After Namikaze Minato headed for Kannabi Bridge, Nara Suzaku, the temporary commander, doubled the number of patrols and kept a closer watch on the camp's surroundings and Kirigakure's movements.
There were now many new faces in his unit, all fresh recruits sent from Konoha's rear. Most had graduated from the Ninja Academy not long ago, and many had already passed the Chunin Ninja Exams.
During wartime, every village wanted its rookie ninja to become reliable fighters as quickly as possible, ready to be sent into battle when needed. That was why the Chunin exams were also less demanding than they would be in Naruto's time.
The new Konoha ninja were gathered together. Aside from Kakashi, who had already seen battle several times, most of the rookies looked thrilled. They were at least a little excited to take part in the war.
Kakashi merely leaned against a tree trunk, resting with a bored, listless look. He seemed disinclined to pay any attention to his former classmates from the Ninja Academy.
But for some reason, he naturally drew people's attention. Wherever he went, he ended up the center of the group, and nearly all the rookies from his year followed him around.
"My lifelong rival, Kakashi! Now that I'm on the battlefield too, let's see who can take down more enemies!"
Beside Kakashi, a boy in a green jumpsuit spoke with fervor.
He had a bowl cut and unusually thick eyebrows, and his green jumpsuit made him look rather comical. He was Might Guy, who had devoted himself to Taijutsu since childhood and regarded Kakashi as his lifelong rival.
Guy was one of the few ninja from Kakashi's year who hadn't yet become a Chunin. In truth, his combat ability already exceeded the standard expected of a Chunin. But since he specialized only in Taijutsu, he couldn't pass the Ninjutsu- and Genjutsu-related portions of the Chunin exams. So, like his father, Might Duy, he was still a Genin, and had suffered plenty of scorn in the village.
Yet Guy wasn't discouraged. He always maintained his boundless fighting spirit, continually pushing his physical limits through a training regimen far beyond what ordinary ninja could endure.
Kakashi didn't understand Guy's abilities at the time, and in his youth he also lacked the perspective and resolve he would later develop. To Kakashi, Guy was just a troublesome, delusional guy, and he couldn't be bothered to pay him any attention.
Pretending he hadn't heard Guy's challenge, Kakashi continued to rest with his eyes closed, his manner cold and distant.
On Kakashi's other side, a boy wearing goggles and a Uchiha Clan uniform looked displeased. He loudly declared, "Guy, Kakashi is my rival. You'll have to wait your turn until I settle things with him."
The boy was Obito Uchiha, the key figure Uchiha Madara had chosen as his successor.
Most Uchiha Clan ninja were gloomy by nature, but Obito was an exception. He was not only carefree but also rather thickheaded. On top of that, he had little talent for either Taijutsu or Ninjutsu, and was often ostracized by his own clan.
Hearing Obito's words, Guy turned to look at him and earnestly shook his head. "No, no! You lost to me in our last match, so I should be the one to challenge Kakashi first!"
Obito blushed at that and glanced at the girl beside him, who was smiling at him.
The girl was Nohara Rin, the other member of Team Kakashi besides Obito. She specialized in Medical Ninjutsu. Her personality was as gentle and warm as her smile, and she had long been the object of Obito's secret affection.
Seeing that the jerk Guy had brought up his loss in front of his goddess, Obito immediately grew flustered and protested, "I only lost last time because I wasn't careful! I'm a Chunin now. Beating you would be a piece of cake!"
Guy was a simple-minded guy and didn't realize that Obito was just bluffing. Nodding as if he understood, he said to Obito, brimming with fighting spirit, "So you're a passionate young man who refuses to give up, Obito! You must have improved a lot lately. Why don't we settle things between us first?"
Obito's expression stiffened. He knew his own limits. In their last match, he hadn't been able to handle Guy's Taijutsu at all. Even if they fought again now, the result would be no different—and he would only embarrass himself in front of his goddess.
A wise man didn't pick a fight he couldn't win, so Obito decided not to argue with a brute like Guy. He coughed a couple of times, putting on an air of importance, then said, "Forget it. I'll let you off today. You should settle things with Kakashi first! Only after you've beaten him will you be worthy of challenging me!"
Guy nodded seriously. "It really feels like years have passed since we last met. I didn't realize you'd grown so much, Obito. I guess I'll have to beat Kakashi before I can face you!"
Seeing the two of them—one genuinely foolish and the other pretending to be—Rin covered her mouth and giggled, finding them amusing. Kakashi could only shake his head and mutter, "Two idiots." Then he started to walk away, intent on keeping his distance from them.
Just then, a scout from the Hyuga Branch Family suddenly returned to camp. Even more strikingly, he had suffered serious injuries, as if he had been caught in a fierce battle while on reconnaissance.
"Everyone, prepare for battle at once! Kirigakure has launched a surprise attack!"
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