Inside a ward at Konoha Hospital.
"Let me out!"
Rock Lee's voice rang out from the ward, filled with frustration and stubborn defiance.
Might Guy stood beside the hospital bed with his arms folded, his trademark dazzling smile nowhere to be seen.
"Lee, your injuries haven't healed yet."
"But!"
Lee's eyes reddened.
"Everyone else is working hard! Naruto is training! Sasuke is training too! I'm the only one lying here! Just me!"
Guy watched him in silence for a long time.
Then he slowly crouched down to meet Lee's eyes.
"Lee."
His voice was low and earnest.
"Do you know what youth is?"
Lee froze.
"Youth doesn't mean charging ahead regardless of the consequences."
Guy spoke.
"Youth means knowing when to charge ahead and when to wait. If you rush out there now, you'll only destroy your future. But if you wait a little and let your injuries heal, you'll still have a long road ahead of you."
He looked into Lee's eyes and spoke each word with care.
"A true ninja isn't someone who never falls, but someone who can get back up after falling."
Lee's tears finally spilled over.
"But... Guy-sensei... I'm so scared... I'm scared I won't catch up to them... I'm scared I'll be left behind..."
Guy reached out and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Lee. You won't be left behind."
His teeth flashed.
"Because your youth has only just begun!"
Seeing his teacher's familiar, dazzling smile, Lee suddenly smiled too.
Tears still clung to his face, but his smile had blossomed again.
"...Yes, Guy-sensei!"
The night before the third round of the exams.
Genya and Konan stood side by side at the edge of the training ground, looking toward the brightly lit arena in the distance.
"It starts tomorrow."
Konan spoke.