The night was still dark.
By July, the summer heat in Konohagakure had become stifling, though the occasional breeze brought a trace of coolness to the humid air.
At this moment—
A solitary figure sat atop a tree deep in the woods, his eyes gazing up at the night sky.
That lonely silhouette was the very picture of melancholy.
"My youth…"
Might Guy slumped slightly, his entire aura exuding a rare gloom—as if he were a completely different person. He sat silently, staring into the stars.
"Rejected again…"
This was the second time Lord Danzō had turned him down.
The first time had been when he applied to join the Root organization—Danzō rejected him for being "not dark enough."
The second time… was just recently. He'd begged to join the Shinobi King tournament team, only to be told he lacked the strength.
He'd even planned to unlock six of the Eight Gates on the spot to prove his power, but Danzō hadn't even cared to watch.
No matter how earnestly he pleaded, Danzō just wouldn't let him in.
Now Kakashi was already off in closed training, while he was still left wandering aimlessly.
And Kakashi… he was his lifelong rival!
It had been a while since they'd seen each other. Guy really missed him.
"No! Youth doesn't give up so easily! Kakashi must be waiting for me to join him—together, we'll fight for the Shinobi King Cup!"
How could he just wallow here?
Just like that, his low spirits reignited into flames of passion. With a loud, energetic shout, he stood up.
"This is a disgrace! Wasting my youth like this?! No! Tonight—I will descend the mountain upside down on my hands all the way to the arcade entrance! I believe… if I persist, Lord Danzō will recognize me!"
Kakashi…
Just wait for me!!!
...
"Achoo! Achoo—!"
Inside the closed training facility…
Kakashi, wrapped up to his chin in his blanket, rubbed his nose lethargically.
"Why do I get the feeling something bad is coming…"
"Probably caught a chill from the fan last night," said Asuma casually. He was currently serving as Kakashi's sparring partner. "But actually, that doesn't make sense. I saw you in the dorm—middle of summer, and you were wrapped up tight in your blanket, moving up and down like crazy. What the hell were you even doing? Don't tell me you got heatstroke."
"… …"
I don't want to talk about this.
Kakashi gave Asuma a deadpan stare. "Reading a book."
"What book? Secret techniques?" Asuma raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely serious. "Wait… don't tell me you were—"
"?!"
Kakashi's heart skipped a beat.
Did he figure it out?
"—reviewing your notes?!" Asuma leaned in, looking like he'd cracked a huge case. "I knew it! You've been acting weird lately—always sneaking around, alone, glued to that little notebook of yours. You've been secretly taking notes this whole time!"
I can't believe this guy…
"Come on, hand it over!" Asuma suddenly extended his hand.
"???"
Hand what over?! I'm so confused right now!
"The notes!" Asuma said, exasperated. "Lord Danzō mentioned some key points recently, and others brought up some good tips too—I forgot all of it. Let me review your notes."
"… …"
Kakashi looked at him like he was clinically insane.
"You've lost your damn mind."
Who the hell takes notes during arcade training?
He hadn't even taken notes at the Ninja Academy.
But Asuma wasn't giving up. He glanced around to make sure the others were still focused on their training, then lowered his voice.
"Relax. I won't tell anyone. Just let me peek at it. After the tournament, I'll treat you to an all-you-can-eat feast at the Grand Sail Hotel. You can order anything."
"You've really lost your mind."
"Come on, we're teammates! What's the harm in letting me borrow it?"
"No."
"You're so stingy. We're representing Konoha, you know! In a way, this is for the village's honor!"
"Absolutely not."
Kakashi kept staring at him like he was a complete lunatic.
Then Asuma's expression changed. He looked serious.
"Enough joking. Are you gonna lend it or not?"
"I don't have one."
Right as he said that—
"Hey, Kakashi-senpai, Asuma-senpai." A warm voice interrupted.
It was Uchiha Shisui, walking over with a gentle smile as he pulled a small notebook from his uniform.
"If it's notes you need, I've written down all the key points Coach Danzō's mentioned these past few days. You're welcome to borrow it."
"Yes! You're the best!" Asuma practically snatched the notebook and gripped Shisui's hands tightly. "You're definitely getting an invite to my wedding someday!"
Then he shot Kakashi a smug look.
"Hmph! Stingy bastard. Can't believe you wouldn't even lend your notes. Said no one would take notes, and yet—here's Shisui!"
"… …"
I didn't expect anyone to actually be taking notes…
Kakashi just rolled his eyes and didn't bother responding. He turned his gaze back to the screen, where both his own character and the Third Hokage still had half their HP bars remaining.
With a smooth, precise combo—
He executed a flawless finisher.
Call me stingy again, I dare you.
As long as I'm around, forget winning the Shinobi King Cup.
The arcade was open 24 hours.
Even late at night, it was still lively out front.
Might Guy didn't care about the curious stares around him. He kept moving—upside down, walking on his hands—straight toward the entrance.
He was used to looks like these. Ever since training with his father, he'd faced far worse: mocking eyes, sneers, ridicule, discrimination.
But now, that was all in the past.
His father had used the flames of youth to become a hero of Konoha, earning the recognition of the entire village.
So now, most of the stares he received were merely curious.
"This… this is youth!"
Guy shifted his weight, switching between one-hand handstands and single-finger balances, drawing loud cheers and adoration from children watching.
"Do it again!" they cried.
But he didn't have time to play.
Kakashi was still waiting for him.
The arcade entrance was getting closer—ten meters, five meters…
And then—
"He's back! It's the Arcade Destroyer!"
A voice filled with panic rang out from inside.
"Quick, stop him! We can't let him in again! What if he breaks another machine?!"
"Block the door, block the door! Everyone's still playing inside!"
"Wait—he's a taijutsu specialist! He'll flatten us if we get too close!"
"Then what do we do?!"
"Just shut the door! Hurry!"
And right when he was less than a meter away—
BANG!
The heavy arcade doors slammed shut… right in his face.
Leaving behind…
A lone silhouette, emanating sorrow and youth alike.