Eight Inner Gates Formation

He opened the scroll Might Guy had given him.

The first thing he saw was the title, "Eight Inner Gates Formation." Beneath it was a line of small text: "Only those with exceptionally strong bodies may train in this technique. Forcing yourself to train may cause your body to collapse."

No wonder they say the Eight Gates technique has no entry requirements, yet hardly anyone trains in it. If you can't handle it, you'll end up crippled!

It puts an enormous strain on the body, but it should help me reach my physical limits faster. Once my Saiyan bloodline restores me and my battle power surges, I'll soon be invincible in the Shinobi World.

Haku unrolled the scroll further.

"The Eight Gates technique is a ninjutsu that temporarily grants immense power by removing the restrictions on the pathways that restrain Chakra within the body. When all eight gates are opened, it is called the 'Eight Inner Gates Formation.'"

"When using the Eight Gates technique, the user's strength increases dozens of times, depending on their ability. However, the ultimate power of the Eight Gates depends on the practitioner. The power gained by opening the Eight Gates varies from person to person; the stronger the user, the greater the power."

"Within the Chakra network of the circulatory system, the gates that a ninja can open are the Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain, Gate of Limit, Gate of View, Gate of Wonder, and Gate of Death."

"These eight gates restrict the amount of Chakra that can be released from the body at once, but the Eight Gates technique allows a ninja to break through those restrictions."

"Note: This technique merely releases the power contained within the human body. It allows someone who can normally release only 5% of their Chakra, or even less, to achieve 100% output efficiency."

"Order in which the gates are opened and their effects:"

"Gate of Opening: Breaks the brain's limitations, allowing the body's abilities to reach their full potential. It depletes the body's energy beyond its limits, increasing attack power and speed. Once opened, the user can perform the 'Front Lotus.'"

"Gate of Healing: Removes the limits imposed by physical fatigue, overstraining the body's energy to restore stamina and counteracting the fatigue caused by the Gate of Opening's rapid energy consumption."

"Gate of Life: Further increases attack power and speed. The body gradually turns red from the increased blood flow. This is the last safe stage of the Eight Gates, and green energy begins to emanate from the body. Once opened, the user can perform the 'Reverse Lotus.'"

"Gate of Pain: Further increases attack power and speed, but the body begins to suffer damage. This is the dangerous stage of the Eight Gates—the point at which one truly enters the Eight Gates state." "Gate of Limit: The user moves so fast that their movement can stir the air and kick up the ground."

"Gate of View: Allows the user to enter a partially opened, transitional state, maintaining the green energy emitted after opening the Gate of Opening without any physical changes. This reduces strain and damage to the body, while allowing the user to fight at full strength in an instant if necessary. Once opened, the user can perform the 'Morning Peacock.'"

"Gate of Wonder: The last gate before the Gate of Death. Blue steam, formed from evaporating sweat, emanates from the body. After it is closed, even the slightest touch causes unbearable pain. A single punch is enough to grievously injure an enemy. However, when the gate is opened again, the pain temporarily disappears and does not interfere with combat. Once opened, the user can perform the 'Daytime Tiger.'"

"Gate of Death: The final gate, whose use inevitably results in death. When all eight gates are opened, it is called the 'Eight Inner Gates Formation.' Red steam, formed from evaporating blood, emanates from the body, granting power dozens of times greater than that of the Five Kage. The user can strike the air to create attacks like cannon fire or move through the air. They can maintain this state for a short time, until they die or expend all their life force at once. Even the shock wave from the attack's opening motion alone is enough to distort space. When the technique ends, the user loses consciousness, and their body resembles a charred, carbonized tree, beginning to crumble from the most severely damaged areas. Once opened, the user can perform the 'Evening Elephant.'"

Now this was a forbidden technique—a ninjutsu that used one's life as its price.

He tried following the Chakra pathways laid out on the scroll, but halfway through, the Chakra went out of control. He couldn't even reach the Gate of Opening. According to Duy, a Genin's body was strong enough to open the third gate, the Gate of Life. It seemed mastering this technique would take time, too. He had one more thing to do every day now, and there just weren't enough hours.

Haku once again lamented how little time he had. He decided it was time to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu, so he could send a clone to school and have it practice some ninjutsu and Chakra control in his place.

Thinking about visiting Lady Tsunade the next day, Haku ended his training for the day and went to sleep.

The next afternoon, at Konoha Hospital.

"Knock! Knock! Knock! Is Lady Tsunade there?"

"Come in."

Seeing Haku enter, Tsunade looked puzzled. Over all these years, he had rarely come to see her. She wondered what he wanted this time.

"Well, look at you! What brings you here? Have you fully recovered?"

"Not at all. I just figured you and the others are usually busy, so I didn't want to bother you. I came to ask you for a little help, Lady Tsunade."

Haku looked at Tsunade, a little embarrassed.

"Oh? Go on, then. What do you need my help with? You did kill a spy from another village a few days ago."

Tsunade's eyes were full of amusement.

"Th-this... Well, he was just careless..."