Shiyu and Might Guy: The Eight Inner Gates

After leaving the Konoha Memorial Stone, Shiyu returned to Konoha Street and entered the headquarters of the Konoha Bank he founded.

"Boss, you're back?" Kakuzu greeted him respectfully.

"Kakuzu, how are things? How's the bank's revenue lately?"

"Boss, because of the recent war, many villagers have withdrawn their savings. Now that the front lines have stabilized, they plan to deposit their money back in, which puts us in a difficult position." Kakuzu shook his head.

"Hmm, I see. It seems they don't trust Konoha Bank as much as we thought. Even with the Third Hokage's guarantee, they're still like this." Shiyu was a little confused. Logically, since Konoha's homeland hadn't been attacked, the residents should have felt quite at ease.

"Boss, it's obvious that someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes."

"Yes, it seems someone has already set their sights on me, and someone who can easily stir up public opinion." Shiyu was also considering the identity of this person.

"The one most likely to oppose me is Danzo."

"The Third Hokage provided guarantees, and both advisors invested. Yet, he, a Hokage's assistant, remained unmoved, unwilling to invest and gain greater benefits, and yet he didn't openly oppose Danzo. What is he thinking?"

Kakuzu then said directly, "Boss, those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see things clearly. I've experienced too many betrayals. This Danzo you're talking about is definitely not a good person. Merely seeking profit isn't enough for him."

Shiyu was also taken aback, but then nodded in agreement.

"Could it be? This guy wants to get rid of me and take over my Konoha Bank? I see."

"This guy has quite the appetite. Now I understand. Is he controlling public opinion and public anger to test me? Is he planning to take action against my Konoha Bank, and against me in general?"

As Konoha Ninja, Shiyu couldn't simply kill Danzo; he needed a plausible reason.

"If we don't advance, we'll fall behind. We need a strategy. If Danzo me, how should I respond?" Shiyu knew that Danzo was the most cunning old fox hiding in Konoha, full of evil intentions. If he wanted to deal with Danzo, he needed to find a way to satisfy both sides.

Time passed quickly. From day to sunset, Shiyu spent the entire day planning her scheme, and finally, everything came to a conclusion.

"Kakuzu, I'm leaving all these matters to you. If any special circumstances arise, don't hesitate, just make a decisive decision." Shiyu handed a scroll to Kakuzu.

"Remember, you can only open this scroll if I tell you to." Shiyu repeatedly reminded him, Kakuzu assured him that he would not let him down. Only then did Shiyu nod in satisfaction.

The night passed quickly, Shiyu was summoned to the Hokage's office by the Third Hokage early the next morning.

"Shiyu, your strength has reached such a level that I no longer know what to teach you. However, I would like to offer you a suggestion," the Third Hokage said.

"What suggestion?" Shiyu asked.

"I think your Taijutsu still has room for improvement. By the way, have you heard of the Eight Inner Gates?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"What? The Eight Inner Gates?? I seem to remember someone using it." Shiyu said, feigning ignorance, "I vaguely know about it, but I'm not very familiar with it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said, "The fewer people who know, the better. There's a Genin in the village named Might Duy. You've met his child, Might Guy."

"You even fought during the Chunin Exams, and that's when he used the Eight Inner Gates."

"This Might Duy isn't skilled in ninjutsu or genjutsu, but on the contrary, he's extremely proficient in Taijutsu. The result of Might Duy's twenty years of Taijutsu training is called the Eight Inner Gates. Once the Eight Inner Gates is used, one will possess power far exceeding that of ordinary people."

"So, Teacher Sarutobi, your goal is to teach me the Eight Inner Gates?" Shiyu was also very puzzled.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Yes, it's not just me who wants you to learn it; there's someone else who also wants you to learn it."

Shiyu could understand what Hiruzen Sarutobi meant, the office door was pushed open.

"Haha! Young man! You must be Shiyu! You're quite the young talent!"

The newcomer had short, jet-black hair, a thick beard, a thin, dark orange scarf around his neck, a green bodysuit, and two orange leg warmers.

"Are you... Might Duy Might Guy's father?" This Shiyu had seen Guy at such close range.

"Let me introduce you. This is my last disciple, the one known as the Light of the Shinobi World, Shiyu. And this is Might Duy. That Mr. Duy is actually your employer," the Third Hokage said.

"Employer?" Shiyu was also slightly taken aback, finding it somewhat difficult to understand.

"This is a super S-rank mission! The mission is for you to learn the Eight Inner Gates as soon as possible and become its inheritor," the Third Hokage said.

"This is actually a mission?" Shiyu was also quite surprised.

"Yes, Mr. Mr. Duy hopes to find a talented and patient child to learn and pass on his Eight Inner Gates. I think you best fit his requirements among all the villagers," the Third Hokage said, also with great difficulty.

Might Duy gave Shiyu a thumbs up and said, "My child, Kai, said you are the best opponent in the world! I hope you can help me pass on my twenty years of experience! Let's improve together. Of course, the path to learning the Eight Inner Gates is indeed very difficult."

Shiyu was pleasantly surprised after figuring it out.

"Unbelievable! I've been searching high and low, only to find it right under my nose! I've always wanted to learn the Eight Inner Gates, but I never had the time or the opportunity. Now, Might Duy is actually begging me to learn it!"

"But something still feels strange? Isn't the Eight Inner Gates passed down through a single lineage?" Shiyu then expressed his doubts as well.

"It's not a lineage passed down solely to one person; rather, many people simply don't meet the standards for mastering the Eight Inner Gates. Everyone possesses Eight Gates, but if the conditions for using them aren't met, forcibly opening Eight Gates will absolutely result in instant death."

"Kai has undergone rigorous training, which is why he can use the Eight Inner Gates, but he still lost to you. I saw that battle in the stands. You mainly used Taijutsu, and you were able to defeat Kai. I think you have the basic qualifications to learn the Eight Inner Gates, and I also believe that you have the potential to master Eight Inner Gates."

"Shiyu, the fighting on the front lines is basically over now, and there are only some small battles left. Learning the Eight Inner Gates will benefit you, Dai, and Konoha. Why don't you consider it?" the Third Hokage advised.