35. A Fateful Encounter with the Azure Beast

What does it mean to be a true ninja? In Kisame's view, a real ninja should not confine themselves to training in ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu, but should master all arts.

The so-called "all arts" is to treat everything as a weapon—whether it is lime, sulfuric acid, chili water, or the pots and pans of daily life, even the trees and utility poles lining the streets—anything usable is a tool of war.

As long as it can defeat the enemy, it is enough.

"Let's go," Kisame called out to the group from Hidden Mist and walked toward the edge of the alley.

The crowd hesitated for a moment, then hurried after him, worriedly asking, "Lord Kisame, will there be any trouble? I heard that Asuma is the Third Hokage's son."

"Don't worry. The elders won't meddle in the matters of us young people. The Third Hokage, with his dignity, can't afford to lose face over something like this," Kisame replied, then wandered off alone through the streets.

Even putting aside whether Hiruzen Sarutobi would intervene, with Asuma's proud and competitive nature, it was impossible he'd tell his father about such a humiliating experience.

He could only swallow his defeat in silence.

The Village Hidden in the Leaves lay deep within the vast, primeval forests of the Land of Fire, spanning over hundreds of square kilometers.

Yet, the core district of the village was not large, only two or three thousand mu in area—about the size of a typical village—making land here extraordinarily precious. Buildings crowded the streets, packed tightly side by side, and the population density was high.

Kisame strolled down Konoha's busiest avenue, Ichiraku Street, from north to south, passing the Hokage Tower, Ichiraku Ramen, the Konoha Police Headquarters, and finally arriving at the Hot Springs Street along the riverside.

This was the most famous commercial street in Konoha: clothing stores, barbecue joints, casinos, bathhouses, ninja tool shops, gyms—everything one could need, fully satisfying the villagers' daily lives.

It was the weekend.

The street was teeming with people, so packed that at its busiest spots, one could barely move. The noise of the crowd soared skyward.

As the foremost of the Five Great Ninja Villages, it was far livelier than Kisame's home in Hidden Mist.

Dressed in ninja attire, with his sword strapped to his back, Kisame's unusual appearance and aura made him intimidating, and people avoided him.

"Mama, look at that person—he looks so strange," a little girl, four or five years old, stared as Kisame walked by, pointing at his face and asking her mother in curiosity.

Kisame heard this, turned his head, and flashed a toothy grin at the little girl, his fangs glinting coldly.

"Waaah..." The girl burst into tears on the spot.

"I'm sorry," her mother apologized repeatedly to Kisame, scolding her child not to point at people, as it was rude.

"It's all right," Kisame waved his hand. Used to being seen as a villain, he cared little for the opinions of those around him.

But Kisame soon noticed there was someone else in the crowd as out of place as him.

A green figure appeared atop the riverside embankment, swiftly approaching from afar.

It was a boy of about ten, with a large nose, thick eyebrows, and a bowl-cut head—his features stern and determined. He wore a tight green suit with a white towel draped around his neck, running along the riverbank, drenched in sweat.

Konoha's future Azure Beast—Might Guy.

"Ah, youth!" Might Guy shouted his slogans as he ran, brimming with energy and fighting spirit.

Yet, his overly exuberant manner and quirky outfit startled many, who steered clear as if avoiding a fool.

Guy paid no mind to the disdainful gazes of passersby—or perhaps, he was simply too oblivious to notice.

Kisame's expression grew interested.

He vaulted the railing and jumped from the bridge, landing on the embankment.

"Watch out!" Guy shouted, unable to stop in time, colliding shoulder to shoulder with Kisame.

Kisame stepped back two paces.

Guy, propelled by inertia, lost his balance and flew forward, flipping several times in midair before crashing into a roadside tree.

"Are you all right?" Kisame walked over and reached out, helping Guy to his feet.

"Sorry about that. I was going too fast and bumped into you. But your body is really solid—like a mountain," Guy apologized, rubbing the back of his head, then stared in awe at Kisame's muscular physique.

"Hello, I'm Kisame Hoshigaki from Hidden Mist, a genin here to take the Chunin Exam," Kisame introduced himself.

"Really? I'm taking the Chunin Exam too!" Guy's eyes widened, and he quickly gave his name, grinning broadly to show two rows of dazzling white teeth.

"What a coincidence," Kisame smiled, then asked, "Were you training by running just now?"

"Yes, the Chunin Exam's about to start, so I have to prepare and get my body into peak condition," Guy replied, scratching his nose in embarrassment. "Actually, I've been a genin for four years already, but I've failed the Chunin Exam several times, so I need to work even harder. After all, Kakashi became a Chunin at just six years old."

At this, he clenched his fists, his gaze resolute and his fighting spirit ablaze.

"I've heard of Kakashi—the genius son of White Fang. Is he your friend?" Kisame asked, feigning surprise.

"He's my friend and my rival," Guy replied proudly.

Sensing the moment was right, Kisame proposed, "Are you going to keep running? I want to work on my taijutsu as well. Why don’t we run together and talk? I’m new here, and there’s much about Konoha I don’t know—perhaps you can teach me."

"Sure!" Guy’s eyes lit up, delighted.

He was usually looked down upon by many in the village, spending most of his time training alone. Besides Kakashi, he had few close friends.

This stranger, Kisame, willing to train with him, made Guy genuinely happy.

So, the two began running laps around Konoha.

One lap, five laps, ten laps.

"Feel free to pick up the pace—don’t worry, I’ll keep up," Kisame said easily when they reached the eleventh lap, his breathing still calm.

"All right, then I'll sprint!" Guy replied, his competitive spirit ignited. He challenged Kisame: whoever finished fifty laps first would win.

The two figures darted through the village like lightning.

In the end, Kisame edged ahead, reaching the training ground first and winning the race.

"Huff… huff… You’re amazing!" Guy panted, giving Kisame a thumbs-up.

"Guy, you do too much aerobic training, so it's hard to build muscle. That's why your explosive strength isn't enough—at the final sprint, you lost to me. If you add more weighted strength training, you’ll get even stronger."

Kisame summarized Guy’s shortcomings and offered advice.

Guy nodded vigorously, deeply convinced.

He’d long admired Kisame’s physique—whether the iron-forged muscles of his upper body or his powerful legs, everything was impressive.

When he learned that this burly man, nearly six feet three, was only thirteen—less than two years older than himself—Guy was left speechless in amazement.

"Senior Kisame, could you teach me?" Guy suddenly resolved, sticking his rear out and bowing ninety degrees to Kisame, his face full of nervous hope.