Four Letters

Three days later.

The appointment came down.

Might Guy was in his tent gnawing on dry rations when Ebisu burst through the curtain flap, holding an envelope in his hand.

"Guy! It's from Konoha!"

Might Guy took it and tore it open.

Inside was an official document stamped with the seal of the Hokage's office.

[Effective immediately, Might Guy is promoted to Chunin.]

Below it was the signature of the Third Hokage.

Ebisu leaned in to take a look, his expression complex.

"You actually got promoted."

Might Guy folded the document and tucked it under his pillow. There was no particular look of surprise on his face, but the corners of his mouth curled up nonetheless.

The Chunin who delivered the document was still standing outside the tent.

"Might Guy, you have more letters."

Might Guy was stunned.

"Mine?"

"Four of them. Coincidentally, they're all for you."

The man pulled four letters from his tunic, handed them over, and turned to leave.

Might Guy sat back down on his bed with the four letters.

Ebisu leaned in to get a look, only to be pushed away by Might Guy with a slap.

"What are you looking at?"

"Stingy."

Ebisu pouted, but left the tent anyway.

Might Guy was left alone in the tent.

He laid the four letters out on the bed and checked the senders.

The first one, Might Duy.

Seeing that name, Might Guy froze for a moment.

It had been over three months.

Three whole months since he had last seen his old man.

After the war began, Might Duy, that Eternal Genin, had also been sent out on missions.

Because his location was constantly changing, Might Guy had no idea what kind of missions he was on or where he was going.

He only knew that he was still alive.

Might Guy tore open the envelope and pulled out a thin sheet of paper.

[Guy:

Dad is doing well, don't worry.

I've sent you some money, one hundred thousand ryo. It's what Dad saved up, so make sure you eat something good.

I know how much you eat; the army rations alone aren't enough to fill you up.

It's getting cold, so go buy some new clothes. Don't be afraid to spend the money.

I probably won't make it back for your birthday. Once the war is over, Dad will make it up to you.

Youth is all about being well-fed and warm!

Dad]

Tucked under the letter was a money order for one hundred thousand ryo.

Might Guy stared at the crooked handwriting for a long time.

Saved up.

How much could an Eternal Genin earn in a month?

He had no idea how long it had taken to scrape together this one hundred thousand ryo.

"My birthday..."

His birthday was January 1st.

Counting the days, there really wasn't much time left.

Might Guy folded the letter and placed it under his pillow, right next to the promotion document.

The second letter listed Hatake Kakashi as the sender, but the handwriting consisted of three different styles.

Guy tore open the envelope.

The first paragraph was written in neat, tidy handwriting; it was Kakashi's.

[Guy:

Things are fine here in the Land of Grass. We've kept the Iwagakure forces blocked at the border, and they won't be able to break through for the time being.

Our captain is very strong; his name is Minato Namikaze, and you should have heard of him. His speed is at least ten times faster than ours.

Obito insisted on adding a section himself on the back.

Also, stay alive.

Kakashi]

Guy flipped the letter over.

The handwriting on the back was crooked and large, taking up the entire page.

[Guy!!! It's me, Obito!!! I'm super strong now!!

Last month, I killed two Iwagakure genin all by myself!! That bastard Kakashi only killed three!!

I'm going to catch up to him soon!! The captain says I'm improving really fast!!

One day, I'm going to surpass Kakashi and become Hokage!! How are things over there!! Do you miss me!!

Rin told me to say hi for her!!]

Guy smiled.

He flipped back to the front, where there was a small note at the bottom in delicate, elegant handwriting—it was Rin's.

[Guy, take care of yourself and don't push too hard. Obito says not to worry, he's definitely going to become Hokage.]

Guy tucked the letter away.

"These guys, they're still the same as ever."

The third letter was from Kurenai Yuhi.

Guy's movements slowed slightly as he picked it up.

He tore open the seal and pulled out the letter.

The paper was folded neatly into a small square.

Unfolding it, the characters were tiny, written with careful, deliberate strokes.

[Guy:

It's very cold here in the Land of Rice Fields. The work for the Intelligence Division is busy, and we have to go out on reconnaissance every day. The captain says we're doing a great job.

I've learned two new genjutsu. When we meet, I'd like to try them out on you, is that okay?

