Kakashi's Early Graduation, New Ultimate Technique

Might Guy felt his heart skip a beat.

It was here.

In the original story, Kakashi graduated from the Ninja Academy in less than a year.

Because White Fang committed suicide, he wanted to become stronger and prove something.

Now, White Fang was still alive.

He had assumed Kakashi would wait until next year to graduate with them.

He hadn't expected...

"Why?" Guy asked.

Kakashi looked at him, his gaze very serious.

"The Ninja Academy has nothing left to teach me."

Guy didn't speak.

"Especially after that fight just now," Kakashi continued. "I used the Clone Technique, I used Shuriken, and I used Earth Release. But when fighting that giant bear, none of it was useful."

He paused.

"Only in real combat can one break through their limits."

Guy was silent.

How could he not understand that feeling?

His Vajra Leg had been stuck at 999 proficiency points for over ten days.

Ten thousand kicks a day, ten thousand finger strikes.

The proficiency hadn't budged an inch.

Just now, with Kurenai's life hanging in the balance, he hadn't thought of anything in his mind.

He had just kicked.

And then, he broke through.

Mastery.

Vajra Giant Leg.

This feeling was indeed something that couldn't be trained in a practice field.

"Guy."

Kakashi looked at him, his eyes bright.

"Do you want to come with me?"

Moonlight shone down on the two of them.

From behind came the sound of Obito and Ebisu arguing, the laughter of Rin and Kurenai, and the rustling of the little bear dragging across the ground.

It was very quiet.

It was very noisy.

Guy looked into Kakashi's eyes.

In that gaze was a sincere invitation.

There was no arrogance, no "genius looking down on the dead-last."

"I want to become stronger with you."

Guy was tempted.

How could he not be?

To go to a real battlefield, to engage in real combat, and to kick those ultimate techniques one by one into the realm of mastery.

But—

He couldn't.

A scene flashed through his mind.

A green bodysuit.

Thick eyebrows and large eyes.

A smile missing a front tooth.

"Guy! Youth is about getting back up where you fell!"

Duy.

Might Duy.

That foolish father.

Guy knew what would happen in the future.

The Third Shinobi World War is at most two or three years away.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure will infiltrate the vicinity of the Land of Fire.

That idiot father of his will open the Eight Inner Gates to save them.

He will kick the Seven Ninja Swordsmen down to three.

And then—

Burn out.

He cannot act recklessly.

If he were to graduate early with Kakashi now, which squad would he be assigned to?

He doesn't know.

What kind of missions would he be sent on?

He doesn't know.

Would he still be able to encounter the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?

Even less likely.

What if he doesn't run into them?

What if he misses them?

Would that idiot father, in some place he doesn't know about, burn himself out trying to save someone else?

He cannot afford to gamble.

Besides.

He looks down at his hands.

The Vajra Leg has reached perfection.

The Vajra Finger is still a little lacking.

The Yijin Jing is still a long way off.

He needs to learn more ultimate techniques.

He needs to become even stronger.

As he is now, he can kick a ten-meter-tall Ninja Bear flying.

But what about the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?

Seven people.

Seven legendary blades.

Each one of them is at the Jonin level.

If he were to face those seven people now, how many could he kick to death?

One?

Two?

And then what?

Then that idiot father would still open the Eight Inner Gates.

He would still burn out.

He would still turn to ash right before his eyes.

No.

It is not enough.

It is still far from enough.

"Guy?"

Kakashi looks at him.

Guy snaps back to reality.

He takes a deep breath.

Then he shakes his head.

"I'm not going."

Kakashi is stunned.

"Why?"

Guy grins.

"There are still many things I haven't learned yet."

Kakashi frowns.

"That kick just now—"

"That kick wasn't enough." Guy interrupted him, "Not nearly enough."

He looked into Kakashi's eyes.

Rarely serious.

"Kakashi, you go. You go first."

"As for me, I still need to stay at the academy for a while."

Kakashi didn't speak.

Guy continued.

"One year at most."

"After a year, I'll graduate too."

"By then—"

He gave a thumbs up, his teeth flashing.

"We'll meet on the battlefield."

Kakashi looked at him.

Moonlight shone on the face of that guy in the green suit.

A swollen corner of his mouth, a scraped eyebrow, but his eyes were frighteningly bright.

Those were eyes with a goal.

Kakashi suddenly understood something.

