One of Naruto’s main messages is about friendship and bonds. This is most clear in the relationship between Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha or in the long-standing friendship between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. They are like fated bonds that start out as friendship and support but then turn into conflict. An early rivalry is a big reason why some of the best friendships in the series worked out. When two characters compete against each other, it brings them closer together and helps them understand and respect each other in the end. But these predetermined relationships are not the strongest in the series. Instead, Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy wear the crowns of friendship with ease.
In the new manga series Naruto: Konoha’s Story—The Steam Ninja Scrolls, the friendship between the two Jonin is explored more. However, it was clear from the original Naruto series and Naruto: Shippuden that the two of them had a long-running rivalry that started when they were young and grew into a friendly competition as they got older. Their competition was not, however, what made their friendship the best in the series. At the end of Naruto: Shippuden and in the manga and anime that followed, it was clear that they were not only inseparable but also closer than any other pair.
Naruto: The Start of a Rivalry That Will Never End
Fans of the Naruto series are used to seeing the genius and the hard worker go up against each other. It was the basis of the friendship between Naruto and Sasuke, Rock Lee and Neji Hyuga, and, to some extent, Kakashi and Obito Uchiha. In the world of ninjas, there are some people who were born with a lot of power. They can easily learn new skills and get stronger without putting in as much work as others. There are also people who aren’t very good at the ninja arts and have to sweat, bleed, and cry to get even a small part of what the genius got. But the people who work hard have more potential than anyone else, as Guy’s incredible strength shows.
The reason this is important for Kakashi and Guy’s friendship is that it’s hard to beat someone who is naturally stronger than you. Guy saw this in Kakashi, and he used his fellow student as a goal to reach. In turn, Kakashi was able to see and respect the amazing dedication and growth that came from endless training, which may have made him think about his own skills. In a competition, no one wants to get so far behind that they can’t keep up with the person they want to match or beat. Guy wanted to be better than Kakashi, and he showed that it was possible. This was the start of their lifelong friendship. Guy says that they will always be rivals.
Kakashi and Guy, Until the End, Side by Side
Even though they used to be rivals as kids, they still have a strong friendship as adults. Guy’s desire to beat Kakashi turned into friendly teasing, but because they were both so good, this could end up being dangerous. Their concern for each other’s health may have come across as a desire to keep competing, but their interactions, like their race to the Hokage mountain, showed that they really cared about each other. More importantly, their close friendship made it possible for Kakashi to talk to Guy about how he was training Rock Lee. Kakashi gave Guy a stern reprimand, like a best friend would, because he was worried about where his friend was going.
The most obvious sign that they are the best friends ever comes at the end of the series, in the manga that comes after it, and in Boruto. After everything they’ve been through and Guy’s injuries, which put him in a wheelchair, Kakashi stays by his side without a hint of arrogance. Guy proved that he was the strongest when Madara beat him. Even though he has lost a lot of his strength and power, it is clear that Kakashi sees Guy as a better ninja. He does everything he can to make his best friend feel comfortable, independent, and loved.
Their relationship is better than Naruto and Sasuke’s not only because they have been together longer and have more experience, but also because they accept and help each other all the time. In their later years, Kakashi and Guy stand next to each other and spend their time as a comedic duo, always enjoying each other’s company. In reality, they are lucky, given how harsh the Naruto world can be when it comes to breaking bonds or making them weaker. Their friendship is unlike any other in the series. Even when Naruto and Sasuke reach the same age, or any of the others do, they will never have been so close for so long.