Guy finally caught up with Kakashi in a grove, where he found him standing still. His face lit up, and he shouted, "Kakashi, let's have a showdown!"
Kakashi had heard those words more times than he could count over the years. He ignored them. "Those three kids are still waiting for you."
Guy looked unconcerned. "Those three are easy to look after. They'll train hard even without me. But I haven't seen you in ages! Come on!"
Kakashi knew nothing he said would dampen Guy's enthusiasm. With a helpless sigh, he said, "I have somewhere to be soon. Let's settle it with rock-paper-scissors."
Far from objecting, Guy looked eager. Their contests over the years had taken every form imaginable, including rock-paper-scissors. Guy had rarely won at it, though, and he still wanted that victory.
Kakashi's expression remained indifferent, his eyes half-lidded. "Come on." Seeing Guy deliberate, he made no move to hurry him. He simply held out his hand and waited for Guy to call the start.
The result was disappointing for Guy: Kakashi won again. Guy stared at his own hand as though his heart had been torn out. By comparison, Kakashi's celebration was subdued—he merely tugged the corners of his mouth into a halfhearted smile.
Apparently done fooling around, Guy let his playful expression fall away. "What did you want to tell me?" He knew Kakashi well. Usually Kakashi just humored him when they met, but Guy had never seen him act quite so deliberately before.
Kakashi answered without hesitation. "You've heard a little about what's happening around these Chunin Ninja Exams, haven't you?"
Guy grew more serious. "Yeah, a little. What are you trying to tell me?" Kakashi paused. "Nothing much. Just keep a closer eye on those three kids. We don't know when it might start."