Eight Inner Gates...
A Forbidden Technique that removed the body's limitations and allowed power to erupt explosively at the cost of short-term overexertion.
Who had invented it was no longer known.
The Sarutobi Clan's records once documented that during the Warring States Period, a ninja had used this technique and unleashed dozens of times more Chakra than usual.
That Eight Inner Gates user had emitted blood-red steam from his body...
"Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain..." Might Duy opened four gates in one breath.
The Gate of Pain was also the last safe zone of the Eight Inner Gates.
Opening any further would cause damage to the body once it ended.
The flow of Chakra grew increasingly ferocious.
Kakashi had long since cast aside the burden of being a little genius and stared at Might Duy in utter shock.
How had that unremarkable, scruffy comedian suddenly transformed into a wild beast?
A thought arose in Kakashi's heart: Father was right not to let me graduate early...
"Every real ninja is stronger than me. What kind of genius am I? I'm just a child amusing myself at the academy."
He wanted to return to the Ninja Academy. Though most of his classmates were not particularly skilled, at least they were normal people...
Graduate?
Kakashi had already made up his mind. Until he had at least one true killing move, he absolutely would not graduate...
Namikaze Minato was equally astonished as he watched Might Duy.
A thought somewhat similar to Kakashi's also rose in his heart...
Though he did have a little talent.
He could never underestimate anyone in the future! He had to work even harder...
In a sense, Might Duy's talent had already benefited the village from the very beginning—it had given Konoha's two geniuses a sense of caution.
"Lord Third, this technique is the only result of my more than twenty years of training..."
"Please give me a little more time. I'm close to grasping the method for opening the Gate of Death..."
"Lord Hokage, I am willing to burn my youth for the village at any time!" Might Duy declared with ringing conviction.
Might Guy looked up at his father, his eyes brimming with admiration.
His father was actually this powerful?
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
Might Duy and the Gate of Death...
That might be combat power comparable to—or even surpassing—Sakumo's!
"I hope you never have the chance to open the Gate of Death, Duy..."
"But as Hokage, if the day comes when the village needs it, I will personally assign you the mission!"
Recalling Might Duy's pose, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him a thumbs-up. "Your youth has added a bright foundation to Konoha!"
Seeing the Third Hokage make a gesture that acknowledged his youth.
It felt as though a fire were burning in his heart...
"Lord Hokage, thank you immensely for your support!!" Might Duy also gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a thumbs-up.
"Might Duy stands ready for your call at all times!"
The Anbu and Military Police Force members who had come after sensing the Eight Inner Gates' Chakra were left dumbfounded by the sight.
Was this really Might Duy, Konoha's Cat King finder, comedian, and eternal Genin?
The Chakra Might Duy produced after opening the Gate of Pain was not merely impressive...
At the very least, it had nothing to do with the level of a Genin. Not many ordinary Special Jonin could reach such a level.
Uchiha Fugaku, who had rushed over, felt his teeth ache.
Judging by that outfit, had the Third Hokage gotten up to train before dawn?
Was he really working this hard?
"You're here?"
With a glance, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave the Military Police Force and Patrol Force a slight nod. "Your mobile response speed was excellent this time. Keep it up."
"Hizashi, why are you on duty again today?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked. "Rest when you should. Don't overwork yourself."
Whenever he trained in the early morning, he always saw Hizashi Hyuga patrolling the village as well. His off-white Squad Captain trench coat and long black hair made him easy to recognize even with a mask on.
He was practically on duty twenty-four hours a day.
Hizashi Hyuga felt warmth fill his heart. "Lord Third, I'm not tired!"
For him, being able to stroll freely through the village was already a blessing he had never dared imagine before.
Not to mention that he was wearing the uniform of a division commander?
Uchiha Fugaku, on the other hand, felt bitter inside.
Setting aside Hizashi Hyuga's special case...
Hiruzen Sarutobi had given Namikaze Minato the task of inspecting security.
