Konoha’s White Fang Shines

Chapter 37: Drenched in Sweat

After a few days, everyone finally returned to Konoha.

The mission this time had been rated as A-rank in difficulty. Though it felt as though the team had ridden on Minato's coattails the whole time, the mission was undeniably perilous. To their relief, they were all granted a one-week vacation.

Naturally, this week off wasn't meant purely for relaxation. Ever diligent, Genma headed straight to Ster's training hall, ready for further honing of his skills.

After a brief chat with Ster and presenting a specially bought outfit as a gift, Genma was quickly thrown into a large, empty room.

The room was incredibly spacious, but entirely barren, save for a large white circle drawn on the floor with powder.

Before Genma could figure out the purpose of the circle, another door opened, and in came several tall, burly men. They looked fierce and menacing, their muscular frames exuding raw power.

The group of men quickly noticed Genma, and their expressions shifted slightly, hinting at subtle amusement.

"Hey, Ster, is this little runt the one we're supposed to fight? And you're saying that if we beat him, we get free booze for a day?"

The largest man among them broke the silence, his booming voice betraying his eagerness. Genma, surprised but quick on the uptake, immediately understood Ster's intention.

This wasn't just about sparring to gain experience—it was a unique and intense way to improve.

Before Genma could ponder Ster's deeper motives further, a hidden compartment in the room's wall slid open, and Ster's voice boomed through.

"Yes, that's correct. If you beat him to the point where he can't move or push him out of the circle, the drinks are on the house for a day. Genma, you're only allowed to use Taijiquan for this fight. No other abilities!"

Genma was stunned. Was this all to improve his practical experience in Taijiquan?

The burly men were an intimidating sight. Their bulging muscles gleamed under the lights, and even from several meters away, Genma could feel the explosive power they radiated.

This would definitely test the principles of "using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds."

"Kid, better watch yourself," the leader growled as he cracked his neck and shoulders. He stepped forward, his massive fist slicing through the air as it aimed directly for Genma's face.

It seemed the promise of free drinks was too tempting to resist.

Genma inwardly sighed but acted swiftly. Using both hands, he caught the large man's punch, redirecting the force behind him in an attempt to unbalance his opponent.

This wasn't a pure application of Taijiquan but rather a practical use of its principles.

However, the other men weren't idle. Seeing Genma's hands occupied, they immediately closed in, aiming their fists at his body.

Forced to release his hold on the first man, Genma redirected the force of his opponent to the side, causing him to crash into another incoming attacker. Simultaneously, Genma used his palms to deflect the flurry of punches coming from the remaining opponents.

Though he managed to avoid getting hit, the sheer force behind their punches left his palms stinging.

Where did Ster find these muscle mountains?

Genma's thoughts spiraled as the men regrouped, their eyes now tinged with red from their growing frustration.

The room quickly became a chaotic battlefield of shouting, stomping, and fierce collisions. The noise was so intense it felt as though the walls might give way at any moment.

Despite his best efforts, Genma was eventually overpowered by their sheer strength and numbers, getting pushed out of the circle.

The first day of training ended in failure, but Ster had no harsh words for him. Instead, he merely announced that training would resume the next day. Exhausted, Genma dragged his weary body back home.

---

On the second day, the same group of burly men awaited him. This time, they avoided using punches, opting instead for open-palmed shoves to push Genma out of the circle.

Their tactics seemed oddly reminiscent of Taijiquan itself—a somewhat ironic turn of events.

Caught off guard, Genma was almost immediately pushed out of the circle. Scrambling to avoid another loss, he employed more flexible movements, skillfully dodging and weaving between the men.

At one point, as one of the men lunged forward with clawed hands, Genma redirected his force, causing the man to collide with another. Taking advantage of the confusion, Genma closed the distance, using his shoulder to topple the attacker.

The sudden success earned Genma some breathing room, but it didn't last long.

Realizing Genma's strategy, the men adjusted their approach. They extended their arms to block his movements, effectively trapping him.

This forced Genma to dig deep, relying on his agility to stay in the circle. Over time, the repetitive nature of the training sharpened his understanding of Taijiquan. His movements became more fluid, and his use of energy more efficient.

By the end of the day, Genma's body was drenched in sweat, his muscles screaming in protest. However, his improved precision and efficiency were undeniable.

---

The following days saw an escalation in difficulty. Ster reduced the circle's size and increased the number of opponents.

The room echoed with the grunts and shouts of the men, interspersed with the rhythmic slapping of bodies colliding.

For five grueling days, Genma endured this intense training. By the end of it, he was not only physically exhausted but also mentally sharper.

When Ster finally allowed him two days of rest, Genma was both relieved and grateful. Though his body demanded rest, his mind was already thinking ahead—about training, celebrations, and plans for the future.

During these two days, Genma celebrated his sensei Yuji's birthday with his teammates. He even invited Minato's team, though Kakashi declined, citing his masked appearance as a hindrance to enjoying hotpot. However, Kurenai's favorite, Kushina, attended, adding warmth to the gathering.

---

"Genma, so this is the 'accommodating everyone's tastes' you mentioned?"

Kurenai looked eagerly at the bubbling hotpot, her eyes lighting up as she picked up a slice of meat glistening with red oil. With some effort, she brought it to her mouth.

"Ah! Hot! Spicy!"

"Slow down; no one's fighting you for it. Here, your favorite octopus—cooked just right."

Genma smiled as he placed a perfectly cooked octopus tentacle into Kurenai's bowl.

"Wow, Genma, you never fail to amaze me. Where did you even come up with this idea?"

Biting into a piece of tender meat, Raido couldn't help but give Genma a thumbs-up, his face flushed from the heat of the broth.

"It's incredible to celebrate a birthday with something so unique. Are we the first guests to try this?" Yuji, sitting across from Genma, commented with genuine appreciation.

"Yes, sensei. A special occasion calls for a special meal. Speaking of which, don't you think it's time you found someone to share these moments with?"

Genma's cheeky remark earned him a sharp glare from Yuji.

"You brat, I'm your teacher, not your peer!"

Despite the scolding, Yuji found himself smiling, his mood lightened by the delicious food and warm atmosphere.

The hotpot, divided into four quadrants to accommodate different flavor preferences, became the centerpiece of the evening. The rising steam, spicy aroma, and shared laughter turned the meal into an unforgettable celebration.

Even as sweat poured down their faces, everyone found themselves unable to stop eating. The combination of heat and flavor was simply too addictive to resist.

End of Chapter 37