As far as Samui knew—
Kakashi was the son of "Konoha's White Fang," Hatake Sakumo. He became a Jōnin at the age of twelve, and with the Sharingan he had transplanted from Uchiha Obito, he had copied over a thousand jutsu. His alias, "Copy Ninja Kakashi," was known across every corner of the shinobi world.
He was essentially a celebrity ninja.
As for his companion—Might Guy—aside from his flamboyant appearance, he wasn't as globally recognized. But among elite circles, his reputation was not to be underestimated.
Guy's father, Might Duy, had once faced off alone against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist during the Third Great Ninja War—killing four and forcing the rest to retreat. His last stand became a legend that shook the shinobi world.
So naturally, as Duy's son, Guy couldn't possibly be average.
And now—
These two powerhouses had come together to meet Uchiha Duan.
Samui was certain: this wouldn't be a trivial encounter.
---
Inside the Meditation Room
As soon as Kakashi and Guy stepped through the door, a rich scent of high-grade sandalwood greeted their senses. Inhaling it cleared their minds instantly, calming their hearts.
The room was dimly lit and serene.
Their eyes were immediately drawn to the massive Yin-Yang Taijitu on the floor—before shifting to the man seated beyond it.
At the far end sat Duan, clad in a black kimono, seated cross-legged on a futon. His tall frame seemed to merge with the shadows, as if he were one with the space itself.
Behind him hung a scroll with bold, brush-stroked calligraphy:
Zuo Wang (坐忘) — "Sit and Forget."
"Kakashi, look..." Guy whispered, catching sight of something strange on Duan's body.
Something beneath Duan's clothes moved—at first glance, it resembled a rat. But upon closer inspection, it was a bulging network of air sacs and vascular lines pulsing across his body.
They were arteries—thick, reinforced, and pressurized. They pulsed rhythmically, transporting blood with mechanical precision to every corner of Duan's muscles.
He didn't move a muscle, but his skin gradually flushed with a healthy glow. Beads of sweat evaporated as fast as they appeared—his body exuding constant waves of heat, like a living furnace.
Both Kakashi and Guy stood frozen in awe.
Then suddenly—
Duan's abdomen contracted, drawing in breath.
"Shhhrrkk—"
With one controlled inhale, the flow of blood within his veins surged—racing with such speed that its roar could be heard externally. It sounded like a waterfall crashing through a canyon.
Then, with a powerful breath out, Duan pressed both hands against his abdomen. His diaphragm heaved, and his exhale erupted like thunder.
"ROAR!"
The bellow echoed through the chamber, reverberating off the walls and ceiling. The entire room quaked—floorboards, scrolls, lanterns—all trembling violently under the force of it.
It lasted for dozens of seconds before the rumble faded.
Even his breathing was like that of a Tailed Beast.
Guy clenched his fists, eyes solemn.
"Eight years ago... I saw Duan effortlessly defeat my father. Even now, as a full-fledged Jōnin, I'm not confident I can best him," he whispered. "We can't afford to be careless, Kakashi."
"I didn't come to fight," Kakashi muttered, resting a hand on Guy's shoulder. "Stay calm. Follow my lead."
Right then—
Duan's eyes snapped open.
Shing—
His gaze sliced through the air like a blade. The sheer pressure in that stare locked both men in place. It was like standing in front of a predator who had just opened its eyes.
Tension spiked.
But Duan didn't rise with his hands or knees.
Instead, he applied pressure to his toes alone—and his towering frame lifted vertically, spine straight and graceful like bamboo.
"Kai. It's been a while."
He was the first to speak, voice calm but unbending.
"You don't seem to have changed. Still the same skinny twig."
Guy—who stood a solid 184cm tall and weighed 76kg—was, by most standards, a large and powerful man.
But compared to Duan... he might as well have been a stick figure.
"The size of one's muscles doesn't determine the strength of one's resolve," Guy replied, eyes locked with Duan's, firm and proud. "My sweat and sacrifice will prove I've lived my youth without regret."
Duan's expression softened for a moment.
"You remind me exactly of your father… old Duy."
A beat.
"You're not worthy to speak his name," Guy cut in sharply. "You insulted his way of the ninja!"
Duan exhaled slowly, unshaken.
"The guiding principle of our Body Reconstruction Department is simple: treasure the body. Nothing comes before that.
"Before you can forge a body to its peak, you must first preserve it. Strength built on injury is flawed.
"Your father… if he'd trained for a few more years, he might have broken through. But he didn't listen. He rushed to the frontlines—and died for it."
"Wrong!"
Guy took a step forward, fists clenched.
"My father didn't die to be a hero—he died to protect me and his comrades! He was a man who clung to his ideals even unto death!"
His voice cracked with intensity.
"The true meaning of victory isn't defeating powerful enemies—it's protecting what matters most, even if it kills you. That's the way of the ninja he passed on to me."
Kakashi watched silently.
Though an outsider to this exchange, he understood the weight behind Guy's words.
His own father, Sakumo, had abandoned a mission to save his comrades—only to be scorned by the village, driven to suicide by rumor and shame.
To scorn Duy's path was to scorn White Fang's legacy.
Maybe, to Duan, strength came from putting oneself above others.
But to men like Duy and Sakumo, strength was measured by how many lives one could protect with that strength.
It was selfless.
It was noble.
Even the Third Hokage had said: "Konoha thrives on the selfless flames of those who burn themselves to keep the Will of Fire alive."
"You've disappointed me," Duan finally muttered.
He wasn't angry. He simply didn't see the point in arguing further.
"I didn't come to debate philosophy."
Guy's fists trembled. "I came to challenge you!"
He was twenty years old—prime time for blazing youth.
"You're not my opponent," Duan said flatly, turning his back. "Go home. I'm not interested."
"Don't look down on me!"
Guy's blood surged. He roared, kicked off the floor, and launched forward like a missile.
"KAI!"
Kakashi shouted—but it was too late.
Guy was already in the air, spinning for a flying kick aimed square at Duan's shoulder.
Konoha Whirlwind.
It struck with full force.
Duan didn't flinch.
He simply raised his right forearm, and blocked the kick like it was nothing.