Obtaining the Eight Inner Gates

"Bang!"

Too fast! The Sharingan had just predicted the trajectory, but the attack had already reached his body!

Sen only had time to cross his arms to block before being sent flying by a tremendous force.

He stood up, spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, and his eyes blazed with unprecedented excitement: "A speed that even the Sharingan can hardly capture!

Might Duy, I acknowledge you! I, Uchiha Sen, declare you the strongest in taijutsu!"

With that, he dropped Samehada from his back, drew his short sword, pushed his Sharingan to its limit, and charged forward!

"Let me see what a genius who relies on hard work looks like!"

For a time, figures crisscrossed the sandy ground, the sound of fists and the glint of blades clashing!

The onlookers could no longer discern Might Duy's movements, only seeing Sen, relying on his peculiar Sharingan, struggling to dodge and counterattack within the green storm.

"Gulp." The onlookers involuntarily swallowed. "I was mocking this Might Duy earlier... Now I can't even see his speed."

The person next to him, completely focused on the battle, replied: "Even a three-tomoe Sharingan can only dodge, which shows how fast he really is. With such an attack, if Might Duy had a weapon, wouldn't he be able to take down other ninja one by one?

His name is Might Duy, right? He's amazing!"

"Might Duy! Might Duy! Might Duy..."

At the edge, the two ninja who had been kicked away by Sen watched the god-like figure in the arena, cold sweat streaming down their faces.

Was this truly the "trash" they had mocked for years?

Sen on the field had already taken several punches, relying on his Uzumaki Clan physique to hold on. Now, he took another punch to the chest, but Sen wasn't flustered or angry; his entire body was filled with the excitement of battle!

He seized the moment when the opponent retracted his fist, slashing a few times and saying, "Might Duy! Did you hear that! Everyone is cheering your name! You are no longer an unknown!"

Might Duy dodged the blade light: "That is the sound of youth calling! Youth endures forever!"

"...Can you stop mentioning youth in every sentence?" Sen suddenly felt like a deflated ball.

As expected, people who aren't simple-minded can't endure the harsh training of taijutsu.

Just then, Might Duy's movements momentarily faltered. Clearly, the Eight Inner Gates placed a huge burden on his body.

Now's the chance!

Sen seized this fleeting opportunity and said with a smile, "I know a way to let you have Sharingan too."

"What way?" Might Duy looked at Sen curiously.

"Within genjutsu."

Sharingan... Genjutsu!

This sudden statement caught Might Duy completely off guard, and he was directly controlled by the genjutsu.

Sen walked up to him, dispelled the genjutsu, and simultaneously used medical ninjutsu to treat his strained muscles: "It seems your technique also carries considerable risk."

"Thank you." Might Duy, regaining consciousness, was disappointed by his defeat for a second before his fighting spirit reignited, and he shouted excitedly, "Damn it! I must research a method to win without looking at the opponent's eyes!

Uchiha Sen, although you are younger than me, I hope you can be my lifelong rival. Let's stay youthful together forever!"

Might Duy's tone was filled with longing and excitement.

The onlookers sighed, not expecting the battle to end this way. They had just marveled at the convenience of the Sharingan, only to be rendered speechless by Might Duy's words the next moment.

Everyone suspected that the "youth" he spoke of was something inappropriate for children, something he couldn't quit!

Sen looked at him with vacant eyes. He was clearly a strong person, yet he had the demeanor of a Genin.

Your son will go find Kakashi Hatake later, and you should go find Sakumo Hatake.

He had ended the fight himself because he saw the man's muscle tissue was strained, but now Sen just wanted to escape this "youth barrier" as soon as possible!

"Might Duy, just admit defeat."

Might Duy hesitated, wondering why Sen had suddenly changed his tune: "...Oh, okay, I admit defeat."

[Defeated Might Duy, please choose a trait to absorb: Eight Inner Gates Technique, Physique +2, Chakra +1]

Sen immediately chose the first option, the Eight Inner Gates, and then bolted.

"Hey, you were almost done healing, couldn't you finish healing before leaving? Treating wounds is also youth!"

"Minato's going into labor! I'm going back to see if it's a son or a father! Your minor injury can be left to the medical team!"

Grabbing Kushina, Sen suddenly vanished from the sandy ground.

Only many ninja were left trying to get close to Might Duy, as such a formidable combatant was definitely worth befriending!

The morning two days later.

Sen lay powerlessly on the beach, looking at the system prompt.

[Defeated Namikaze Minato, please choose a trait to absorb: Physique +1, Physique +1, Physique +1]

He raised his head again and watched Minato, who was eagerly running off to practice his reaction speed with Jiraiya, and sighed helplessly.

Minato, can you even do anything right? Why are your rewards always so pathetic?

Why is it always Physique +1? If you don't give me Reaction Speed, how am I supposed to guide you in the Flying Thunder God Technique later?

These meager rewards aren't even as good as copying some mental energy after sparring with the Uchiha clansmen. My mental energy is only 117 right now, over a hundred points behind my other stats. I won't even be able to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan at this rate!

Also, when is the reinforcement arriving? After I finish this mission, I should stay away from Might Duy. He's always around me, and I'm about to puke just hearing the word "youth."

Just as he was lost in thought, a few crisp bird chirps echoed from the sky.

Jiraiya waved his hand and said, "Assemble! The reinforcement troops have arrived. Let's go to the strategy meeting!"

The three quickly packed their gear and gathered at the outpost.

Entering the tent set up at the outpost, Sen immediately saw Orochimaru and many reinforcement ninja. He roughly estimated there were over sixty, with half of them looking exhausted, clearly having just arrived.

Anbu members stepped forward and spoke quietly with Orochimaru for a few moments, after which Orochimaru said:

"Everyone is here, so I'll explain the plan for the day after tomorrow. We will launch a surprise attack on several islands of Kirigakure the night after tomorrow. Do any of you have suggestions or ideas?"

Sen was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to actually ask for everyone's input; this was completely unlike Orochimaru's usual style.

Unfortunately, most of the people here were Genin and Chunin. Forget commanding combat experience, even their experience defending against enemies was pitifully scarce, so naturally, they couldn't offer any suggestions.

Seeing that no one spoke, Orochimaru continued, "In that case, get some good rest for the next two days and dismiss. The Jonin Leaders will stay behind to receive their squad's missions."

Just as Sen was about to leave with Minato and the others, Orochimaru's voice rang out again:

"Oh, right. Uchiha Sen, you stay. There are two things I need to discuss with you privately."