"Then let's have a duel of youth, Kakashi!" Might Guy's legs moved like a blur as he charged straight toward Kakashi.
"Leaf Whirlwind!" Guy aimed a powerful kick at Kakashi's chest, forcing him to block with his arm before quickly retreating to create distance.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
A stream of fireballs erupted from Kakashi's mouth, scattering in every direction in an intricate yet deliberate pattern, all aimed at Guy.
"Oh, faster than my hand seals, huh?"
Kisame chuckled as he observed Kakashi's swift and precise hand signs.
"This makes me the slowest in the Akatsuki when it comes to seals, doesn't it? Granted, only Itachi, Kakashi, and I even need hand seals for most of our techniques." He sighed dramatically. "Still, it's kind of annoying to think about."
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
Guy's sweeping kick slammed into Kakashi, only for his opponent to vanish with a puff of smoke—a substitution with a log.
"Guy, show me your true strength," Kakashi said, his Sharingan gleaming as he uncovered his left eye. "You won't defeat me like this."
"Hmph! Then let's set our youth ablaze!"
"First Gate, open! Second Gate, open! Third Gate, open! Fourth Gate, open! Fifth Gate, open!"
Green chakra steam erupted from Guy's body, his energy surging to ten times its original strength.
"Kakashi, watch out! The current me is really strong!"
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
The same move, but this time, it was on a completely different level.
Guy blurred into motion, his speed so overwhelming that even Kakashi's Sharingan struggled to keep up. A seemingly simple spinning kick struck with the force of a catastrophic secret technique.
BOOM!
A massive chunk of the cliff behind Kakashi shattered into rubble.
"Such destructive power… He truly is a rare beast," Kisame remarked with admiration. "No wonder he's bold enough to come charging in."
The battlefield shifted. With Guy's power skyrocketing, Kakashi avoided direct confrontations at all costs.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A wall shaped like a snarling dog's face rose, intercepting one of Guy's punches. Kakashi leapt back, forming a new series of hand seals.
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"
Thick fog blanketed the battlefield, obscuring vision and sensory perception. This was Kakashi's answer to Guy's relentless taijutsu assaults.
"Summoning Jutsu! Ninja Hounds!"
Eight unique ninja hounds appeared, each taking a position in the mist. Kakashi wasn't confident in tracking Guy's movements alone and relied on his hounds for support.
"Hey, Kakashi, what kind of mess have you gotten into this time?" Pakkun asked, tilting his head.
"Pakkun, keep it down…" Kakashi started, but Guy's voice interrupted him, booming through the mist along with the sound of his rapid footsteps.
"Found you!"
"Leaf Strong Fist!"
"Damn it! What's happening?!"
Pakkun barely dodged as Guy's punch barreled past, narrowly missing him.
"Why are you even fighting Guy? And why has he opened the Eight Gates? Did he turn rogue?" Pakkun asked, still catching his breath.
"No, actually, I am the rogue ninja," Kakashi replied, his tone dry as ever, eyes half-lidded.
The mist thickened as Kakashi maneuvered carefully. Pakkun crept closer, whispering, "Kakashi, what's going on? And what's with that outfit?"
"Pakkun, stop licking my ear," Kakashi grumbled, shoving him away slightly. "As for the rogue ninja thing… It's complicated. Right now, I need to defeat Guy. Help me pinpoint his location."
"Got it!" The ninja hounds dispersed into the mist, their senses sharp and focused.
"Kakashi! Stop hiding! Face me in an honorable duel of youth!" Guy's shout echoed through the mist, his frustration mounting.
Suddenly, a crackling sound of electricity cut through the fog. Kakashi darted forward with a blinding streak of lightning.
"Lightning Blade!"
Guy twisted at the last second, narrowly evading a direct hit, but Kakashi's attack left a deep gash on his right leg. Blood poured from the wound, staining the rocky ground.
"To spare an old comrade... Such restraint," Kisame observed, his expression unusually somber. Though his own sensory abilities were limited, years of experience in the Hidden Mist Village taught him techniques to navigate this battlefield.
"Guy, go back," Kakashi said, turning his back.
"No, Kakashi. I'll bring you back to Konoha, no matter what it takes!"
Guy's voice trembled, but his resolve remained firm.
"Whatever misunderstanding this is, we can resolve it with Lord Hokage. I'll stand by your side to clear your name."
Hearing the title "Hokage," Kakashi's composure shattered.
"Don't say that name! Don't you dare mention that bastard!" he roared, his Sharingan spinning as it morphed into a Mangekyō.
"What are you talking about?!" Guy froze, the shock evident on his face.
"It's all because of Danzo!" Kakashi spat venomously. "He betrayed me—he sold me out to the Akatsuki. He's the reason my father took his own life! I will kill him!"
The weight of Kakashi's words hit Guy like a ton of bricks. Even in his single-mindedness, he wasn't oblivious. If Kakashi's claims were true, then everything he'd fought for, his purpose in coming here, was a cruel joke.
"Kakashi's right," Kisame interjected, strolling into view. "This was all part of a deal. Konoha's payment? Kakashi. Danzo personally made the arrangements, with Root handling the escort. It was all very official."
"Then I'll get to the bottom of this," Guy said solemnly. "But first, we finish this battle. I can't let you stay with these rogue ninjas, no matter the circumstances."
"Sixth Gate: Gate of View—OPEN!"
Guy's energy exploded once more, the air around him rippling with intensity.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (241 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)