It was the weekend.
By the time Yuzuru woke up, it was almost noon.
After getting dressed and washing up, he went downstairs to find Kakashi looking utterly done with life in the living room. Beside him was Guy, who never forgot to train, doing push-ups.
"One hundred and five, one hundred and six..."
"Hey, Yuzuru!"
Seeing Yuzuru come downstairs, Guy's eyes lit up, and he immediately rushed over.
"Kakashi told me all about you. You're an even greater genius than he is."
"Do I look like one? What kind of genius sleeps until this late?"
Yuzuru spread his hands innocently.
"On the other hand, you've seen how hard Kakashi works today, haven't you? How does his youth compare to yours?"
At the word "youth," it was as though a switch had flipped in Guy. He looked at Kakashi and delivered his assessment with a serious expression. "I admit that Kakashi's youth is every bit as strong as mine. But my youth will burn even brighter! As my lifelong rival, Kakashi, I hope you won't disappoint me."
Kakashi: ...
"Yes, I've already heard the passion in your heart. Let's train even harder together. Youth is all about working up a sweat!"
Guy gave a thumbs-up and flashed a youthful smile. Those sparkling teeth in particular made Yuzuru really want to ask what toothpaste he used. They were far too clean.
Beside them, Kakashi looked at Yuzuru with an expression that said, "So you're the little bastard who sold me out?"
Yuzuru answered him with a smile that said, "No fucking need to thank me."
Seeing not a ripple in Kakashi's dead-fish eyes, Yuzuru knew the brat was definitely up to no good. He might even be planning to get him back. In that case...
My foolish older brother, accept the love of your dearest friend!
"Guy, as Kakashi's younger brother, I have to tell you this. See how silent he is right now? That's his highest form of recognition.
"Especially his eyes. They may look calm, but can you see the hot blood buried deep within, searing like magma? That's absolute admiration for your way of youth.
"But he himself often wastes his youth for no reason.
"So please make sure you take Kakashi along to train. It'll be a powerful push for my good-for-nothing older brother. When it comes to Taijutsu, Guy, you're the hardest-working, strongest person I've ever seen. So I'm leaving everything to you. This is a promise of youth.
"We mustn't let my foolish older brother squander his talent. Youth should be accompanied by the sweat of hard work."
At those words, Kakashi completely lost his composure. He could no longer maintain his dead-fish stare, his eyes widening in shock.
Faced with Yuzuru's solemn expression, Guy nodded and agreed in a serious voice without the slightest hesitation.
"I understand, Yuzuru. Leave Kakashi to me. I won't let him waste his youth. I swear it on my ninja way!"
Seeing how utterly serious Guy was, Kakashi said nothing. He only grew even more silent.
Yuzuru patted Guy on the shoulder and nodded as well.
"I believe in you, Guy. But Kakashi has already escaped."
"W-what!"
Guy looked at the "Kakashi" beside him.
Yuzuru shattered the Shadow Clone with an ice Senbon. Before it dispersed, he seemed to hear it say something.
"Yuzuru, you @#$%@*&"
"That damn Kakashi! Just like Yuzuru said, he's actually wasting his youth like this! As the future Blue Beast of the Hidden Leaf, I must fulfill my promise to Yuzuru. Accept the lash of youth, Kakashi!"
With that, Guy sprinted out to find Kakashi.
At the sight, Yuzuru gave a foxlike smile, then put on his shoes and strolled toward the Yuhi home.
"What a wonderful weekend. Wouldn't you agree, Kakashi?"
Meanwhile, Kakashi was desperately evading Guy's pursuit. For some reason, though, Guy stuck to him like glue and simply couldn't be shaken off, making Kakashi question his own abilities for a time.
Knock, knock, knock!
Yuzuru arrived at the Yuhi home and knocked politely.
"Who is it?"
Soon, Yūhi Shinku opened the door. At the sight of the little fellow on his doorstep, his expression instantly fell.
"Xiao Xian!"
Kurenai Yuhi, behind him, happily rushed over when she saw Yuzuru. She squeezed past Yūhi Shinku, took Yuzuru's hand, and headed back inside.
Seeing the two little ones being so close, Yūhi Shinku felt his heart bleed. That was his precious little girl!
You evil Minazuki brat! You're actually trying to steal my precious little girl!
"Dad, Xiao Xian and I are going out to play."
"Wait, Kurenai, you haven't eaten yet."
Yūhi Shinku hurriedly spoke up, taking the opportunity to separate the little hands they were still holding.
"Oh, right. Xiao Xian, have you eaten?"
"No. My dad went out this morning, and he won't be home for lunch. Kakashi also arranged to train with Guy."
Yuzuru shook his head.
"Perfect, then. Let's eat together."
As soon as she finished speaking, Kurenai took Yuzuru's hand again, and the two sat back down on the sofa together.
At that sight, for one brief moment, Yūhi Shinku felt as though he couldn't breathe.
"That damned Minazuki brat."
"Dad, hurry up with the cooking. Yuzuru and I are going to practice Ninjutsu later."
"All right, Dad's getting right on it..."
Yūhi Shinku was just about to start cooking when he suddenly noticed something wrong.
"Wait, you said you're going to practice Ninjutsu with this brat? Honestly, how could he possibly manage? I'll teach you myself. Your dad is a Jonin of our village, you know."
When it came to Ninjutsu, Yūhi Shinku perked right up. He was a Jonin. How could some mere Minazuki brat possibly compare to him?
"No. Xiao Xian teaches better. You always explain things too fast, Dad."
Clang!
Hearing his precious little girl's words, Yūhi Shinku felt as though he had suffered a heavy blow.
No, not as though he had suffered a heavy blow. He had already taken a critical hit.
His precious little girl was only six. How could this evil Minazuki brat bring himself to do it? Didn't his conscience hurt?
What? He was only five, a year younger than Kurenai? Never mind, then.
Never mind, my ass!
Damn you, Sakumo! Hurry over here and take your evil brat home!
Sakumo, who was in the Hokage's office, suddenly sneezed.
"Hmm? It seems you haven't been resting well."
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help laughing.
"Not at all. Someone must be talking about me behind my back. It could be Kakashi, or it could be Yuzuru."
"Is that so? What do you think of Yuzuru?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked another question.
"He's a genius who's every bit as talented as Kakashi."
Hatake Sakumo immediately spoke with pride, looking every bit a father proud of his child.
"I'm full. Xiao Xian, I can't finish all this. You have a big appetite, so you can have it all."
Kurenai patted her stomach, then picked all the remaining meat out of her bowl and gave it to Yuzuru.
"Oh, thank you, Kurenai."
Seeing the two little ones being so close, Yūhi Shinku nearly bit through the chopsticks in his mouth.
"Damn it..."
A little while later, looking at the spotless plates on the table, Kurenai rubbed Yuzuru's stomach and gave Yūhi Shinku a reproachful look from across the table.
"Dad, you didn't make enough food. I told you Yuzuru had a really big appetite."
Yuzuru looked at Yūhi Shinku and blinked innocently.
But to Yūhi Shinku, who doted on his daughter, this was nothing short of a provocation, as though he were saying:
"Old fart, your daughter is mine! Heh heh heh!"