045 Uchiha Fugaku's Complaint, Letters from the Hyuga and Kaguya Clans

Eight Inner Gates...

A Forbidden Technique that removed the body's limits, allowing power to erupt explosively through short-term overexertion.

Who had invented it could no longer be determined.

The Sarutobi Clan's records once noted that during the Warring States Period, a ninja had used this technique and unleashed several dozen times his usual Chakra.

That practitioner of the Eight Inner Gates would erupt with blood-red vapor 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 threshold of the Eight Inner Gates.

Opening any further would damage the body once the technique ended.

The flow of Chakra grew increasingly violent.

Kakashi had long since cast aside the burden of being a little genius, staring at Might Duy in slack-jawed astonishment.

How had that unremarkable, stubbly comedian suddenly transformed into a savage beast?

A thought arose in Kakashi's heart: "Father was right not to let me graduate early..."

"Real ninjas are all stronger than me. How can I call myself a genius? I'm just a child amusing myself at the academy."

"I really want to go back to the Ninja Academy. Most of my classmates may not be very skilled, but at least they're normal people..."

Graduate?

Kakashi had already made up his mind. Until he possessed a single true killing move, he would never graduate...

Namikaze Minato was equally astonished as he looked at Might Duy.

A thought somewhat similar to Kakashi's also rose in his heart...

Though he did have a little talent.

He absolutely could not 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 instilled caution in Konoha's two geniuses.

"Lord Third, this technique is the only achievement of my more than twenty years of training..."

"Please give me a little more time. I'm close to grasping how to open the Gate of Death..."

"Lord Hokage, I am willing to burn my Youth for the village at any time!" Might Duy declared forcefully.

Might Guy looked up at his father, his eyes filled with admiration.

His father was actually this amazing?

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

Might Duy with the Gate of Death...

That might be combat power comparable to, or even surpassing, Sakumo!

"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 radiant foundation to Konoha!"

Watching the Third Hokage make that gesture in recognition of his Youth.

It felt as though a fire were burning within his heart...

"Lord Hokage, thank you a thousand times for your support!!" Might Duy also gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a thumbs-up.

"Might Duy awaits your summons at all times!"

This scene left the Anbu and Military Police Force members who had rushed over after sensing the Chakra of the Eight Inner Gates completely dumbfounded.

Was this really Might Duy, Konoha's Cat King-finding comedian and perennial Genin?

The Chakra Might Duy unleashed after opening the Gate of Pain might not have been utterly shocking...

But it had nothing to do with a Genin. Not many ordinary Special Jonin could reach such a level.

Uchiha Fugaku, who had arrived on the scene, felt his teeth ache.

Looking at that outfit, had the Third Hokage gotten up to train before dawn?

Was he really working that hard?

"You're here?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced over and 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 said. "Rest when it's time to rest. 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's 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 in 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 in the past.

Especially now that he was wearing the uniform of a division chief?

Uchiha Fugaku felt bitter inside.

Setting aside the exceptional case of Hizashi Hyuga...

Because Hiruzen Sarutobi had assigned Namikaze Minato the task of inspecting security.

Uchiha Fugaku had dealt with Namikaze Minato several times, and he was surprised to discover that this previously obscure Chunin had displayed astonishing talent.

Even many Uchiha Sharingan could not keep up with his speed...

Now, even a comedic performer had been unearthed by the Third Hokage for such talent?

No, was he turning stones into gold or something?

The Hokage faction was growing increasingly powerful, leaving the Uchiha, who were currently unable to advance any further, nearly despairing...

At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku deeply understood the words of Elder Clan Leader Isshin.

Endure. They could only endure!

They could only pray for their ancestors' blessing, that another Young Clan Leader Izuna or Great Clan Leader Madara would emerge.

Otherwise, the chances of the Uchiha standing on equal footing with the Senju Lineage were slim...

"Ah..." Uchiha Fugaku shook his head.

His feelings toward Hiruzen Sarutobi were complicated.

On one hand, there was the semi-hostile education he had received since childhood...

On the other, when he saw the smiling faces 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 kept emphasizing endurance, so I kept spending time with Mikoto, and now I'm somehow getting ready to become a father!"

"What should the child be named?" While Uchiha Fugaku stood guard on the surface, his soul wandering far away...

Hiruzen Sarutobi was adjusting Might Duy's position.

"Sakumo, what do you think about sending Duy to the Anbu?"

"You mean he should activate the Eight Inner Gates the moment he sees an enemy and beat them to death with Konoha-Style Taijutsu to complete assassinations?" Hatake Sakumo's mouth twitched as he quipped.

"That wouldn't be impossible..." Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled.

In truth...

Although the Anbu of every nation were nominally required to wear masks and keep their identities secret.

After so many years of constant friction, the core combat forces of the various hidden villages had all become familiar with one another...

The moment someone made a move, everyone knew who it was.

If they truly wanted to leave no traces, they really could not leave anyone alive.

"How about having Duy serve as a physical training instructor? For now, he can be considered external staff."

"Given his situation, it would not be suitable to waste his 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 spend with his son."

That was what Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

"That would be very suitable..." Hatake Sakumo nodded. "Physical fitness is a vital part of the Anbu. If it's Duy, I believe he can provide tremendous help."

"You are a Special Jonin now." Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Might Duy on the shoulder.

"I will always be watching over you, Duy."

Might Duy felt his mind go blank.

He had not revealed the Eight Inner Gates with any ulterior motive.

He simply felt ashamed that, before a Hokage wholeheartedly 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 was truly stupid.

The reason many ninja disliked teaming up with him was not because there was something wrong with them...

It was because he truly had flaws as a ninja.

"If you can't do it, then work hard until you can. Your Way of Youth should have that kind of resolve, shouldn't it?" 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 over to his side.

"Come on. We'll be colleagues from now on. Please guide me."

"Lord Sakumo, please guide me!"

Hizashi Hyuga watched the scene and smiled faintly.

Lord Hokage seemed to have cast his light upon another lost ninja...

A few days later.

Hizashi Hyuga returned to the Hyuga Clan Compound after a long absence.

He wanted to speak with Hyuga Tenzo—his father and the Clan Head.

The Anbu needed more Byakugan...

Coincidentally, Hyuga Tenzo had also intended to speak with Hizashi Hyuga.

He had received a letter from distant relatives—the Kaguya Clan of Kirigakure!

Its contents were highly unusual...