The door to Konoha Hospital's special care ward was gently pushed open.
Naruto Uzumaki walked in, carrying an exquisitely wrapped gift box.
"Guy-sensei."
Might Guy, lying in bed like a mummy wrapped head to toe in bandages, immediately tried to sit up. The movement pulled at the muscle tears throughout his body, making him grimace in pain.
"Oh, oh, oh! Naruto! How could my blazing youth be shackled by such trivial pain?!"
"Lie down." Naruto stepped forward, placed the gift box on the bedside table, and gently pressed one hand onto Guy's shoulder.
A gentle yet irresistible force flowed over him. Guy's body relaxed involuntarily, and he lay back down.
Naruto opened the gift box. Inside were several dark-green medicinal potions that carried a fresh herbal scent, along with cans of protein powder, creatine, and high-purity fish oil labeled "Special Supply from Konoha First Arsenal."
"These are specially formulated nutritional supplements from the Land of Hot Water. They work wonders for muscle recovery. These are your favorites—I had the formula adjusted for better absorption," Naruto said evenly. "You completed the mission perfectly. This is your reward."
Rock Lee was already moved to tears. He looked excitedly at Naruto, then at his teacher. "Naruto-kun! Guy-sensei, he..."
"He did very well." Naruto cut Lee off. "That is why the organization will give him the reward he deserves. This mission has been rated S-rank. Guy-sensei will receive a special contribution bonus of twenty million ryō, as well as one month of paid leave—though I don't have the authority to approve that. I asked Tsunade to authorize it."
"Tw... twenty million?!" Lee's tears were instantly choked back by shock. He stared at Naruto, stammering, unable to believe his ears.
"He earned it." Naruto turned to Guy and explained, "Your value goes far beyond that.