My Techniques are a bit off

What on earth is he getting so emotional about...

Link silently complained in his heart.

"Good. Before we officially begin training—" Might Guy stretched out his hand, his expression turning serious as he gestured for Link to approach. "Let me see the results of your solo practice."

Thud! The black weights fell to the ground.

"Can I use ninjutsu?" Link asked while unstrapping his weights.

"Anything goes," Guy replied with an upward inflection. "Feel free to show me the fire of your youth!"

"Then—"

Before Link could finish his sentence, he completed a combination of the Clone and Transformation Techniques, disappearing from his spot in an instant.

"I'm coming!"

What incredible hand seal speed...

Guy silently assessed as he raised his arm.

Bang! Link's kick struck Guy's arm with a dull thud. Using Guy's arm as a pivot, Link spun his body, transforming his leg into a blade mid-spin.

Swish!

Guy pushed off the ground and leaped back, tilting his head just enough to avoid the sharp blade. But even with his quick reaction, the blade grazed his arm, slicing through his sleeve and leaving a shallow cut.

Poof! The bladed leg reverted with a puff of white smoke.

Tap.

Link landed on both feet, canceling his Clone Technique to restore the limb, then dashed forward again.

He's faster than I thought, and his technique is even trickier than Kakashi described...

Guy glanced at the cut on his arm, watching as a thin line of blood slowly seeped out. For a close-range taijutsu fighter, this strange technique was incredibly challenging to counter.

In that case...

Instead of retreating, Guy surged forward, his chakra suddenly spiking. He used explosive footwork to gain the upper hand.

Bang!

Link saw a blur. Before he could process what had happened, his body was already flying through the air, unable to transform into a blade in time.

He's so fast!

The thought barely crossed his mind before he relaxed his neck, letting his body spin midair. Using the residual force, he tried to locate Guy by sight.

Whoosh!

A shadow flickered into view. Without hesitation, Link canceled his Clone Technique. In the brief moment when gravity reset his trajectory, he transformed both arms into blades to defend himself.

Thud!

A sharp pain shot through his stomach. This time, there was no backup from the Clone Technique. Guy's kick sent him crashing into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Tap. Guy landed lightly, his tone serious as he said, "Impressive."

From a purely taijutsu perspective, Link's level was undoubtedly on par with a special jōnin. Against slower opponents, his ability to transform into blades made him nearly impossible to approach in close combat.

Was that supposed to be a compliment?

Seeing that Guy had stopped his offensive, Link stood up, opting not to reinitiate his jutsu.

The Clone Technique had its limitations—once separated, the limb had to be canceled to return. Using detached limbs was a gamble he wasn't willing to take, especially when it came to his head. He couldn't be sure if the technique's ability to negate damage extended to a fatal injury like his head exploding.

Better not to test that...

His weaknesses were all too clear: slower reflexes, poor dynamic vision, and a lack of raw speed.

Link sighed inwardly. This was just training, not a real battle. There was no need to go all out with techniques like the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

"I've got a good sense of your abilities," Guy said, nodding thoughtfully. "I'll design a comprehensive training plan for you."

"Are you ready to set your youth ablaze?" Guy's passionate grin sparkled with determination.

Shielding his eyes from the dazzling smile, Link sighed quietly and replied, "I suppose... I'm ready."

…

Smack! Smack!

Link struggled to dodge the rain of pebbles Guy was throwing, each strike stinging as they connected with his muscles.

The sharp pain acted as feedback, stimulating his body and nerves. His previously normal reaction speed began to improve, becoming faster and more instinctive.

"Too slow! Too slow! Too slow!"

Guy's hands moved in a blur, the constant barrage of projectiles echoing like a storm.

Unlike his other student, Rock Lee, who quickly adapted to a stronger body and faster movements, Link didn't need physical training. Instead, Guy focused on improving his reflexes and dynamic vision—the foundation of close combat.

For a taijutsu ninja, capturing an opponent's movements wasn't about relying solely on sight. They needed to sense air currents with their skin and ears, using their eyes only as a supplementary tool.

Smack!

Another pebble struck, the impact leaving a red mark on Link's already flushed skin. His powerful muscles absorbed the force, shattering the pebble into dust that scattered to the ground.

"Too much movement!" Guy called out.

Smack!

Link dodged one pebble, only to be struck by another. The pain was starting to numb, but he didn't stop.

Not bad at all...

Guy grinned as he continued throwing stones, pleased to see his student improving. Link's evasive movements were becoming smaller, more efficient. His reaction speed was sharpening with every strike.

With such a strong body and determination, he might even master that technique...

Guy mused as he ramped up the intensity of the training, his movements tireless thanks to his exceptional chakra reserves.

Link, of course, had no idea what was running through his teacher's mind. At first, he'd tried to strategize his dodges, but as the pain mounted, his thoughts faded.

By now, his focus was singular: avoid the stones, endure the pain, and keep going.

Though Guy had said he could call for a break or step back anytime, the idea never crossed Link's mind. Gritting his teeth, he pressed on.