Kakashi was already out of bed just after dawn.
He was dressed in black, his forehead protector covering his left eye, and a black face mask concealing his face.
Glancing at the White Fang tanto by his bedside, Kakashi hesitated briefly before securing it to his back.
The short blade, once wielded by his father, had been damaged during the battle in Rōran, yet he still carried it with him. The reborn Kakashi wasn't accustomed to using short blades anymore. Short weapons lacked the reach he now preferred, and his evolving swordsmanship was better suited for longer blades. However, Sakumo Hatake's sword technique could still be adapted to a katana.
At some point, I should head to the Land of Craftsmen to have this blade reforged.
The White Fang tanto was forged from a rare metal capable of conducting chakra, a trait that had made it an extension of his father's formidable skills.
Kakashi stepped outside and headed toward Guy's house.
Just as he arrived at the doorstep, the door swung open.
Upon seeing Kakashi, Guy froze in surprise. After all, Kakashi usually avoided him. But today, he had come on his own?
Though puzzled, Guy's enthusiasm remained unwavering. "Oh! Kakashi, up early as always! That's the spirit of youth! Tomorrow, I'll rise at five!"
With that, he clenched his fists, his eyes ablaze with passion.
Kakashi sighed internally. Despite having watched countless episodes of this in his past life, witnessing it firsthand still left him speechless.
"Guy, let's train together today."
"Oh, Kakashi! You actually sought me out for training?! This is the fiery passion of youth! Let's see who can run 200 laps around the village first!"
Before Kakashi could respond, Guy had already dashed off.
Helpless but committed, Kakashi took off after him. Since he had come to train, there was no backing out now.
Guy ran with remarkable speed, but Kakashi matched his pace. The two began their morning run around the perimeter of Konoha, neither willing to lag behind.
"Yo, Kakashi! You're falling behind! If this keeps up, I'll leave you in the dust!"
"Ah, I won't lose to you, Guy." Kakashi pushed himself harder, quickly catching up.
"So this is your true speed?! I won't be defeated! This is youth!" With that, Guy accelerated.
Not one to be outdone, Kakashi followed suit.
Two hours later, they arrived at Training Ground Seven, both drenched in sweat. Kakashi's legs felt like lead, his breath ragged. His body threatened to collapse beneath him.
Guy, though equally soaked in sweat, remained upright.
"Huff… Huff… You truly are my greatest rival! We completed the morning run flawlessly! I call this a tie! Next up—1,000 push-ups!"
Without hesitation, Guy dropped to the ground and began.
Kakashi's eye twitched. This level of stamina is unreal. No wonder he managed to open the Eighth Gate, pushing himself to the brink of death in the Fourth Shinobi War. He almost defeated Madara…
The Eighth Gate, a technique that sacrificed one's life for unparalleled power, was terrifying.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Kakashi didn't stop moving. His body ached, but he pushed through.
His taijutsu had fallen behind Guy's. Two years of complacency had stunted his growth, and now he had to make up for lost time.
A strong body creates a strong chakra reserve. No matter how exhausted I am, I have to keep going. If I don't, I'll never be more than a side character in this world.
Sweat poured down his face, his breaths grew heavier, and chakra stirred within his body, rushing through his meridians.
To maximize his training, Kakashi refrained from using chakra-enhanced strength. Instead, he relied solely on raw physical effort.
"Yo, Kakashi! You're amazing! I'm going to do another 1,000 kicks!" Guy declared passionately.
Kakashi didn't respond. His consciousness blurred from exhaustion, yet his body continued its push-ups in perfect rhythm.
Then, something shifted.
For a moment, Kakashi felt as if he was observing himself from an outside perspective. The chakra in his body surged, instinctively reinforcing his muscles to compensate for his fatigue.
Eventually, he hit his limit. His vision darkened, and he collapsed.
"Kakashi! Kakashi, are you alright?!" Guy rushed over.
Kakashi had lost consciousness.
His body had yet to fully adapt to his soul. The strain of intense training had proven too much, and he fainted.
Guy, alarmed, lifted Kakashi onto his back and sprinted toward Konoha's hospital.
—
"It's nonsense! Utter nonsense! Training is important, but this? What's the point of working yourself to collapse? Are you trying to train in the hospital?!"
Inside Konoha Hospital, an elderly doctor scolded Guy relentlessly.
Guy chuckled sheepishly. "Accidents… just accidents."
"Let Kakashi rest here for now. I'll check if there are any underlying issues." The doctor motioned for his assistants to carry Kakashi into the treatment room.
Guy remained outside, waiting anxiously.
—
"Hnn…" Kakashi groaned as he regained consciousness.
Staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, he took a moment to process his surroundings—the white sheets, the half-open window.
A hospital?
He sighed. So I fainted during training…
A wry smile formed beneath his mask. How embarrassing. First training session, and I end up in the hospital. I really haven't adjusted to this body yet.
The door creaked open.
"Kakashi! You're awake! How are you feeling?" Guy asked, genuine concern in his voice.
"It's nothing major. Just a little tired."
"Kakashi, what happened? You've never collapsed before."
"It's… been a long time."
"Kakashi, I know the Fourth Hokage's death hit you hard, but you can't push yourself recklessly! Youth is about balance!" Guy clenched his fists, his spirit unyielding.
"Yes, yes, I understand." Kakashi sighed, knowing Guy had misunderstood the reason for his collapse. Explaining soul fusion wasn't exactly an option.
"Kakashi, my eternal rival! Next time we train, I'll surpass you! I can feel the flames of youth burning brighter already!" Guy declared, his fighting spirit undimmed.
"Yeah, yeah." Kakashi rubbed his temple. Facing Guy's boundless energy was exhausting in itself. Feeling recovered enough, he got out of bed.
"Kakashi? Where are you going?" Guy asked.
"Home, of course. I'm not staying in the hospital overnight."
"Oh… That makes sense. Well then, let's grab dinner together!" Guy's stomach rumbled at just the right moment.
Kakashi hesitated but then nodded. He knew Guy had been waiting for him without eating.
"Fine. I'll treat you to some barbecue."
"Really?! As expected of my eternal rival!" Guy cheered.
Kakashi sighed, but a small smile formed beneath his mask as the two headed off together.