Begin!

"What are you guys doing?"

Just as everyone was complaining in unison, a remarkably subtle voice sounded from behind Chiba.

"Hirohiko..."

Hearing that voice, Chiba, Kakashi, and the others, whose attention had been focused on Might Guy, all turned toward the back of the woods—behind Chiba. When they saw who it was, they could not help calling out.

Behind Chiba stood Hirohiko, one hand held behind his back and the other holding a short wooden stick. His poker face carried an exceedingly subtle expression, and his eyes were narrowed almost halfway shut, as if he were looking at an idiot beyond saving.

Reflected in Hirohiko's half-lidded eyes was Might Guy, desperately trying to grab his own feet and bend his body into a "U"... no, a "V" shape, performing something akin to a diving leap on the ground.

At that moment, the air seemed to fall silent once more.

"Hmm... strange, I can't reach them... Huh? I was able to do it during practice... Hmm... why is that?"

At the same time, Might Guy's puzzled voice drifted through the seemingly silent air as he performed movements like a fish washed ashore by the waves, flopping about on land.

"You guys... someone... someone help me... put my hands... on my... knees..."

Because of his fish-flopping motions, Might Guy's words came out somewhat broken as well, arriving in perfect rhythm through the gaps between his repeated "puff puff" impacts against the ground.

Hearing him, Chiba, Kakashi, and the others looked back once more at Might Guy, who was fish-flopping farther and farther away from them. After pausing and blinking, they swiftly turned their gazes back.

"Nothing."

Chiba answered bluntly.

"We're holding a celebration for Chiba's discharge from the hospital. Since you're here, join us." Kakashi and the others said at the same