Two months had passed since Rai's training had begun. In that time, he had encountered a myriad of physical and mental challenges that tested his limits. Despite facing moments of uncertainty and self-doubt, Rai remained resolute in his pursuit of his goals, determined to overcome any obstacle in his path.

He showed unwavering dedication to his training regimen, pushing himself relentlessly through the rigorous endurance exercises and balance drills, always seeking to improve his abilities. Additionally, he developed a mature approach to his training, taking time to reflect on his progress, and identifying areas for growth and improvement.

Through this process, Rai developed a deep sense of self-awareness and became more attuned to his physical and mental strengths and limitations, enabling him to train more effectively and efficiently.

Rai's unwavering dedication and perseverance during his training had begun to yield results. As he continued to push himself, he began to notice a marked improvement in his physical abilities. He became stronger, faster, and more agile with each passing day, a testament to the long hours of hard work and determination that he had put into his training.

Rai's diligent practice and focused efforts allowed him to complete the obstacle courses with greater ease and efficiency, demonstrating a newfound level of precision in his movements.

Meanwhile, Yoshino had noticed that despite Rai's remarkable progress in stamina training, he still lacked the necessary strength to perform more advanced techniques. To address this, she introduced body conditioning exercises into his training routine.

Recognizing the importance of developing muscular strength in preventing injuries and enhancing performance, Rai began performing bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, squats, lunges, and planks to target different muscle groups.

Though Rai initially found these exercises challenging, he remained committed to his training, demonstrating a mature attitude towards the process of self-improvement. Over time, he gradually increased his endurance and strength, noticing significant improvements in his physical abilities.

His mother also Rai's mother emphasized the significance of incorporating stretching and mobility exercises into his training regimen, emphasizing their role in reducing the risk of injury and enhancing flexibility. Rai dedicated himself to this aspect of his training, setting aside time each day to perform dynamic and static stretching exercises.

After just two months of training, Rai was astonished at the remarkable changes he observed in his body. Through consistent effort, he noticed a marked improvement in his range of motion, as well as a reduction in muscle soreness.

He felt a newfound strength, speed, and flexibility, surpassing anything he had previously experienced. Rai acknowledged the significant role that body conditioning had played in his progress, enabling him to perform better in his stamina training and improve his overall physical health. He recognized the importance of a holistic approach to fitness, incorporating strength, stamina, and flexibility into his training regimen.

Despite Yoshino's absence, Rai demonstrated maturity and responsibility by continuing his endurance runs and agility training alone. He remained mindful of his safety and well-being, knowing that he would always be picked up by Yoshino in the evening.

*

As the weekend approached, Rai was on his way to training ground three to continue his agility and balance training. Rai had been diligently adhering to his training regimen for the past two months, focusing on exercises that progressively intensified. Though the routine was repetitive, Rai recognized the significance of establishing a solid foundation and was determined to perfect his technique.

As Rai approached the gate of the training grounds, his ears perked up as the rhythmic thuds of punches and kicks echoed through the air, accompanied by the soft swish of movement.

Curiosity piqued, Rai made his way towards the sound, wondering who could be training at this hour. He had been going to the training ground every day for the past two months, and every time he arrived, the place always seemed empty.

As Rai walked towards the source of the sound, he caught sight of a boy in the distance. The young boy seemed to be fully engrossed in his training, kicking the wooden post with incredible precision and speed. Rai's curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to approach the boy.

The young boy's attire was distinct, with a green sleeveless jumpsuit and orange leg warmers that reached just above his knees. A red scarf was wrapped around his neck, and a red belt was tied tightly around his waist. Rai couldn't help but notice the bandages covering the boy's arms, which extended up to his elbows. However, the most unique feature of the boy was his thick, bushy eyebrows that curved outward, giving him a fierce and determined look.

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Upon closer observation, Rai noticed a metallic emblem on the boy's waist belt that resembled the one his father wore on his arm. It dawned on him that the emblem was probably a form of identification for shinobi, indicating that the weird looking guy in front of him was also a shinobi.

As Rai neared the boy, the sound of his footsteps echoed through the grounds, prompting the boy to turn his head in Rai's direction. Rai felt a sudden surge of apprehension as he drew near. He wasn't accustomed to meeting new people, having spent most of his time interacting only with his parents and a few of his mother's acquaintances.

As such, Rai quickly averted his gaze, but it was too late. The boy had already noticed him and was quick to greet him. Rai looked up to meet the boy's eyes and was greeted with a warm smile.

"Hey there, little guy! I didn't notice you watching me from over there," he exclaimed, a friendly and enthusiastic tone in his voice.

The boy's amiable nature instantly alleviated any apprehension Rai may have had. A smile naturally formed on Rai's face in response to the boy's warm greeting. "I apologize for interrupting your training," Rai stated, "I was on my way to train and heard the sound of your training. My curiosity got the best of me, and I wanted to take a closer look."

