Guy's words rang out like a great bell, scattering the gloom in Lee's heart.
Lee looked at his teacher's face. There was no trace of sorrow on it, only pride and fighting spirit. That familiar warmth of never giving up surged through him once more. His sadness turned to fierce emotion and resolve.
"Teacher Guy, you're right!" Lee sprang upright, tears spilling from his eyes again, this time from excitement. He raised a fist and shouted with all his might, "Youth won't fade because of scars! It'll only burn brighter!"
"Well said, Lee! That's the spirit!" Guy's own passion blazed. He pointed toward the winding road in the distance. "Then, to honor that unyielding youth of the future and make the youth we have now burn hotter—"
"Today, we'll run ten laps around Konoha on our hands! We'll show everyone that the spirit of youth never changes!"
"Yes, Teacher Guy!"
Without a moment's hesitation, they planted their hands on the ground and flipped into handstands. Sweat ran from their temples to their hair. Their muscles strained, but they held steady as rocks.
"One, two! One, two!" Guy called out first, his voice ringing strong.
"One, two! One, two!" Lee joined in at once, even louder.
The two figures began to "run" on their hands along the edge of the training ground, heading for Konoha's main road.
The setting sun stretched their upside-down shadows far across the ground. It was a strange sight, yet full of power. Their heavy breathing, the rhythm of palms striking earth, and their occasional spirited shouts wove together into a surging song of youth.
As Lee moved forward on his hands, the world in his sight was upside down. But the fire in his heart burned true and fierce.
Teacher Guy was ahead of him, his