Kakarot Without a Lineage

In the forest, Kisame closed his eyes and began to sense his surroundings. He found his target in the northwest, moving swiftly. With a flick, he used the Body Flicker Technique and sped off in pursuit.

There was no denying that this year's Chunin Exams were exceptionally fierce. From the moment the second round began, violent clashes and explosions erupted in every direction of the Forest of Death. Trees toppled, dust rolled in thick clouds, and flocks of startled birds took flight. Viewed from above, the chaos was widespread; the competition had reached a fever pitch right from the start.

On his way tracking Might Guy, Kisame encountered two squads fighting over scrolls. Surprisingly, it was an internal conflict between Leaf ninjas. Among the combatants, one individual caught Kisame’s attention—a girl with short black hair, dressed in a subtle gray-black ninja outfit, quiet and unassuming.

It was Shizune. The niece of Tsunade’s late lover, Dan Kato, and currently Tsunade’s apprentice, studying medical ninjutsu under her guidance.

At this moment, Shizune’s team was gradually losing ground. Her two teammates had been defeated, leaving her alone to desperately defend their scroll. The attacking team, sensing imminent victory, suddenly halted and adopted a defensive formation—because they had spotted Kisame.

“Why is he here? This is trouble.”
“Don’t panic. His scroll is the same as ours, the Heaven Scroll. He has no reason to attack us.”
“How about we leave this girl and her Earth Scroll to him, withdraw for now, and regroup later?”
“No!”
“...”

The three whispered urgently, exchanging opinions. Nearby, Shizune appeared calm and composed, but her heart had sunk to its lowest ebb. Out of the wolf’s den, into the tiger’s maw. She realized bitterly that her journey in the Chunin Exams was likely coming to an end.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Kisame simply glanced at them and continued forward, showing no intention of interfering. He had sensed Might Guy’s speed suddenly increase, soon to exceed the ten-kilometer range of his perception. Kisame had no time to squabble over scrolls, nor any interest in playing the hero.

He quickly vanished into the distance. Seeing Kisame truly leave, the three Leaf genin exchanged delighted glances and charged at Shizune. Kisame moved through the forest like a shadow; the sounds of battle faded further and further behind him until they disappeared entirely.

Ten minutes later, Kisame hid in a thicket, watching Might Guy’s squad from afar. He refrained from revealing himself, instead trailing them quietly. What he was about to do to Might Guy would likely cause considerable commotion; it was best to wait until they reached the depths of the Forest of Death.

So, a day and night passed.

On the second day, Guy’s squad was indeed targeted. While resting among the trees, they were ambushed by a formidable team from the Hidden Cloud. The surprise attack was overwhelming—Ebisu and Genma Shiranui were swiftly defeated, leaving only Might Guy. Clutching the Heaven Scroll, he dashed deeper into the forest, hoping to use the scroll as bait to draw the enemy away and allow his companions to escape.

The Cloud ninjas relentlessly pursued him, unwilling to let go. Ten minutes later—

Boom!

Deep within the Forest of Death, a surge of chakra far surpassing the genin level erupted. Massive trees crashed down, boulders rolled, as if a monstrous beast was rampaging through the woods.

Kisame followed the trail and crept closer. Soon, he saw the three tall Cloud ninjas sprawled unconscious and battered in a clearing. Might Guy stood upright amidst them, gripping the stolen Earth Scroll.

His skin flushed red from blood rushing beneath, his body radiating green energy, chakra continuously leaking from him.

The Eight Gates.

Forced to the brink, Guy had unleashed his trump card, opening five gates in succession, and turned the tide against the powerful Cloud genin.

“This time, I must become a Chunin, using the move my father taught me,” Might Guy murmured, tightening his grip on both scrolls.

The Eight Gates technique was something his father, Might Duy, had spent twenty years mastering through relentless hardship before passing it on to him. Father and son sweated, bled, and shed tears, burning their youth for this jutsu.

Guy vowed to pass this exam and become the first Chunin of the Might family, so he and his father would no longer be looked down upon by the villagers.

But just then, the side effects of the Eight Gates struck. Waves of agonizing pain from torn muscles and meridians forced Guy to release the technique, dropping to his knees with a loud thud. He was at his limit.

“I can’t fall. Might Guy, have you forgotten your promise? Do you want to betray your youth...?”

Guy murmured, encouraging himself, and with indomitable willpower, forced himself to stand again. He staggered, gritting his teeth in pain, but did not collapse.

Seeing the moment was right, Kisame stepped out from behind a tree.

“Who’s there?” Guy was startled, but upon seeing Kisame, his surprise turned to joy. “Big Brother Kisame, what are you doing here?”

Kisame walked toward Guy with a warm smile. Suddenly, with a swift movement, he used the Body Flicker Technique, appearing before Guy and, catching him off guard, punched him in the stomach.

Bang.

Guy doubled over in agony and collapsed.

“Guy, in this forest, we are rivals and enemies. Have you forgotten even this?” Kisame looked down at Guy and spoke calmly.

“Big Brother Kisame... are you here to take my scroll? I didn’t expect... I still failed.” Might Guy managed, forcing a smile uglier than a grimace, before breaking into a violent cough.

Kisame shook his head and sat cross-legged beside Guy.

“No, I’m here to help you.”

“Help me?” Guy was stunned.

“Yes, Guy. I admire you greatly. In my eyes, your talent even surpasses Kakashi’s,” Kisame said, his gaze intense.

The Eight Gates is a technique with extremely harsh requirements for its user. Among those who have trained in it:

Might Duy, though diligent, lacked talent, spending a lifetime to master it and remaining a Leaf genin all his days;
Rock Lee, gifted in taijutsu and hardworking, but his resolve faltered in adversity, unable to overcome hardship, and ultimately faded into mediocrity;
Only Might Guy, of the three, possessed both the highest talent and unwavering determination, always maintaining a pure martial spirit.

He was neither dull like Might Duy nor distracted like Rock Lee, but single-minded, indifferent to worldly desires, able to enter a state of selfless focus at any moment.

Thus, with mortal flesh, he nearly kicked the story of the Hokage to its grand finale.

In Kisame’s eyes, the only thing Might Guy lacked was the bloodline of an Otsutsuki or a Saiyan.

Guy was the Kakakarot who simply lacked a bloodline.