*Chapter 42: Thank You for Acknowledging Me!*

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After replenishing his stamina, Sasuke found himself restless. Simply jumping rope no longer satisfied him. His sharp gaze shifted to Rock Lee, still slumped in the mud.

“Lee, did you know there are many ways to jump rope?”

Sasuke's lips curved into a smug grin, his confidence practically radiating off him.

+3.

The system’s notification confirmed it—Sasuke was officially showing off.

Without waiting for a reply, he continued, “Basic rope jumping is fine for exercise, but mixing it up trains different muscle groups!”

His voice was calm, his breathing steady despite the continuous motion. For Sasuke, maintaining control over his body had become second nature.

To Lee, however, this sight was nothing short of surreal.

Sasuke had been jumping for an eternity.

And he was still talking.

*What kind of monster is this?!*

Lee’s lips trembled as he watched in silent disbelief. He wanted to protest, but the words wouldn’t come.

“Watch this,” Sasuke said, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.

With that, Sasuke crossed his arms, looping the rope in a crisscross pattern beneath his feet. The arc of each swing grew larger as he hopped higher, executing the motion with precision.

Swish~ Swish~ Swish~  

The rope twisted and untwisted rhythmically, creating a mesmerizing pattern.

+1.

Lee’s expression remained neutral.

He recognized this technique—braiding. It wasn’t particularly difficult, but he’d always dismissed it as impractical. Watching Sasuke, however, stirred no emotion within him.

Sasuke, too, felt the lack of impact.

Time for something flashier.

Suddenly, Sasuke shifted the pattern. A “braid” jump was followed by a regular jump, then another “braid.” Slowly, the sequence became less predictable, evolving into a chaotic mix of movements.

But he didn’t stop there.

Sasuke alternated between jumping with both feet and hopping on one, creating a seamless flow of irregular patterns.

The result?

An intricate, unpredictable display that left Lee wide-eyed.

+5.

Lee’s neutral expression melted into awe. The chaotic complexity of Sasuke’s movements shook him.

*This isn’t just jumping rope... it’s breaking the mold.*

Lee’s mind raced. His training—whether taijutsu or conditioning—always followed a rigid structure. He had known for a long time this rigidity was his greatest flaw. Even Might Guy had pointed out that his strongest moments came when he embraced unpredictability, as seen in his Drunken Fist.

Now, watching Sasuke, an epiphany struck him like a bolt of lightning.

*Training is no different from taijutsu.*

One didn’t need to follow the rules every time.

*Genius.*

This Uchiha wasn’t just strong; he was creative, flexible, unparalleled.

Lee’s admiration for Sasuke skyrocketed.

Could it be...

*He’s trying to help me?*

Using such an indirect method to expose my flaws?

Lee’s heart pounded. Sasuke wasn’t just a genius—he was a terrifying one, leagues ahead of Neji.

As Lee processed his revelation, Sasuke continued skipping, his forehead glistening with sweat. Fatigue crept in, but Sasuke swiftly spent a system point to restore his stamina and mental focus.

“Lee, there’s more to rope skipping,” Sasuke began, his tone suddenly instructional. “You can increase the rope’s speed to pass it twice—or even three times—with a single jump.”

The tempo of Sasuke’s movements accelerated. Each jump now propelled the rope under his feet twice, adding a new layer of difficulty.

Then, as if to truly drive home his brilliance, Sasuke mixed in triple skips, alternating between single, double, and triple passes. The rhythm shifted unpredictably, faster and slower, showcasing the full range of possibilities.

+15.

Lee was stunned, frozen in place as he stared at Sasuke. This wasn’t just a performance anymore.

It was a philosophy.

Unrestrained. Fluid.

One word after another filled Lee’s mind. His understanding of taijutsu deepened. Every punch, every kick—it wasn’t about brute force or repetition. Sometimes, yielding in the face of an opponent’s aggression could be more effective than overpowering them.

Just like jumping rope.

It wasn’t necessary to push for triple skips every time. The real challenge lay in knowing when to ease back, when to change the flow.

*I see it now!*

Lee’s chest swelled with emotion. The genius before him had used a seemingly trivial activity to convey a profound truth.

To Lee, this wasn’t just a lesson.

It was an acknowledgment.

“Sasuke!”

Lee’s voice thundered, startling Sasuke mid-jump. The sudden outburst broke his rhythm, and the rope snapped harshly against his ankle.

“Ouch!” Sasuke hissed, the sting bringing him back to reality. He turned to Lee, his expression a mix of confusion and irritation.

“What’s with the yelling?!” Sasuke grumbled, rubbing his ankle. “Can’t you see I was in the zone?”

But Lee wasn’t listening.

With a loud thud, he dropped to his knees in the puddle, his hands pressing against the ground in what could only be described as a dramatic yoga pose.

Or, in some folk tales...

*A bow of deep gratitude.*

“Thank you!” Lee cried, tears streaming down his face like a burst dam. The droplets fell, mixing with the puddle beneath him.

*He still has water left in him?!*

Sasuke blinked, stunned. “Acknowledging you?”

The Uchiha prodigy felt his grip on the situation slip. He had started with confidence, certain he controlled the narrative.

Now...

What had just happened?

(End of Chapter)