(Dosu's POV)
Early in the morning, in a training field surrounded by enormous trees, two figures were facing off.
-Again.- Dosu said calmly, maintaining his composed demeanor.
Ryuta's figure was completely battered, stretched out on the ground, breathing heavily, his clothes dirty and torn. The cold morning, with the sun barely rising, caused his breath to condense in the air, creating small clouds of light white mist.
The boy wasn't quite sure what to say about the training he was receiving, if he focused on taijutsu, would that be useful in facing those monsters?
-Sensei, is this really necessary?- He couldn't help but ask.
Dosu was quiet for a moment before saying, -I've fought that thick-browed kid before.
Ryuta was surprised, his breath catching for a moment, it was then that he remembered that his Sensei's age wasn't much different from his own.
Dosu didn't wait for him to answer, looking at Ryuta, he continued. - I almost died.
This shocked Ryuta even more, Dosu wasn't lying either, if it weren't for Jugo, he really would have died.
-That funny guy is really that strong?- Ryuta asked, shocked.
-I was much weaker back then, but I was still stronger than you now, so what do you think?- Dosu teased lightly. -That guy hasn't been standing still all this time, he's stronger too.
Ryuta threw his head back, hitting some small rocks, probably hurting his head, but he didn't have the strength to even worry about that now. - So? Isn't it better to just give up?
It wasn't that Ryuta was a coward, but he wasn't stupid, hearing how his invincible Sensei almost died fighting his current opponent, he was desperate.
Regarding Dosu saying he was much weaker back then, Ryuta took that as an understatement on Dosu's part.
Dosu didn't want to tell Ryuta this before, but he saw that the boy wasn't focused on training, so he had to bring him back to reality.
He tried to ask Jugo to let his students receive the curse mark or the werewolf power, but Jugo pointed out directly that it was Guren's request, the woman wanted to win, but also wanted the village ninjas to work hard for the power.
If Jugo starts distributing power indiscriminately, wouldn't that create a generation of ninjas with strong powers and weak mentalities? She, who was once a ninja and grew up in a dark environment, knew that many ninjas died not because of stronger enemies, but because of smarter ones.
She wanted these ninjas to grow gradually, fighting for every ounce of strength.
So, when Dosu approached her, she refused to help, albeit with clear reluctance.
It was a situation where we wanted to win, but knew that losing now would mean winning in the future.
Ryuta would fight against Lee, a tough guy that even the current Dosu wasn't sure he could beat if he used his full power. Current Lee can already open 6 gates, which alone puts him at a solid Jonin level, and in terms of taijutsu alone, Lee could be considered an Elite Jonin when he gives his all.
Dosu saw how Lee fought against Chojurou, but fortunately ninjas are rarely like Lee, fighting head-on in a real fight. He thought he wouldn't lose, but he could get badly hurt.
Knowing this, Dosu didn't have much hope for Ryuta, but even if he wanted to help Ryuta devise a plan to win through intelligence, he had to solve a problem first.
-Before you even think about giving up, know that you're not fighting to win.- Dosu said calmly, drawing Ryuta's attention, though he hadn't moved from his lying position.
-You're struggling to show your progress, your enemy isn't that idiot with the leaf, but yourself, and right now... you're losing.- Dosu knew exactly how to provoke Ryuta, he needed a clear objective, something he could cling to in order to keep moving forward.
As expected, Ryuta trembled slightly, though he did not stand up.
-You haven't lost yet, Ryuta, but the first step to having even a small chance of winning is strengthening your physique and reaction time. Without that, even if you manage to devise a plan, you'll end up losing before you even begin.- Dosu shrugged. -Besides, Jugo-sama will be there. If you're going to lose, at least try to lose with dignity. Imagine the shame of falling with just one punch after the match has even started... I wouldn't even want to leave the house after that.
As soon as he finished his taunt, Ryuta jumped straight off the ground, his body trembling, his eyes hidden by bandages, but his teeth were completely clenched. - Damn it! Let's continue!
Dosu smiled slightly, though his smile couldn't be seen through his bandages, his single visible eye seemed completely indifferent to it all. The sounds of collision soon returned to the training field.
//-//
(Jirobo's POV)
On Jirobo's side, he was also training a brat, Kenta, who didn't seem any different from Ryuta in terms of fatigue and physical exhaustion, but the difference was that Jirobo didn't need to ask, Kenta would always jump up whenever he fell, even with his muscles groaning in protest, he would grit his teeth and get up again.
Jirobo merely observed him with his perpetually stern face, he let out a grunt and spoke. - I've already fought that Akimichi brat, his Jutsu is powerful, but slow, you have the advantage in terms of speed, but your agile body probably can't withstand more than two punches, three if that willpower of yours forces you to get up again.
Kenta didn't respond, he just attacked again. Jirobo simply kicked the ground, and a piece of earth warped in front of him, sending Kenta tripping directly onto it. Jirobo just took a step to the side, and Kenta was thrown flying away.
Jirobo snorted slightly, ignoring the attack and continuing to speak. -Being faster doesn't always make you the winner, pay attention to your surroundings too, brat.
Jirobo's training method was simple and straightforward, he didn't even need to activate his curse mark or his werewolf power. He simply used the environment to his advantage.
When Kenta wanted to get up and fight again, he stomped down, ready to advance, but his foot sank in. He looked down in surprise and saw that he had stepped in a puddle of mud hidden by a thin layer of dirt, the worst part was that this mud was incredibly sticky.
Jirobo simply stared at him, his face showing no change, but he was having a lot of fun.
Kenta had to exert a great deal of effort to get out, but just as he was about to attack again, a rock the size of a baseball fell on his head, causing him to see stars.
Even Jirobo's "annoyed" expression briefly changed, almost making him laugh, he really liked this "job."