Chapter Text
Naruto stood before Kakashi with his own blue eyes looking up, focused on his teacher. His face showed his emotions of frustration, and surprise that was written all over his face. He had just won his match against Kiba, and he was hoping that he was going to get some special training with Kakashi. To learn some special powerful and cool moves from his sensei. He was frustrated by what had just happened. He was going to have a hard match against Neji, and he hoped Kakashi would focus on him as much as Sasuke. Yet it wasn’t to be, as Kakashi seemed to not want to do that. He didn’t want to focus on his training at all and wanted to brush off that duty to someone else.
"Kakashi-sensei, that isn’t fair! You’re going to train Sasuke alone for this whole month, and I have to train with Ebisu? Seriously, the closet pervert?" Naruto complained, his voice full of frustration. To him, it felt like Kakashi was favoring Sasuke, treating him like the high and mighty student who mattered more, while Naruto was just some secondary student who didn’t matter nearly as much. Narrowing his eyes, he waited for a reply. "Why can’t you train both of us? It isn’t fair. You can’t just play favorites all the time!"
Kakashi sighed, his single visible eye crinkling slightly in a look of understanding. "Naruto, I know it seems unfair, but there’s a reason for this. Sasuke's opponent is Gaara, and Gaara is extremely dangerous. He needs specific training that I can provide. Ebisu is a skilled teacher, and he can help you with your fundamentals and improve your control. This isn't about playing favorites; it's about giving both of you the best chance to succeed."
Naruto's scowl deepened. "But Kakashi-sensei, I can handle tough training too! I need to get stronger if I’m going to beat Neji and show everyone I’m not just some loser!"
Kakashi placed a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder. "I believe in you, Naruto. You have incredible potential. Trust me, this training will help you become stronger. Use this month wisely, and you'll see the results."
Naruto knocked away Kakashi's hand, his voice rising in frustration. "That is a big load of...!" Naruto started, clearly unhappy with Kakashi's words. "Ebisu isn't going to be able to get me strong enough to beat Neji. You only care about Sasuke and how cool he is. He's the only student that matters to you!" Naruto said loudly before turning to walk away. "If you're going to give me Ebisu as my teacher, I'm going to find my own teacher, someone who can make me stronger. I beat Ebisu when I started off as a ninja. He isn't good at all, and the closet pervert won't work for me."
Kakashi sighed, watching Naruto storm off. "Naruto, wait..." he called, but Naruto was already too far gone, determined to prove himself on his own terms.
Naruto walked off, heading to one of the training grounds. He was frustrated. Why the hell couldn’t Kakashi find someone even half decent to be his teacher? It wasn’t like there wasn’t a village full of talented jounin who could help him for a month. Assigning him to Ebisu felt like a complete "I don’t care" move to Naruto. As he attacked the training target with punches and kicks, someone noticed him. Someone who was rather focused on the youthful energy of the boy.
Might Guy watched Naruto Uzumaki from a distance, observing the effort and determination he put into his training. He had seen that same drive before, during Naruto's match with Kiba and in other interactions he had heard about. Naruto's spirit of youth was pushing him forward. Guy wondered why Naruto was training alone for his match against one of his own students.
Guy walked closer over the next few minutes as Naruto kept releasing his frustrations on the target. His taijutsu form was still rather sloppy, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Guy knew Naruto's foe was Neji, and he was concerned about his own student, who was training with his uncle that month. Neji's ego and sense of fatalism were his weak points, and he needed to learn that things were not predetermined. Guy wanted to indirectly teach Neji a lesson, one that Naruto could help impart with the right guidance.
With a bright smile and a thumbs-up, Guy finally approached Naruto. "Ah, Naruto Uzumaki! Your youthful energy and determination are truly inspiring!" he exclaimed. "But I see you are training alone. Why is that?"
Naruto paused his assault on the training dummy, panting heavily. "Kakashi-sensei stuck me with Ebisu. I can't get stronger with him. I need someone who can actually help me beat Neji!"
Guy nodded, his grin widening. "I see. Ebisu may have his strengths, but perhaps you need a different kind of training. The kind of training that can only come from embracing the true spirit of youth!" He struck a dynamic pose, a fire of determination in his eyes. "How about it, Naruto? Would you like to train with me, Might Guy, and unlock the full potential of your youthful spirit?"
Naruto's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and excitement. "You mean it? You'd really train me?"
"Of course!" Guy said, giving a vigorous nod. "With my guidance, you will become a splendid ninja! Together, we will push the limits of your abilities and show Neji the power of hard work and determination!"
Naruto grinned widely, his frustration melting away. "Alright, let's do it, Guy-sensei! I'm ready!"
Guy placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, his smile unwavering. "Excellent! Now, let us begin your training and show the world what you can truly achieve!"
“Now, Naruto, I must warn you, the path of youth is not an easy one. It is filled with challenges and difficulties. It will push you every day and make you work hard at all times," Guy said as he patted Naruto on the back. "However, seeing your determination, I believe you have it in you.”
