[Later, when Kisame was captured and interrogated, the true man Kisame ultimately chose death through a suicide technique summoning his shark. This earned Guy's deep respect, and he decided to remember his name for the rest of his life.]
[Just as Duy once taught, a ninja's youth and worth can only be determined at the moment of death.]
[Some people might think Lee is just a copy of Guy, but that's not really the case.]
"Come on, look at his clothes, those eyebrows, that fighting style—calling him Guy's replica isn't wrong, right?"
In the timeline of the Second Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi started complaining again.
He had also visited the Third Hokage's timeline and had personally seen Guy and young Lee.
He knew very well that Lee's fighting style was exactly like Guy's—he was a ninja who relied solely on taijutsu.
With someone like that, anyone would think he's a clone of Guy.
"You foolish monkey. I think the light screen meant that while Lee might have inherited Guy's fighting style, their lives and experiences are completely different."
Hearing this, Hiruzen looked in surprise at Danzo Shimura, who had just contradicted him.
Ever since things fell apart between them, the two barely spoke anymore.
So Danzo opening his mouth now—just to counter him—left Hiruzen genuinely confused.
Actually, Danzo was pretty helpless too.
To replace Hiruzen as Tobirama-sensei's successor and become the next Hokage, Danzo had pulled all kinds of tricks.
He not only earned the title of "Konoha's Outstanding Youth," but also went out of his way to introduce potential partners to Tobirama-sensei. Just now, he even had a wild idea that seemed pretty "nice."
He'd done all of this just to push Hiruzen down.
Things didn't go as planned.
That "Outstanding Youth" title was completely useless.
He introduced a blind date to Teacher Tobirama, thinking if it worked out, he could gain some favor later.
In the end, the teacher just dismissed him.
Even that supposedly "nice" idea was shot down by the teacher.
At this rate, his dream of becoming Hokage would truly slip away for good.
So, Danzo decided it was time to change strategies.
If suppressing Sarutobi Hiruzen from the shadows didn't work…
Then he would do it openly and directly.
Every chance he got, he would go after Hiruzen.
Eventually, Teacher Tobirama would see his strengths.
Yes, he definitely would!
"Danzo, you're talking nonsense. Everyone's life circumstances are obviously different."
Hiruzen had no idea what Danzo was scheming, but since he was being attacked, of course he was going to fight back.
"Heh, what a shallow statement."
"I'm shallow? Fine, then you go find me someone with a life that's exactly the same."
"That kind of basic question isn't even worth answering."
"Then what the hell are you even talking for?"
"Teacher, look! This stupid monkey just cursed!"
"???"
Tobirama glanced at Danzo, then at Hiruzen, and sighed.
"Hiruzen, using foul language isn't right. It sets a bad example for the children."
Hiruzen Sarutobi bit his lip and replied with grievance, "I'm sorry, teacher. I was wrong."
"Mm."
Seeing Tobirama turn his eyes back to the light screen, Hiruzen gave Danzo a fierce glare and whispered, "Scapegoat King, just you wait."
Danzo: What the hell is Scapegoat King? You stupid monkey, I dare you to say that again!
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
[In fact, Lee was much luckier than Guy. He had Guy-sensei—someone who had walked the path before him—personally guiding him through taijutsu and sharing his experience. He had a role model who had worked hard and succeeded.]
[When Guy was young, he had to explore taijutsu all by himself. Even his supportive father was only a genin. The hardship he endured and the uncertainty of the future he faced can only be imagined.]
[Just like Guy, young Lee couldn't use ninjutsu or genjutsu. He was mocked by those around him, told he'd never become a ninja. He too was called a "hot-blooded dead last," and Guy deeply empathized with him.]
[When he discovered that Lee possessed willpower no less than his own, Guy was both gratified and astonished.]
[During their first meeting, when they discussed their goals, Lee once said his dream was to prove that even without ninjutsu or genjutsu, he could still become an outstanding ninja—that even geniuses would one day be surpassed by his hard work.]
[That look in Lee's eyes nearly made Guy climax on the spot. Because of it, he taught Lee with all his heart, treating him almost like his own son. He passed down his own principles and led by example.]
[Guy poured his youth into his beloved disciple, and together they burned brightly.]
[So—can hard work truly surpass genius?]
[This question is very inspiring, but also very realistic.]
[On the path of training, Lee has felt lost and has doubted himself.]
[He once spent triple the training time Neji did and always firmly believed in Guy's words, yet every time he went on a mission, his legs would still tremble.]
"Trembling is totally normal. That dead-last's first C-rank mission outside the village—didn't he shake with fear when he saw the enemy?"
In the Third Hokage's timeline, seeing this vulnerable side of Lee, Sasuke couldn't help but recall their Team 7 mission to the Land of Waves.
Not long after leaving the village, they encountered the rogue ninja brothers from the Hidden Mist.
Kakashi, that guy, chose to fake his death just to observe the enemy—and them.
Right in front of them, Kakashi got sliced clean in two, and Naruto was one step away from peeing his pants.
Sakura handled it a tiny bit better, but she was still completely stunned.
Only him—the powerful Uchiha Sasuke—reacted quickly and cleanly. In just a few moves, he stylishly took down the Demon Brothers.
So seriously, he just couldn't understand—why was the so-called Child of Prophecy the dead-last next to him, and not him, Uchiha Sasuke?
Was the Sage of Six Paths jealous of how good-looking I am?
"Sasuke, how can you slander me like that? Was I trembling out of fear? I was clearly just nervous, alright?"
"…Is there a difference?"
"Of course there's a difference!"
"Then please explain exactly what that difference is."
"Uh…"
Naruto really wanted to argue against Sasuke's "slander."
But with the limits of his vocabulary and knowledge, explaining the difference between fear and nervousness was… honestly, a bit beyond him.
Naruto had his back to them when Kushina sighed, pressing her fingers to her forehead. She whispered to Minato, "Looks like we really need to push Naruto to read some books. Watching our son get 'bullied' like this all the time—it's not ideal."
Minato gave a sheepish laugh. "I think it's fine. I wouldn't call it bullying. If you ask me, this is just a sign of their friendship."
"Proof, my ass. Don't think I don't know—you just don't want to help our son study."
"Do you want to?"
"Fine, I don't either."
The truth was, both Minato and Kushina had tried tutoring Naruto before.
But with Naruto's... unique way of thinking and limited knowledge base, the questions he asked always managed to spike Kushina's blood pressure.
Minato handled it a bit better, but even he ended up completely exasperated by Naruto.
To avoid being driven crazy by their son, the two eventually gave up on forcing him to study.
As long as Naruto was happy and growing up healthy, that was enough for them.
Still, every time Kushina saw Naruto getting 'bullied' by Sasuke, she couldn't help but feel annoyed.
Thankfully, she had her own special way of venting—by going to visit Sasuke's mother, her best friend, Uchiha Mikoto.
Kushina: Your son "bullies" my son, so I'll "bully" you to let off steam.
Mikoto: ???
****
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