Inside the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he reviewed the latest report on Uchiha Raizen. Despite the surveillance he had ordered, his spies failed to uncover Raizen's true strength. Every obstacle Raizen encountered on his trip to the Grass Village had been effortlessly cleared by the two mercenaries he hired—the ones wearing black cloaks with red clouds.
"Black cloaks with red clouds? They look remarkably like the ones from the mysterious organization Itachi joined."
"The Grass Village is just a small hidden village, after all. Their limited strength wasn't enough to force Uchiha Raizen to show his hand."
"It seems I'll have to find another opportunity in the future."
After Raizen dropped Sasuke and Karin off at school, he strolled alone through the streets of Konoha.
"Yo, Raizen!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out. A man with thick eyebrows and a green jumpsuit jogged up to him. "Long time no see, Raizen! How about we go grab a few drinks?"
"Guy, you're the same as ever," Raizen remarked. Watching Might Guy, who never missed a moment to train even while walking, Raizen couldn't help but sigh. This was the man who would eventually be hailed as "Guy-sensei" and "Night Guy." Once he opened the Eighth Gate, even Six Paths Madara would be beaten like a dog for a while.
Might Guy grinned. "Are you free? Kakashi and I were just about to have a couple of rounds."
"I happen to be free, so sure, let's go," Raizen nodded.
Shortly after, the three of them arrived at a local tavern.
"Raizen, you're really incredible!" Guy said, pouring himself a cup of sake and draining it in one gulp. He gave Raizen a big thumbs-up.
"Incredible? Guy, you'll have to be a bit more specific than that," Raizen replied, pouring his own drink and taking a small sip.
Guy leaned in. "I mean your skills with women! You were several grades below us in school, yet you managed to land a beauty like Kurenai Yuhi."
"That's not really 'skills,' Guy. When it comes to chasing girls, you just need a thick skin," Raizen laughed.
"Just a thick skin?" Guy's eyes widened. "How thick? Teach me your ways, Raizen!" He looked at Raizen with intense expectation.
Raizen might not have Guy's physical strength, but in the art of dating, he was eight streets ahead. Currently, the Uchiha compound was filled with beauties, and they were all his. Guy was beyond envious.
Nearby, Kakashi perked up his ears as well. He was still a "lone wolf," after all. If he could learn a trick or two from Raizen, maybe he could finally find a girlfriend.
Raizen smiled. "It's simple. You just take some flowers and confess directly."
"Flowers and a direct confession?" Guy blinked, stunned. "Is it really that simple?"
"Mhm!" Raizen nodded.
"Wait, that's not right!" Guy cried, recalling a painful memory. "When I took flowers to the class beauty back in the day, she didn't even look at me!"
Raizen looked Guy up and down, offering a gentle smile. "That's probably because you were missing two key things."
"Two things? What am I missing?" Guy asked urgently. Even Kakashi leaned in closer.
Raizen leaned back with a smug grin. "You're missing a face as handsome as mine, and a pocket full of endless cash."
The words hit Guy like a bolt of lightning. He froze on the spot. After a long silence, he let out a heavy, defeated sigh. It was true; he wasn't as handsome as Raizen, and he certainly didn't have that terrifying Uchiha wealth.
Seeing Guy's dejection, Raizen added, "Guy, don't be discouraged. Actually, if you just changed your image a little bit, you'd be a real heartbreaker too."
Guy's eyes lit up. "How do I change it?"
"Well..." Raizen studied Guy's appearance. "Shave off that bowl cut. Shave those thick eyebrows. Get rid of that glowing green jumpsuit. Do that, and you'll be the second most handsome guy in this village."
"Really?" Guy asked skeptically. "Shave my head? Won't I look like a monk? And no eyebrows... that sounds weird."
Raizen shook his head. "Guy, you don't realize where your charm lies. You're a master of Taijutsu—a strong, powerful man. A strong man needs a 'tough guy' image. A tough image makes it easier for people to recognize your strength. That's how you attract the women who want to be protected by a strong man."
"Is that true? It sounds a bit unreliable," Guy muttered, half-convinced. "Kakashi, what do you think?"
"Mhm... well, I've always thought your outfit was a bit lame, Guy. Maybe Raizen is onto something," Kakashi offered his opinion casually.
"Really? Kakashi, you think I look lame?!" This was a second bolt of lightning for Guy. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"You never asked," Kakashi shrugged.
Guy suddenly felt like his food had lost its flavor. He had spent his whole life thinking he looked cool! He suffered a million points of critical damage and slumped in his seat. After a while, he mustered his spirit. "Raizen, if I do what you say, can I really become the second most handsome guy in the village?"
Raizen nodded. "I have no doubt. You have the foundation, Guy. Especially if you show off those eight-pack abs; women won't be able to resist."
"I'm curious," Kakashi chimed in. "Who is the first most handsome guy in the village?"
Raizen smiled brilliantly and said without hesitation, "Me, obviously! I am the finest specimen in the Hidden Leaf!"
"I can't argue with that," Kakashi admitted, looking at Raizen and nodding. Between his looks and the sheer number of women in his household, the title definitely belonged to him.
"Raizen, I beg of you! Help me with a makeover!" Guy said, his eyes burning with hope.
"No problem. Leave it to me," Raizen agreed. This was the future "Night Guy," after all. Building a good relationship with him was a guaranteed investment. Same with Kakashi—the man who could go toe-to-toe with anyone.
Guy was overwhelmed with gratitude. "Thank you so much, Raizen! I'll toast to that! When I finally get a wife, I'll never forget what you did for me!"
Kakashi watched the excited Guy and wanted to say something, but he held back. He didn't want to crush Guy's dreams. Still, Kakashi thought, seeing a bald Guy every day is going to be really weird.