Eight Inner Gates

"Fight! I have another ninjutsu I need to test," Yūske said solemnly.

"Come at me." Tsunade took up a fighting stance and called out to Yūske.

"First Gate, Gate of Opening, open."

Yūske felt the airflow around him gradually rise. His mind became exceptionally clear, and his body brimmed with explosive power.

"Here I come, Tsunade!" Before his words had even faded, Yūske vanished from Tsunade's sight to her astonishment. Tsunade warily turned around, only to see a gust of fist wind howling toward her head. If Yūske had not pulled back in time, she would have taken a heavy punch by now.

"Heh, heh heh! Interesting!" Tsunade chuckled softly. She first caught Yūske's fist, then opened her hand and struck directly at it with a blow of brute strength.

"Are you underestimating me?!" The instant their fists made contact, Yūske vanished again. The next second, Tsunade punched in another direction.

Bang!

The surrounding vegetation swayed wildly in the wind. Tsunade's fist collided with Yūske's, and the two punches met. Yūske, who was at a disadvantage, instantly increased his strength, but Tsunade's brute strength still sent him flying.

"Ow." Yūske rose while clutching his injured arm. Although it had been protected by fine strings, the shockwave from the collision had still injured him.

"You're still far from matching me in taijutsu." Tsunade looked at Yūske disdainfully.

"Heh!" Yūske clenched his fists.

"Second Gate, Gate of Healing, open."

"Third Gate, Gate of Life, open."

Yūske opened two gates in succession. Rising pressure currents surrounded his body, and his skin flushed faintly red. He raised his hand to check it and found that the wound on it had already healed.

"Next..."

Tsunade watched in surprise as Yūske vanished once more. Relying on her powerful combat instincts, she swung her fist toward the direction where Yūske might appear the next second. Yet just as her fist was about to connect, Yūske instantly changed direction.

After going back and forth like this twice, Yūske landed a vicious punch on Tsunade's stomach and sent her flying.

"Heaven Kick of Pain." After rolling several times, Tsunade swiftly got to her feet and sent an attack into the ground. Instantly, scattered rocks swirled into the air, restricting Yūske's attack.

Seeing this, Yūske immediately changed direction and leaped into the sky. He then shot several fine strings into the ground and pulled on them with great force. Driven by the reaction force, Yūske increased his speed again and launched a flying kick at Tsunade.

Tsunade twisted aside to evade it, then immediately counterattacked, landing several consecutive punches on Yūske. He was driven back step by step, but he did not panic and continued using various moves to contend with Tsunade.

The two traded blows without yielding an inch. Tsunade's brute strength was incredibly fierce, every punch carrying immense power; Yūske, meanwhile, repeatedly turned danger into safety with his agile movements and String Style.

The battle grew ever more intense, as though the very air around them were being torn apart. Yūske took the opportunity to open the Gate of Pain and Gate of Limit, further increasing his speed and strength. He darted through Tsunade's attacks like a phantom, leaving her struggling to keep up.

Seeing that the situation was turning unfavorable, Tsunade hurriedly used her ultimate technique—"Hundred Healings Jutsu." Chakra surged through her entire body, turning her skin crimson as her strength and speed increased drastically.

Yūske felt Tsunade's overwhelming presence, but he did not retreat.

He focused his mind and prepared to use the Reverse Lotus...

However, Yūske's muscles had already exceeded their limit. Halfway through his attack, he suddenly dropped to one knee.

Tsunade seized the chance to escape his attack. Upon noticing his condition, she hurried forward to examine him.

"You brat, your muscles are already overloaded. You're exhausting your body far too much!" Tsunade treated Yūske's injuries with a worried expression. Seeing his sheepish grin, she snapped at him irritably.

"I didn't think that far ahead. This was also my first time using this ninjutsu. I just didn't want to admit defeat after having such an intense battle with you."

Yūske had not expected Tsunade to worry about him so much, and he spoke to her somewhat embarrassedly.

"Don't you have a Kekkei Genkai? Why are you relying solely on taijutsu to fight?"

During their battle, Tsunade had already noticed that Yūske had never used String Style on her. The only thing he had used was the armor covering his body.

"What, were you afraid you couldn't control it and would hurt me?"

Seeing the certainty on Yūske's face, Tsunade flew into a rage. "We're going to fight the enemy tomorrow, and you still dare use a move that damages your own body? How can you be so reckless?"

Tsunade's tone held both concern and reproach. She was dissatisfied with Yūske's reckless behavior, but at the same time, she admired his persistence and refusal to admit defeat.

Yūske realized that his actions had worried Tsunade, and a trace of guilt rose in his heart.

"I understand. I'll be more careful next time," Yūske said apologetically.

Tsunade's eyes immediately widened fiercely.

"Next time? I'm warning you, you can only use that move to escape when you encounter a powerful enemy, understand?"

Yūske nodded. He understood that Tsunade spoke out of concern for him. This battle had shown him his shortcomings and made him understand even more clearly the importance of protecting himself in combat.

"Go back to the Medical Department and rest. Your body still needs a thorough, systematic examination."

Today would likely be an unforgettable day for the ninjas in the camp. The Lord Yūske they admired so greatly had been carried back to camp twice in a single day by the equally powerful Lady Tsunade.

"Tsunade, I don't think I can face anyone anymore." Yūske covered his face as he spoke to the running Tsunade.

"That's because you kept acting recklessly!" Tsunade replied irritably.

She herself felt somewhat embarrassed as well, but in order to get this brat treated as quickly as possible, she did not care about such matters of "pride." At the same time, she could feel her cheeks beginning to burn.

Upon reaching the Medical Department, Tsunade unceremoniously threw Yūske onto a hospital bed and viciously ordered her subordinates, "Examine this guy carefully from head to toe. Strip him naked if necessary."

"Stop..."