Facing Might Guy

The school bell rang.

After the teacher finished droning on about tomorrow's graduation exam and reminding everyone to be prepared, Obito Uchiha sprang to his feet, quickly packed his bag, and stationed himself beside Rin Nohara.

"Obito, why are you jumping around like that?" Rin asked.

"Nothing, Rin."

"Today, I'm walking you home."

As he spoke, he kept an eye on Nebula Kotetsu.

This time, he absolutely wouldn't let himself leave halfway and give Nebula a chance to make a move.

Under his tense gaze, Nebula didn't linger and headed straight out.

Did that guy give up because I didn't give him an opening? Obito wondered.

Even so, he couldn't relax. Even after watching Nebula leave the school and head in a different direction from Rin's home, Obito stayed right behind Rin, determined to see her safely home.

"Obito."

"I told you, you don't have to follow me."

"I can get home by myself." On the way, Rin watched Obito dart his eyes around like a monkey, acting cautious and on edge, and spoke with some exasperation.

"No." Obito refused without a moment's thought.

"Today, I have to make sure you get home safely."

"I can't give that guy Nebula another chance to pester you."

Seeing how determined Obito looked, Rin couldn't help sighing.

Fine.

Let him do as he pleased. She couldn't be bothered to say anything more.

"Rin, listen. You have to be careful around scumbags like Nebula, with their rotten character."

"Don't be fooled by his looks. Beneath that wicked exterior, there's bound to be an even more wicked heart."

"One moment of letting your guard down, and he might take advantage of you."

"I'm telling you, men know men best—" Obito prattled on until he suddenly met Rin's furious gaze. His voice caught, and he stopped.

He stammered, "I... I'm just worried about you."

Rin said nothing and continued walking home.

Obito hurried after her. As he ran, he silently steeled himself.

He had to make Rin see that scumbag's true colors!

Obito didn't relax until he'd walked Rin all the way home.

He reminded her, "Rin."

"Remember what I said."

"You have to be careful!"

"From now on, I'll walk you home every day!"

"Bang!" The second-floor window flew open, and a man's voice called out.

"Is that you, Obito?"

Obito's expression changed. He hesitated for a second, then pitched his voice higher. "No."

"Splash!" A basin of water came pouring down from the second floor, accompanied by an angry shout.

"Obito, you bastard!"

Before the water hit him, Obito scrambled out of the way, then ran off, glancing back as he went.

"Rin! I'll come walk you home again tomorrow!"

Rin watched in speechless dismay as Obito ran farther and farther away, looking thoroughly bedraggled.

She didn't want Obito walking her home. It felt weird.

Besides... Nebula had asked her to study with him in the evening. What was the point of walking her home after school?

Of course, to avoid unnecessary trouble, she wouldn't tell Obito that. She turned and went inside, searching for the study materials she'd used before.

She was supposed to tutor Nebula tonight. She couldn't show up unprepared and reveal that she didn't know her stuff. That would be embarrassing.

"Huff... huff... huff..."

His lungs heaved as they drew in the air's oxygen.

Nebula's cheeks were flushed as he ran with all his might.

Might Guy was running behind him, too. In a few strides, he caught up and ran alongside Nebula.

"Um... why are we running?"

"If we don't run, won't they surround us?"

Thinking of the large crowd of admiring girls gathered just now at Konoha's entrance, along with plenty of boys there to watch the spectacle, Guy finally realized Nebula was trying to get away from them.

"But they're just a bunch of people. What's there to be afraid of?"

"You don't understand," Nebula panted.

"I don't understand?" Guy protested.

With his intelligence, how could he not understand something so simple?

He thought it over and reached a conclusion.

"You're afraid everyone will see me beat you."

He wanted to tell Nebula that this kind of shame-driven avoidance was wrong.

Youth meant being fearless and facing things openly.

But Nebula shook his head. "It's not as simple as you think."

"I'm afraid they'll see us, but not because I'm worried about being embarrassed."

"I'm worried the days ahead are going to be rough for you."

Nebula knew it all too well. If Guy went too hard while fighting him, then for a while afterward, how would Guy's girlfriends, ex-girlfriends, and less-than-stunning admirers treat him?

Probably worse than a Jinchūriki.

To keep the innocent from getting caught up in it, Nebula could only choose a place where no one would bother them.

After a while, as the two of them picked up the pace, fewer and fewer people followed. Guy was in excellent shape, while Nebula had been nourished by the system. His 0.31 units of chakra also surpassed most of his classmates, giving him decent stamina.

Before long, no one was left behind them.

The two eventually stopped in an open area in the hills behind Konoha.

"Let's do it here." Nebula picked a spot.

Guy asked, "Do you need to rest first?"

Nebula agreed without hesitation. "Sure." As he spoke, he sat down under Guy's astonished gaze and worked to calm his ragged breathing.

Guy sat down nearby.

He was a little bored.

Taking advantage of the break, he spoke up.

"Why did you challenge me?"

As far as he could remember, hardly anyone ever challenged him. Who would want to challenge a dead-last student with poor talent for ninjutsu who'd only gotten into the school as a replacement?

Even though he'd improved quickly in taijutsu, he spent all his time absorbed in training. He paid no attention to the class beauty or the latest gossip, so hardly anyone approached him.

Nebula was the first.

Guy's question made Nebula perk up.

This was the beginning of their first proper conversation, and it would shape the friendship they might build in the future. He had to take it seriously.

"Guy."

"Do you know? I really admire you."

Those words made Guy's eyes widen, and he focused completely!

He couldn't help sitting up straighter, his expression intent.

"Go on."

Nebula: "..."

His train of thought was interrupted for a moment, but he quickly recovered and began recounting his "journey of self-discovery" in a measured, storytelling cadence.

"For a long time, I've been wasting my days."

"For a long time, I've been the dead-last student in my classmates' eyes."

"They say that apart from my face, I'm good for nothing, and that I could never become a proper ninja."

"I refuse to accept that!"

"I want to prove to everyone that I'm not a dead last. I can learn ninjutsu and train my body just like everyone else, and become a proper ninja."