This was yet another weapon with a three-star difficulty level, and there were quite a few materials required for its creation.
Fortunately, these materials weren't difficult for Tian Yu to gather.
It only took him a few days to collect everything he needed.
As for the forging process—
Tian Yu was already familiar with the path.
After all, he had previously forged the three-star difficulty Sun Wheel Knife, an achievement that had honed both his skill and his patience.
Now, when it came to forging a three-star difficulty mask, the process wasn't so daunting. In terms of craftsmanship and forging techniques, he had already reached a refined level.
Simultaneously, alongside his ongoing training in ninja tool forging, Tian Yu never slacked in the fundamentals.
His basic physical conditioning continued daily, and he diligently practiced both Kusanagi (Grass Pheasant) Sword techniques and the fluid, precise style of Japanese kenjutsu.
After a full week of relentless training—
Tian Yu finally grasped the foundational threshold of the Breath of Water technique.
Moreover, he had successfully mastered First Form: Water Surface Slash, the most basic yet elegant move of the style.
With that, Tian Yu's real combat prowess had reached an entirely new level.
The results of his dual training—nin tool forging and martial arts—left Tian Yu deeply satisfied.
…
At one of Konoha's training grounds—
Tian Yu had just completed another rigorous phase of physical training. The ankle weights he wore had increased to a shocking 150 pounds.
"Tian Yu, your training progress has been phenomenal. Your strength's grown, yet you haven't slacked off at all. You're a truly diligent young man!" said Might Guy, placing a hand on Tian Yu's shoulder with pride and beaming with a dazzling smile.
"But I'll be tied up for a while," Guy continued. "I've received an urgent mission and will be very busy. I won't have time to personally oversee your training."
"I'm giving you some time off. Rest well, recharge—use this period to reflect and refine."
Though Might Guy didn't elaborate, Tian Yu had already guessed that the mission was tied to the recent unrest within the Uchiha clan.
From his earlier conversation with Uchiha Itachi, Tian Yu had learned that the Uchiha's internal rituals and secret gatherings had grown unusually frequent.
The day of their rebellion—known all too well to those who observed the signs—was likely fast approaching.
Naturally, the Hokage needed to reinforce the strength at his disposal.
Every shinobi was to remain on standby, and village patrols had increased in intensity and frequency.
"I understand, Sensei," Tian Yu said with a firm nod.
"Of course, before your vacation begins… there's one more important matter." Guy grinned, his pearly teeth shining with enthusiasm.
"Today, I'm giving you a very special assessment!"
"If you pass, the rewards will be exceptional!"
---
Chapter 25: The Might Guy Assessment
"What kind of assessment?" Tian Yu asked, intrigued.
Might Guy placed his hands on his hips, a gleam of excitement in his eyes.
"You'll fight me in a sparring match. This test will gauge your real combat ability."
"How about it, Tian Yu? Are you ready?"
Fighting Might Guy?
Now that was interesting.
A sly smile crept onto Tian Yu's lips.
All this time, his training had focused on foundational taijutsu and internal refinement. True battle practice was scarce.
His last real combat experience?
The duel with Hyuga Neji during their academy spar—a battle he ended with a single move.
And that fight had felt far too brief.
Now, standing before one of Konoha's top taijutsu masters?
His heart burned with anticipation.
He wanted to see how far he had come—how much stronger he'd become after all this time.
"I'm looking forward to it," Tian Yu replied, his voice calm but eager.
"Haha! Excellent!" Might Guy's voice boomed like thunder. "This time, I won't be using a shadow clone. I'll face you myself."
"You don't have to defeat me. All you need to do is last ten minutes."
"I won't use any forbidden techniques like the Eight Inner Gates," he added. "But for everything else, I will be going all out—no holding back."
"So don't take this lightly."
"Show me your full strength, Tian Yu—let's see the real you!"
"Understood," Tian Yu nodded.
"Then let the assessment begin!"
Guy instantly dropped into his combat stance.
"Come at me, Tian Yu!"
In the next second, Tian Yu sprang into the air.
Between the fingers of both hands, kunai, shuriken, and explosive tags were already prepared.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!
Like arrows, the projectiles streaked through the air toward Might Guy.
Boom! Boom!
A series of fiery explosions erupted as the detonating tags ignited on impact.
Thick black smoke billowed from the blasts, covering the battlefield.
"YAAAH!"
From the cloud of smoke, a blur of green surged forward—
Might Guy's figure emerged unscathed, slipping effortlessly through the barrage of shuriken and kunai.
"Tian Yu, take this!"
With a twist of his torso, Guy launched a spinning kick toward Tian Yu's midsection, the move striking like a tornado.
Bang!
The blow hit squarely—
But the figure of "Tian Yu" dissipated in a puff of smoke.
A Shadow Clone.
Might Guy landed smoothly, eyes narrowing as he spotted a single kunai falling to the ground.
He immediately pieced together the plan.
Tian Yu had known from the start that his explosive tags couldn't hurt Guy.
Their purpose?
Obstruction.
The black smoke wasn't for damage—it was for distraction.
Among the flying tools, Tian Yu had planted a specially forged kunai, camouflaged among the ordinary ones and scattered across the field.
It was a misdirection—a carefully laid trap.
A clever plan.
Even Guy had been momentarily fooled.
Tian Yu's mastery of ninja tools was reaching a new level.
"The Konoha Whirlwind!"
At that moment, the real Tian Yu emerged behind Guy.
Wearing a white training gi, he spun into a high-speed kick, creating a white arc of wind as he aimed at Guy's back.
"Konoha Rising Wind!"
Guy reacted in a flash.
Knowing it was too late to dodge, he raised his forearm and braced for the strike.
Bang!
A heavy impact rang out.
Both Tian Yu and Might Guy were forced back, skidding across the training ground before pausing.
Tian Yu steadied himself, surprise flickering in his eyes.
"As expected of you, Guy-sensei. You blocked my Konoha Whirlwind with your forearm alone…"
He had thought his taijutsu had grown formidable.
But in front of a true taijutsu master like Might Guy, it was clear there was still a long road ahead.
Even so—Tian Yu wasn't disappointed. This was what he'd expected.
However, on Guy's end—
He was genuinely shocked.
His forearm still buzzed from the impact.
This wasn't just solid technique. The sheer force behind Tian Yu's kick…
It was something Guy had never felt from anyone before.
Not even from Kakashi, his eternal rival.
To push him back—physically—without opening the Eight Gates?
That was unheard of.
Only two shinobi in the village could generate this kind of power in taijutsu: himself… and Tian Yu.
To master physical combat to this degree in such a short time—
Tian Yu was undoubtedly a taijutsu genius.
"Again, Tian Yu! Hahaha!"
With a laugh, Guy burst forward.
"Konoha Great Whirlwind!"
His legs surged with blue chakra, wrapping around his calf and foot.
He unleashed a kick with the force of a battering ram.
This time—
He wasn't holding back.
Tian Yu narrowed his eyes.
He knew.
This kick wasn't one he could take head-on.
A flash of silver gleamed in his hand.
The Grass Pheasant Sword—drawn in an instant.