The Forest of Death.
Two figures clashed at blinding speed, their movements so fast that their faces blurred into streaks of motion.
Kitazawa came to a stop, surprise flickering across his face.
He hadn't come here to fight. His goal was to meet Might Guy.Bringing Hinata Hyūga along was simply an excuse to give her some extra field training.
Instead of interrupting, Kitazawa decided to stand still and enjoy the spectacle—a full-on battle between two men he knew well.
Might Guy, clad in his signature green jumpsuit, looked as eccentric as ever.But his opponent, Kakashi Hatake, wasn't much less eye-catching—white hair, half his face hidden behind a black mask, only one visible eye gleaming sharply.
Kitazawa's gaze locked on Might Guy, unblinking.
In the next instant, he saw it—Leaf Whirlwind.
He carefully memorized Guy's movement pattern, but he knew better than to think that form alone was enough. Taijutsu was about power, about how you used your body.Without a Sharingan to copy it, proper instruction was essential.
Boom!
The two combatants clashed one final time and leapt apart.
"That's enough for today," Kakashi said calmly after a pause. "Kitazawa's here. I'm guessing he didn't come just to watch."
"Then we'll continue next time!" Guy said eagerly, still brimming with energy.
"Guy."
Kitazawa walked over, nodding in greeting. "Kakashi."
"What brings you here at this hour?" Kakashi asked, glancing at the small figure peeking shyly from behind Kitazawa.
"I just finished class," Kitazawa replied with a relaxed smile. "This is my student—Hinata Hyūga."
"I've always been interested in the Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist," Might Guy said, eyes lighting up.
"She's still a kid," Kakashi reminded him flatly.
"Ah—right, right." Guy scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Both the Uchiha and Hyūga clans were… complicated.The Uchiha were proud and aloof; the Hyūga were bound by countless family rules.
"Guy, I actually came here to ask you for a favor," Kitazawa said, getting straight to the point.
"In that case, I'll leave you two to it."Before either could respond, Kakashi vanished—instant transmission, gone without a trace.
Kitazawa couldn't help but smirk.
If he knew Kakashi, he was probably fleeing to avoid getting dragged into Guy's boundless enthusiasm.
In the original story, Guy saw Kakashi as his eternal rival—constantly challenging him to contests of strength, speed, and spirit until Kakashi could barely stand it.
Poor guy, Kitazawa thought. So this is what they mean by "the persistent man wins."
"Can you teach me the Leaf Whirlwind?" Kitazawa asked directly.
"Of course!" Guy flashed his trademark thumbs-up, teeth sparkling. "It's the duty of youth to share the power of Taijutsu! Let's burn with passion together!"
In the original world, he'd even taught the Eight Inner Gates—one of Konoha's most dangerous forbidden techniques—to Kakashi.By comparison, the Leaf Whirlwind was nothing.
"Thanks," Kitazawa said sincerely. Then, a thought struck him. "By the way… do you know a boy named Rock Lee?"
Kitazawa had always believed in paying back favors—and kindness.
Might Guy was powerful but often misunderstood. Friends didn't come easily to him.Rock Lee, on the other hand, was practically his mirror image.
In the original timeline, they became the perfect teacher-student pair.But that was six years from now. Kitazawa could make it happen earlier.
"Rock Lee?" Guy tilted his head, thinking. "Can't say I do."
Kitazawa wasn't surprised.Right now, Lee was just a second-year Academy student.
"He's in Class 2-A," Kitazawa explained. "If you have time, maybe go meet him."
"Why?" Guy asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Because he's got the spirit of youth," Kitazawa said with a grin. "And he'd be a perfect fit for your Taijutsu."
"Really?"
Guy's entire expression brightened with joy.
In the ninja world, the bond between teacher and student was sacred.Every shinobi dreamed of finding a successor worthy of their legacy.
Guy was no different.But finding a student who could handle the Eight Gates… wasn't easy.
"You'll see for yourself," Kitazawa said confidently. "He won't disappoint you."
"That's amazing!" Guy trembled with emotion, tears bursting from his eyes. "This… this must be the power of youth!"
Kitazawa could only think one thing: Astounding.
Beside him, Hinata stared in bewilderment.
What's with this man? He's… kind of weird…
"Excellent!" Guy said, wiping his tears away. "Then let's begin a passionate Taijutsu lesson right here and now!"
"Hinata," Kitazawa said, following him. "You're here too, so you might as well join us."
"Y-Yes!" Hinata squeaked, nodding quickly.
"Watch closely!" Guy shouted, standing before a large tree. "Leaf Whirlwind!"
With a sharp spin, his leg lashed out—first a low kick that cracked the bark, then a swift twist into a high kick that slammed the trunk again.
BOOM!
Leaves scattered everywhere as the tree shook violently, a deep dent marking the impact point.
"What terrifying strength…" Kitazawa muttered, awestruck.
But then again, it made sense.In the original world, Guy's dedication was unmatched—his entire life a cycle of eating, sleeping, and training.
"Your turn!" Guy said, stepping aside.
Kitazawa approached the tree, mirrored the movement—and executed a perfect Leaf Whirlwind.
"Amazing!" Hinata gasped. "You got it on the first try!"
"You've practiced before?" Guy asked, astonished by the flawless form.
"No," Kitazawa said, shaking his head.
Technically, he hadn't.But with his system's Master-level Leaf Cyclone, this technique was child's play.
"Kitazawa! You should study Taijutsu under me!" Guy said earnestly, his face shining with hope.
"I don't have that much time to train," Kitazawa said, coughing lightly. "Besides, we're classmates. It'd be weird for you to be my sensei."
Learning the Eight Gates? That was pure torment.He finally had a system—no way was he signing up for more suffering.
By noon, after two solid hours of training, Kitazawa had fully mastered the Leaf Whirlwind.
Current Mission: Master a C-Rank ninjutsu faster than Uchiha Sasuke.Reward: Shuriken Control Technique.Mission Complete. Reward Granted.
The Shuriken Control Technique—both a ninjutsu and a deadly skill.By manipulating shuriken with invisible threads of chakra, one could strike from unexpected angles.
"Thanks for the lesson, Guy," Kitazawa said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Lunch is on me. What do you want to eat?"
"Ichiraku Ramen!" Guy said instantly, beaming.
"What about you, Hinata?" Kitazawa asked, turning to her.
Her pale cheeks were flushed from the workout, a few strands of hair sticking to her skin.
"I-I'm fine," she said between breaths.
"Then let's go," Kitazawa said with a small smile. "Ichiraku it is."
And with that, the three of them walked toward the warmth and aroma of the village's most beloved ramen shop—unaware that a new mission was already waiting for him.