Might Guy and the Acorn

Zhang Miao had no idea that he had unwittingly planted the shadow of a bratty kid deep in the heart of an elite Anbu. Right now, he was simply delighted with the gains he had just obtained.

"Ding—obtained Ninja Fragments x8!"

When he heard that notification sound, Zhang Miao thought for a moment and realized the fragments came from the cat-faced Anbu, Takumu. He blinked in mild surprise.

"That actually works? Even if they're just ordinary Ninja Fragments, that was way too easy. Hmm... looks like I'll have to swindle him a few more times!"

With that thought, Zhang Miao's mood inexplicably lifted. He slung an arm around Kakashi's neck and waved the other hand as he started singing.

"Oh, youth, listen to me." "Humans aren't something to waste." "Tomorrow is no longer needed." "Don't hide the fist you clench..."

A white-haired boy carrying a red-haired child walked down the street, the child belting out an impassioned song in a childish voice. The scene made passersby stop and stare, many of them offering warm smiles to the pair.

Kakashi's lips curved into a smile beneath his mask. Carrying Zhang Miao on his way home, he suddenly looked up at the clear blue sky and narrowed his eyes.

"Teacher Minato, can you see this?"

Zhang Miao had no idea what Kakashi was thinking. He just sang his favorite song with all his might, as if trying to shout out all the frustration pent up in his chest.

But before he could finish the song, Kakashi stopped. Zhang Miao was wondering what was going on when a familiar voice reached his ears.

"Yo! Kakashi! Stake your youth with me in a blazing showdown!"

Kakashi: "..."

Zhang Miao: "..."

Standing before Kakashi and Zhang Miao was a guy in a green jumpsuit, with a bowl-cut hairstyle and two thick, jet-black eyebrows.

The moment Zhang Miao saw him, he immediately recognized who it was.

Might Guy!

As Zhang Miao was sizing up Might Guy, Might Guy also noticed Zhang Miao on Kakashi's back. His eyes lit up.

"Yo, youth on Kakashi's back! I am Konoha's proud Azure Beast, Might Guy! Today, you shall witness the hot-blooded showdown between me and Kakashi!"

With that, Might Guy thrust his right thumb up at Zhang Miao and grinned, his white teeth flashing with a blinding "ding" in the sunlight.

Damn, he even comes with a flash effect?

Zhang Miao was exasperated. He whispered softly in Kakashi's ear, "This guy seems like a handful. Can you wrap it up quickly?"

Hearing this, Kakashi's expression turned helpless too.

"Probably not. He's really persistent."

Kakashi's answer didn't surprise Zhang Miao. He'd seen how troublesome Might Guy was in the anime, but since he knew the plot, he also knew the guy's weakness.

So he patted Kakashi on the shoulder again.

"In that case, let me handle him!"

With that, Zhang Miao slid down from Kakashi's back and, under Kakashi's puzzled gaze, slowly walked up to Might Guy and circled around him.

As he walked, Zhang Miao looked Might Guy up and down, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.

At this point, Might Guy was only a thirteen-year-old boy. Under Zhang Miao's stare, he started to feel uneasy.

"Wh-what are you looking at?"

Zhang Miao didn't answer directly. Instead, he went back to Kakashi's side, pointed at Might Guy, and asked with a curious expression, "Kakashi-nii, is this the guy you told me about last time? The one with an acorn-sized ding-ding—Konoha's Tiny Beast, Might Guy-nii?"

Acorn-sized ding-ding? Konoha's Tiny Beast?

Hearing Zhang Miao's childish, innocent voice, Might Guy felt as if struck by lightning. He collapsed to his knees on the spot.

He stared blankly ahead, muttering to himself.

"Acorn... Konoha's Tiny Beast... acorn... Konoha's Tiny Beast..."

Kakashi: "..."

At that moment, Kakashi recalled the "acorn" incident.

Back when Kakashi had just become a Jonin, he ran into Might Guy by chance, and the guy immediately challenged him to a so-called "youthful showdown."

Kakashi naturally ignored such requests, but Might Guy's persistence far exceeded his imagination.

Whether Kakashi was eating, bathing, or using the toilet, the guy would pop out of nowhere and demand a match.

Once, while Kakashi was "taking a leak," Might Guy suddenly appeared, and that was when he discovered Kakashi's "impressive feature," while Kakashi discovered Might Guy's "acorn."

Kakashi had never told anyone about this, but judging by Might Guy's current state, he clearly wasn't going to listen to any explanations.

Seeing Might Guy like this, Kakashi felt a pang of sympathy. He patted him on the shoulder.

"Guy, that..."

Kakashi wanted to comfort Might Guy, but he couldn't find the right words.

Just then, Might Guy snapped out of it. He shoved Kakashi aside, wiped his tears, and sprinted off on his legs, leaving only a cloud of dust behind.

At the same time, his voice carried far into the distance.

"Kakashi, I hate you..."

Kakashi: "..."

That really wasn't me talking!

As Kakashi wore a helpless expression, the familiar chime of the system echoed in Zhang Miao's mind.

"Obtained Five-Star Jonin Might Guy Ninja Fragments x10!"

Hearing this prompt, Zhang Miao couldn't help but grin.

"Didn't expect that to work!"

Though the method was a bit rough and might leave a shadow in Might Guy's heart, judging by the number of Ninja Fragments, this time Might Guy was thoroughly defeated by him.

With that thought, Zhang Miao patted Kakashi beside him and flashed a grin.

"Problem solved, let's go back and eat fish!"

"Mm."

Kakashi acknowledged and carried Zhang Miao back the way they came.

When they were almost home, Kakashi couldn't help asking Zhang Miao, "I don't remember telling you about the acorns. How did you know?"

"Well..."

Zhang Miao certainly wouldn't tell Kakashi he'd seen it in an anime, so after thinking for a moment, he whispered in Kakashi's ear, "Actually, I can see the weaknesses in the hearts of simple-minded people at a glance."

"Uh..."

Hearing this explanation, Kakashi was stunned for a moment, but soon showed a look of understanding.

The scene of Zhang Miao circling Might Guy, looking him over, was still vivid in Kakashi's mind.

And when it came to simple-mindedness, was there anyone in Konoha simpler than Might Guy?

Clearly not.

With that thought, Kakashi said softly to Zhang Miao, "Ryunosuke, don't tell anyone else about this ability. And don't use it on comrades from now on."

Seeing that Kakashi not only didn't suspect him but also cared so much, Zhang Miao felt both ashamed and moved, quickly nodding.

"Okay, I understand. I won't do it again."

"Mm, good that you understand. Then let's head home." With that, Kakashi quickened his pace, carrying Zhang Miao toward home.

At the same time, Zhang Miao received another system prompt.

"Ding—Obtained Five-Star Jonin Kakashi Ninja Fragments x5. Since the host has gained Kakashi's absolute trust, fixed reward: Five-Star Jonin Kakashi Ninja Fragments x10!"

Hearing this prompt, Zhang Miao's grin widened.

"So this is absolute trust."