At the Seventh Training Field, Kakashi and Guy were engaged in an intense training session.
"Hey, Kakashi, only 100 left!" Guy's enthusiastic voice echoed across the field, his boundless energy as apparent as ever.
Both men performed push-ups at incredible speeds, their arms appearing as afterimages. Sweat poured from their foreheads, soaking their clothes and forming puddles beneath them. Despite the cold weather, their vigorous exertion left them overheated and drenched.
"Finally, 3,000 push-ups done!" Guy exclaimed, leaping up with a triumphant grin.
Kakashi rose as well, though his hands trembled, and exhaustion was written all over him.
"Kakashi, try opening the second gate now," Guy suggested, his wide smile showcasing gleaming teeth. "It'll help you recover temporarily, but keep in mind this is more like a shot of adrenaline rather than healing."
Kakashi nodded, drained from the workout. Closing his eyes, he focused on circulating his chakra as Guy had instructed. As he directed it through his body, he felt his cells being nourished in a way that was both invigorating and unfamiliar.
A wave of refreshment washed over him, erasing his fatigue. His strength even seemed to improve slightly. When he opened his eyes, he regarded his hands with amazement.
"How do you feel?" Guy asked eagerly.
"Incredible," Kakashi replied. "The results are remarkable."
Guy grinned. "The first session always feels like that. Progress will slow over time, so don't let it discourage you. Also, it takes an absurd amount of calories from your fat storage, so make sure to eat a lot of carbs. It gets a bit expensive."
Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. The Eight Gates technique wasn't widely practiced for good reason. Its training was grueling, its progress slow, and its risks significant. Even Neji and Tenten, Lee's teammates, had opted out—Neji because it clashed with the Gentle Fist style, and Tenten because of the intense physical demands.
Still, Kakashi resolved to master at least the Sixth Gate within the next twelve years. He wasn't aiming to rely solely on Taijutsu, though; his exceptional talent for Ninjutsu and swordsmanship made it impractical to focus on Taijutsu alone. And the ultimate power of the Eight Gates—the Death Gate—was something he was unwilling to risk.
As for Genjutsu, Kakashi didn't see immediacy to train it for now. His immense yin chakra already rendered him immune to most genjutsu below A-rank, and even A-rank techniques struggled against him. Coupled with his Sharingan, he felt confident in his ability to counter most illusions. While formidable techniques like Tsukuyomi and Kotoamatsukami posed a challenge, he believed his Mangekyō Sharingan would grant him sufficient resistance against even Tsukuyomi.
Fortunately, Shisui and Itachi were still academy students. Kakashi estimated it would be years before they unlocked their Mangekyō Sharingan, making those dangerous genjutsu a distant threat for now.
"Thank you, Guy," Kakashi said sincerely. He appreciated Guy's selflessness in teaching him such a powerful technique. Guy's unwavering support since his arrival in this world had helped Kakashi adapt and regain mastery over his abilities.
Guy laughed heartily. "No need to thank me, Kakashi! If you're really grateful, let's have a rematch—I need to reclaim my honour after losing the Taijutsu duel!"
Kakashi smirked. "Alright, let's do it."
"That's the spirit! This is youth!" Guy bellowed, his energy infectious.
As the sun set, the two friends faced off again, their silhouettes locked in combat.
"Take this! Leaf Severe Hurricane!"