"Yo~ Kakashi, long time no see! Let's have a duel full of youthful energy!"
Just as they arrived at the entrance of the barbecue restaurant, Might Guy—dressed in his usual tight green jumpsuit—appeared right next to Kakashi.
"I'm not going. I'm taking them out to eat."
Kakashi shrugged off Might Guy's enthusiastic embrace.
His back and shoulder hadn't fully healed yet; otherwise, worried about missing Sasuke and Naruto's graduation, he might have had to take more time to recover before coming back.
"Eating out? Perfect timing. I'm also taking my students out to eat. I know your two kids here, so let's all eat together—my treat!"
Might Guy glanced at Sasuke and Naruto. He had known about these two boys for a while and had heard Kakashi mention them often.
Since they had now met in person, of course they should all hang out together.
Besides, Neji was especially eager about Uchiha Sasuke. His daily motivation to train hard was to one day defeat Sasuke after he became a ninja.
Such fiery passion—apart from the age difference, in every other way, he was very much like him and Kakashi.
"That... doesn't seem very appropriate, does it?"
Kakashi's mouth twitched. He already imagined Might Guy crying over his empty wallet later.
But at times like this, Kakashi was thinking about how to trick Might Guy once again—and now Might Guy was handing him the perfect opportunity on a silver platter.
"Guy-sensei, we're here! Neji, that guy, he just—"
At that moment, Rock Lee, also wearing a green jumpsuit, ran over. Seeing Might Guy, he was about to mention something about Neji.
But once he steadied himself and saw Sasuke and Naruto nearby, he quickly shut his mouth.
Teammates' embarrassing moments were fine to joke about among themselves, but were never to be brought up in front of outsiders.
"Lee, this is Kakashi—he's my most important friend and rival. And these two,"
Might Guy got excited and passionate while introducing Kakashi, but when it came to introducing the two kids, he really struggled.
They weren't father and son, nor brothers, and definitely not teacher and students—so how should he explain their relationship?
"Family. We are Kakashi-senpai's family!"
This time Naruto was quick to answer, speaking up before Kakashi could say anything.
He remembered Sasuke had said before that the three of them were like a family—although not related by blood, they were the most important people to each other.
Of course, Naruto wouldn't tell anyone that, in his heart, he thought Sasuke was the most important one—and Kakashi-senpai naturally came second.
"Yeah, family."
Kakashi's eyes squinted with a smile.
He really liked that word—family.
How long had it been since he had felt that? He'd always been a lone wolf. Even when he took care of these two kids, he still had the Third Hokage and other Konoha leaders behind him, so he never truly felt what "family" meant.
But now, seeing Sasuke and Naruto understand it this way, Kakashi was so moved he wanted to do some kind of passionate "youth education" speech like Might Guy, though in the end, he couldn't bring himself to hug those two rascals in some emotional display.
"Then let's celebrate—tonight, the teacher's treating! Barbecue!"
Might Guy, knowing Kakashi well, was also in a great mood but a little bittersweet too.
He used to be Kakashi's best friend, but now Kakashi had a family and he wasn't sure if they'd have time to spar anymore.
No matter what, a friend gaining a new family was definitely worth celebrating. If it weren't for Sasuke and Naruto's special identities, he would have even wanted to spread the good news around.