YOUTH

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Blue sky and a sunny day, the year couldn't have started better, except for one small detail that bothered Rock Lee: he had no rival to motivate him.

The long-browed ninja was running around the training ground, already on his 381st lap and wanted to finish the remaining 129 before sunset. It was a kind of rule that, if broken, he would have to do five hundred sit-ups to compensate. Lee was still an extremely hard-working ninja, but lately he no longer felt the "flame of youth" burning in his body during his long hours of training.

— Gejimayu-niichan! — The voice brought Lee to a halt in his run. As always, focused on his training, he didn't notice Konohamaru approaching accompanied by Moegi and Udon.

— Konohamaru-kun? — He looked around, ending up noticing three children next to him.

— Happy New Year, Gejimayu-niichan! — Konohamaru smirked.

— Happy New Year! — Moegi and Udon spoke at the same time, they were behind Konohamaru.

— Happy New Year? — the eldest was thoughtful for a while, had completely forgotten that it was the first days of the year. — Ah, Happy New Year! — He smiled and snapped his fingers when he noticed that the children wanted something more than greeting: — And I already know what you want!

— Didn't I tell you? — The "leader" was still smiling at his friends in the corner, now extending a hand to Lee.

— You want to start the year by doing your best training with me! — The speech was much livelier now, as he started to run again. — We will!

"Guy-Sensei! I'll have my own pupils to inspire just as I'm inspired by you!", his eyes sparkled and flowed with tears of pride as he already imagined himself training with the trio, just as Guy had trained him when he was younger. If he didn't have a rival, at least he would have pupils.

— Follow him! — Konohamaru pointed his finger at Rock Lee, darting away and being followed by the others. I wasn't going to let Rock Lee get away that easy.

After 200 laps, because Lee decided to round up the remaining number so that his "students" would train longer, the three children were on the ground, breathless even to complain.

— Okay, we'll see you again tomorrow!? — The bubbly and still energetic voice were something to be the envy of the little ones.

— Tomorrow? — Udon asked confused.

— But we still receive money only today... — Moegi said a little sadly.

—Gejimayu-niichan... Did you forget about me? — Konohamaru was appealing to his latest blow: drama.

— Ah... That's it... hehe... — the ninja, totally embarrassed, ruffled his own hair in a bowl — I forgot my wallet at home today.

Now the three children looked at Lee with the face of an ownerless dog and even got teary-eyed. It's not like he doesn't want to give the money to Konohamaru, he really forgot it was the beginning of the year and didn't mind leaving without his wallet.

— But if you want, you can accompany me home! — He smiled, trying to cheer the kids up. — Let's go! — and again ran ahead.

—What now, Konohamaru-chan? — Udon was still confused about what to do, but he had caught his breath.

— Now... kore... — Apparently, Konohamaru was still normalizing his breathing. —... follow Gejimayu-niichan! — He started to run, being followed again by the other two.

The day ended with a smiling Lee being followed by three children who, despite being exhausted, were motivated by their new "sensei". At least that day the lack of having a rival was filled.

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Lesson number two: be inspiring to the younger generations.

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Note:

Oniichan is an informal way of calling someone "older brother", even if it's considerate.

Konohamaru has a habit of saying "kore" (that) as well as Naruto has a habit of saying "dattebayo" (I'm right).

Between the first days of the year (from 01 to 03) in Japan, it is common for children and teenagers to receive a small envelope with money (Otoshidama) from their families.