10 Chapter 10: Forgetting Self and the Ninja Way

Chat GPT did an update and I didn't notice. The changes were making it wonky and starting over from the beginning instead of translating the text as requested. I'll have to redo these chapters again from scratch. Now that I know what is going on I know which protocol I need to use moving forward to make sure there are no more repeats. Apologies.

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As far as Samui knew.

Kakashi was the son of Konoha's 'White Fang', Sakumo Hatake. He became a Jonin at the age of 12, and with a transplanted Sharingan eye, he copied thousands of ninjutsu techniques, earning the title of the 'Copy Ninja', a name that echoed across nations.

You could say he was a celebrity in the ninja world.

As for the accompanying Might Guy, aside from his rather flamboyant appearance, he didn't have much of a reputation. However, Guy's father, Might Duy, had made a name for himself during the Third Great Ninja War. He single-handedly confronted the legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from the Hidden Mist Village, resulting in four of the enemies dead and three fleeing.

His battle prowess had shocked the entire ninja world.

Being Duy's son, Guy was certainly not one to be underestimated. Now, these two coming together to find Uchiha Dan would not be for some 'minor issue'.

Inside the meditation room.

As soon as Guy and Kakashi entered, they were greeted by the scent of high-quality sandalwood. The calming aroma, once inhaled, immediately settled their restless minds.

The room was dimly lit and serene. Their gaze first fell on the giant Yin-Yang Tai Chi pattern on the floor, but quickly shifted to Dan.

At the other end of the meditation room.

Dressed in a black kimono, Dan sat quietly on a straw mat, his tall frame almost blending into the darkness, becoming one with his surroundings. Behind him on the wall hung a piece of calligraphy, inscribed with two powerful characters:

'Forgetting Self.'

"Guy, look..." Kakashi, with his keen eyes, directed Guy's attention towards Dan's body.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"

Underneath Dan's clothes, there appeared to be a small mouse, constantly moving across his body surface.

But upon closer inspection, they realized that the so-called 'mouse' was actually a bulging packet of energy, tirelessly transporting Dan's Qi and blood throughout his body.

During this process.

Even though Dan remained still, his skin was becoming increasingly radiant, and a great amount of steam emitted from his pores, as if he were in a sauna. Kakashi and Guy were both momentarily stunned.

Then.

Dan took a deep breath.

"Whoosh."

With this breath, the blood flow in Dan's body suddenly accelerated, rushing endlessly within his veins. The sound of his blood flow was even audible, like a roaring river pounding against its banks.

Unstoppable.

After several deep breaths, Dan pressed his hands on his abdomen, and the energy within his body surged upwards from his abdominal cavity. It eventually transformed into a sound similar to the roar of a dragon and the howl of a tiger, emanating from his throat.

"Roar!"

The sound echoed throughout the meditation room, reflected repeatedly by the windows and walls, causing the doors, windows, and chairs to vibrate intensely.

It gradually subsided after tens of seconds. His breathing alone was so intimidating - it was as if he were not a man but a Tailed Beast. Guy took a deep breath, his face serious.

"Eight years ago, I saw Uchiha Dan take action once. He easily defeated my father. Even though I have become a Jonin now, I'm still not sure if I can definitely defeat him, so... we must be very careful, Kakashi."

He earnestly cautioned his best friend.

"I didn't come here to fight."

Kakashi shrugged, placing one hand on Guy's shoulder, "You, on the other hand, need to calm down a bit. Follow my lead when the time comes."

As soon as he finished speaking,

Dan, across from the two, finally opened his eyes.

Swoosh.

In an instant, his gaze was like a bolt of lightning, locking onto Kakashi and Guy.

Both of them were taken aback, feeling as though they had been targeted by a fierce tiger. Their bodies tensed up instantaneously, and their hairs stood on end due to the stress.

Under their watchful eyes,

Dan made no move to rise. Instead, with the strength of his toes alone, his towering figure rose to stand vertically.

"Guy, long time no see."

As the host, Dan was the first to greet him, "You don't seem to have made much progress. You're still as scrawny as ever."

Might Guy, standing at 184cm and weighing 76kg, was quite tall and muscular.

However, compared to Dan, anyone would seem like a skinny monkey.

"It's not about the size of the muscle, but the strength within. The sweat and passion I exude prove my effort and my unregretful youth!"

Guy looked directly into Dan's eyes without fear, his gaze full of confidence. Upon hearing this, Dan couldn't help but sigh:

"You're just like your father, Dai, used to be."

The Dai he mentioned was Might Dai, Guy's father.

"You have no right to mention my father. Because... you insulted his Ninja Way!"

Guy clenched his fist, his emotions suddenly flaring.

Dan shook his head and slowly said, "Our first principle in the Body Modification Department is to cherish our bodies. Nothing is more important. We must take good care of our bodies before reaching the peak of training, to prevent any injuries. If Dai had trained a few more years, he could have broken through his limits and achieved his body modification goal. Unfortunately, he didn't listen to my advice and insisted on going to the front lines. As a result, he lost his life..."

"You're wrong!"

Guy stepped forward, interrupting him. "My father didn't die to show off or play the hero. He died to save me and my comrades. Unlike you, who only love yourself, he was a man who would protect his beliefs even if it cost him his life. The real victory is not defeating a powerful enemy, but protecting what's important to you till the end. That's the lesson my father taught me with his life."

Guy proudly voiced these words. In this conversation, Kakashi was an outsider. But he agreed with Guy's words because his own father, Sakumo Hatake, had also chosen to protect his comrades over the mission, eventually being forced to commit suicide amid the villagers' gossip. Sakumo and Dai were the same kind of people. Denying Dai was like denying Sakumo's Ninja Way.

Perhaps in Dan's eyes, self is always greater than others. But in the hearts of Dai and Sakumo, others are greater than self. One was selfish, the other selfless. It was clear who was nobler.

The Third Hokage had also said that the Leaf Village existed because of the selfless sacrifice of people like Sakumo and Dai. They burned their lives to nourish the great tree of the village, keeping the Will of Fire alive.

Facing Guy's impassioned speech, Dan sighed, "I am disappointed in you."

Guy had clearly misunderstood his words, but given Dan's character, he didn't bother to explain. "I didn't come here to argue with you."

Guy shook his head, his gaze fixed on Dan, "Let's talk with our fists. I challenge you!"

He was just 20, full of youthful energy.

"You're no match for me. Leave now. I'm not interested in fighting you."

Dan spoke calmly and turned away, his back to Guy.

"Don't underestimate me!"

Guy, his blood boiling, roared and charged at Dan like an arrow released from a bow.

"Guy!"

By the time Kakashi reacted, Guy had already leapt behind Dan, using all his strength to deliver a powerful kick.

Leaf Whirlwind, aimed directly at Dan's right shoulder.

Dan didn't turn around. He casually lifted his right forearm, seemingly offhand, and perfectly blocked the kick.