Author Note:
Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!
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Just like in the original series, before a sparring match at the Ninja Academy, both students first made the seal of opposition.
Once Guts and Kakashi were in position, the homeroom teacher raised his hand and declared,
"Begin!"
A flash of silver gleamed in front of Guts's eyes—Kakashi had already drawn a kunai.
It really was wartime. Even kids who had just enrolled were using real weapons during tests.
Then again, with a retired Jōnin teacher watching nearby, maybe that was part of the reason.
Kakashi wasn't just any student either. With White Fang's guidance, his swordsmanship and close-quarters combat were far from ordinary.
If not for the death of his teammates and sensei later in life, he might never have become the infamous
"Hatake Fifty-Fifty."
"Fifty-Fifty"—the legendary curse of Hatake Kakashi.
It doesn't matter if he's squaring up against Zabuza with a big sword and fog machine or Kaguya with dimensions in her back pocket.
Somehow, someway, the fight will always end up even odds.
Win or lose, Kakashi's the kind of guy you'd bet on when you don't want to win or don't want to lose.
It's like the universe itself just flips a coin whenever he gets serious.
He could be up against a fresh Genin or the literal god of chakra—and you'd still hear the crowd whisper,
"Yup. Fifty-fifty."
He had the potential to stand shoulder to shoulder with the greats—maybe even surpass his own father.
But right now?
"Kunai won't help you."
Guts stood still, arms folded like a shield in front of his chest, calmly watching his opponent.
If Kakashi couldn't coat his weapon with lightning chakra like Sasuke would one day, then it was useless against him. A bare blade wasn't going to cut it.
The teacher watching from the sidelines suddenly sensed something strange—Guts's presence had shifted, like a coiled spring tightening.
Kakashi lunged. His kunai came within ten centimeters of Guts's shoulder—he should've gone for the neck if this were a real fight.
Clang!
The moment the blade touched Guts's skin, a crisp metallic sound rang out like steel clashing on steel.
"What?!"
Kakashi's eyes widened. Around them, the teacher and classmates wore the same stunned expressions.
"Leaf Hurricane!"
Guts's leg swept out like a whip. Kakashi heard the whoosh of the kick before it even reached him.
Of course, Guts didn't go for a critical hit, just like Kakashi had held back moments ago. The kick connected with Kakashi's shoulder.
"I'm not done yet!"
Kakashi gritted his teeth, slapping his hands to the ground.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
In an instant, a thick barrier of earth rose up, cutting off Guts's follow-up.
A defensive jutsu—already? That was fast. And it was one of Kakashi's signature techniques in the future.
"As expected of Kakashi!" Nohara Rin clasped her hands and beamed with pride.
Obito, naturally, scowled and shouted,
"Guts! What are you doing?! Smash that smug bastard!"
As if Guts needed encouragement.
Just before his leg slammed into the rising wall of earth, he twisted his stance, grounding himself with his left foot.
"Soru," he muttered.
In an instant, Guts vanished—leaving only an afterimage behind.
"What?!"
The class gasped. Even Kakashi looked stunned, still holding the earth jutsu seal.
Bang!
The next thing Kakashi knew, pain exploded in his lower back.
He collapsed forward, barely registering that Guts was now behind him—arms locked around his own, one foot planted firmly on his spine.
The pin looked suspiciously like how Kakashi himself would later humble Sasuke during the infamous Bell Test.
Rin's smile froze on her face.
"That's enough—Guts wins!" the teacher called out without hesitation.
"Was that the Body Flicker Technique?!"
"No way! That's supposed to be Chūnin-level stuff!"
"He beat Kakashi that fast?! I thought he was the strongest!"
A wave of shocked whispers spread through the class. Some of the girls who had been convinced Guts was just a wild brute were starting to look at him a little differently.
"Well then, Guts," the teacher called, "get off Kakashi and make the seal of reconciliation."
[Achievement Unlocked: "Breaking the Curse of 50-50."]
[Template Character: Monkey D. Garp.
Completion: 10.95%]
Guts twitched at the ridiculous name, but inwardly he was satisfied. That match had been worth a week's worth of solo training.
Efficient, clean, and satisfying.
He stood and casually hooked fingers with Kakashi for the seal.
Kakashi returned to the line with a scowl deeper than the Leaf's forest shadows.
Obito didn't let the moment pass.
"Hah! Learn your lesson, pretty boy! Stupid idiot!"
"You wanna go?!"
Kakashi growled, snapping out of his usual poker face. He lunged at Obito, and the two quickly began wrestling on the ground.
"Stop it, both of you!" Rin shouted, distressed.
"Hahaha…" Guts chuckled from the sidelines, clearly enjoying the chaos.
Yuhi Kurenai rolled her eyes nearby but couldn't stop herself from glancing at Guts's shoulder—the spot where the kunai had struck.
After a pause, she walked over and said, almost too quietly,
"Hey... is your shoulder okay?"
Guts looked at her, mildly amused.
Kurenai flinched, waved her hands rapidly, and stammered,
"N-not that I care or anything! Just, you know… checking!"
Asuma, off to the side, frowned again.
But before anything else could happen, the teacher's voice boomed out:
"Next up—Sarutobi Asuma versus Might Guy!"
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