Might Guy’s heart skipped a beat.
Here it comes.
In the original story, Kakashi graduated from the Ninja Academy in less than a year.
Because of White Fang’s suicide, he wanted to become stronger, to prove something.
Now White Fang was alive.
Guy had thought Kakashi would wait until next year and graduate together with them.
He hadn’t expected this…
“Why?” Guy asked.
Kakashi looked at him, his eyes serious.
“There’s nothing left for me to learn at the Ninja Academy.” Guy didn’t speak.
“Especially after that fight just now.” Kakashi continued.
“I used Clone Technique, shuriken, Earth Style.
But when we fought that giant bear, none of it worked.” He paused.
“Only in real combat can you truly break through your limits.” Guy was silent.
He understood that feeling all too well.
His Vajra Leg had been stuck at 999 proficiency for over ten days.
Ten thousand kicks a day.
Ten thousand finger thrusts a day.
The proficiency wouldn’t budge.
But that one kick earlier—when Kurenai’s life was on the line, when his mind went blank— He just kicked.
And he broke through.
Transcendent.
The Golden Giant Leg.
That kind of feeling really couldn’t be trained in a practice yard.
“Guy.” Kakashi looked at him, his eyes bright.
“Do you want to come with me?” Moonlight fell on the two of them.
Behind them came the sounds of Obito and Ebisu arguing, Rin and Kurenai laughing, and the scraping of the cub being dragged across the ground.
Quiet.
And loud at the same time.
Guy looked into Kakashi’s eyes.
In that gaze was a sincere invitation.
No arrogance.
No “genius looking down on the dead last.” “I want to grow stronger with you.” Guy was tempted.
Of course he wanted to.
To go to a real battlefield, to fight real battles, to kick every single one of his techniques to Transcendent.
But— He couldn’t.
An image flashed through his mind.
Green jumpsuit.
Thick eyebrows, big eyes.
A smile missing a tooth.
“Guy!
Youth is about getting back up where you fell!” Duy.
Might Duy.
That idiot dad.
Guy knew what the future held.
The Third Great Ninja War—two or three years at most.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would infiltrate near the Land of Fire.
That idiot dad would open the Eight Gates to save them.
He’d kick the Seven Swordsmen down to three.
And then— Burn out.
He couldn’t afford to mess this up.
If he graduated early with Kakashi now, what team would he be assigned to?
He didn’t know.
What missions would he go on?
He didn’t know.
Would he still encounter the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?
Even less certain.
What if he didn’t?
What if he missed them?
Would that idiot dad burn himself out somewhere Guy didn’t know, saving someone else?
He couldn’t take that risk.
And besides— He looked down at his hands.
Vajra Leg was complete.
Vajra Finger was still close to the limit.
The Muscle-Tendon Change Classic was still far from complete.
He had more techniques to learn.
He had to become stronger.
Right now, he could kick a ten-meter ninja bear into the air.
But what about the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?
Seven people.
Seven legendary blades.
Every single one was at jonin-level.
Right now, if he faced those seven, how many could he take down?
One?
Two?
And then?
Then that idiot dad would still open the Eight Gates.
He’d still burn out.
He’d still turn to ash before Guy’s eyes.
No.
Not enough.
Still far from enough.
“Guy?” Kakashi was watching him.
Guy snapped back to the present.
He took a deep breath.
Then he shook his head.
“I’m not going.” Kakashi blinked.
“Why?” Guy grinned.
“There’s still a lot I haven’t learned.” Kakashi frowned.
“That kick you did earlier—” “That kick wasn’t enough.” Guy cut him off.
“Far from enough.” He looked into Kakashi’s eyes.
For once, his expression was dead serious.
“Kakashi, you go ahead.
You go first.” “Me, I’m staying at the academy a while longer.” Kakashi didn’t speak.
Guy continued.
“One year at most.” “In one year, I’ll graduate too.” “And when that happens—” He gave a thumbs-up, teeth gleaming.
“We’ll meet on the battlefield.” Kakashi looked at him.
Moonlight fell on that green-clad face.
Swollen lip, scraped brows—but his eyes burned with an intensity that was almost frightening.
Those were the eyes of someone with a goal.
