Don't Save That Kick for Me

He had been here for so many years, yet he had never gone to see the ugly Hokage Building and Hokage Rock in person. If not now, when?

"Oh, you still want to compete? Can your body take it?" Guy asked with concern.

"I'll be fine!"

"Are you sure you don't need to wait a little longer?" Guy looked serious.

"I'm really fine." Koki knew Guy kept asking because he was concerned about his physical condition, but Koki knew his own body inside and out. Besides, he thought the distance from here to the Hokage Building was short enough, especially after that exhilarating fight with Guy had gotten his blood pumping. Right now, he just wanted to let loose.

He had never felt this exhilarated since coming here!

"All right, then. What should we compete in?" Seeing how determined Koki was, Guy said no more.

Besides, he was just as reluctant to part with Koki, so another contest was fine with him.

"What should we compete in? Let's... let's see which of us can run from here to the Hokage Building first. I'm off! Hahahaha!"

Before Koki had finished speaking, and before anyone could react, he had already darted several meters away.

"What? Damn it! Wait for me! You're cheating, aaah!" Guy followed close behind, furious.

At dusk, sunlight spilled over the streets of Konoha, casting its glow on Koki and Might Guy as they ran.

Like streaks of lightning, they cut through the sky, racing toward the Hokage Building.

Koki was light on his feet and as agile as a cat. His steps were like leaps across the clouds as he easily cleared one obstacle after another. His gaze remained fixed firmly ahead.

Might Guy, meanwhile, was the perfect combination of strength and speed. With every stride, his muscles tensed and released, displaying astonishing power. His breathing was steady and strong, as if he would never tire, and fighting spirit burned in his eyes, as if it would burn away anything that stood in his path.

Guy's face was flushed as he ran, and his sweat evaporated into a mist that surrounded him. He really did look a little... definitely like a dangerous person!

Their figures crossed in midair as they went faster and faster, as though they were about to break the sound barrier.

The scenery along the way raced past their eyes.

"What was that that just flew past?"

"Looked like two people?"

"What's happening, aaah?"

"Damn it, the clothes I hung out to dry fell down."

Passersby watched Koki and Might Guy race past like the wind, filled with surprise and admiration. They had never seen anyone run so fast; it was as if two bolts of lightning had streaked across the sky.

Some passersby stopped in their tracks and stared openmouthed as the two disappeared into the distance, as though rooted to the spot. Shock showed on their faces, as if they had seen something unbelievable.

Some passersby even cheered, shouting encouragement to Koki and Might Guy. Their voices echoed through the streets, adding even more passion and energy to the race.

"Out of the way! Out of the way! Out of the way! Get out of the way, aaah!!!" Guy shouted as he flew past, running so fiercely that he nearly knocked passersby over.

"You in the green jumpsuit, stop right there, aaah!" A passerby who had nearly been tripped watched Guy race away, eyes blazing as he pointed and shouted at him.

"Sorry, aaah! But I don't have time!" The voice that answered grew ever more hurried.

As the two gradually closed the distance and the Hokage Building came into view, Koki's heart pounded harder. Their breathing mingled, and the contest fueled their passion.

In the end, Koki was the first to reach the Hokage Building. A victorious smile appeared on his face, but before he could take a closer look, he collapsed onto his butt, exhausted.

Might Guy followed close behind. Though he had lost the race, his eyes were full of respect and admiration.

Both collapsed to the ground, panting for breath. They glanced at each other and burst out laughing.

Though their bodies were utterly exhausted, both felt incredibly exhilarated!

"Can you compete with me every day from now on?" After a long silence, Might Guy spoke up, breaking it. He was finally not so downcast anymore.

"Every day!?"

"Yeah. No one's willing to compete with me."

"What about Kakashi-senpai?"

"You know Kakashi?" Might Guy was rather surprised.

"Yeah, just yesterday. Um... I met Kakashi-senpai because of something that happened." Koki scratched his head.

"Kakashi's a genius. I've always been chasing after him! But he's probably busy, so he turns down my challenges every time. Come to think of it, you're the first person to challenge me!" Might Guy was still making excuses for Kakashi.

He's probably not really that busy, Koki grumbled inwardly, though he kept smiling.

"Sure, Guy-senpai, but I can't handle every day. How about twice a week?" Every day? That would beat him into a cripple.

"Great! Starting today, you're my rival too!" Guy excitedly spread his arms and pulled him into a bear hug.

"And friends too, right?" Koki could barely breathe in his embrace.

"Best friends!"

"Okay, but whatever you do, don't save that kick for me," Koki muttered.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing..."

The setting sun cast its lingering glow over the two boys, one older and one younger, cloaking them in golden light.

At that moment, their friendship reached a new level beneath the setting sun, and their hearts became more closely connected.

"Huh? So this is the Hokage Building?" Koki got to his feet, brushed off his butt, and looked up at the building before him.

"Yeah. Haven't you been here before?" Might Guy gazed at the Hokage Building with longing. What child didn't dream of becoming Hokage? Guy was no exception.

It was probably past closing time. Outside the Hokage Building, only the guards remained at their posts, along with a few scattered figures hurrying by.

Although the daimyo controlled the purse strings, the Kage's power held the reins of the military.

Thus, the villages ruled by the Kage were undoubtedly the most prosperous places in their countries, and the Kage's office buildings could also be considered the most magnificent buildings in their villages.

Konoha, situated in the most prosperous area of the Land of Fire and blessed with a pleasant climate, ranked among the top of the Five Great Shinobi Villages in both foundation and wealth.

However, perhaps because Konoha already had Kage Rock as a landmark, the Hokage Building was not overly extravagant, presenting a rather conventional appearance instead.

Most surprisingly, the floor that symbolized the Will of Fire was occupied by black cables or pipes, running along it without any attempt to conceal them. It was enough to drive Koki's obsessive-compulsive disorder up the wall.

The building's overall coloring was somewhat gloomy. The one thing Koki liked about it was perhaps the spacious platform on the top floor, where people could normally be summoned for meetings or given assignments.