Uchiha Fugaku had dealt with Namikaze Minato a few times, and he had been shocked to discover that this previously unknown Chunin possessed astonishing talent.
His speed was beyond the ability of many Uchiha Sharingan to follow...
And now, even a comedian had had such talent unearthed by the Third Hokage?
What was this, turning stones into gold?
The Hokage faction was growing ever more powerful, leaving the currently stagnant Uchiha almost despairing...
At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku deeply understood the words of old Clan Leader Isshin.
Endure. Only through endurance!
He could only pray that the ancestors would bless them with another Young Clan Leader Izuna or Great Clan Leader Madara.
Otherwise, the Uchiha had little chance of standing on equal footing with the Senju Lineage...
"Sigh..." Uchiha Fugaku shook his head.
His feelings toward Hiruzen Sarutobi were complicated.
On one hand was the semi-hostile education he had received since childhood...
On the other, when he saw the smiles of the Uchiha who had joined the Patrol Force, he sincerely wanted to thank the Hokage.
"Forget it. I'll leave these matters for Clan Leader Isshin to worry about."
Uchiha Fugaku grumbled inwardly, It's all Clan Leader Isshin's fault. He keeps emphasizing endurance, so I kept spending time with Mikoto. Now, for no apparent reason, I'm about to become a father!
What should I name the child? While Uchiha Fugaku stood guard on the surface but let his thoughts drift far away.
Hiruzen Sarutobi adjusted Might Duy's position.
"Sakumo, how about sending Duy to the Anbu?"
"You mean he should open the Eight Inner Gates the moment he sees an enemy and beat them to death with Konoha-Style Taijutsu, thereby completing assassinations?" Hatake Sakumo's mouth twitched as he complained.
"That wouldn't be impossible..." Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled.
In truth.
Although every nation's Anbu nominally required masks and secrecy regarding their identities.
After so many years of constant friction, the core combat forces of each Hidden Village had all become known to one another...
They could tell who it was the moment someone made a move.
If they truly wanted to leave no traces, they really could not leave anyone alive.
"How about making Duy a physical training instructor? He can be considered external staff for now."
"His situation is not suited to wasting energy on low-level missions. He should focus on a position where he can make use of his talents, and he should also have time to accompany his son."
That was Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision.
"That would be very suitable..." Hatake Sakumo nodded. "Physical conditioning is a crucial aspect of the Anbu. If it's Duy, I believe he can provide tremendous help."
"You are now a Special Jonin." Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Might Duy on the shoulder.
"I will always be watching over you, Duy."
Might Duy felt as though his mind had gone blank.
He had not displayed the Eight Inner Gates with any ulterior motive.
He simply felt ashamed that, before a Hokage wholly devoted to the village, he was still hiding his strength and talking about self-restraint...
"Lord Third, this... can I really do it?" Might Duy asked helplessly. "I really..."
He wanted to say that he truly was stupid.
The reason many ninja disliked him and were unwilling to team up with him was not because there was something wrong with them...
It was because he genuinely had flaws as a ninja.
"If you can't do it, then work hard until you can. Shouldn't your Way of Youth include such resolve?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said sternly.
Might Duy fell silent for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Lord Hokage, I will give it everything I have!"
Hatake Sakumo had already walked to his side.
"Come on. We're colleagues from now on. I look forward to working with you."
"Lord Sakumo, I look forward to working with you!"
Hizashi Hyuga watched the scene and smiled faintly.
Lord Hokage seemed to have once again cast his light upon a lost ninja...
Several days later.
Hizashi Hyuga returned to the Hyuga Clan Compound after a long absence.
He wanted to speak with Hyuga Tenzo, his father and Clan Head.
The Anbu needed more Byakugan...
And as it happened, Hyuga Tenzo had also intended to speak with Hizashi Hyuga.
Because he had received a letter from distant relatives—the Kaguya Clan of Kirigakure!
Its contents were highly unusual...
Before you continue