Naruto nodded eagerly, his eyes filled with determination.
"Okay then," Guy continued, his voice full of enthusiasm. "Let's start with a thousand punches. If you can't finish that, we'll do a thousand kicks. If you still can't manage that, we will go on a long run. And if we fail to complete that, we'll do a thousand pushups and situps. Understood, Naruto? This is how training with me will be, and we will work hard like this every single day until it is time for you to fight Neji.”
Naruto grinned widely, his energy and enthusiasm matching Guy's. “Bring it on, Guy-sensei! I’m ready for anything!”
Guy returned the grin, giving Naruto a thumbs-up. “That’s the spirit! Now, let’s begin our journey on the path of youth!”
Naruto went through the first thousand punches, managing to reach seven hundred and ninety-eight before messing up. He then attempted six hundred kicks, but had to admit failure again. Next, he ran the long tiresome run, barely managing to finish. As he came to a stop at the end of the run, he panted heavily, exhausted but feeling accomplished. Guy stood proud, seeing that Naruto truly embodied the spirit and determination of youth, the true power of youth as he saw it.
“Okay, Naruto," Guy said, giving him a proud smile. "I will be at your place in the morning. What do you want to eat for your reward for getting through your first day of training? It can be any dinner you want—just name it,” he declared, striking another dynamic pose.
Naruto's eyes lit up at the mention of food. "Ramen! I want some Ichiraku ramen!"
Guy grinned and gave Naruto a thumbs-up. "Ramen it is! Rest well, Naruto, for tomorrow we continue our journey on the path of youth! Remember, your hard work will pay off.”
The two of them went to Ichiraku Ramen, enjoying a hearty meal together. Naruto devoured several bowls of miso ramen and spicy ramen, savoring each bite. Guy listened attentively as Naruto talked, and they shared a good conversation, enjoying the camaraderie.
As the meal drew to a close, Guy turned to Naruto with a serious but encouraging look. “Naruto, good night! Remember, get to sleep right away. We’ll be up early in the morning, and we’ll spend every day working as hard as we can, making the most of every second to bring out the maximum power of youth from within you.” Guy declared, giving Naruto a confident thumbs-up.
Naruto nodded, his eyes reflecting both exhaustion and excitement. “Got it, Guy-sensei. I’ll see you in the morning!”
As Guy left Ichiraku Ramen, he walked towards his own place, but first, he decided to check in on Lee. He wanted to inform his student that he would be working with Naruto for the month while still keeping track of Lee’s progress. As he walked, Guy noticed his rival, Kakashi, up ahead.
“So, it seems, my rival, we are each training a different part of a new rivalry,” Guy commented, looking at Kakashi with his characteristic enthusiasm.
Kakashi glanced up from his book, his visible eye arching in mild surprise. "Guy," he greeted calmly. "I didn't expect you to be the one training Naruto. How did that happen?"
Guy gave a hearty laugh, striking a dynamic pose. "Ah, Kakashi, the flames of youth burn brightly in Naruto! I couldn’t just stand by and let that potential go to waste. Naruto needed a mentor who could truly understand and harness his energy."
Kakashi’s eye crinkled in amusement behind his mask. "I see. Naruto can definitely benefit from your enthusiasm. Just don’t wear him out too much."
Guy nodded, his expression turning serious. "No, I don’t see this as a contest between us. This is far greater and more important. Naruto and Sasuke each have their own paths to walk, and we must guide them as best we can."
Kakashi’s gaze softened slightly. "You're right, Guy. They both have a lot of potential. Let’s make sure they’re ready for whatever comes next."
Guy gave a thumbs-up, his smile returning. "Exactly! We will bring out the best in them, and they will shine like the true youths they are!"
Guy walked into the hospital, his steps measured and quiet as he approached Lee's bed. Lee lay there, still unconscious and recovering from his brutal injuries sustained in the fight against Gaara. Guy sat down beside him, looking at his student with a mixture of pride and concern.
“Lee," Guy began softly, even though he knew Lee couldn't hear him. "I have taken Naruto on as my student. He has the power of youth within him, much like you, Lee. I want to make him into a splendid ninja and help him prove himself. I want to show him a new path forward. While I do this, I will, of course, come back and make sure you are okay. You are still my student, no matter what. My promise to turn you into a splendid ninja who could only use Taijutsu is very much still there.”
Guy paused, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. He knew Lee couldn't hear him, but he needed to say it out loud, to affirm his commitment to his student and his new responsibilities.
“I will be back tomorrow, and I will try to be early to see if you're awake then,” Guy declared, standing up and looking at Lee with determination. He turned and left the room, his mind focused on the task ahead.
As he walked out of the hospital, Guy felt a renewed sense of purpose. Training Naruto was going to be a great experience, not just for Naruto but for himself as well. He had an odd but firm belief that things would work out in the right ways, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.