The forest had changed.
Tree trunks bore the marks of relentless fists. Stones once untouched were cracked, chipped and moved. A dirt trail curved around the area, evidence of endless laps. In the middle of this worn-down land, two boys trained as if the world depended on it.
One was Senju Raizen. The other wore a full green jumpsuit, fists wrapped, hair like watermelon. His name was Might Fist.
They met a week ago, but now trained like brothers.
The only problem was he shouted "THIS IS THE POWER OF YOUTH!" from time to time.
Might Fist: "You're leaning too far forward. Fix your center when punching."
Raizen: "The tree cracked, didn't it?"
Might Fist: "Doesn't mean it was a good punch. Start again."
Raizen adjusted his stance and threw another punch. Wood splintered from the old tree they used as a dummy.
Might Fist: "Better. Next squats. And increase your weight today."
Raizen: "Trying to kill me?"
Might Fist: "No. Trying to make you strong."
They didn't use chakra. They didn't practice flashy Jutsu. Their days were filled with push ups, squats, running, and raw strikes. They wrapped their injuries and kept going.
Villagers had begun calling them something behind their backs.
The Idiot Duo.
The nickname spread through the Senju compound and beyond.
Random Boy 1: "Still punching trees like cavemen?"
Random Boy 2: "They think they're going to win a war with push ups?"
Random Boy 3: "Maybe they'll unlock 'Sweat Release' next."
The two boys never responded. They just trained harder. with one shouting "THIS IS THE POWER OF YOUTH!"
Mighty Fist couldn't use chakra at all. He wasn't from a known clan. But Raizen knew who he was. He was the grandfather of Konoha Blue beast. Now a young kid his age. He could copy movements perfectly and correct posture like a veteran shinobi. He taught Raizen how to strike from the hips. How to distribute weight and how to make every movement count.
They put on ankle and wrist weights every day. They ran until their legs trembled. They hit the tree until their fists bled.
Daily Task Progress:
Push ups: 500/500
Squats: 500/500
Run: 5/5km
Time Remaining: 10 hours
Progress: Day 27/180
Raizen could feel the changes in his body. His breath no longer came in gasps after each lap. His punches were sharper. His balance was unshakable.
They trained from sunrise to sunset. At night they had hot medical bath. Raizen had money so he helped Might Fist. At first he refused but Raizen told him once he became Jonin. He can pay him back.
One evening after completing their final squat set they sat on a tree bark. Their shirts were soaked. Their hands, wrapped again.
Raizen: "You really think this is going to work?"
Might Fist: "It already is. You don't feel it?"
Raizen: "I do. But everyone thinks we're wasting time."
Might Fist: "Let them talk. We'll talk with results."
They bumped fists.
"Hard work means nothing... if you don't believe in yourself!"
No chakra.
No shortcuts.
No mentors.
Just two boys and the will to push forward.
The forest echoed with the wind, the bark worn smooth where fists had struck again and again.
This was their path.