He didn't press for details.

He just nodded.

"Fine."

Guy grinned.

"Aren't you going to ask me why?"

Kakashi shook his head.

"No."

He paused.

"You have your reasons."

Guy was stunned for a moment.

Then he smiled even more happily.

"Thanks."

Kakashi rolled his eyes.

"What are you thanking me for?"

The two continued walking forward.

From behind came Obito's scream.

"Hey!!! What are you two whispering about up ahead again!!!"

Guy turned back.

"None of your damn business!!!"

"You!!!"

Kurenai and Rin covered their mouths and laughed.

Bullying Obito had already become their daily routine.

The next day.

Hokage Building.

Kakashi stood at the entrance, taking a deep breath.

He pushed the door open and went in.

Third Hokage sat behind the desk, puffing on a pipe.

Seeing Kakashi, he raised an eyebrow.

"The Hatake kid? What are you doing here so early?"

Kakashi walked up to him and stood still.

"Lord Third."

"Hmm?"

"I am applying for early graduation."

The Third Hokage's hand paused mid-puff.

He looked at the six-year-old child before him.

Silver hair, white mask, eyes bright and sharp.

Just like his father.

"Reason?"

"The Ninja Academy has nothing left to teach me," Kakashi said. "I want to go to the battlefield and truly become stronger."

The Third Hokage was silent for a few seconds.

He took a drag of his pipe.

"Does your father know?"

"He does."

"What did he say?"

Kakashi hesitated for a moment.

"He told me to decide for myself."

The Third Hokage nodded.

He watched Kakashi.

This child was even more precocious than his father had been at that age.

"Very well," the Third Hokage said. "Three days from now, I will test you personally. If you pass, you graduate."

Kakashi bowed.

"Thank you, Lord Third."

He turned and walked toward the door.

Reaching the exit, he looked back.

"Lord Third."

"Hmm?"

"Might Guy—"

Kakashi paused.

"He says he will graduate in a year."

The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

Kakashi said nothing more.

He pushed the door open and left.

The Third Hokage watched the door close and took a puff of his pipe.

Might Guy.

The son of that eternal genin.

When White Fang came to report a few days ago, he had mentioned him as well.

He said that the boy's kick was stronger than that of many genin.

The Third Hokage smiled.

Interesting.

Three days later.

At the entrance of the Ninja Academy.

Kakashi stood there with a small bag on his back.

Might Guy stood opposite him.

Obito stood beside Might Guy, looking unconvinced.

"Hmph! What's so great about graduating early! I'll graduate next year too!"

Kakashi ignored him.

He looked at Might Guy.

"I'm off."

Might Guy nodded.

"Yeah."

Silence for two seconds.

Kakashi suddenly reached out his hand.

Might Guy was stunned for a moment.

Then he reached out his own.

Slap.

Two hands gripped together.

"Don't die," Might Guy said.

"You too," Kakashi said.

Obito jumped up and down on the side.

"Hey, hey, hey! What about me! What about me!"

Kakashi glanced at him.

"You... live well."

Obito turned to stone.

"What do you mean 'live well'! I'm very strong too, you know!"

No one paid him any mind.

Rin walked over with a smile and handed Kakashi a small bag.

"Eat this on the road."

Kakashi was taken aback.

"Thank you."

Kurenai stood beside Might Guy and waved at Kakashi.

"Kakashi, take care."

Kakashi nodded.

He turned around.

He walked forward two steps.

Then he looked back.

"Might Guy."

"Hm?"

"That one year you mentioned."

Might Guy grinned.

"One year."

"I'll be waiting for you."

Might Guy gave a thumbs up.

"Deal."

The corners of Kakashi's mouth curled up.

He turned.

And left.

Until he disappeared around the street corner.

Might Guy watched that vanishing silhouette.

His mouth slowly spread into a grin.

It wasn't that "burning youth" kind of loud laughter.

It was a different kind of smile.

Quiet.

Measured.

He lowered his head.

A system panel floated before his eyes.

[Host: Might Guy]

[Monk Points: 0]

[Ultimate Technique List]

[Yijin Jing (High Grade): 788 (Pure Mastery)]

[Vajra Leg (Low Grade): 1000 (Supernatural)]

[Vajra Finger (Low Grade): 999 (Pure Mastery)]

[Precept-Breaking Blade (Mid Grade): 0 (Novice)]