Might Guy let out a deep sigh, admiration shining in his eyes as he looked at Lee. "Lee… your talent is truly remarkable. You're not just any genius—you're a one-in-a-million kind of genius!"
Lee scratched the back of his head, giving a sheepish grin. "Mr. Guy, do you really think I'm a genius?" he asked, his face slightly red with embarrassment.
Guy's expression softened. "More than a genius, Lee! A super-genius!" he said excitedly. "The 'Eight Inner Gates' technique isn't just any skill. It's the only Forbidden Technique in all of Konoha that focuses purely on taijutsu. Since my father created it, only I and Kakashi have learned it. Even someone as talented as Kakashi can only manage to open the Third Gate."
Lee raised an eyebrow. "Kakashi? Who is he?" he asked, even though the name felt familiar from bits and pieces of memories. He needed to understand this person better.
Might Guy's face took on a more serious tone. "Kakashi… Hatake Kakashi," he said slowly. "He's my greatest rival and also my best friend. He was taught by Lord Fourth Hokage himself."
"Hatake Kakashi…" Lee echoed as memories flickered from his past.
He remembered tales of Konoha's legendary warriors, the "Eight Colors of Konoha." Among them were heroes who had helped bring the village to the peak of its power, each with a unique skill or strength that made them legendary. There was the Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato, who could move like a lightning bolt, and Might Duy, Guy's father, who, despite his rank as a Genin, once defeated five of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.
Then, of course, there was Hatake Sakumo, known as Konoha's White Fang, a powerful and fearless shinobi. Sakumo's reputation was so feared that enemy villages often abandoned missions at the mere mention of his name. Yet, due to a mission's unfortunate end, the once-unstoppable White Fang faced dishonor within his village. Despite his power and fame, the strain of being ostracized by his peers led Sakumo to a tragic end, leaving his young son, Kakashi, to grow up without a father.
"After Sakumo's passing, Kakashi struggled," Guy continued. "But the Fourth Hokage himself saw his potential and trained him. Now, Kakashi's one of the best Jonin in the village, my equal in skill."
Guy's face lit up with pride for his rival. "Yes, even a genius like Kakashi found Eight Inner Gates challenging. But you, Lee, can already open the first two gates without difficulty. I didn't think I'd meet someone with your natural talent!"
Lee's face flushed with both pride and disbelief. He knew his strength was aided by Sion Mun's memories and martial skills, but hearing his mentor's praise was something he hadn't expected.
Then Guy looked at him thoughtfully. "Oh, by the way, Lee," he said. "Kakashi's students are taking the Chūnin Exams this time around."
Lee's interest was piqued. "Oh? Are they the three I saw today?"
Guy nodded. "Yes. There's Uchiha Sasuke, the last of his clan here in Konoha; Uzumaki Naruto, who holds a… powerful secret; and Haruno Sakura, who shows potential."
Lee frowned, recalling his earlier encounters with them. "They didn't seem all that strong, Mr. Guy."
Guy shook his head. "Don't underestimate them, Lee. Sasuke is from the Uchiha Clan, once known as the strongest in the village. And that Naruto you saw… he's actually the son of the Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash."
Lee's eyes widened. "The son of the Yellow Flash?"
"Yes. Although he isn't aware of it himself, Naruto has a lot of potential," Guy explained. "There's a reason for his slower progress, but you'll come to see what he's capable of soon enough."
Guy paused, his voice serious. "If you happen to cross paths with them in the Exams, Lee, help them if you can. They're going to face challenges far beyond anything we could imagine."
Lee nodded thoughtfully. "I understand, Mr. Guy. I'll keep that in mind."
With that, Guy put a hand on Lee's shoulder, his face brightening once more. "Good! Now, enough talking. Let's see that genius in action! Show me what you've got with the front lotus!"
Lee's eyes sparkled with determination as he got into stance, ready to continue the intense training with his mentor, fully aware that the Chūnin Exams would be the ultimate test of everything he'd worked for.