The boy caught Rai's words and an eager look appeared in his eyes. He beamed and made a gesture of waving his hand, "No need to apologize, my young friend. So, you're here to train?" he inquired.

Rai nodded, feeling a sense of relief at the boy's welcoming attitude.

"At your age, that's truly remarkable! I'm Gai, by the way," he introduced himself with a broad grin, his hand outstretched for a handshake.

Rai was momentarily surprised by the boy's introduction, and he looked at him with a puzzled expression before responding, "I am also a guy..."

"..."

The boy's smile faltered briefly as he realized Rai's confusion, but he swiftly regained his composure and let out a chuckle. "Apologies for the confusion, my young friend. I'm Gai, Might Gai," he clarified

Rai felt a flush of embarrassment creep up his cheeks as he realized his mistake. "My apologies, I misunderstood. I'm Shikarai Nara," he said as he shook Gai's outstretched hand, feeling relieved that Gai seemed to take the mistake in stride.

After introducing himself, Rai mustered the courage to politely ask Gai about his booking of the training ground slot for an hour. "Excuse me, Gai. I hope I'm not bothering you, but I have reserved this training ground for the next hour. Would you mind if I used it for my training?" he asked politely.

Upon hearing Rai's polite reminder, Gai's face fell slightly as he realized that his time was up at the training ground. "Ah! I completely forgot my hour was almost up," he admitted sheepishly.

"Thank you for reminding me," Gai said as he began to pack up his equipment.

Rai, sensing the opportunity for a potential training partner, spoke up. "If you don't mind, would you like to train together for a bit?" he asked with a friendly smile.

Gai's eyes lit up at the suggestion, "That's a splendid idea Shikarai! I would love to train with you." he exclaimed with fervor, his voice exuding enthusiasm and passion. "Ah, youth! The fire that ignites the soul and fuels the body! The power that knows no limits and overcomes all obstacles! The source of infinite energy and passion! It's a time to pursue our dreams and strive for greatness. Let's make the most of our time here."

Rai couldn't help but feel a little weirded out by Gai's passionate speech. He had never met someone with such an intense and passionate personality before.

"Um...yeah, sure, youth is great," Rai replied, a bit awkwardly. "So, shall we start training?" he added, trying to change the topic.

"Of course, my young friend." Gai exclaimed with a wide grin. "So, what do you plan on training with today?" he asked curiously, his eyes shining with excitement.

Rai explained to Gai that his current training routine focused on improving his agility and balance. He would start with agility training by maneuvering through cones, then shift his focus to enhancing his balance by practicing on the balance beams.

"Very well," Gai replied eagerly. "Could you please demonstrate both of these routines for me?"

Rai readily agreed and took his position, preparing to showcase his agility and balance training. With impressive precision, he weaved in and out of the cones, executing each turn with ease. He then transitioned to the balance beams, leaping from one beam to another with finesse and showcasing his remarkable balance and control.

Gai stood back and watched as Rai smoothly and effortlessly maneuvered through the cones and onto the balance beams. He was completely awestruck by the young boy's exceptional control and precision. His eyes widened with amazement and his mouth hung slightly open in disbelief as he watched Rai complete each routine with skillful speed and grace.

It was truly remarkable to witness such exceptional control in a child as young as Rai. It was evident that Rai possessed a rare level of skill and control that was not commonly seen in children of his age, owing to their still-developing physiology. It was clear that Rai had put in a lot of time and effort into perfecting his techniques, and Gai couldn't help but feel impressed.

"That was truly impressive, Shikarai. May I ask, how long have you been practicing your techniques?" Gai inquired with curiosity.

Rai smiled, "Thank you, Gai. I've been training for approximately two months now. My mother usually assists me with my training, but due to her current engagements, I've been training on my own."

Gai's face displayed a mix of surprise and admiration at Rai's reply. "You have indeed achieved a lot in just two months, Shikarai. It's clear that you've put in a lot of effort and dedication into your training. This level of commitment and hard work is what distinguishes a great shinobi from the rest," Gai remarked, acknowledging Rai's efforts.

However, he couldn't help but offer a word of caution. "But it's important to keep in mind that you're still growing and developing. It's crucial to avoid pushing yourself too hard and pay attention to your body's signals," he advised. "You wouldn't want to hurt yourself or hamper your growth by overworking. Remember, balance is the key to both training and life," he added, stressing on the importance of moderation.

Rai was a bit taken aback by Gai's warning. "Oh, sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. I only train for at most three hours a day, and I make sure not to push myself too hard. I know I'm still growing, so I'm being cautious."

Gai's eyes widened in shock, "Only three hours a day? And you've been doing this for only two months?" he exclaimed. He couldn't believe that Rai had only trained for two months and attained such a level of control and mastery over his body.

As Gai stared at Rai, he couldn't help but think that his figure reminded him of someone else he knew who possessed exceptional skills at such a young age. Suddenly, the image of a silver-haired shinobi with a mask overlapped with Rai in Gai's mind.