The riverside was calm, the sound of water flowing gently filling the silence.
Might Guy sat in his wheelchair, his gaze fixed on the lake before him, his face uncharacteristically somber. His student, Rock Lee, stood beside him for a moment before lowering himself to sit cross-legged on the grass. Lee studied his teacher with a mixture of worry and uncertainty. Guy had always been the very embodiment of passion and burning youth, yet now, he sat quietly, saying nothing.
Unable to hold back, Lee finally spoke.
"Teacher Guy, I… I understand how you must feel," Lee said earnestly. "When you saw Teacher Kakashi become Hokage, you must have felt disappointed. But, Teacher Guy, didn't you always say that the flames of youth never end?!"
His voice grew louder, brimming with determination.
"I too once felt frustrated when Neji's progress left me behind. But after being enlightened by you, I chose to keep pushing forward, to strive harder, and to surpass him one day! That is the spirit of youth! So… Teacher Guy, please cheer up!"
Guy blinked, and then let out a small chuckle at his student's fiery encouragement.
Lee tilted his head, a little unsure. "Teacher Guy?"
Guy's eyes never left the lake as he finally spoke, his voice low but firm.
"Lee… if you think I am disappointed because Kakashi became Hokage, then you are mistaken."
Lee frowned, confused. "Then why, Teacher Guy?"
Guy allowed himself a smile, tinged with nostalgia.
"Just like you and Neji were rivals, Kakashi and I were rivals from the very beginning. He was always the genius, while I was the one who had to fight through sheer effort. But over time, I gained his acknowledgment. He truly considered me his equal—his rival!"
He took in a deep breath, his chest swelling with pride before laughing heartily.
"And so, to defeat him, I challenged Kakashi constantly. Every sort of contest imaginable! Running races, push-ups, tree climbing, ramen-eating competitions, even contests to see who could squat longer! Hahaha! You name it, we competed at it!"
As Guy spoke about the past, Lee noticed the radiant smile that spread across his teacher's face, full of fond memories.
Guy's voice softened as he sighed. "I can't even count how many times we fought. But the funny thing is, we never truly settled who was stronger. I always thought—one day, there would be a decisive battle. Yet now… that chance is gone. Because this guy—damn him—went and became Hokage!"
The bitterness in Guy's words carried more weight than Lee expected. He realized it wasn't anger—it was sadness.
Guy's heart ached, not because Kakashi was Hokage, but because things had changed. Once, they could spar or challenge each other whenever they wanted, carefree rivals locked in eternal competition. But now… Kakashi was the Hokage, the symbol of the entire village. Even as his closest friend, Guy knew he couldn't act recklessly around him anymore. Every word, every action—Kakashi carried the weight of Konoha now.
The sadness was clear: Guy hadn't lost his rival—he had lost the simplicity of their bond. Their friendship would endure, but the freedom to play, to compete like before, was gone.
Lee finally understood. He nodded slowly. "So that's it. This… this is what really makes you sad, Teacher Guy."
If Lee put himself in Neji's shoes, he knew he would feel the same. If Neji suddenly became Hokage, Lee would be conflicted—afraid his brotherly rival might do poorly, yet also afraid he might do better. His heart burned with the same competitive fire.
Lee's eyes lit up with sudden inspiration. "Teacher Guy! Then why don't we challenge Teacher Kakashi one more time—for a final battle!"
Guy raised a brow. "And how exactly would I do that in this state?" He gestured to his wheelchair, his voice both amused and curious.
Lee's grin widened mischievously. "You once said you and Kakashi could turn anything into a contest. So let's do it now—with wheelchairs! A race to the finish line, to see who truly wins! Hahaha!"
Guy's eyes widened, and then sparkled with renewed fire.
"What an excellent idea, Lee!"
But then he hesitated. "Wait… would this be too much for Kakashi? His legs still work perfectly."
Lee waved his hand energetically. "That doesn't matter! Teacher Kakashi is your rival and your friend. He'll understand your true intention in this challenge. And besides—if he agrees to use a wheelchair as well, then it will be completely fair. This way, the duel will carry true meaning!"
Guy stared at his passionate student, then nodded firmly, his grin growing wider. "You're absolutely right, Lee. A true test of youth must be fair! Very well, let us challenge him once more!"
He clenched his fists, his fiery spirit reignited. "Yes! Let us go! Push me to Kakashi immediately! I will settle things with him at last!"
And so, with newfound determination, Lee pushed Guy toward Kakashi's location.
Meanwhile, Kakashi was spending time outside the village, with Obito and Rin.
Due to their complicated circumstances, the two lived quietly in a small rural settlement not far from Konoha. To the locals, they were simply an older brother living with his younger sister.
At that moment, Rin turned to Kakashi, her eyes bright with excitement. "Kakashi, is it true? Are you really going to become Hokage?"
Kakashi nodded with a soft smile.
"That's amazing, Kakashi! You're actually going to be Hokage!" Rin said, practically glowing with joy.
Hearing her words filled Kakashi's chest with warmth.
"Yeah," came another voice, but this one was laced with stubbornness. Obito crossed his arms, his tone carrying a mix of irritation and disbelief.
Kakashi tilted his head, his single visible eye narrowing playfully. "Rin congratulated me. Why haven't you, Obito?"
Obito flinched at the blunt question, caught off guard. This guy hadn't changed a bit.
He remembered vividly the day Kakashi was promoted to Jōnin. Minato-sensei and Rin had both given Kakashi thoughtful gifts, but Obito had brought nothing. Kakashi had called him out directly back then too, making him furious.
"Fine. Congratulations. There, happy?" Obito muttered, turning away with a scowl.
But deep inside, envy and melancholy twisted in his chest. Kakashi had achieved it—the dream Obito once shouted about so many times. To become Hokage. To surpass the generations before.
Kakashi had done what he could not.
If only… if only Madara had never found him. If only he had been saved instead of manipulated. What kind of future would he have now?
Kakashi stepped closer, his gaze piercing Obito's defenses. "Obito, I helped you realize your dream. Your dream isn't shattered—it lives on through me."
Obito's eyes flickered with emotion.
"You once told me," Kakashi continued, his voice steady, "that those who break the rules are scum… but those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum. I never forgot that lesson. I taught it to Naruto. Through him, your words will live on forever."
Obito's throat tightened as he whispered, "Kakashi…"
Rin placed her hands together, smiling through misty eyes. "It's wonderful. Truly wonderful. To see our shared dream become reality… it feels like a miracle."
Then she asked curiously, "By the way, does Minato-sensei know yet?"
Kakashi shook his head. "Not yet. I haven't told him personally. Tsunade-sama probably already informed them, but I'll be visiting soon. Why don't you two come with me?"
Rin looked at Obito. "What do you say?"
Obito muttered, "I don't care either way."
But Kakashi added almost casually, "Oh, I should mention—Naruto also resurrected Kushina-san. She's with Minato-sensei now."
Two voices rang out in unison.
Rin gasped, "Ah?!"
Obito's voice cracked, "Ah?!"
For Rin, it was shock and joy. For Obito… it was panic.
His head spun. Kushina had been brought back. Which meant… she knew everything. That it had been him, Obito Uchiha, who had attacked her during childbirth. That he had wrenched the Nine-Tails from her body. That he had branded baby Naruto with explosive tags.
A cold sweat ran down his back.
Obito pressed a hand to his forehead, groaning. "Damn it… what was I thinking back then? How cruel I was. How stupid I was…"
The guilt clawed at him, merciless.
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