Might Guy's heart skipped a beat.
Here it comes.
In the original story, Kakashi graduated from the Ninja Academy in less than a year.
Because White Fang had killed himself, he wanted to become stronger, to prove something.
But White Fang was still alive now.
Guy had thought Kakashi would wait until next year and graduate with them.
He hadn't expected this...
"Why?" Guy asked.
Kakashi looked at him, his gaze serious.
"The Ninja Academy can't teach me anything anymore."
Guy said nothing.
"Especially after that fight just now," Kakashi continued. "I used the Clone Technique, shuriken, and Earth Release. But when I fought that giant bear, none of them helped."
He paused.
"Only real combat can help you break through your limits."
Guy fell silent.
He understood that feeling all too well.
His Vajra Leg had been stuck at 999 proficiency for more than ten days.
Ten thousand kicks every day, ten thousand finger strikes.
His proficiency hadn't budged.
Just now, with Rin's life hanging in the balance, he hadn't thought about anything.
He'd simply kicked.
And then he'd broken through.
Mastery of Perfection.
Vajra Giant Leg.
That feeling really was impossible to achieve on the training ground.
"Guy."
Kakashi looked at him, his eyes bright.
"Will you come with me?"
Moonlight fell on them both.
Behind them, Obito and Ebisu were arguing, Rin and Kurenai were laughing, and the little bear was scraping along the ground with a soft rustle.
It was peaceful.
And noisy.
Guy looked into Kakashi's eyes.
There was a sincere invitation in them.
No arrogance. No "genius looking down on a dead last."
"I want to get stronger with you."
Guy was tempted.
How could he not be?
He wanted to go to a real battlefield, fight real battles, and kick each of those secret techniques all the way to Mastery of Perfection.
But—
He couldn't.
An image flashed through his mind.
A green jumpsuit.
Thick eyebrows and big eyes.
A smile with one missing front tooth.
"Guy! Youth means getting back up where you fell!"
Dai.
Might Duy.
That fool of a dad.
Guy knew what would happen in the future.
The Third Shinobi World War was at most two or three years away.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would infiltrate the area near the Land of Fire.
That fool of a dad would open the Eight Inner Gates to save them.
He would kick the Seven Ninja Swordsmen down to the Three Ninja Swordsmen.
And then—
He would burn out.
He couldn't act recklessly.
If he graduated early with Kakashi, what team would he be assigned to?
He didn't know.
What missions would he be sent on?
He didn't know.
Would he still run into the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?
He knew even less.
What if they never crossed paths?
What if he missed his chance?
Would that fool of a dad burn himself out somewhere Guy didn't know about, saving someone else?
He couldn't risk it.
Besides.
He lowered his eyes to look at his hands.
His Vajra Leg was complete.
His Vajra Finger still needed a little more work.
His Yijin Jing was still a long way from mastery.
He still had more secret techniques to learn.
He still had to get stronger.
Right now, he could kick away a ten-meter-tall Ninja Bear.
But what about the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?
Seven people.
Seven legendary blades.
Every one of them was a jonin.
If he faced those seven now, how many could he kick to death?
One?
Two?
And then what?
Then that fool of a dad would still open the Eight Inner Gates.
He would still burn out.
He would still turn to ash right before Guy's eyes.
No.
It wasn't enough.
He still had a long way to go.
"Guy?"
Kakashi looked at him.
Guy came back to his senses.
He took a deep breath.
Then he shook his head.
"I'm not going."
Kakashi stared at him, taken aback.
"Why?"
Guy grinned.
"There's still a lot I haven't learned."
Kakashi frowned.
"That kick just now—"
"That kick wasn't enough," Guy cut him off. "Not nearly enough."
He looked into Kakashi's eyes.
For once, he was serious.
"Kakashi, go ahead. You go first."
"As for me, I'm going to stay at the academy a while longer."
Kakashi said nothing.
Guy continued.
"At most, another year."
"I'll graduate too, in a year."
"Then—"
He gave a thumbs-up, his teeth gleaming.
"We'll meet on the battlefield."
Kakashi looked at him.
Moonlight fell on the green-clad boy's face.
His mouth was swollen and his brow was scraped, but his eyes shone startlingly bright.
