"You're here."
"I came."
"You shouldn't have come."
"But I'm already here."
"Get out quickly, it's one thing to barge into my house, but to rush into the bathroom, what are you up to, Guy?"
Even the usually aloof Kakashi couldn't hold it together, looking exasperated at Might Guy who had sneaked into the bathroom.
"Of course, I've come for a youthful and spirited battle!" Might Guy enthusiastically said, raising his thumb towards Kakashi.
Kakashi: ...
If it weren't for the soap still on him, he would've delivered a flying kick to Might Guy's annoying grin.
Who challenges someone to a duel in the bathroom at night?
"If we're going to fight, at least let me finish my bath first," Kakashi couldn't help but remark.
"As expected of my rival, accepting the challenge readily, I'll wait for you outside!" Might Guy said with a bright smile, his rows of shining white teeth gleaming under the light.
Kakashi rubbed his forehead speechless, a bit doubtful that perhaps his father had misjudged.
To think he believed Might Guy might become stronger than him one day and be a worthy opponent.
But if Might Guy wants a fight, so be it, it might be good to show him the gap between them.
Kakashi quickly washed up and got dressed before heading outside.
"Let's have a showdown!" Might Guy energetically struck a pose and shouted.
"Are we testing Taijutsu this time?" Kakashi asked.
Ever since first grade, Might Guy had been challenging him to all sorts of tests, not limited to combat, but sometimes even to see who could throw shurikens better.
"No, just use your full strength, think of it as a real fight," Might Guy seriously shook his head and said.
"Are you sure?" Kakashi asked again.
If they fought with full strength, Kakashi doubted Might Guy would stand a chance.
He became a Chunin two years ago, while Might Guy was still a student at the Ninja Academy.
"Absolutely sure!" Might Guy said with a radiant smile.
"Then be careful." As soon as Kakashi finished speaking, he swiftly pulled out four shurikens and hurled them towards Might Guy.
Might Guy dodged the shurikens but suddenly realized Kakashi had closed the distance and was swinging a punch.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Might Guy quickly executed a Tornado Kick, his foot colliding with Kakashi's fist, causing both to step back a few paces.
"Hmm?" Kakashi looked at Might Guy with a bit of surprise.
He hadn't expected Might Guy to react and counter so quickly, his kick unexpectedly fast.
Might Guy had challenged him two months ago as well, testing Taijutsu then.
Compared to before, Might Guy had clearly improved.
"How about that, Kakashi? I've gotten a lot stronger," Might Guy laughed boldly.
"Let's see if you can keep laughing," Kakashi's eyes turned sharp.
Kakashi quickly formed hand seals, creating four Shadow Clones, which then used Clone Jutsu, producing a multitude of illusions.
"So many Kakashis!" Might Guy was a bit dumbfounded watching the dozens of Kakashis suddenly appear.
Several Kakashis charged at Might Guy, who used another Leaf Whirlwind, taking down over ten of them in a single breath, yet they were all illusions, while the remaining Shadow Clones seized the opportunity.
While Might Guy was dealing with them, a hand suddenly emerged from the ground and grabbed Might Guy's foot.
"Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Jutsu!"
Might Guy immediately felt himself plummeting, and by the time he realized it, only his head was above ground.
"The battle is over." Kakashi squatted down, speaking to Guy's exposed head.
"Kakashi, as always, you're the rival I'm chasing, truly strong," Might Guy sighed.
He could exchange blows with the Hyuga student, only losing due to the Byakugan's insight.
But fighting with Kakashi, aside from the initial Taijutsu clash, he quickly fell into disadvantage and got caught by Kakashi's finishing move.
The battle was practically a crushing defeat, Might Guy could only say.
"Knowing I'm strong, just train more before challenging me again, at least graduate first." Kakashi said bluntly.
"Alright, I'll come find you again when I'm stronger," Might Guy laughed loudly.
Kakashi felt that Might Guy selectively ignored his last words, focusing instead.
Not bothering to ask if Might Guy actually understood, Kakashi freed him and went home.
Might Guy brushed off the dirt on him, watching Kakashi's retreating back and clenched his fist.
"I have to become even stronger!"
This full-powered clash with Kakashi had broadened Guy's horizons; to become the strongest, he had a long way to go.
Guy decided that tomorrow he'd ask Teacher Mokgetsu for a more rigorous training plan!
The next day, at the Ninja Academy.
"Next, I'll explain the key points of Clone Jutsu..." During the Ninjutsu class, Teacher Mokgetsu, after covering chakra guide hand seals, also briefly touched upon Three-Body Jutsu.
Though the ninjutsu class only had three jutsu to learn, there was quite a bit of theory related to ninjutsu.
"Teacher Habu, since the primary goal of Clone Jutsu is to create illusions to confuse enemies, can I combine Clone Jutsu with Transformation Jutsu to create a more convincing illusion?" Hagane Kotetsu asked.
Mokgetsu thought about it seriously and recognized the possibility, noting that someone had even developed an upgraded version in the original work.
That was Naruto's Harem Jutsu—cloning, confusing, transforming—perfectly integrated, enhanced because they're Shadow Clones.
"It's worth trying; we have so many ninjutsu today because of the efforts of predecessors." Mokgetsu encouraged Kotetsu's idea.
"But I advise against using it in real combat until perfected," Mokgetsu reminded.
If he ends up creating something odd instead of a Harem Jutsu, Mokgetsu worried he might get beaten up.
"I understand, teacher." Kotetsu nodded, ready to discuss it with Kamizuki Izumo and Anko later.
With the wisdom of the top students from their classes combined, surely they could develop surprising new ninjutsu.
"Class dismissed!" After the bell rang, Mokgetsu announced the end of the class.
[Lesson Completed]
[Rating: A]
[Award: Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall]
"Finally, Earth Release..." Mokgetsu thought with a bit of excitement.
Though Earth Flow Wall isn't exceptionally strong, the system provides a bit of nature transformation with it.
Now, Mokgetsu has essentially mastered the five basic nature transformations.
In the afternoon after school, Mokgetsu met Might Guy on his way to the training grounds.
The assumption was proven true, yet it still surpassed expectations slightly.