Also, I heard about your injury.

The reports coming back from Kikyo Mountain said you fought in the rain for a long time and broke your leg.

Were you pushing yourself too hard again?

Eat well. Recover properly. Stop thinking about training all the time.

When you're better, I'll treat you to a meal.

Finally, you must, absolutely must, stay alive.

Oh, and happy early birthday.

Kurenai]

Guy read the letter twice.

"Eat well," "birthday"—it was just like what his old man said.

He folded the letter and tucked it deep under his pillow.

The fourth letter was from Aburame Shikuroo.

Guy paused for a moment.

Shikuroo?

He tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter.

Then, Bushy Brows raised an eyebrow.

Two sheets of paper, front and back, were densely packed with text.

The characters were tiny and crowded together, as if he were afraid of wasting even a sliver of space.

[Brother:

You asked me to keep an eye on Asuma, so I did.

The following is the record.

October 3rd, Asuma invited Kurenai to eat. I went too. We had ramen. Asuma paid. Kurenai ordered Miso Chashu, Asuma ordered Soy Sauce, and I ordered Salt Flavor. Asuma wanted to sit across from Kurenai, but Kurenai said, "You sit over there," and had Asuma sit next to her. Asuma sat.]

October 7th. During training, Asuma told Kurenai he wanted to teach her Wind Style. Kurenai said there was no need, as she was practicing genjutsu. Asuma argued that Wind Style combined with genjutsu was very powerful. Kurenai said she could practice on her own. Asuma left.

October 11th. It rained. Asuma waited for Kurenai at the entrance of the camp, saying he had brought an umbrella for her. Kurenai said she had her own. Asuma said that umbrella was too small. Kurenai said it was enough. Asuma stood there for a while, then left.

October 15th. Asuma asked Kurenai what she liked to eat...

October 20th. Asuma invited Kurenai to eat again. I went too...

October 25th. Asuma asked Kurenai what her favorite color was. Kurenai said she liked green...

November 2nd. Asuma asked Kurenai when her birthday was...

December 21st. Kurenai is unhappy. I know it must be because she heard the news about your injury, brother. That kid Asuma has no sense; he kept asking her one thing after another.

Brother, this kid Asuma is up to no good. He definitely knows Kurenai likes green because of you.

I will keep watching.

Good brother, take care of yourself. I heard about your injury too; whatever you do, don't die! I've got Kurenai covered here, so you can rest easy!

Aburame Shikuroo]

Guy finished reading the letter, grimacing.

This brother is truly dedicated to his duty.

He tucked the letter away and placed it under his pillow.

Then, he pulled out paper and a pen to start writing his replies.

The first one, to Dai.

[Father:

I received the money. I will buy clothes and eat well. You take care of your safety too. It doesn't matter that we didn't celebrate my birthday; we can celebrate together when the war ends.

By the way, I've been promoted to Chunin.

Guy]

The second one, to Kakashi, Obito, and Rin.

[Kakashi, Obito, Rin:

I'm doing fine over here. My leg will be fine after resting for a few days.

Tell Obito that I'm a Chunin now too. Tell him to stop just bragging and focus on his training.

Guy]

After writing this, Guy thought for a moment and added a line at the bottom.

[Obito must be stomping his feet in anger after seeing this letter.]

The third one, to Kurenai.

Guy held the pen for a long time.

In the end, he wrote three lines.

[I received your letter. My leg is fine, don't worry.

Make sure you eat well too. Don't just focus on reconnaissance.

When I've recovered, I'll take you out to eat. Just the two of us.]

The fourth one, to Aburame Shikuroo.

The shortest.

[Good brother, keep it up. I'll treat you to ramen when I get back.]

Guy folded the four letters, walked out of the tent, found the Chunin in charge of deliveries, and handed them over.

"So many?" The Chunin was stunned.

"Yeah."

"Alright then."

The man stuffed the letters into his bag and left.

Guy stood outside the tent, looking at the Great Battle of Kikyo Mountain in the distance.

The sun was about to set, and the ridgeline was burned into a red edge.

The entire Great Battle of Kikyo Mountain looked peaceful.

But Guy knew that this peace wouldn't last long.

Within three months.

The Great Battle of Kikyo Mountain would erupt completely!