On the rooftop of a side building in Konoha.
Rock Lee sat slumped beside the rooftop wall, his eyes staring blankly into space.
He had been sitting there for a long time.
His dark eyes, usually brimming with youthful enthusiasm, had lost their luster. He was exhausted.
It was not just his physical injuries. The mental strain was immense as well.
"Lee, I knew I'd find you here!"
Might Guy appeared in a flash and sat beside Rock Lee.
"G-Guy-sensei, what brings you here?"
Guy stood up, planted his hands on his hips, and declared firmly:
"I know all about your situation. I heard you skipped your rehabilitation yesterday and today. That won't do!"
But today, unlike usual, a few words from Might Guy did nothing to lift Rock Lee's spirits.
His eyelids drooped, making it plain how miserable he felt.
After a long silence, Rock Lee spoke quietly:
"When I first became a Genin, I stood here and swore an oath to my dream, to everything I believed in. But..."
"Even though Neji laughed at me back then, I meant every word!"
Memories flashed through Might Guy's mind. He remembered Rock Lee standing here a few years earlier, saying earnestly:
"I'm going to prove that I can become a great ninja, even if I can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu!"
Rock Lee paused, then continued:
"Back then, you told me that as long as I had the youthful spirit to compete with a rival, I could definitely become a great ninja, and that... hard work was essential!"
Rock Lee forced a smile.
"Honestly, I was so happy. Before that, no teacher or classmate had ever said anything like that to me."
"I felt so much lighter. When I had no idea what to do, a whole new path opened up