[Birthday Column] Celebrating Might Guy's Birthday on 1/1! Looking Back on the Ever-Youthful, Hot-Blooded, Noble Blue Beast of Konoha!

A column celebrating the birthdays and achievements of everyone's favorite ninja!
Today we'll be reminiscing about a ninja whose life burns bright with the flames of youth: Might Guy!

Before the Chunin Exams kick off, Rock Lee challenges Sasuke to a one-on-one duel, but just when he's about to land a devastating attack, Guy makes a dashing appearance!

His exchange with his beloved disciple involves heartfelt words, a fist, and even tears...a spectacular display of "youth"!
Team Seven is completely nonplussed by the pair's bold personalities and fiery passion.

During the Chunin Exams, Rock Lee's victories over his rivals come from only his taijutsu, which is clearly a cut above that of his peers. This speaks to the high skill level and teaching ability of his instructor.
In addition, when Lee worries about being left behind by the talented ninja around him, the one whose words pull him through is Guy—who once walked a similar path.
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Leading by example, Guy passes his creed of self-motivation to the young Lee.

It has a great influence on his shinobi way, and helps him grow and become stronger.

However, as a result of pushing his body to the limit in battle, Lee is left grievously injured and nearly falls into despair.
Guy is the one who comes alongside him, betting his life on a promise to Lee and restoring his spirits.

It's a sworn pact between the two men.
Guy and Lee support each other, inspire each other, and light the fire of each other's spirits—their bond cannot be simply summed up as "master and student".

One of Guy's biggest influences is the man he dubs his "eternal rival", Kakashi Hatake.
Ever since their days at the Ninja Academy, the two of them have been in competition.

With both of them standing at 48 wins, Guy declares that if he loses this time's match—which happens to be rock, paper, scissors—he will do 500 laps around Konoha doing a handstand!
True to his word, when Kakashi takes the victory, Guy runs around the village on his hands.

To keep your promises even if it puts your life at risk—that is Guy's shinobi way, which he calls a "self-rule".

Guy uses his "self-rules" to push himself, training constantly and always aiming higher.
Having a "genius ninja" like Kakashi as a rival seems to be a great source of motivation for him as he continues to give each day his all, taking on countless challenges in the name of "youth".

Guy's impressive track record against Konoha's enemies is put to the test when he finds himself up against Kisame Hoshigaki from the Akatsuki, a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, not once or twice, but on three separate occasions!

Two years after their first clash, when Kisame infiltrated the Leaf Village alongside Itachi Uchiha, they come to blows a second time during the mission to rescue Gaara.

Faced with a barrage of water style ninjutsu, Guy opens the Eight Inner Gates as far as the sixth gate—Keimon (Gate of Joy)!

Kisame is overwhelmed by the lightning-fast taijutsu of Guy's Asakujaku!
However, this Kisame turns out to be merely a copy created with a portion of the original's chakra using the Art of Impersonation jutsu, and his real self is nowhere to be found.

Some time later, Guy is rushing to Naruto's training grounds on Turtle Island, and runs into Kisame who is attempting to escape from there. In order to prevent Kisame from making off with a scroll containing critical information, Guy initiates their third confrontation!

Kisame uses one of his high-level ninjutsu, Water Style: Super Shark Bomb, and Guy responds by opening the Eight Inner Gates up to the seventh gate—Kyomon (Gate of Shock)—and unleashing the powerful move Hirudora!

His taijutsu overpowers the chakra-absorbing Water Style: Super Shark Bomb, and he succeeds in capturing Kisame. However, Kisame chooses to take his own life to protect the Akatsuki's secrets. Guy swears to remember him for this show of loyalty befitting a shinobi.

Their string of battles finally comes to an end with Guy's victory.

During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Guy comes to the aid of Kakashi and Minato as they face down Madara, who has obtained the power of the Six Paths. Ninjutsu is ineffective against Madara's overwhelming abilities, but Guy again opens up to the seventh of the Eight Inner Gates, Kyomon, and attacks with Hirudora.
Yet despite his superhuman taijutsu, he is unable to so much as scratch Madara.

Everyone is on the verge of giving up, when Guy stands tall once more.

Anyone who opens all of the Eight Inner Gates will inevitably die.
In order to protect the world from Madara...Guy opens the final gate— Shimon (Gate of Death).

Guy then recalls his childhood, when he failed to even enter the Ninja Academy due to his inability to use ninjutsu...

...and his memories of his father and teacher, Might Dai.

He remembers his days of training, believing in his own ability and chasing the future while blazing with youth, and the "self-rule" he inherited from his father: to protect that which is precious even at the cost of one's life. That rule lies at the foundation of Guy's shinobi way.

The manner in which Guy sacrifices his life overlaps with that of his father Dai, who used the same Eight Inner Gates Formation to protect his son from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

What Guy believes is precious enough to give his life for—it is the future of his fellow ninja, whose youth is full of endless possibilities!

With that selfsame youth ablaze in his own heart, Guy stays true to his shinobi way, using the Eight Inner Gates Formation to stand up against Madara!

That's all for Guy's birthday column!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on the youth and passion of Might Guy!