Zan-mai and the Way of Shinobi

As far as Samui knew.

Kakashi was the son of the "White Fang of Konoha," Hatake Sakumo. He became a Jonin at the age of 12 and, relying on a transplanted Sharingan to copy thousands of Ninjutsu, he was hailed as the "Copy Ninja," a title that resonated across all nations.

He could be considered an internet celebrity of the ninja world.

As for the accompanying Might Guy, aside from his rather shocking appearance, he did not have much fame to speak of.

However, Guy's father, Might Duy, had once faced the renowned Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist single-handedly on the battlefield of the Third Shinobi World War, ultimately resulting in four deaths and three escapes for the enemy.

He became famous in one battle, shocking the entire ninja world.

As the son of Might Duy, Guy was certainly no mediocre person.

Now.

The fact that these two came to find Uchiha Dan together could never be a "small matter."

Inside the Meditation Room.

As soon as Guy and Kakashi entered, they smelled the scent of high-grade sandalwood; inhaling it made one feel refreshed and relaxed, instantly calming their restless inner hearts.

The room was dimly lit and filled with tranquility.

The two men's gazes were first drawn to the massive Yin-Yang Tai Chi pattern on the floor, but they quickly shifted to Dan.

At the other end of the Meditation Room.

Dressed in a black kimono, Dan sat cross-legged on a cushion with his eyes closed, his tall frame almost blending into the darkness, becoming one with the environment.

On the wall behind him hung a piece of calligraphy, inscribed with two bold, sweeping characters:

Zan-mai.

"Guy, look..." Kakashi had sharp eyes and directed Guy's attention to Dan's body.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"

They saw that beneath Dan's clothes, it seemed as if a small mouse was hiding, constantly scurrying across the surface of his body.

But upon closer inspection, they realized the so-called "mouse" was actually a bulging pocket of energy, continuously transporting Dan's blood and qi to every part of his body.

During this process.

Although Dan sat motionless, his skin grew increasingly ruddy, and a large amount of heat steamed from his pores, as if he were in a sauna.

Kakashi and Guy were both stunned for a moment.

At this time.

Dan pulled in his abdomen and breathed.

"Whoosh."

With this deep breath, the flow of blood within Dan's body suddenly accelerated, surging endlessly through his veins; the sound of his blood flow even permeated his body, like a rushing river scouring its banks.

Continuous and unbroken.

After several deep breaths, Dan pressed his hands against his abdomen, and the energy within his body surged up from his abdominal cavity, finally transforming into a dragon's roar and tiger's howl that erupted from his throat.

"Roar!"

The sound echoed within the Meditation Room, reflecting off the windows and walls, causing the doors, windows, and chairs to vibrate violently.

It only gradually subsided after several dozen seconds.

To have such momentum even in breathing—this was no human; he was practically a Tailed Beast.

Guy took a deep breath, his expression grave.

"Eight years ago, I saw Uchiha Dan make a move once, and he defeated my father with ease. Although I have become a Jonin now, I am still not confident that I can definitely defeat him, so... do not be careless, Kakashi."

He earnestly cautioned his best friend.

"I'm not here to fight."

Kakashi shrugged, placing a hand on Guy's shoulder. "You, on the other hand, should calm down first and wait for my signal before acting."

No sooner had he finished speaking.

Dan, sitting opposite the two, finally opened his eyes.

Swish.

In an instant, his gaze cut through the void like lightning, locking onto Kakashi and Guy.

Both were startled, feeling as if they were being stared at by a fierce tiger; their bodies tensed instantly, and every hair on their bodies stood on end in a stress response.

Under their tense gazes.

Dan did not make any move to stand up; using only the strength of his toes against the floor, his imposing frame rose vertically.

"Guy, long time no see."

As the host, Dan spoke first to greet him. "You don't seem to have made much progress; you're still as thin and small as before."

Might Guy was 184cm tall and weighed 76kg, possessing a relatively tall and sturdy build.

However.

Compared to Dan, anyone would look like a scrawny monkey.

"Strength isn't just about the size of one's muscles. The blood and sweat I shed will prove my hard work and prove that my youth has no regrets!"

Might Guy showed no fear, staring straight into Dan's eyes, his gaze firm and filled with confidence.

Upon hearing this, Dan couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia:

"You look exactly like old Duy did back in the day."

The "old Duy" he referred to was Might Guy's father, Might Duy.

"You have no right to speak of my father. Because... you insulted his ninja way!"

Might Guy clenched his fists, his emotions suddenly flaring up.

Dan shook his head and said slowly:

"The primary tenet of our Physical Transformation Department is to cherish one's own body; nothing is more important than that.

Before you train your body to its peak, you must take extreme care of it and ensure it suffers no damage.

If old Duy had trained for a few more years, he surely could have broken through his limits and achieved the goal of physical transformation. It's a pity he wouldn't listen to my advice and insisted on going to the front lines, only to throw his life away for nothing..."

"You're wrong!"

Might Guy stepped forward, cutting him off.

"My father didn't die to show off or play the hero; he died to save me and my comrades.

He was different from someone like you who only loves himself. He was the kind of man who would protect his beliefs even at the cost of his life.

True victory isn't about defeating a powerful enemy, but about protecting what is precious to you until the very end. That is the way of life my father taught me with his own life."

Might Guy spoke these words with a look of pride.

Throughout this conversation, Kakashi remained an outsider.

However.

He deeply agreed with the words Might Guy had spoken.

Because his own father, Hatake Sakumo, had abandoned a mission to save his comrades, only to be driven to suicide by the rumors and gossip of the villagers.

Sakumo and Duy were the same kind of people.

By denying Duy, Dan was effectively denying the ninja way of White Fang.

Perhaps in Dan's eyes, the self is always greater than others.

But in the hearts of Duy and Sakumo, others were greater than the self.

One is selfish, the other is altruistic; it is clear who is more noble.

The Third Hokage had also said as much.

Konoha exists because of people like White Fang and Duy who selflessly dedicated themselves, burning their lives to become the nutrients for the towering tree that is Konoha, allowing the Will of Fire to be passed down through the generations.

Facing this impassioned speech from Might Guy.

"I am very disappointed in you."

Dan sighed. Might Guy had clearly misinterpreted his meaning, but given Dan's personality, he couldn't be bothered to explain anything to him.

"I didn't come here today to argue with you."

Might Guy also shook his head, his eyes burning like torches as he stared at Dan. "Let our fists do the talking. I challenge you!"

He had just turned twenty, the prime of his youth and vigor.

"You are no match for me. Leave; I have no interest in fighting you."

Dan said this calmly before turning around.

He presented his back to Might Guy.

"Don't look down on me!"

Might Guy's blood rushed to his head, and with a roar, he kicked off the floor, launching himself toward Dan like an arrow released from a bow.

"Guy!"

By the time Kakashi reacted, Might Guy had already reached Dan's back, leaping into the air to deliver a heavy, powerful kick with the force of his entire body.

Konoha Whirlwind.

It aimed straight for Dan's right shoulder.

Without turning around, Dan raised his right forearm, seemingly nonchalant, and blocked the kick perfectly.