**Chapter 38: Unfortunately, You've Met Me!**

The contest between Sasuke and Rock Lee intensified, with both furiously performing push-ups. The dirt beneath them darkened from the sweat pouring off their bodies, creating small puddles that steadily grew larger.

Especially on Sasuke’s side.

---

**“Huff... huff... huff...”**

Sasuke’s chest heaved as if his lungs were on the verge of bursting. His muscles burned, each movement a battle against his body’s limits. This wasn’t training—it was torture, and he could feel the risk of injury creeping closer with every repetition.

Suddenly, the familiar *ding ding* of the system rang in Sasuke’s mind.

---

Opening his system panel, Sasuke saw his **Stamina attribute** increase from **160 to 161 points.**

**“Yes!”** he thought, a flicker of satisfaction cutting through his exhaustion.

The system was confirming a pattern: intense physical exertion led to increases in the corresponding attribute. When he’d been running earlier, his Stamina and Speed had grown. Now, during push-ups, it was Stamina and Strength that improved.

However, there was one glaring problem:

**“Increasing Stamina doesn’t restore it...”**

---

Before Sasuke could dwell on this, another *ding ding* rang out. This time, it wasn’t his Stamina—it was his **Strength**, which rose by 1 point.

**“I see...”** Sasuke’s understanding deepened.

By focusing his training on activities that required both strength and stamina, he could steadily increase both attributes. But what if there were a way to recover his stamina mid-training?

---

As exhaustion clawed at him, Sasuke decided it was time to test his theory.

He still had **3 system points** left from earlier. Carefully, he allocated **1 point** to his Stamina attribute, raising it from **161 to 162.**

*Hum!*

A familiar warmth surged through Sasuke’s body, washing away every trace of fatigue. His muscles no longer ached, and his breathing evened out. It was as though he had just woken up from the most refreshing sleep of his life.

---

**“Holy crap!”** Sasuke blurted, his eyes wide.

A single point had completely restored him. The implications were staggering. As long as he had system points, he could theoretically train indefinitely, never succumbing to exhaustion.

---

Now, there was one final test.

Sasuke wanted to see if other attributes could replicate the same recovery effect. Returning to the system panel, he allocated **1 point** to his Strength attribute.

His Strength increased, but there was no wave of recovery. His body remained as it was, albeit with a faint tingling in his muscles that hinted at the newfound power.

Next, he added a point to Speed.

Again, his body changed slightly—this time, a cooling sensation ran through him—but there was still no recovery.

**“Understood.”** Sasuke nodded to himself. **“Only Stamina can restore me mid-training.”**

---

Meanwhile, Rock Lee had been sneaking glances at Sasuke. Noticing his rival slowing down, Lee couldn’t help but smirk.

**“Sasuke, if you’re tired, go and rest!”** Lee called out, his voice steady despite his own fatigue. He had deliberately slowed his pace to catch his breath, and now he returned Sasuke’s earlier jab with a dose of his own confidence.

For a fleeting moment, Lee felt... smug.

**“Is this what showing off feels like? No wonder geniuses do it so often—it’s so cool!”**

---

But Lee’s satisfaction didn’t last long.

Sasuke turned his head, offering a calm smile that sent a chill down Lee’s spine.

**“How could a genius get tired?”** Sasuke quipped, his voice steady and unfazed.

Then, as if to drive the point home, Sasuke’s push-up speed suddenly increased, each motion sharp and effortless. It was as though he had completely recovered—which, unbeknownst to Lee, was exactly what had happened.

---

+5

Lee’s expression crumbled. **“No way...”**

They had already done over **500 push-ups**. Even for him, the grueling pace was starting to take its toll. Yet Sasuke showed no signs of slowing down.

---

**“No!”** Lee clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes.

Stamina was his domain, his pride, his unshakable strength. He refused to lose to anyone, especially not in physical endurance. This was his identity—the genius of hard work. Even Neji hadn’t surpassed him in this arena.

Guy-sensei’s words echoed in his mind:

**“You’re the one who can outwork any genius, Lee!”**

With renewed resolve, Lee pushed himself harder, his rhythm quickening despite the burning in his muscles.

---

Sasuke, meanwhile, glanced over at Lee, his face an unreadable mask.

**“Lee, don’t push yourself too hard,”** he said, his tone almost patronizing. **“You’re already doing great!”**

Then, with a small smirk, he added: **“Unfortunately, you’ve met me.”**

+5

---

Lee’s jaw tightened. He could hear the teasing tone in Sasuke’s words, and it was maddening. His rival wasn’t just continuing—he was thriving.

---

Unbeknownst to Lee, Sasuke had once again used his system points to restore his stamina.

**“This battle is already mine,”** Sasuke thought, feeling a surge of confidence. **“With my stamina fully restored, I can keep going indefinitely.”**

Sasuke’s grin widened as he watched Lee struggle. The contest had become more than a simple training session—it was now a psychological battle of will and pride.

---

**“Lee...”** Sasuke began, his voice calm yet tinged with amusement.

**“No matter how hard you try... there are some mountains you just can’t climb.”**

+5

Lee’s fists trembled as his resolve deepened.

**“I will surpass him!”**

The battle raged on, sweat soaking the earth beneath them. Neither was willing to yield, but Sasuke had one undeniable advantage:

He could keep going forever.

(End of Chapter)