Naruto pointed at him and laughed, "I'm laughing because you're a hypocrite!"
"Since you said fate is predetermined and cannot be changed no matter how hard you try…"
"Then why are you working so hard?!"
Hyuga Neji was suddenly speechless.
He snorted coldly: "You are right. Indeed, no matter how hard I try, I can't change my fate."
"Just as in my lifetime, I cannot escape the fate of being a branch member of the Hyuga clan."
"But my talent is also destined by fate. It is definitely not something that you, Uzumaki Naruto, Rock Lee, or Lady Hinata can catch up with!"
Naruto was furious and was about to continue arguing when Rock Lee stopped him.
"Forget it, Naruto. There's no need to say anything more. Let's prove it to him with the results of our hard work…"
"One who is strong has the right to speak."
Naruto was furious and shouted loudly, "Okay!"
"If that's the case, then let's make a deal!"
"One year from now, Lee, Hinata, and I—the three of us—will challenge you!"
"When the time comes, we will definitely defeat you!"
Hyuga Neji was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but burst into mocking laughter.
"Just you three?"
"Don't even think about it for a whole lifetime—let alone a year—you won't be my match!"
Naruto said angrily, "Want to bet?!"
Hyuga Neji said coldly, "whatever"
"Your drive to catch up to me is cute and I will entertain your ideas…"
"But in my eyes, you will never be more than scrub."
After saying this, Hyuga Neji turned around and was about to leave.
Naruto couldn't help but explode again, and Rock Lee managed to stop him.
Looking at Hyuga Neji's back, Rock Lee sighed.
"Naruto, this is Neji's personality, and he is right. We are indeed no match for him right now…"
"But what you said was very good too!"
"That one-year bet instantly made my blood boil!"
Naruto clenched his fists in anger at Neji's back.
"That arrogant jerk is even more infuriating than Sasuke!"
"Uchiha Sasuke?"
"Indeed, they are very similar. Both have arrogant tempers, but they are also true geniuses!"
The flames of battle also ignited in Rock Lee's heart.
"Naruto! I'm on fire!"
"We must work hard and strive together to defeat a genius like Neji!"
"Good!"
After the run-in with Hyuga Neji, Naruto's fighting spirit and will had briefly eased, but in an instant they burned hot again and exploded!
Both he and Rock Lee were full of enthusiasm, roaring and shouting together, and began a new round of brutal physical training!
"Konoha Whirlwind…"
"Konoha Whirlwind——"
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
Burning youth, shedding sweat, and letting blood boil!
At the same time.
Not far from the training ground, two figures were watching these scenes.
"How's it going, Kakashi?"
"Very passionate, isn't it?"
"This is real youth!"
"Naruto, Lee, and Hyuga Neji—this kind of burning bet—it's like you and me, true lifelong rivals!"
Might Guy was so worked up that he clenched his fists and even had tears in his eyes!
However, the man next to him was wearing a mask that covered his mouth, nose, and left eye. His exposed right eye was full of sleepiness, with a lazy, indifferent look that suggested he was detached from everything.
Hatake Kakashi yawned loudly, picked up a book he often read, shook his head, and prepared to leave.
Only Might Guy was left there alone, burning his youth in solitude.
A gust of wind blew by, and the fallen leaves fluttered down, making his enthusiasm seem very lonely…
"Hey! Kakashi, you slacker!"
"So lazy!"
Might Guy chased after him, and before leaving, he didn't forget to look at Naruto and Rock Lee again.
Even Hyuga Neji, who had already gone far away, got another glance.
"Kakashi, don't you think those kids are hot-blooded?"
Might Guy patted Hatake Kakashi on the shoulder.
He almost knocked the book out of Hatake Kakashi's hand.
Kakashi caught it quickly and frowned slightly.
"Well, they are very passionate, but you didn't bring me here just to see their passion, did you?"
"Hahahahaha, that's also the reason!"
"By the way, Kakashi, you've been down long enough. Isn't it time to cheer up?!"
"I thought you'd recover a bit after leaving the Anbu, but why are you still the same, lifeless? Where is your youth?"
Hatake Kakashi closed the book and looked at the white clouds in the sky with lazy eyes.
"I've never had that kind of thing…"
"How is that possible!"
Might Guy yelled, "Our youth isn't over yet!"
"Rather, it's just beginning!"
"Besides, you should know why I brought you here, right?!"
Hatake Kakashi sighed softly.
Of course he knew.
And he knew it very well.
Ever since those experiences, Hatake Kakashi had been immersed in despair and pain.
He once joined the Anbu and numbed himself by constantly carrying out the most dangerous and cruel tasks.
However, that ultimately could not relieve the suffering in his heart.
At the suggestion of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hatake Kakashi left the Anbu and became a jonin leader.
Only…
The trio who graduated from the Ninja Academy last year didn't even pass the initial assessment and were sent back by Hatake Kakashi to retake the course.
Judging from the situation, this year would probably be similar.
That's why Might Guy brought him to see the efforts of these young people in advance…
Hatake Kakashi did not answer Might Guy's question.
Instead, he asked, "You've got your eyes on that kid, right?"
"Rock Lee."
Might Guy laughed heartily: "As expected of Kakashi, your insight is still as sharp as ever!"
"Yes, I've been keeping an eye on that kid since he entered the academy."
"He's very similar to me—also a laggard. He's not good at ninjutsu and genjutsu, so he can only rely on taijutsu to improve himself. Most importantly…"
"He and I share the same obsession: believing that hard work can surpass talent!"
Hatake Kakashi quipped, "Well, not only that, he also looks a lot like you…"
"Watermelon head, thick eyebrows…"
Might Guy laughed and said, "Hahahahahaha, that just proves we're destined to be together!"
"However, Kakashi, you probably wouldn't guess it, but there's another kid I'm interested in…"
Hatake Kakashi gave the answer without hesitation.
"It's Hyuga Neji, right?"
"What?!"
"How did you guess?!"
Might Guy was stunned.
Hatake Kakashi said, "He is a member of the Hyuga clan's branch family, but he is gifted and is probably the strongest among these young men in terms of taijutsu."
"Of course, as you said, more importantly, he can compete with Rock Lee and prove that a so-called loser can surpass a genius through hard work."
Might Guy was full of admiration: "As expected of you, you've seen through my thoughts!"
"But it's not all because of Lee. Neji is also the kind of person I want to change…"
"He is a true genius, but right now he's in darkness and needs someone to pull him out…"
Hatake Kakashi knew he was hinting at him.
But he wasn't going to respond.
"So, these are all disciples you've selected. What do you want me to see?"
Might Guy paused.
"Isn't there another person?"
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Hatake Kakashi's heart moved slightly.
"You should know clearly that his identity is tied to the Fourth Hokage…"
Might Guy hesitated to speak.
Of course Hatake Kakashi knew, but…
He sighed deeply and shook his head heavily.
"I can't even control my own life…"
"How am I qualified to rescue others…"
Might Guy also understood his pain.
During his time in the Anbu, Hatake Kakashi made a name for himself throughout the ninja world with his extreme methods and cold, ruthless approach, but at the same time, the darkness in his heart only grew deeper.
Although he has left the Anbu now, the pain in his heart remains indelible.
__________________________
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