Third Seven Chapters: If You Abandon, What Do I Ascend?

At the edge of the arena, the referee announced loudly that due to Maruboshi Kosuke's forfeit, Higashino Shinichi advanced automatically.

Immediately after, the matchups for the next round were posted:

Might Duy VS Sunagakure Genin!

The intent behind this arrangement was quite obvious—another battle of attrition.

Even if Might Duy could win, the match that followed would inevitably be an internal Konoha clash.

Regardless of whether Shinichi or Might Duy advanced, it meant that Konoha's participants would suffer unnecessary internal conflict and stamina depletion before the finals.

The match began.

Samaru was a typical Sunagakure tactical-type ninja, skilled at mid-range Wind Release jutsu to pin down opponents, combined with precise tool throws to seal off their movement.

His strategy was clear: never let this Konoha ninja, who seemed to only use taijutsu, get close.

Might Duy's offense was direct and pure. He had no ranged options, only charging forward at astonishing speed in a straight line, trying to close the distance.

Each step left shallow marks on the hard rock ground. Samaru's Wind Release: Great Breakthrough and a continuous barrage of shuriken were all narrowly dodged by Duy's simple yet efficient movements, or directly knocked away by fists and kicks wrapped in chakra.

The situation fell into a stalemate.

Samaru couldn't effectively wound his opponent with jutsu or tools, and Might Duy couldn't break through the dense mid-range fire net to actually reach him.

"Konoha Whirlwind!"

After a long assault with no results, Might Duy let out a loud shout. His body suddenly spun, and a powerful sweeping kick forced back Samaru, who had tried to sneak in for an attack. Duy himself used the momentum to retreat a few steps.

He panted slightly, staring at his opponent who had already begun forming hand seals again, his eyes sharpening.

"I can't keep this up... Should I use that? But just the first gate..."

He recalled the image of Gai's face, full of anticipation and excitement when he learned his father was going to take the Chunin Exams. It flashed clearly through his mind.

"...At least, I can't stop here! I can't let Gai down!"

He took a deep breath, and some kind of limit inside him seemed to quietly burst open.

Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing—Open!

Boom!

A surge of powerful chakra erupted, forming a strong, invisible shockwave that spread outward from Might Duy!

His skin flushed slightly red, faint steam rising from his body. His entire aura shot upward.

"Youth, it's time to bloom!"

The moment the words left his mouth, his figure vanished from where he stood.

So fast!

Samaru's pupils contracted sharply, his hands frozen mid-seal. In his field of vision, a fist wrapped in blue chakra had already filled the entire frame.

Using the explosive power and speed gained from opening two gates, Duy concentrated all his strength into this single blow.

Bam!

The fist landed solidly on Samaru's crossed arms.

The terrifying force shattered his defensive stance outright. The remaining power sent him flying backward off the ground, arcing through the air before crashing heavily at the edge of the arena. He struggled twice but ultimately couldn't get up.

The entire venue was silent for a moment, then erupted into noisy discussion. The burst of speed and power in that instant exceeded many people's understanding of taijutsu.

On the high platform, the Third Kazekage's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He turned his head to look at the Third Hokage beside him. "Lord Hokage, that genin from your village... the technique he just used doesn't seem like ordinary taijutsu. That sudden burst of chakra and speed—is it some kind of special secret technique?"

The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe, a perfectly timed, slightly puzzled, kindly smile on his face. "Well now... Lord Kazekage has stumped me with that one. Perhaps it's some method he came up with himself to stimulate his potential? Young people always have unexpected ideas."

He skillfully avoided a substantive answer, deflecting the question back.

The Third Kazekage's eyes darkened slightly. Knowing he wouldn't get anything out of this, he said no more and simply turned his gaze back to the arena.

The stone that had settled in his heart after Maruboshi Kosuke's forfeit seemed to rise again, just a little.

This Konoha ninja who only used taijutsu... wasn't as simple as he appeared.

Down below, Might Duy walked back to the rest area and accepted the water and towel Shinichi handed him. He wiped his face silently, hesitated for a moment, then tentatively spoke: "Shinichi, how about... I forfeit the next match too, like Kosuke-senpai? That way you can face the final opponent at full strength..."

"Forfeit? Kosuke-senpai had his own reasons, but you..." Shinichi cut him off. "Duy-senpai, don't you always say there's no such word as 'give up' in youth?"

Let you forfeit? No way.

If you forfeit, how do I advance?

He had specifically invited Might Duy not only because the man's Eight Gates could turn the tide at a critical moment, serving as a safety guarantee.

Another important reason was precisely that he had foreseen the possibility of the two meeting in the finals.

He planned to use that time to engage in a pure taijutsu battle with this man who had pushed the philosophy of physical arts to its extreme.

The folks back in Konoha were already too used to his performance as a great genius. Their threshold was too high.

But the Sunagakure audience didn't have that immunity.

On the finals stage, under the spotlight of thousands, a peak showdown of pure strength and technique was undoubtedly the perfect stage to break through the cover of his halo and let the world deeply recognize his taijutsu talent.

This was crucial for advancing his [Basic Physique] and [Natural Strength] Traits.

"But..." Might Duy scratched his head, looking hesitant.

"Ranking isn't everything." Shinichi looked at him, speaking seriously. "As long as you fully demonstrate your strength, will, and capacity during the match, the judges will naturally give a fair evaluation. Fighting with everything you've got is itself the best proof of being worthy of Chunin promotion."

"Well said!"

Teacher Chen walked over with his arms crossed, his round sunglasses sweeping over the two of them as his voice boomed: "The way of physical arts is all about charging forward without looking back! If you're thinking about retreating and calculating gains and losses before you've even fought, Duy, your fists will hesitate and that fighting spirit will leak away. Since Shinichi has this resolve and confidence, you should respond with all your passion! Let Sunagakure's people—and everyone else—see what kind of fierce, advancing, fearless heart Konoha's physical arts ninja possess!"

Teacher Chen's words hit like a shot of adrenaline, and the hesitation in Might Duy's eyes was instantly replaced by a familiar blaze. He clenched his fist tightly and nodded firmly: "I understand! Teacher Chen, Shinichi! Then let's... bloom our youth in the upcoming match!"

"Senior Duy, I ask that in our fight, you use that same move you used to defeat your opponent just now. Don't hold back." Shinichi stared at Might Duy and spoke clearly once more.

He had his own considerations.

Might Duy's base strength barely scraped the threshold of a Chunin.

As for Shinichi's own assessment of his strength, he was at least at the Special Jonin level.

There was a considerable gap in their foundational abilities.

If Might Duy didn't use the Eight Gates, Shinichi could win easily.

But that would go against the "shocking showdown" he envisioned—one capable of shaking the audience's perception and redefining his talent in physical arts.

He needed Might Duy to display that power beyond the ordinary.

Of course, opening a couple of Gates just for show would be enough; who knew if the audience could even see it.

Hearing this, hesitation flickered across Might Duy's face again, but looking at Shinichi's calm yet exceptionally resolute eyes, recalling the encouragement and trust the other had shown him, he only paused briefly before nodding forcefully, squeezing out a single word through gritted teeth:

"Alright!"

He agreed not only to meet Shinichi's expectations but perhaps also to prove to himself and to everyone just how dazzling a light the path of physical arts he had persisted in could shine.