1 Youth
The Allied Shinobi Forces won the 4th Shinobi World War. The Mother of Chakra has been sealed, Akatsuki has been eradicated and the Infinite Tsukuyomi has been stopped.
Nonetheless it was a grim victory. For the sacrifices were numerous. The Number of casualties was estimated to be around 60000 Ninjas. Many grieved over the loss of their loved ones. Funerals were held, whether in Iwagakure, Kirigagakure, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, the land of iron or Konohagakure. Many Names were engraved in a stone tablet serving as memorial of "the heroes that fought for their future"So was the name of Might Guy, his Sensei, idol and father figure. Acknowledged as the strongest Taijutsu-master, by Madara Uchiha nonetheless, something most youthful.
And yet Lee felt as if his flames of youth were barely flickering in face of the wind of sadness, held aflame only by Guy-sensei´s teachings. Still, he didn´t cry till now and he will not cry, because those tears were only meant for the most youthful(read: joyful) moments. Even his remaining teammate Tenten seemed unyouthful to the extreme. Lee knew that he´s not the brightest Bulb in the room but even he knew she had a crush on Neji. And he knew he should be more upset about neji´s death, but he had not even enough energy to cope with Guy-sensei´s loss. He knew he should try to look at the bright sight, his teacher was not only able to hold off Madara, but even beat him up and Severely injure him, showing everybody how bright his flames of youth really are, burning with the intensity of the sun.
But even then, Guy-sensei was the one who believed in him when no one else did, he cared for him when no one else did and he helped him when no one else did. Yes, he was prepared to die in the war but he sure wasn´t prepared for losing a loved one.This is the third day he sat in front of the memorial. Looking up at the sky he saw dark clouds warning about the incoming rain.
´Oh Guy-sensei, how do I brighten my flames of youth again? I am ashamed to admit, but I barely feel the power of youth in my body anymore. ´
Shortly after praying to the stone before returning to motionlessly sit there, blankly staring into nothing, thinking back to a better time. Sensing somebody coming towards him, he turned to see an Anbu wearing a mouse mask.
"Rock Lee, the Hokage has asked for your presence."
The Anbu said before he shunshined away. Sighing audibly, Lee stood up before dragging himself in the direction of, now Kakashi-sensei´s, office. Wondering what might be the reason for the summon.
´Maybe a mission. That might be the right thing to get the power of youth burning again. ´
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Lee entered the small apartment listening to the heavy rain hitting the roof. He dumbly looked at the envelope resting in his bandaged hands, before putting it on the table. He breathed in and out deeply a few times before sitting down. Taking the envelope back in his now trembling hands, he opened it. He recognized the all too familiar writing style, he already expected. His Sensei´s.
´Dear Lee,My most youthful student, my successor, my son.You reading this means I have died in action. I don´t know what happened to kill me but I guess I have showed you my brightest burning youth, opening the Gate of Death. I sincerely hope you still burn brightly, giving the sadness no chance. Even if you grieve, I want you to smile, to train, to show all your youth openly for everyone you see. You are my pride and my legacy, so don´t let my death become a shackle to your fire. For I pass my torch to you. Burn for both of us. And in the future find your own successor so that you may share it again.I want you to take care of your teammates, for I am optimistic that they survive in the upcoming war. Be their Strength. Back when I first met you, I recognized so much of myself in you, to the point it scared me. You may share my talent in ninjutsu and genjutsu, but your will is even stronger than mine. Your perseverance is even fiercer than mine and your stubbornness astounds me gives me even more motivation every time I bear witness to it. You are the son I always wanted to call my own. And as such I declare you the inheritor of everything I own and everything I know. And I offer you something I always wanted to: Will you take on my last name? As to be my son not only in spirit but also in name. The two other papers are one my testament and the other the Adoption paper only missing your agreement, for you to become Might Lee. No matter if you choose to take on my name or not, I will always be proud of you and I love you, my son.Show the world that the Leaf´s Noble Green Beast still roars! Your Sensei/Father Might Guy´
Teardrops fell, staining the letter. He swore to himself he wouldn´t cry, yet he did anyway.Roaring loudly
"GUY-SENSEIIIIII! TOU-SAN!"
