Chapter 9: Heroes and Fools

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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In response to his captain's query, Itachi said, "It seems one of the monitors has broken down. Should I go check it out?" He omitted the detail about his uncle sabotaging the monitor. The reputation of the Uchiha clan was already negative enough, and he didn't wish to further deepen this impression in the minds of Kakashi and others.

"No need, you stay here. Running errands like this should be left to an old man like me." Kakashi pressed his hand to his chest, saying this in all seriousness.

He glanced at the surveillance screen, understanding what had transpired, then left the room.

Tenzo, rubbing his sore eyes, remarked, "Kakashi-senpai makes it sound nice, but he's just looking for an excuse to slip away and have fun."

Itachi remained silent. He surmised that given his uncle's wild and arrogant nature, he'd likely end up in a physical confrontation with Kakashi. If such a thing were to occur, Itachi genuinely hoped that Kakashi would come out on top and put a dent in Uchiha Dan's arrogance.

Kakashi strolled down the street, one hand in his pocket, the other holding "Make-Out Paradise," reading as he walked. He occasionally paused to play with a street-side kitten and even made a round in the Shueisha bookstore, asking the owner about the sequel to his book.

Out of the blue, a cheerful voice rang out behind him, "Yo, Kakashi!" A figure dashed towards him at sprinting speed. Sporting a bowl-cut hair, thick eyebrows, and a tight green jumpsuit - only Konoha's Green Beast, Might Guy, could pull off such a flamboyant style due to his carefree nature.

In recent times, Guy had applied to join both the Anbu and Root to spend more time with his best friend Kakashi, but was brutally rejected by both the Third Hokage and Danzo, leading him to question his life decisions. Fortunately, he quickly bounced back.

Now drenched in sweat, Guy jogged in place next to Kakashi, saying, "My eternal rival, Kakashi! Our past battles stand at 29 wins and 29 losses each. Today, I will secure the 30th victory... Let's have a running race!"

Kakashi casually brushed him off, "Sorry, I have a mission." He turned and walked away, leaving Guy shouting behind him, "How can you treat my passion like this!"

After walking a few steps, Kakashi turned back and asked, "By the way, didn't you once mention you knew a guy named Uchiha Dan?"

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden?" Guy halted, looking surprised.

From Guy, Kakashi learned that Guy's father, Might Duy, had been a member of the Body Improvement Club and a friend of Uchiha Dan. Duy often brought a young Guy to the gym for workouts. However, due to ideological differences, Duy and Dan eventually parted ways on bad terms.

Since his father's death on the battlefield, Guy had not visited the Body Improvement Club. "Wait, you're not planning to meet Uchiha Dan, are you?" Guy asked, suddenly serious.

"What's wrong?" Kakashi was confused.

"Dan is a dangerous guy. You better not go alone. I'll come with you. I was planning on meeting him sooner or later."

"Why would you want to meet him?" Kakashi asked, puzzled.

Guy took a deep breath, his fists clenched, "I've always wanted to prove to Dan that the Shinobi way my father adhered to his whole life is correct, and honorable! He died as a hero, not a fool!"

His words growing more impassioned, a fiery flame emerged in his eyes.

Even though his father Might Duy was only a Genin, in Guy's heart, he was a rugged man who upheld the spirit of youth with his hot-blooded soul.

But that Uchiha Dan, he dared to mock his father.

Over the years...

Guy trained intensely, all to someday defeat Dan with his own hands and thus validate the Shinobi way and beliefs his father had passed on to him through his life.

Kakashi hadn't realized that there was such a grudge between the Might family and Uchiha Dan.

"You really are troublesome."

He shook his head, originally planning to just go through the motions and ask a few questions at the gym. But now that Guy had interfered, he couldn't afford not to take this seriously.

And so...

Twenty minutes later...

The two of them arrived at the body enhancement section.

Kakashi glanced at the broken surveillance camera in the tree, then exchanged a look with Guy before pushing the door open.

Upon entering, they saw Samui dozing off at the front desk.

"Hello," Kakashi greeted.

Startled awake by the sound, Samui quickly stood up and gave a slight bow, "Welcome, dear customers."

"Sorry, we're not customers."

Kakashi waved his hand with a smile, his eyes curved like a crescent moon, "We're looking for Mr. Dan. Is he in?"

While speaking, he nonchalantly put away his copy of 'Icha Icha Paradise'.

It would be too frivolous to show such an adult book in front of such a beautiful and hot lady.

He, Hatake Kakashi, was a serious ninja.

Samui didn't notice Kakashi's little actions. Instead, she frowned slightly:

"May I ask who you are?"

In fact...

As a veteran spy...

She recognized Kakashi and Guy the moment she saw them, but she pretended to be unaware on the surface.

"We're from the Anbu."

Kakashi clarified his identity and purpose, and reassured Samui, "Don't be nervous, it's nothing serious. We're just here to conduct a simple investigation and questioning with Mr. Dan. It would be good if you could cooperate."

"Oh, that's good."

Samui lightly patted her chest, letting out a sigh of relief. Her acting was getting better and better, "The director is in the meditation room. Please follow me."

She led the way.

Kakashi had his hands in his pockets, curiously examining the various equipment in the gym along the way, finding them fascinating.

Guy, on the other hand, wore an expression of deep hatred and remained silent.

Once they arrived...

Samui stopped in front of a door, gesturing for Kakashi and Guy to wait a moment, then knocked on the door gently with her knuckles.

Knock, knock.

"Director, there's an Anbu ninja named Kakashi looking for you. He says he has an investigation to conduct."

"Enter."

Dan's voice came from inside the room, uttering a single word.

"Please come in."

Samui half-opened the door, stepped aside, and gestured for them to enter.

"Thank you." Kakashi thanked her again with a smile and, along with Guy, entered the room.

Creak.

The door closed slowly.

Samui didn't leave immediately. Instead, a spark flickered in her eyes, and she pressed herself against the door like a cat, pricking up her ears to eavesdrop on the inside.