The sunlight shines through the leaves, casting mottled fragments of light.
In the clearing of the forest filled with cool air, a man is training by doing one-finger push-ups with the index finger of his right hand.
Every movement he makes is very precise, sweat flows from his forehead, yet he does not complain of hardship or fatigue, instead calmly counting:
"Nine hundred ninety-six... nine hundred ninety-seven... nine hundred ninety-eight... nine hundred ninety-nine..."
After completing each one-finger push-up, he announces the number, his breath steady and full, utterly engrossed in training.
"One thousand..."
Finishing the one-thousandth one-finger push-up, the man's breathing changes, and he suddenly stands up from the ground.
"Great, a thousand push-ups done for today. Next up is running twenty laps around the village, without stopping, or else I'll penalize myself with fifty laps."
Such a harsh method to spur himself on is the life principle that the man—Might Guy—aims to fulfill.
Not wasting a single moment of youth, he constantly urges himself not to be satisfied with the current state.
In this world, there are many formidable enemies awaiting his defeat.
Coming to a tree, Guy bends down to pick up the water jug placed there, drinking heartily.
Just as he finishes drinking and prepares to set down the jug, his ears suddenly twitch as a sharp aura unexpectedly attacks from behind.
Without thinking much, he swiftly turns around, reaching out his hand to steadily catch the arm aiming at him, neutralizing the assailant's attack.
Immediately following is a bright white light of a blade, sweeping up from below like a crescent moon slash, prompting Guy to release the assailant's wrist and leaping back, creating a safe distance.
Maintaining a safe distance, Guy's shoulders tremble slightly, showing how narrowly he escaped that slash.
"As expected of you, Guy, I didn't think you could dodge my attack even when you're exhausted."
Kakashi twirls the White Fang Short Knife in his hand effortlessly, then sheaths it behind his back, praising Guy.
In response, Guy flashes a bright smile and says, "Kakashi, don't forget, I'm your lifelong rival. This level is no problem at all."
"Is that so? Seeing you're okay, I'm relieved."
Kakashi, seeing Guy's bright and confident smile, relaxes his tone.
Guy scratches his head, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Did you come specifically to comfort me, Kakashi?"
"Yes, after Obito and Lin left, among our contemporaries, you're the only friend I cherish in Konoha."
Kakashi doesn't hide his intentions, leaning against the shade of a nearby tree, pulling out "Icha Icha Paradise" from his Ninja Tool Bag, enjoying the read as he speaks to Guy.
"Haha, then you'll be disappointed, Kakashi. I'm not sad at all. My father, well, even if he burned his last life force, he died with a smile in the end. Moreover, Ruri-sensei, the genius, acknowledged my father's efforts, so why would I have any regrets?"
Guy answers, with not a trace of resentment in his tone.
"Do you truly believe so?"
Kakashi asks nonchalantly.
Guy nods, with eyes burning with sincere flames.
"A man who gives all his youth and effort, ultimately dying after facing strong enemies in battle, such a life would leave no regrets. This is the path my father pursued, and as his son, all I need is respect."
"Yeah, Uncle Duy, he pursued self-transcendence all his life. The way you're thinking, you might even surpass his achievements in the future."
Kakashi nods in agreement.
Might Duy is undoubtedly a ninja who strived tirelessly throughout his life.
A person like him had already dedicated all his youth and effort in his lifetime.
To say someone like him has regrets in life would be too arrogant.
He is a respectable person.
Guy has inherited this spirit, and Kakashi believes that Guy may well surpass his father in the future.
Guy understands this deeply, which is why he holds no resentment in his heart.
Because any resentment would be disrespectful to his father.
At life's final moment, when his father couldn't defeat the ninja, he passed on this unfinished goal to his child, to protect this village, making Might Duy's life without regrets.
"How about it, a rare opportunity, do you wanna join me for a youthful and passionate bout, Kakashi?"
Guy invites Kakashi with a smile, eyes ablaze with intense fighting spirit.
"Ah, not me, lately there's a lot to deal with in the Anbu, I'm just taking a rare break."
Kakashi glances at Guy and declines lazily.
With the Uchiha Clan annihilated, the tasks originally belonging to the Uchiha Security Team have all been transferred to the Anbu.
Handling various civil disputes in the village has been pretty hectic, leaving little time for a match with Guy.
After all, a match between himself and Guy may not easily yield a winner.
In the event that Immortal Technique is employed.
Just as Guy is about to say something, a figure suddenly appears not far away, dressed in the same Anbu attire as Kakashi, with a Ninja Blade strapped to the back, and an animal-shaped mask on his face.
Seeing this Anbu Ninja appear, Kakashi closes the "Icha Icha Paradise" in his hand and sighs lightly.