Might Guy turned enthusiastically toward Team 7 and Team 8, gave them a thumbs-up, and flashed his gleaming white teeth. "Yo! Young leaves! I am your eternal mentor in youth, the proud Blue Beast of the Hidden Leaf-Might Guy! And Kakashi's eternal rival!"
"Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto looked incredulous. "Kakashi-sensei would never have such a weird rival!"
"What did you say?!" Rock Lee immediately protested, fired up. "Guy-sensei is the greatest ninja in the world! His strength..."
"Guy's strength is indeed beyond question," Toru Kujyo said evenly, cutting off Rock Lee's impassioned defense. "Anyone recognized as Kakashi's rival is naturally the best of the best." His tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable weight.
At those words, Might Guy was so moved that tears welled in his eyes. He lunged forward to give Toru Kujyo a "hug of youth," only for Toru Kujyo to sidestep him effortlessly.
"Lee!" Might Guy turned to Rock Lee, his expression instantly growing stern. "You actually intended to unlock that before the official matches! Breaking our agreement like this calls for punishment! Right now, you will..."
"Guy," Toru Kujyo interjected at just the right moment, "the first exam is about to begin."
"Oh! Right!" Might Guy slapped his forehead. "Then, Lee, your punishment will be postponed for now! Once the exam is over, you will feel the fiery lash of youth!"
Rock Lee immediately stood at attention. "Yes, Guy-sensei!"
Everyone was speechless.
"Let's go." Toru Kujyo turned first, and the members of Team 8 followed. Team 7 came right behind them, leaving the scene of the trouble.
On the way to the exam room, Naruto Uzumaki finally couldn't resist sidling up to Sasuke. Waggling his eyebrows, he whispered, "Hey, Sasuke, that bowl-cut guy almost beat you just now, didn't he? Hahaha!"
A vein twitched at Sasuke's temple,