"Kakashi!"
The sudden shout made the whole group stop and turn.
From the back of the wooden house, Might Guy's team emerged. At the front was Guy himself, his teeth flashing as he waved. "Kakashi! A youthful day, isn't it?"
Kakashi sighed. "Guy…"
"You told me about this place, didn't you?" Guy walked up, placing a hand on his hip. "We've found Pokémon too! Let's have a youthful duel to celebrate!"
"I'm not interested," Kakashi muttered and turned to leave.
But Guy was already in front of him, blocking his path. "Come on, Kakashi! Don't be shy!"
Naruto frowned and stepped up beside his teacher. "Oi! Thick eyebrows! Don't block our way!"
Around them, people paused and stared at the bizarre interaction. Sasuke rubbed his forehead. Sakura sighed.
"You don't know them?" Sasuke muttered to Naruto.
Naruto shrugged. "I mean… he's just blocking the way."
"Hahahaha!" Guy laughed. "So this is your student? Full of youth! Lee, you must learn from him!"
"Yeah!" Rock Lee shouted with sparkling eyes. "I will, Teacher Guy!"
As Rock Lee nodded earnestly, Tenten and Neji stood awkwardly behind him, their faces flushing with embarrassment. The stares from onlookers weren't helping either.
"Okay, how do we compete?"Kakashi rolled his eyes, a little helpless, but still agreed to Might Guy's challenge.
"Hahahahaha!"Might Guy placed both hands on his hips, radiating his usual energy and enthusiasm. "I knew you wouldn't reject youth, Kakashi! Let's compete—with our Pokémon!"
Kakashi blinked in confusion. He had expected something eccentric from Guy, but this? "Are you sure?" he asked, uncertain. "You just got your Pokémon. Don't you know they start at level 5?"
The others around them raised eyebrows, clearly sharing the same concern—except for Rock Lee, who stared at Might Guy with pure admiration in his sparkling eyes. Naruto, meanwhile, shuffled back to Sasuke and Sakura. "Is that thick-browed guy's Pokémon really strong?" he whispered curiously.
Sasuke turned to him with a flat stare. "Idiot," he muttered.
Naruto's face scrunched in confusion before he erupted. "Arrogant Sasuke, what did you just say?! Sakura, don't pull me—Arrogant Sasuke, one-on-one!"
"Ahem—"Renji Takahashi coughed, silencing the noisy group. "Alright, settle down. Kakashi and Might Guy, if you want to battle, come with me to the back."
Kakashi sighed but nodded. "Then I'll trouble you, boss."
Renji shook his head with a faint smile and led them into the backyard. There, a simple dirt battleground had already been laid out—rough, but enough for a friendly match.
Kakashi and Might Guy took their positions on opposite sides of the field, and with synchronized movements, each pulled out a Poké Ball.
With a bright flash, the Pokémon appeared.
"Pika Pika!""Chop Chop!"
Both Pokémon waved politely to Renji before turning to their respective Trainers, tilting their heads curiously.
"Pikachu, the Pokémon opposite wants to challenge you," Kakashi said, a hand on his hip.
"Pika?" Pikachu blinked at him with confusion, then looked over at Might Guy's partner.
"Machop, youth is burning! Let's defeat Kakashi together!" Might Guy declared.
Machop turned to look at Might Guy with a dumbfounded expression. The opposing Pikachu wasn't just stronger—it was leagues ahead.
Even so, Kakashi read Pikachu's expression and nodded. "Yes, it's a real challenge. Do your best, but go easy."
"Pika Pika!"Pikachu lowered its center of gravity, and in the blink of an eye, darted forward in a yellow flash.
"Chop!"Machop's eyes widened in panic. It turned around and bolted in the opposite direction, but Pikachu was already behind it.
Bang!A clean strike to the back. Machop tumbled across the ground and groaned, lying flat with spirals in its eyes.
"Machop! Are you okay?" Might Guy rushed over, eyes full of concern.
Machop groaned again and looked at Might Guy with a pitiful, pleading gaze.
"You… you can't beat the opponent?"
"Chop Chop!"A rapid nod confirmed his guess. Might Guy scratched his head in confusion.
Renji walked over, his tone dry: "Might Guy, did you read the Pokédex entries when you adopted your Pokémon?"
"Yes."
"Did you see the level?"
"Yes, level 5."
Renji resisted the urge to facepalm. "Now check Pikachu's level."
Might Guy scanned Pikachu with his Pokédex. "Level 14. Boss, what does that mean?"
"That means there's nearly a ten-level difference between them. Do you think that's a fair match?" Renji's eye twitched.
Might Guy's eyes suddenly lit up. "So the level represents strength? I was wondering about that earlier!"
"Poof—"Renji nearly spit out blood. You've had a Pokémon and still didn't figure that out?!
The others around him, even Kakashi, were speechless. Meanwhile, Rock Lee nodded, as if realizing a profound truth. "So levels are strength indicators! Got it!"
Everyone stared.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
Naruto and Tenten shook their heads vigorously, but as they glanced at Rock Lee, they began to wonder if Might Guy's enthusiasm was contagious.
Tenten stared at them, expressionless. "Don't look at me like that. I'm not like them. I'm seriously considering switching teams before I get infected."
Might Guy finally crouched down beside his Pokémon. "Machop, I'm sorry."
"Chop..."Machop waved off the apology with a tired shake of the head.
Might Guy stood and turned to Kakashi. "I lost this time. But next time, Kakashi, I will win."
Kakashi didn't respond. He simply nodded, well aware that rejecting a challenge wouldn't save him. Might Guy would return—he always returned.
"Boss, Might Guy, we're heading out first."
Kakashi left quickly, dragging the others with him.
Behind them, Might Guy's voice echoed loudly: "Kakashi! I'll find you next time!"
Kakashi flinched at the volume—and walked even faster.