He cried for a long time. And yet his will started burning again, growing bigger and bigger, even bigger than at his previous peak, it became a roaring Inferno wanting to burn even the skies.
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Might Lee left his apartment with red eyes. And yet there was a big grin etched into his face. He went to the top of the Hokage Mountain and roared with all his might (pun intended).
"I Might Lee will declare myself the new Leaf´s Noble Green Breast, I won´t let myself get dragged down by grieve and wallow in self-pity and I will succeed in becoming the strongest Taijutsu-master, even surpassing my Sensei!"
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Guy didn´t know what was going on, one moment he was giving his all fighting against the Ghost of the Uchiha, Madara himself, kicking with his second Yagai and literally feeling his life burning out on him, when that weird Shadow showed up. Both of them were close to death, Guy, because of his use of the Gate of Death, and Madara, because of the injuries Guy gave him.
`Wasn´t it named Black Zetsu? `
It plunged a Hand through Madara so sudden, neither he nor Guy could react to this action, pure shock and disbelief across both of their faces. The Uchiha groaning out a last question
"What does … this mean … black Zetsu?"
And he perished not even hearing the snicker it gave as an answer. Madara´s body still suspended in midair was enveloped in a white cocoon pulsing with energy and Zetsu turned to Guy who´s body slowly but surely stopped working, his vision blurring, his breath heavy and his body trembling. He tried to move once more, to stop whatever unyouthful thing was going on there but his body simply refused to move.
"I commend you. You were even more of an obstacle than even the reincarnation of my dear nephews Indra and Asura, but that prowess came with a price, you are struggling to even stand. I would love to talk to you more while I am waiting for Mother to wake up, but it seems to me that you´re pretty much dead already. Any other normal man would have long died. In any case … WHY ARE YOU SHITS STILL ALIVE!?!"
Guy felt a hand on his back, warmth flowing through him, but it didn´t heal his body, it merely lessened the pain.
"You can rest now Bushy Brows-Sensei"
He heard another voice agreeing with a ´hn´ and smiled, which he knew would be his last. Yet he was happy that his rival´s students were together again.
"Your youth … it burns brightly, I know you can win … so please … take care of my disciples, will you?"
"Don´t worry Guy-Sensei"
Sakura answered Guy with a determined voiceAnd with that the relieved Guy dropped to the ground as three shilouettes walk by him.
"YOU UNFILIAL BRATS, MOTHER WILL … "
And with that Guy´s world turned black
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Guy´s life, his dedication towards Taijutsu and his prowess in his final fight against Madara were part of the education of the future generations and his stories motivated countless future Taijutsu-Masters of course including his student Leaf´s New Noble Green Beast Might Lee. He was a legend in history not to be forgotten even for hundreds of years. A Taijutsu-Master, a Sensei, a Father, a mighty powerhouse and all in all a proud Konoha-Nin.
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Guy reveled in the sensation he was currently feeling. Giving him warmth and comfort, with a slight sway. He felt submerged and found himself wondering.
´Is this what death is? Does it really feel like a parent´s embrace, gently rocking you back and forth?´
And yet it seemed as if he had limbs, maybe a bit hard to move but they were there. But what Noble Green Beast would he be if he didn´t investigate his current situation. Trying to open his eyes, and finally succeeding after an unknown amount of time he managed to, getting glimpses of his surroundings lighted in a dark red and confirming that he was in a liquid and that the room around him was limited. He even managed to see parts of his own body and-
´IN THE NAME OF LORD THIRD, WHY THE ACTUAL MOTHER-ISSUE-HAVING ZETSU AM I SO SMALL! WHOEVER SHRINKED ME, I CURSE YOU, AND ONCE I COME OUT OF HERE I´LL SHOW HOW YOUTHFUL (read: vengeful) I CAN BE! ´
And with that his surroundings began to move vehemently and he heard muted shouts outside.And he understood, just what situation he is in.
´I may be Leaf´s Noble Green Beast, but I´m pretty sure, I´m not looking forward to what is going to happen…´
And with that his journey has only just begun…
