"What the hell is that guy doing?"
"Push-ups, obviously. Don't tell me you don't know?"
"Yeah, I know what push-ups are. I'm asking why he's doing them in front of the arcade. I came out for lunch earlier, and he was doing sit-ups at the time."
"That's nothing. I saw him this morning doing one-handed handstand bounces."
"So… what exactly is this supposed to be?"
"I heard it has something to do with the arcade. Apparently, he's been banned from entering."
"No wonder the place looks closed today."
"Nope. It's actually open. The owner just restricted who's allowed inside. Look—"
The speaker pointed toward the arcade door, which had quietly opened. The chubby owner quickly yanked a few people inside and slammed it shut again as soon as the guy in green looked up.
"Getting in isn't so easy anymore."
"That's just cruel. Why won't they let him in?"
"It's for his own good."
"???"
"Money doesn't come easy these days."
The person in the know sighed, holding an umbrella as he looked wistfully at the figure outside—still exercising, rain and thunder be damned.
"At least this way, he won't go completely broke."
—
At that moment, Danzō and one of his subordinates happened to pass by, umbrella in hand. They, too, stopped and looked over at the lone figure.
"Danzō-sama, should we drive him off?"
"…Ignore him," Danzō said after a pause, shaking his head. "If someone lacks talent, no amount of effort will change that."
And besides…
Wouldn't it be better to spend his money at the Grand Ship buffet?
Why get hung up on arcade machines?
Each one costs a million ryo. Just the control console runs over 100,000. Every time he breaks something, we have to pay for it… even the village treasury can't cover it all.
It's not worth the trouble. Sure, it's not his money, but shipping those machines from Sunagakure is a massive pain.
He gave one last indifferent glance at Might Guy, then turned to leave—but suddenly stopped.
"…Tell the arcade to give him a busted controller. If he doesn't break it, let him back in next time."
With that cold directive, Danzō walked off toward the Grand Ship Restaurant, not looking back.
—
"Guy-sensei, forget it. If they won't let you in, just let it go…"
A group of kids who had been playing nearby gathered around the still-exercising Guy.
"Yeah, and if you want to go to Sunagakure to compete, we can just enter the 4WD or Beyblade tournaments!" said little Naruto, arms behind his head, pouting. "Why does it have to be this one?"
He thumped his chest, eyes full of determination.
"I've decided to participate in both, and I, Naruto, will win first place in everything!"
With that…
He'd become the champion of the First Beyblade Tournament, the Second 4WD Grand Prix, and more… Once he won all those titles, everyone would be jealous for sure!
Especially Sakura! Ha! She'd definitely ditch that stuck-up jerk and come running to me!
But—
"Idiot," grunted the emotionless kid next to him, deadpan as ever.
"Who're you calling idiot?!" Naruto rolled up his sleeves. "Say it again if you dare!"
"Idiot."
"I—I—I'll—!"
"Enough, both of you," came a tired voice.
Shikamaru yawned as he walked over, rubbing his temples. Ever since they became friends, these two had done nothing but fight.
He crouched beside Guy, who was still training diligently.
"Guy-sensei, Naruto told us that you trained him. That's how he became champion. So we were hoping… maybe you could train us too?"
A beat passed—
"YOUTH!!"
Guy suddenly erupted with emotion, his face streaming—either with tears or rainwater, it was hard to tell.
"You kids… You want to train with me?! I… I'm so touched!!"
Was that really necessary?!
Every kid watching cringed slightly.
"But alas… I still have my own youth to burn. I can't train you myself."
He smiled, flashing gleaming white teeth in a beam of pure sunshine.
"But Naruto has already learned everything I can teach. Naruto! Just follow my example. Lead your comrades, and together you'll unleash the power of youth! As for training uniforms… I've got plenty. I'll bring them tomorrow!"
"…"
Naruto shook his head vigorously, rejecting the offer.
"No uniforms, thanks."
There was no way he'd wear something that ugly in front of Sakura. No way.
"But Guy-sensei, you're not coming with us?"
He pouted, clearly disappointed.
"They say you can't go back in. I overheard someone say it's because you can't afford to pay for damages anymore. Why are you so obsessed with this?"
"Naruto!" Guy's tone suddenly sharpened. "There are things in this world that must be protected—even if it brings pain, even if it breaks your heart! No matter what, a man must see his goal through to the end! If you don't give up, your youth will never be in vain!"
It was a full-on speech. Most of the kids clenched their fists and shouted, "Yes, sir!"—all except Shikamaru, who rolled his eyes.
Just then…
"What's all the noise out here, huh?" The fat arcade owner waddled out, holding a beat-up old controller.
With a grumble, he tossed it at Guy's feet.
"Take this. As long as you don't break it, you can come back next time."
Before anyone could respond, he bolted back into the arcade and slammed the door shut again, locking it tight.
Everyone stared blankly at the busted controller.
"If you believe in the path you walk," Guy said, raising a thumb with his brilliant smile, "then walk it proudly, and one day, you'll become someone people look to with a smile."
"Guy-sensei!" XN
All the kids—except Shikamaru—looked at him with sparkling admiration in their eyes.
"You're amazing! You're so cool! We won't give up either!"
Nope. I officially want a new teacher now.
Shikamaru stared at the scene: a green-clad man radiating boundless energy… surrounded by a group of utterly starry-eyed kids.
Something about this picture just felt… off.
—
"Wrong! Completely wrong! This is a total ripoff!"
Back inside the planning office, Jiraiya slammed the table with righteous indignation.
"I'm the legendary Toad Sage, known across the ninja world! My appearance fee should be at least in the tens of millions! Billions wouldn't be too much!"
"You've got to be kidding," Rasa scoffed, curling his lip. "You think hosting a tournament is worth a billion ryo? You think you're some teen heartthrob or something?"
"Are you saying I'm not?!"
"Look, if you don't want the job, just say so. I'll find someone else. At worst, the 'Toad Sage' role goes to that green guy in a frog suit we hired."
"Y-You… You're going too far!"
"So do you accept, or not?"
"…Fine. I accept. But can I look cool, at least?"
"You'll be the second coolest. With me around, there's no shot you're number one."
"Deal." Jiraiya nodded and sat back down, rubbing his hands together a little awkwardly, almost shy.
"Actually… I'm only eighteen, you know. Totally qualifies me as a pretty boy. I just haven't been sleeping well lately, so I look a bit rough. But if you give me a minute, I can transform… cough, I mean—once I freshen up, you can model the character on me?"
"..."
This "pretty boy" has one hell of an expiration date.