"Kid, thanks for looking after my students." Guy planted his hands on his hips, utterly serious.
"So I actually did something good?"
Mamoru arched an eyebrow, unsure whether the man was sincere or mocking him. Yet, looking at that utterly guileless face, he recalled the original story—this guy really was as straightforward as they come.
"Of course it was good. Saved them from getting too arrogant." Guy nodded emphatically, eyes shining beneath those thick brows.
"How's the saying go… there's always… uh…" He stalled halfway, glancing to Tenten for rescue.
"There's always someone better." Tenten rubbed her brow.
"Honestly, what kind of situation is this?"
"Exactly, that's what I meant!" Guy slapped his thigh and flashed Mamoru a grin, teeth glinting in the sun.
"Haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Konoha's taijutsu specialist, the Blue Beast of Konoha, Might Guy!"
"…"
Mamoru was struck speechless by the overwhelming enthusiasm.
"However…"
Guy's tone shifted, growing calmer. "No matter what, if the kids under my watch get beaten black and blue, I can't just stand by and do nothing."
Mamoru had never intended real damage. That last strike was mostly for show. With the Six Eyes, he'd long since sensed Guy lurking nearby, and had deliberately pressed harder to lure out this "youth freak." Now that the bait had worked, it was time for the real topic.
"So… you want to fight me?" Mamoru set his stance, battle hunger sparking in his eyes.
"If Kakashi hears I bullied a kid, he'll never let me hear the end of it."
Guy scratched his chin, then brightened. "Got it!"
He clasped his hands behind his back and straightened. "No hands. Can't accuse me of picking on a youngster then, right?"
"…" Mamoru fell silent again.
"Guy-sensei, do you actually understand what 'picking on the small' means?" Tenten couldn't help but face-palm.
"Come on, kid! Attack!" Guy shouted, full of vigor. "Let me show you the boundless power of youth!"
"What a load of nonsense." Mamoru sank into a crouch, legs tensed. "Don't regret this."
"Never!" Guy laughed heartily. "Bring it, lad. Let's greet youth together!"
"Greet youth my ass!" Mamoru kicked off the ground and shot skyward like an arrow, diving at Guy with a thunderous punch.
Guy kept his hands behind him, stepping back lightly.
Boom!
Stone shards flew and a jagged crater appeared where he'd stood, stones shattered into rubble.
"As I thought…" Guy stared at the boy in the pit, secretly shocked.
He'd suspected it, but the kid really had abnormal strength.
"Can't you just stand still and let me hit you?" Mamoru straightened, fist raised, smiling sweetly.
"That's asking a bit much, hahaha…" Guy's laughter echoed across the bridge.
Mamoru sprang again, lightning-quick. "If you don't try, how would you know it's impossible?"
The ground paid the price for the next exchange. Blast after blast punched new craters into the earth, broken stone everywhere. Luckily they were on the village's edge, or the patrol would've hauled them in already.
As his mastery of the Six Eyes grew, Mamoru's Chakra control became effortless, his strength climbing daily.
Yet the more he fought, the more stifled he felt—power with nowhere to land. Even when he caught Guy off-guard with the pull of Blue, the moment he closed in, his strikes were effortlessly neutralized.
He slowly realized: Guy was guiding his every move, each punch and kick fell within the man's predictions.
Mamoru frowned, then calmed.
Experience trumped raw strength every time. Once he saw that, the fight felt pointless.
A heavy side-kick met Guy's raised knee. Then, Mamoru vaulted backward and landed smoothly.
"I'm done. This is boring."
"Calling it quits?" Guy rolled a shoulder, still eager.
"You're reading everything, there's no point continuing." Mamoru turned to leave.
Guy hadn't expected the boy to grasp the truth so quickly, the kid's talent amazed him. "Uchiha lad, want to train with me?"
Mamoru paused, glancing sideways. "How'd you know I'm Uchiha?"
"The fan crest." Guy pointed at the emblem on his back. "Only one clan in Konoha uses that."
Mamoru wasn't surprised.
Sasuke had given him the clothes, the bold fan stood out. He'd joked that with the clan nearly extinct, there was no need for a "ping-pong paddle" on his back—they'd nearly come to blows over it.
Since his identity was blown, Mamoru stopped hiding. He lifted his mask halfway, revealing a strikingly handsome face. "What could you teach me?"
