Higashino Shinichi vs. Might Duy

"Fifth match: Higashino Shinichi vs. Might Duy!"

At the examiner's loud announcement, the two walked to the center of the arena and faced each other.

"Shinichi!" Might Duy took a deep breath and crossed his arms over his chest. His gaze was more serious than ever. "Let's have a youth-filled showdown for the ages!"

Before the words had even faded—

Might Duy dropped his hands and shuddered all over!

BOOM!!!

A violent torrent of Chakra erupted around him, instantly scattering the loose sand and stones on the ground!

His skin quickly flushed an unnatural red, and visible waves of pale green energy steamed around him. His hair stood slightly on end as Chakra surged through him.

Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain—four gates, opened at once!

Opening four gates right at the start was the greatest respect he could show the boy before him, and his way of upholding his oath to "youth."

A wave of barely suppressed gasps rang through the stands. Even ordinary spectators who knew nothing about ninjutsu could feel the sudden surge of oppressive energy.

On the high platform, the Third Kazekage narrowed his eyes. "Oh? Using a secret technique with this much explosive power right from the start... It seems your village's young genius puts quite a bit of pressure on his teammates."

Watching Might Duy's imposing figure in the arena, the Third Hokage also showed a flicker of surprise.

He knew of the Eight Gates, but he had never expected this man, usually unremarkable in the village and teased as the "Eternal Genin," to have mastered the technique and wielded it to such an extent.

He had indeed overlooked this hidden talent and Tenacity in the past.

In the arena, Shinichi faced that overwhelming presence, his expression settling into complete calm.

He lowered his center of gravity slightly. With no intention of forming Hand Seals or drawing a blade, he assumed the simplest Taijutsu stance.

"Here I come, Shinichi! Youth—unleashed!"

Might Duy's figure abruptly blurred.

Fast!

He was more than a step faster than he had been against Samaru!

Almost as soon as his voice sounded, a fist wrapped in pale green energy was already at Shinichi's face.

Shinichi didn't dodge. His right arm swung up like an iron whip, meeting fist with fist!

BAM!

A heavy thud exploded. The ground cracked beneath both of them, and shock waves spread outward in a ring.

Konoha Whirlwind!

His first strike failed, so Might Duy spun with the momentum, sweeping his left leg across Shinichi's waist like a battle-axe.

Shinichi retreated half a step and snapped his left knee upward, striking the side of his opponent's lower leg with pinpoint accuracy and redirecting its force. At the same time, his right hand shot out like lightning, palm slicing toward the exposed ribs beneath Might Duy's turning body.

Might Duy reacted instantly. He used his sweeping leg as a pivot and sent his other leg flying through the air, kicking straight at Shinichi's wrist.

SMACK!

Hand and foot collided. Both men sprang apart using the force of the impact, only to clash again an instant later.

Konoha Gale!

Might Duy launched another attack. The wind howled, and the Chakra currents he stirred up roared like a small storm.

Shinichi moved nimbly, weaving through the dense attacks. Sometimes he blocked with the edge of his palm; other times he met them with his elbow. Every contact landed with a solid thud.

His movements seemed less fierce and violent than Might Duy's, with all four gates open, but they were more precise and efficient. He defused each attack by the narrowest margin, then immediately struck back.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

The dull thuds of fists and feet colliding came in an unbroken rush, like a driving rain. It was a pure Taijutsu contest, yet the intensity and spectacle of it were enough to make one's heart pound.

Though Shinichi hadn't opened any explosive secret techniques, the foundation built through years of training, along with the added benefits of his various Traits, meant he wasn't afraid to trade blows with Might Duy in his four-gate state.

"So fast... I can't even follow them with my eyes!"

"Is this really just a Taijutsu match? It's like two ninjas are blasting each other with ninjutsu!"

Gasps rose throughout the stands. Many spectators stared wide-eyed, struggling to follow the two figures darting across the arena and periodically bursting into waves of energy.

A dozen or more exchanges passed in the span of a few breaths. Both men had reached a level of understanding and execution in Taijutsu that many Genin and Chunin could scarcely hope to attain. Their moves were clean and decisive, their force precise and vicious.

After a fierce exchange of punches, the force of the collision made both men pause for an instant.

In that brief moment, Shinichi's gaze sharpened. He keenly caught the slight stiffness in Might Duy's body as his previous force faded and his next had yet to build.

He lowered his body with the momentum, narrowly slipping beneath the heavy punch that came right after, its wind pressure meant to pin him down. Like a spring wound tight, he whipped his right leg upward from below!

A fierce, simple, lightning-fast side kick struck Might Duy squarely between the chest and stomach.

THUD!

With a muffled boom, Might Duy flew backward as if struck by a giant hammer. His feet carved two deep furrows, each dozens of meters long, through the rocky ground before he finally managed to steady himself. His chest churned with blood and breath.

Shinichi didn't pursue him. He stood where he was, breathing evenly, his gaze bright. "Senior Duy, your strength... surely that's not all you've got, is it?"

Might Duy slowly straightened and wiped the corner of his mouth. He looked at the boy opposite him, eyes blazing, clearly holding back, and fell silent for a moment.

The feeling of being recognized and having someone believe in him, along with his desire to give everything he had, finally overcame all his reservations.

A nearly radiant, yet utterly serious, smile appeared on his face.

"You're right... Shinichi."

"Then I'll let my youth run wild, just this once!"

Fifth Gate: Gate of Limit, open!!

Even more surging green energy shot into the sky. His hair stood straight up, and spiderweb-like cracks began to appear in the ground around him.

But it wasn't over yet.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, the Chakra around Might Duy surged even more wildly. The green waves of energy deepened in color, with a sharp blue radiance faintly shining through!

Sixth Gate: Gate of View, open!!!

RUMBLE—!!!

A terrifying wave of energy, several times more powerful than before, erupted with a roar. Stones were swept into the air, and the entire arena seemed to tremble.

Might Duy now looked like a war god wrapped in green flames. The pressure he exuded made many spectators in the stands struggle to breathe.

"Six gates..." Teacher Chen adjusted his sunglasses and murmured, his voice grave.

On the high platform, the Third Kazekage's eyes grew solemn. The Third Hokage's hand paused on his pipe, and his expression grew equally serious.

In the arena, Shinichi felt the immense presence and fierce wind rushing toward him, almost suffocating in their intensity. His clothes clung to his body and snapped in the wind.

Yet as the violent energy bore down on him, his eyes shone brilliantly.

Good, good, good!!!

That's how it should be!

Let those ignorant bumpkins from Sunagakure see what the world is like!

"Senior, it looks like this move puts a heavy burden on you." Shinichi took his stance, his voice cutting clearly through the roaring pressure of the energy. "In that case, let's finish this quickly! I'll show you everything I've got—as the next move decides the winner!"

"Good! Shinichi, let's settle this with our next move!"