Might Guy

The weather outside was clear, and bright sunlight streamed through the spotless glass, falling slantwise across Asami Ri's cheek.

"This is... so boring."

He murmured to himself. He had been lying in this hospital bed, with its faint medicinal smell, for seven days.

Asami Ri slowly curled his fingers, feeling the slight resistance as his knuckles stretched the skin of his palm.

Thanks to the almost miraculous Medical Ninjutsu of the Naruto world, his severe muscle strains and cracked bones had mostly healed.

As his muscles contracted, the tearing agony was gone, replaced by a tingling sensation.

The restlessness of being bedridden mingled with his curiosity about ninjutsu, leaving him eager to start learning it.

"Celestial Pivot, how far along is the analysis of 'Lightning Release: Lightning Ball'?"

[Current analysis progress: 71%. Estimated time remaining: 68 hours.]

Click.

The door to the ward swung open, breaking the silence.

A group of medical staff streamed inside.

The middle-aged medical ninja leading them had heavy, dark circles beneath his eyes. He did not even spare a glance at his patient, rapidly flipping through the chart in his hands instead. "Asami Ri, bed fourteen..."

The nurses accompanying him worked swiftly. While the doctor checked his details, they deftly cut through and removed Asami Ri's bandages.

As the final layer of white gauze fell away, the boy's lean but wiry torso was exposed to the air.

"Recovery looks good. Cleared for discharge. Complete the paperwork within three days and free up the bed."

The doctor spoke at a rapid clip. Once he had delivered those instructions, he hurried off with his staff to the next ward.

Asami Ri watched the doctor's slightly disheveled figure retreat and sighed softly.

Even without going outside, he knew how bad the situation had become.

The increasingly frequent rattle of stretchers and stifled groans in the hallway spoke of the brutal fighting on Konoha's front lines.

To survive a trip to the battlefield and make it back to the hospital in one piece was already an incredible stroke of luck.

He put on his hospital clothes and climbed out of bed. The moment his feet touched the floor, weakness swept through him. His knees wobbled involuntarily, and his legs nearly buckled.

"Seven days in bed, and my body's practically rusted."

Asami Ri braced himself against the windowsill and did a few simple stretches.

As his blood began flowing faster and oxygen was pumped back into his depleted muscle cells, the sluggishness gradually left his body. Even breathing became a little easier.

Knock, knock, knock.

The soft, rhythmic knocking interrupted Asami Ri's movements, followed by Rin Nohara's gentle voice, warm with a hint of laughter.

"Ri, Guy's here to see you."

"Come in," Asami Ri replied as he fastened his buttons.

The door opened, and a glaringly green figure burst into view.

His signature bowl cut gleamed in the sunlight. Might Guy wore a brilliant smile, his whole body radiating the heat of "youth."

"Ri! Looks like you're recovering well!"

Before Asami Ri could steady himself, Might Guy's hand landed heavily on his shoulder with a sharp smack, making it go numb for a moment.

"Hiss—hey, Guy, I'm still officially an injured patient." Asami Ri sucked in a breath and rubbed his shoulder helplessly.

"Sorry, sorry! That was an uncontrollable expression of youth at seeing my dear friend recover!" Might Guy quickly withdrew his hand, flashed his white teeth, and thrust his thumb high. Rather than dimming, his smile shone even brighter.

Watching their exchange, Rin Nohara's expression, tense for days, finally softened.

She placed the bouquet she was holding into the vase by the bed. Once she had confirmed that Asami Ri's injuries had indeed improved, she covered her mouth and chuckled.

"Seeing you so lively puts my mind at ease. There are a few newly arrived patients I need to tend to, so I'll leave you two to talk."

With that, she nodded to them both and hurried out the door.

"Guy, I'm going to get discharged now."

Asami Ri drew his gaze away from the doorway and turned to look solemnly at his dear friend. "I want to visit the Memorial Stone first... to pay my respects to Uncle Duy."

At the mention of his father, Might Guy's exuberant expression faltered slightly.

"I heard about what happened that day from the nurses." Asami Ri's voice grew quieter, and his hand unconsciously brushed his chest, where scars from the battlefield still remained. "If Uncle Duy hadn't sacrificed himself to cripple the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist... I would never have had a chance to kill Raiga Kurosuki."

A brief silence fell over the ward.

Might Guy lowered his head, shadows hiding his eyes, but soon lifted it again. The corners of his eyes were still red, yet his mouth spread into a smile.

"Yeah! That's the 'youth' Dad was always talking about. If he knew his life had saved so many comrades, Dad... would surely be happy!"

Asami Ri watched Guy struggle to keep smiling brightly. He said nothing more, only giving his arm a firm pat.

The discharge paperwork was completed quickly. After they left the hospital, the sunlight on the street seemed a little dazzling.

The two bought bouquets of white chrysanthemums at a flower shop on the corner.

Konoha Cemetery.

It was much quieter here than in the bustling streets, with only the rustle of leaves in the breeze.

Asami Ri and Might Guy walked side by side along the bluestone path, the bouquets in their arms giving off a faint fragrance.

The Memorial Stone stood quietly in the center of the Cemetery, its newly engraved names still marked by pale traces.

Asami Ri bent down and neatly laid his white chrysanthemums at the foot of the stone.

His fingertips touched its surface, and the cool sensation carried his thoughts back to that forest.

Thank you, Uncle Duy.

He silently spoke those words in his heart, his gaze passing over the name "Might Duy."

Without him, Asami Ri would not have survived, much less activated Celestial Pivot.

I'll never forget what you did for me.

Beside him, Might Guy could no longer contain his emotions. He roughly wiped away his tears, his voice hoarse.

"Dad... can you see this? Your youth has reached us."

He raised his head. Though tears streaked his face, his eyes seemed to burn. "You said... fallen leaves become nourishment for new green leaves. When those green leaves sprout, youth reaches its peak!"

Guy took a deep breath, as though he meant to draw all the wind in the Cemetery into his chest. "I'll keep running, carrying your share with me!"

Asami Ri turned to look at Guy. Neither of them said anything more.

Sometimes, promises between ninja needed few words. A single shared look was enough.

They turned and walked down the stone steps side by side.

By then, the setting sun had stained the distant horizon a lingering, blood-red hue, stretching their shadows long.