"Ah!" Tenten gasped, hand flying to her mouth. "Uchiha Mamoru?"
"You know me?" Mamoru turned to the girl, arching a brow, ego inflating.
Don't tell me she's a fan? My cursed charm strikes again.
"Of course I know you!" Tenten gesticulated excitedly. "Before I became a Genin, the whole academy buzzed with stories about you. I'd always see you brawling with the older kids at the gate."
Good news travels slowly, bad news rockets.
Mamoru's lips twitched as he forced a laugh. "Funny misunderstanding. I'm a model student, never fought in my life. You've got the wrong guy."
"I saw you fight, and more than once." Tenten shot back, finger jabbing toward her injured teammates. "You just knocked out
Lee and Neji."
"Tch." Mamoru clicked his tongue.
"Did you just click your tongue at me?" Tenten blinked, unsure.
"Noisy."
Tenten's eyes bulged. One look at Mamoru's disgust confirmed she hadn't misheard.
Before she could erupt, Guy stepped in. "Easy, Tenten, don't be mad."
He said, "Business first."
Tenten huffed, cheeks puffed as she turned away.
Guy turned to Mamoru, eyes blazing. "I'm Konoha's taijutsu specialist, my training is the best. How about it?"
Mamoru stared skyward, clearly bored. "Only taijutsu?"
Seeing Mamoru hesitate, Guy, already coveting his talent, imagined Kakashi's future envy and secretly rejoiced.
With that, he played his trump card. "I'll teach you the Eight Inner Gates."
"Eight Inner Gates?"
"Exactly." Guy swung his arms, voice booming.
"The Eight Inner Gates, full name: Eight Inner Gates Formation. My father, Duy, perfected over twenty years. A forbidden jutsu."
"Is it strong?"
"Extremely, extremely, extremely strong!"
With each "extremely" Guy stepped closer, passion overflowing.
"G-Guy-sensei… please teach me the Eight Inner Gates." Lee staggered forward, slurring but resolute.
"Of course, but you must pass my test."
As their teacher, Guy wouldn't play favorites, though he added extra conditions.
"Th-thank you, Guy-sensei. I'll… I'll train twice as hard." Tears streamed down Lee's face as he trembled with joy.
"Lee, no rush. I'll wait." Guy patted his shoulder, beaming.
"Guy-sensei…" Lee was overwhelmed, tears shimmering.
"Lee!" Guy mirrored the emotion and an invisible bond sparkled between them.
Mamoru cut in. "Training in that… Eight things. Is it dangerous?"
"Great power always carries risk." Guy said, suddenly grave. "But follow my regimen and a few rules, and your life won't be in danger."
"Hmm…" Mamoru murmured, pondering. "Should I? Eight Inner Gates…"
"Let's train together!" Guy seized Mamoru's hands, shaking them wildly.
"Let go!" Mamoru yanked free, rubbing red wrists. "Well… since you asked so nicely, I'll give it a shot."
"Yes!" Guy punched the air.
"Hopeless idiot…" Tenten sighed.
Mamoru had clearly played hard-to-get.
"Now…"
Guy produced a fluorescent-green bodysuit like a magic trick and presented it solemnly. "Wear this, it'll make you stronger."
"…"
One glance and Mamoru's disgust was unmistakable.
"Over my dead body."
"Breathable, moisture-wicking, perfect mobility and beautiful lines!" Guy unfurled the suit, showcasing every angle. "Once you train in it, you'll be hooked…"
Tenten's face cycled through colors as her teacher brandished the blinding green outfit.
"Stop making that dumb face, it's hideous." Mamoru plopped his fox mask over Tenten.
"Calling a girl ugly? So rude!" Tenten yanked the mask away, glaring at the boy whose flawless face housed such an obnoxious mouth.
Guy pressed on.
Mamoru glanced at indifferent Neji and grinned. "Give it to that Hyuga."
Neji blinked, then shook his head. "No thanks."
Cold and final.
Plan foiled, Mamoru pivoted. "Those thick eyebrows suit it better, custom-made for Lee."
"Really?" Lee gazed at the suit in awe. "But it's Guy-sensei's treasure…"
"Absolutely."
Mamoru decided for Guy, silently thanking his entire clan while maintaining a calm facade.