In the past two years, Shiyu has not only changed in appearance, but his strength has also changed even more significantly.
Thanks to the training in physical fitness and willpower, Shiyu's Taijutsu have improved to a new level.
In the past two years, Shiyu has encountered all sorts of problems, but he has overcome them one by one through his own efforts. The first one was the problem of the Eight Inner Gates and his own chakra usage.
Because of his special constitution and bloodline, Shiyu did not feel tired or uncomfortable when opening the Opening Gate, Gate of Healing, and Gate of Life. However, after opening the Gate of Pain, Gate of Limit, Gate of View, and Gate of Wonder, Shiyu found that his body had suffered a certain degree of damage.
Especially the Gate of Wonder, even when Guy used it later in the original story, it would have a very strong backlash effect. Shiyu's chakra far exceeds Guy's, the backlash would naturally be even greater.
The Eight Gates of the body are like traffic lights, and the car is like chakra.
The Eight Gates control the flow of chakra in various parts of the human body during normal times. Opening the Eight Gates is like turning off one red light after another. Although it speeds up the flow of traffic, it also causes traffic jams and may even lead to serious car accidents.
However, Shiyu prevented this from happening, the reason being the Gōketsu Seal on Shiyu's head.
After the first six gates of the Eight Gates were opened, Shiyu's damage had already become irreversible. Shiyu discovered this early, so he immediately summoned the Shiyu Slug Sage.
The Slug Sage said, "This kind of damage is not mental; it's a backlash from within the body. I can heal it, but it will require a massive amount of chakra."
Therefore, Shiyu immediately released the Yin Yang Seal, which normally served as a "container" for storing chakra.
A large amount of chakra was given to the Slug Sage, who then healed Slug Sage 'Shiyu injuries.
Shiyu opened the Gate of Wonder and asked, "Slug Sage, if I permanently open the Gate of Wonder, can you continuously heal the wounds on my body?"
"Given the current situation, it's impossible for you to permanently open Eight Gates; there's really no need for it. There's a better way."
"You opened the Eight Gates for the purpose of fighting, to become stronger. The reason your body released a large amount of chakra and energy is because you temporarily borrowed chakra intended for other purposes to power your limbs."
"Keeping Eight Gates open for an extended period will cause irreversible and permanent damage."
"Then what is the good method you mentioned?" Shiyu asked.
"That's right. Since your main body and the chakra within the Gōketsu Seal are abundant, if you can maintain the Bloody Power Mode state, I will continue to heal you until your chakra is depleted!"
"In other words, until all your chakra is depleted, you can ignore any damage or fatigue caused by the first Seventh Gate! That means if you want to use the Eight Inner Gates, you must summon me and use the Gouketu no Jutsu."
"This is essentially a special combat mode. You use it when needed, and normally, closing the Eight Gates won't affect you. You can also continue to store chakra and restore your Yin Yang Seal to its peak state," the Slug Sage explained, making Shiyu understand immediately.
"If I open the Gate of Death, I wonder if you, Immortal, could allow me to live?"
"Based on your current chakra levels, it's theoretically entirely feasible to keep you alive. However, I can only guarantee your survival; I cannot assure you that you will be able to fight."
Shiyu understood what the Slug Sage meant. After using the Gate of Death, he should have died immediately, but the Slug Sage was able to use chakra to keep him alive. However, he was left with only a breath left, and all his meridians, bones, and muscles would suffer devastating damage.
"The Gate of Death, one of the Eight Gates, has only appeared twice in the original work, once with Dai and once with Guy. Moreover, after using it, one died and the other was crippled. If Naruto hadn't obtained the Yang Release power of the Sage of Sage of Six Paths, Guy would probably have died too. I think we should forget about the Gate of Death for now; I'm unlikely to encounter such a strong opponent."
Seeing Shiyu's somewhat disappointed expression, the Katsuyu gave Shiyu another encouraging idea.
"When you use the Eight Inner Gates, your chakra and energy will explode! The Katsuyu Senjutsu Chakra within your body will be enhanced! And since both you and I possess the ability to split and fuse, I can directly merge with you, meaning you can ignore damage, fatigue, and chakra usage!"
"The power of Katsuyu Senjutsu will be amplified infinitely! The power of Lava Release will also be enhanced!"
When Shiyu heard this idea, he almost fainted with joy. The problem of the Eight Inner Gates and the use of his own chakra was solved just like that.
The second problem is the overlap between superhuman strength and the Eight Inner Gates.
Tsunade and Sakura's superhuman strength requires a high level of chakra control. Initially Shiyu was able to control his chakra well and utilize it at a very high rate because of his physique, bloodline, and relentless efforts.
However, after Shiyu opened the Eight Inner Gates and his chakra exploded, it became extremely difficult to control. Because this power was too strong, Shiyu could not control it, so its utilization rate was relatively low, resulting in a lot of waste.
In the end Shiyu compared the damage caused by the Eight Gates open state with that caused by his normal strength. Shiyu felt that the power of the Eight Gates open state should be stronger, but it was not as strong as his normal strength.
"What should I do? I've wasted too much. I have to find a way to adapt to this state of Eight Gates Bloodline Awakening, otherwise I won't be able to control this rampaging chakra. But I've already absorbed the Dragon Vein, so why should I be afraid of not being able to control my own energy?!"
Having solved the first problem, Shiyu was able to switch to battle mode, keeping Seventh Gate open for an extended period.
In the past two years, Shiyu spent a full year building up his physical foundation, another six months learning the Eight Inner Gates, and finally another six months familiarizing himself with the fighting style. After that Shiyu naturally achieved perfect control over his chakra, combining his superhuman strength with his so-called fighting style.
This state—where he has become spiritually connected to and merged with the Slug Sage, opened the Yin Yang Seal, and perfectly superimposed the Eight Gates of Gate of Wonder and his monstrous strength—is what Shiyu calls the Asura Mode.
Soon, Kai's words pulled Shiyu out of her memories.
"Has it already been two years? Time really flies. Even I've become Chunin," Guy said nostalgically.
"Have you already told Dad? It seems like we really are going to have to part ways this time." Kai said with a hint of sadness.
Kai looked at Shiyu with some reluctance, but he knew he had fallen far behind Shiyu, so he said to Shiyu, "You are my best rival! I will remember you."
Thank you, Kai.