The boyish Might Guy leapt down from the wall with a loud thud, landing in a dramatic stance. His teeth gleamed as he flashed his trademark thumbs-up pose.
"Kakashi! Today I will surpass you in youth and spirit!"
Young Kakashi tilted his head slightly, his expression as calm and indifferent as ever. "Hn. You've been saying that every day."
Guy puffed up his chest, eyes burning. "But today is different!"
Before Kakashi could ask what he meant, Guy suddenly tugged at the zipper of his tight green jumpsuit with both hands
Ziiiiip!
With a powerful motion, he peeled it open, baring his upper body under the pale sunlight. His well-trained torso, gleaming faintly with sweat from earlier training, was revealed without hesitation.
"Cool guy took off his clothes and showed you this!!" Guy bellowed at full volume, posing with both fists on his waist.
[Ding! Uchiha Sasuke's emotional fluctuations have been captured! Emotional value +200!]
[Ding! Uzumaki Naruto's emotional fluctuations have been captured! Emotional value +300!]
[Ding! Haruno Sakura's emotional fluctuations have been captured! Emotional value +200!]
In the audience, Naruto practically fell out of his seat laughing.
"Pfft what the heck was that?! Who says that?!"
Sakura slapped her forehead. "Unbelievable… even when he was young, Guy-sensei was… like this."
Might Guy in the present clasped both fists and burst into proud tears. "Yesss! That was the burning spirit of my youth! I remember that day! It was when I showed Kakashi the fruit of my endless training!"
On screen, young Kakashi was silent for a long time. Finally, he let out a small sigh and muttered, "Idiot."
But behind the mask of indifference, something inside him stirred. For the first time since this strange dream began, his lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile.
[Ding! Hatake Kakashi's emotional fluctuations have been captured! Emotional value +500!]
Hatake Sakumo, half-hidden in the shadow of the veranda, watched the scene quietly. His tired eyes softened.
"…So this is the kind of companion you'll have in your youth, Kakashi. Someone who will challenge you without fear… perhaps even save you in ways I cannot."
He turned away, his silhouette stretching thin in the bamboo light.
"But… will that be enough to lift you from the weight you'll one day bear?"
"Let's compare muscles!!" Might Guy declared with fiery passion. His hands yanked open his green jumpsuit collar, baring his wiry torso as he flexed proudly. "The essence of youth is carved in sweat and hard training! Behold my flame-of-youth body!!"
[Ding! Might Guy's emotional fluctuations have been captured! Emotional value +400!]
Kakashi's eyelid twitched. "...Seriously?"
Guy struck a dramatic pose, veins bulging as he flexed every muscle he could. "Cool guy took off his clothes and showed you this!!"
[Ding! Uzumaki Naruto's emotional fluctuations have been captured! Emotional value +300!]
[Ding! Haruno Sakura's emotional fluctuations have been captured! Emotional value +200!]
[Ding! Uchiha Sasuke's emotional fluctuations have been captured! Emotional value +200!]
In the audience, Naruto burst into laughter, nearly doubling over.
"Pfft he really said it AGAIN! What kind of competition is that?!"
Sakura slapped her forehead. "I don't even know where to begin… Guy-sensei was seriously like this since he was a kid?!"
Present-day Might Guy wiped away hot tears, flashing a sparkling smile and thumbs-up. "Yes! That was the passion of my youth, unshaken through time!"
Sasuke looked away, his face dark. "…Embarrassing."
On screen, young Kakashi sighed, shaking his head. "…You never change, do you, Guy?"
But despite his words, his lips curled into a faint smile.
[Ding! Hatake Kakashi's emotional fluctuations have been captured! Emotional value +400!]
The two boys squared up in the small grove, one dead serious, the other half amused. Kakashi set down his wooden practice sword and rolled up his sleeve just enough to play along.
"Fine," he muttered. "If I don't, you'll just keep pestering me."
The moment Kakashi flexed his slender but sharp lines of muscle, Guy gasped in genuine admiration.
"As expected of my eternal rival!" he shouted, slamming his fists together. "Even at your age, you already shine with the flames of youth!"
Watching this play out, Naruto and Sakura glanced at each other.
"…So, even Kakashi-sensei used to be roped into this nonsense," Naruto whispered.
"…It's kind of… cute," Sakura admitted reluctantly.
Meanwhile, in the shadows of the veranda, Sakumo stood quietly, his gaze deep and unreadable. The sound of the boys' laughter echoed in the courtyard, stirring something bittersweet in his heart.
He thought to himself, Kakashi… hold onto that bond. Someday, you'll need it more than you can imagine.
....
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