Kakashi suddenly understood something.
He didn’t press further.
He just nodded.
“Alright.” Guy grinned.
“You’re not going to ask why?” Kakashi shook his head.
“No.” He paused.
“You have your reasons.” Guy blinked.
Then he smiled even wider.
“Thanks.” Kakashi rolled his eyes.
“For what.” They kept walking.
Behind them came Obito’s shout.
“Hey!!!
What are you two whispering about up there!!!” Guy looked back.
“None of your business!!!” “You!!!” Rin and Kurenai covered their mouths and laughed.
Bullying Obito had become part of their daily routine.
The next day.
Hokage Building.
Kakashi stood at the entrance, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.
The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, a smoking pipe in his mouth.
Seeing Kakashi, he raised an eyebrow.
“Kid from the Hatake clan?
What brings you here so early?” Kakashi walked up to him and stood still.
“Lord Third.” “Hm?” “I’m applying for early graduation.” The Third’s smoking pipe paused.
He looked at this six-year-old child in front of him.
Silver hair, white mask, bright eyes.
Just like his father.
“Reason?” “There’s nothing left for me to learn at the Ninja Academy.” Kakashi said.
“I want to go to the battlefield and truly grow stronger.” The Third was silent for a few seconds.
He took a puff from his pipe.
“Does your father know?” “Yes.” “What did he say?” Kakashi paused for a moment.
“He said to let me decide for myself.” The Third nodded.
He looked at Kakashi.
This child was even more mature than his father had been at that age.
“Alright.” The Third said.
“Three days from now, I’ll personally examine you.
If you pass, you’ll graduate.” Kakashi bowed.
“Thank you, Lord Third.” He turned and walked toward the door.
At the threshold, he looked back.
“Lord Third.” “Hm?” “Might Guy—” Kakashi paused.
“He said he’ll graduate in one year.” The Third raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?” Kakashi didn’t say anything more.
He pushed the door open and left.
The Third looked at the closed door and took a puff from his pipe.
Might Guy.
That Eternal Genin’s son.
White Fang had mentioned him a few days ago when he came to report.
Said that kid’s kick was stronger than many genin.
The Third smiled.
Interesting.
Three days later.
In front of the Ninja Academy gate.
Kakashi stood there with a small pack on his back.
Guy stood across from him.
Obito stood beside Guy, looking defiant.
“Hmph!
What’s so great about early graduation!
I can graduate next year too!” Kakashi ignored him.
He looked at Guy.
“I’m leaving.” Guy nodded.
“Yeah.” Two seconds of silence.
Then Kakashi suddenly extended his hand.
Guy blinked.
Then he extended his.
Slap.
Their hands clasped together.
“Don’t die.” Guy said.
“You too.” Kakashi said.
Obito was hopping around beside them.
“Hey, hey, hey!
What about me!
What about me!” Kakashi glanced at him.
“You…
stay alive.” Obito froze.
“What do you mean ‘stay alive’!
I’m really strong too!” No one paid him any attention.
Rin walked over with a smile and handed Kakashi a small bundle.
“Something to eat on the way.” Kakashi blinked.
“Thanks.” Kurenai stood beside Guy and waved at Kakashi.
“Kakashi, take care.” Kakashi nodded.
He turned around.
He took two steps forward.
Then he looked back.
“Guy.” “Yeah?” “That one year you said.” Guy grinned.
“One year.” “I’ll be waiting for you.” Guy gave a thumbs-up.
“Deal.” Kakashi’s eyes curved into a smile.
He turned around.
And walked away.
Until he disappeared around the corner.
Guy watched that disappearing back.
Slowly, a smile spread across his face.
Not the kind of “youth burning” grin.
A different kind of smile.
Quiet.
Certain.
He looked down.
The system panel appeared before his eyes.
[Host: Might Guy] [Monk Points: 0] [Techniques List] [Muscle-Tendon Change Classic (High-Grade): 788 (Refined Mastery)] [Vajra Leg (Low-Grade): 1000 (Transcendent)] [Vajra Finger (Low-Grade): 999 (Refined Mastery)] [Broken Precept Blade (Mid-Grade): 0 (Beginner)] End of Chapter 17