat, and too many unforgettable memories.
But orders were orders.
The three gathered themselves and turned toward the camp.
At the entrance, Choza was already waiting.
The commander of the incoming reinforcements was conducting a brief handover with him.
When he saw Guy and the others return, Choza exchanged a few more words with the other side before striding over.
There were no lengthy farewells.
Choza simply patted each of them firmly on the shoulder.
When he reached Guy, however, his hand lingered for an extra second and pressed down heavily.
"Be careful on the road."
His voice remained as steady as ever.
The three nodded heavily.
Suddenly, Choza paused.
He looked at Guy and added:
"By the way, regarding the special weapon you requested before, I've already submitted the blueprints and requirements to the Village."
"The logistics department replied that production is underway. By the time you return to Konoha, it should be nearly finished."
A look of pleasant surprise immediately appeared on Guy's face.
He had not expected Choza to move so quickly.
Nor had he expected him to personally help push the request through.
Seeing Guy's reaction, Choza frowned slightly and said with some hesitation:
"Guy, do you really have no intention of switching to a better Ninja blade?"
"During this campaign, we captured quite a few high-quality blades from Sunagakure. Several of them are superior in both durability and sharpness."
"With your military achievements, applying for one would be no problem at all."
"As for the weapon on that blueprint... no one has ever used anything like it before, so nobody can say with certainty how effective it will be."
Guy could hear the concern hidden in Choza's words.
His expression became serious.
Meeting Choza's gaze directly, he shook his head firmly.
"Thank you, Captain, but I want that one."
Seeing the determination in Guy's eyes, Choza stopped trying to persuade him.
He understood Guy's stubbornness.
And he could vaguely sense that Guy already had a clear idea of the path he wanted to walk as a Taijutsu specialist.
Choza nodded.
He said nothing further.
He only reminded them once more:
"Be careful on the road, and get some proper rest when you return to the Village."
"Yes, Captain!"
The three replied in unison.
Ebisu's voice carried a noticeable nasal tone.
Without looking back, Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma joined the other Konoha shinobi assigned to the first withdrawal group.
Together, they set foot on the road leading back to the Village.
Akimichi Choza stood at the entrance of the Mount Kikyo camp, watching the three young figures gradually disappear into the distance.
Sunlight illuminated his broad back, casting a long shadow behind him.
That shadow merged with the camp and the mountains beyond.
Silent.
Steady.
Unshakable.
Captain Choza.
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