They were the eyes of someone with a goal.
Kakashi suddenly understood something.
He didn't press him.
He simply nodded.
"Okay."
Guy grinned.
"You're not even going to ask why?"
Kakashi shook his head.
"I won't."
He paused.
"You have your reasons."
Guy blinked.
Then his smile widened.
"Thanks."
Kakashi rolled his eyes.
"For what?"
They continued walking.
Behind them, Obito let out a scream.
"Hey!!! What are you two whispering about up there again!!!"
Guy turned around.
"None of your damn business!!!"
"You!!!"
Kurenai and Rin covered their mouths, laughing.
Picking on Obito had become part of their daily routine.
The next day.
The Hokage Building.
Kakashi stood at the entrance and took a deep breath.
He pushed the door open and went inside.
The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, pipe in hand.
When he saw Kakashi, he raised an eyebrow.
"Hatake boy? What brings you here so early?"
Kakashi walked up to him and stood at attention.
"Lord Third."
"Yes?"
"I'd like to apply for early graduation."
The Third Hokage paused mid-drag.
He looked at the six-year-old before him.
Silver hair, a white mask, bright eyes.
Just like his father.
"Why?"
"The Ninja Academy can't teach me anything anymore," Kakashi said. "I want to go to the battlefield and become stronger for real."
The Third Hokage was silent for a few seconds.
He took a puff of his pipe.
"Does your father know?"
"Yes."
"What did he say?"
Kakashi fell silent for a moment.
"He said to make the decision myself."
The Third Hokage nodded.
He looked at Kakashi.
The boy was even more mature than his father had been at that age.
"All right," the Third Hokage said. "I'll test you myself in three days. If you pass, you'll graduate."
Kakashi bowed.
"Thank you, Lord Third."
He turned to leave.
At the door, he looked back.
"Lord Third."
"Hm?"
"Might Guy—"
Kakashi paused.
"He said he'll graduate in a year."
The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Kakashi said nothing more.
He opened the door and left.
The Third Hokage watched the door close and took a puff of his pipe.
Might Guy.
The son of that Eternal Genin.
White Fang had mentioned him when he came to report a few days ago, too.
He'd said the boy's kick was stronger than those of many Genin.
The Third Hokage smiled.
Interesting.
Three days later.
At the entrance to the Ninja Academy.
Kakashi stood there with a small pack on his back.
Guy stood opposite him.
Obito stood beside Guy, looking indignant.
"Hmph! What's so great about graduating early? I can graduate next year too!"
Kakashi ignored him.
He looked at Guy.
"I'm off."
Guy nodded.
"Yeah."
After a couple of seconds of silence, Kakashi suddenly reached out.
Guy paused, then reached out too.
Clap.
Their hands clasped.
"Don't die," Guy said.
"You too," Kakashi replied.
Obito hopped around beside them.
"Hey, hey, what about me? What about me?"
Kakashi glanced at him.
"You... stay alive."
Obito was petrified.
"What do you mean, stay alive? I'm pretty strong too, you know!"
No one paid him any attention.
Rin walked over with a smile and handed Kakashi a small pack.
"Have this on the way."
Kakashi blinked.
"Thanks."
Kurenai stood beside Guy and waved to Kakashi.
"Take care, Kakashi."
Kakashi nodded.
He turned and walked two steps.
Then he looked back.
"Guy."
"Yeah?"
"That year you promised."
Guy grinned.
"One year."
"I'll be waiting."
Guy gave him a thumbs-up.
"All right."
The corners of Kakashi's mouth lifted.
He turned and left.
He kept walking until he disappeared around the corner.
Guy watched the figure vanish.
Slowly, a grin spread across his face.
It wasn't the kind of loud laugh that came with "burning Youth."
It was a different smile.
Quiet.
Measured.
He lowered his head.
A system panel appeared before his eyes.
[Host: Might Guy] [Monk Points: 0] [Techniques] [Yijin Jing (Superior): 788 (Mastery)] [Vajra Leg (Inferior): 1000 (Mastery of Perfection)] [Vajra Finger (Inferior): 999 (Mastery)] [Precept-Breaking Blade (Medium): 0 (Initiate)]