An Inconclusive End

Whoosh! The sound of tearing air rang out. The two figures flashed, and their blades collided fiercely, producing a resounding clang of metal. The air rippled from the impact as an invisible gale spread outward.

After the first strike, Hatake Sakumo immediately changed moves. The White Fang Short Blade in his hand slashed three times in an instant. Because he was so fast, it looked like only one slash had been made, with the other two appearing as afterimages.

Against an opponent like Hatake Sakumo, whose slashes were incredibly fast, the eyes were useless and could even lead to misjudgment. Therefore, Beichen Haotian never used his eyes to judge Hatake Sakumo's attack trajectory. He mainly relied on instinct and Observation Haki.

Beichen Haotian shifted aside, evading one slash, then spun and delivered two strikes with his Tang Saber, blocking Hatake Sakumo's assault. Their tremendous power collided, leaving the surrounding air no time to disperse as booms erupted one after another.

After the initial probing, the two exchanged blows faster and faster, using greater and greater force. Neither used any particular techniques, only the basic forms of swordsmanship, yet the commotion grew increasingly intense.

Their figures rapidly crossed at the edge of the forest, white and blood-red blade lights flickering through the air. The increasingly dense clashes of weapons generated ever more powerful gusts. Some bursts of force struck the trees at the forest's edge, shaking leaves down in great showers. Before they could reach the ground, they were shredded into fragments by countless chaotic gusts.

The battle made Might Duy's blood boil, and he wished he could join them and stretch his limbs. Might Guy and Kakashi Hatake, the two little best friends, were already dumbstruck by the fierce fight. They could no longer see the two men's figures at all. They could only see white and blood-red blade lights tangled together, hear the clashes of weapons growing louder, and watch more and more leaves fall.

"Haotian, be careful."

"Hatake Sword Style: Thunderclap."

A streak of white blade light appeared like a sudden flash of lightning, materializing from nowhere and reaching Beichen Haotian in the blink of an eye. Its speed was astonishing.

"Press Forward."

Beichen Haotian neither dodged nor retreated. He slashed through the air, sending a blood-red blade light flying out. The two collided with a deafening blast, exploding in a cloud of dust. Because Hatake Sakumo's blade light had been faster, the explosion occurred closer to Beichen Haotian. Though he was not injured, he looked more disheveled than Hatake Sakumo.

"Courtesy demands that I return the favor. Senior Hatake, take one of my moves as well."

Beichen Haotian began to move, every motion trailing afterimages. Countless blood-red blade lights flew from those afterimages, forming a massive net of blade light in the air that descended upon Hatake Sakumo.

"An impressive move, but it still isn't enough to defeat me," Hatake Sakumo praised.

"Hatake Sword Style: Instant Shadow."

At that moment, Hatake Sakumo pushed both his movement speed and sword-drawing speed to their limits. Even without Chakra, ordinary Jonin would have been unable to see him clearly.

In an instant, Hatake Sakumo struck dozens of times from the center of the blood-red blade net, every strike landing where two blade lights connected. The white blade lights merged into one, making it seem as though he had only swung four times. In truth, dozens of powerful slashes had overlapped at four points, tearing open the blade net just enough for Hatake Sakumo to leap out.

The remaining blade lights struck the ground, shredding the lush grassland. More than a hundred deep, crisscrossing blade marks were carved into the earth, making the ground beneath them look especially vicious.

Beichen Haotian was about to attack again, but Hatake Sakumo sheathed his short blade and said, "Haotian, let's stop here. Through our spar just now, I've already learned your strength. If we want to determine a winner through swordsmanship alone, it will take far too long. I still have matters to attend to after taking Kakashi home. Let's spar again when we have the chance. I originally wanted to give you some guidance, but you've clearly already found your own path. If I interfered further, it would only hinder your growth."

Hearing Hatake Sakumo say this, Beichen Haotian could only sheath his sword as well. Though he had not yet had his fill, the other man had business to handle and did not want to continue. He could hardly force him. Besides, today had not been without gains. Setting everything else aside, in terms of swordsmanship alone, Hatake Sakumo was no inferior to him.

"Since Senior Hatake says so, then we'll stop. Come on, I'll treat everyone to barbecue. Senior Hatake, come with us too. Whatever business you have can wait until after the meal; there's no need to rush over such a little time. Tell me your address, and I can send Kakashi home for you."

"All right, then I'll trouble you, Haotian," Hatake Sakumo said after hesitating for a moment.

At Longevity BBQ Restaurant, Konoha's finest barbecue restaurant, inside a mid-level private room, Beichen Haotian, Hatake Sakumo, and the others sat around a long table. The grill was covered with all kinds of premium meat slices, and the room was filled with their fragrance.

"Haotian, what have you been doing lately? I haven't seen you around Konoha recently," Hatake Sakumo asked. Everyone else was focused on the barbecue, especially Duy and Guy. Their usual income was not high, and they rarely had the chance to visit a place with such extravagant prices.

"I traveled through the Ninja World and have been away for several months. I only came back this time because I had some matters to deal with." After dipping a lightly golden piece of grilled meat into seasoning and putting it into his mouth, Beichen Haotian spoke unhurriedly.

"Wow! Traveling through the Ninja World? Big Brother Haotian, you're amazing! I want to do that when I grow up too. This must be the youth Dad always talks about!" Might Guy said excitedly, his eyes filled with intense longing.

"Traveling through the Ninja World? That does sound nice. I don't have the opportunity, though. There are too many matters to handle; I'm busy enough as it is."

"Of course. As the Anbu Captain, Senior Hatake is naturally very busy. I'm just an idle man."

"Hahaha, Haotian, you may be able to fool others, but can you fool me? Your position in Konoha isn't much lower than mine. You certainly weren't this idle a few years ago."

"Father, what position does Big Brother Haotian hold that it isn't much lower than yours?" Kakashi asked curiously, his eyes wide. The spar between Beichen Haotian and his father had not lasted long, but it had opened the eyes of this Ninja Academy genius and won him over. Like Guy, he had begun calling Beichen Haotian big brother.

"Kakashi, that's classified. Your clearance isn't high enough, and you're not qualified to know. Don't dig too deeply into it. It won't do you any good, brat," Hatake Sakumo said sternly.

"Haha, Senior Hatake, don't be so serious! What kind of secret is that? I don't mind telling Kakashi. I'm the Root Deputy Commander. As for what Root is, you'll understand when you grow up."

"Oh." Kakashi nodded, somewhat bewildered.

"Haotian, how do you find Root? To be honest, I think Anbu suits you better. How about it? Are you interested in joining Anbu? I'll give you the deputy captain's position. I believe Lord Hokage would approve of my recommendation as well."

"To me, there isn't much difference between Root and Anbu. It doesn't matter where I am. But the old man poured all his resources into raising me for so many years. Though I, Beichen Haotian, am no good person, I can't do something as ungrateful as tearing down the bridge after crossing it. We're both serving Konoha anyway, so it makes little difference where I serve. Don't you agree, Senior Hatake?" Beichen Haotian remained calm despite Hatake Sakumo's attempt to recruit him away.

"You're right. I was being somewhat stubborn."

"Let's not talk about that. I very much want to ask Senior Duy about some techniques for cultivating and using the Eight Inner Gates. Senior Duy created this Forbidden Jutsu, so would you be willing to share some of your insights?"

"Why be so polite? If you want to know, I'll tell you everything I've realized. You're from Konoha. The stronger you are, the safer Konoha will be. Besides, Haotian, you're a good man. There's nothing to hide."

"That would be wonderful. Senior Duy, I've reached the third gate in my cultivation. How about we discuss it while drinking and eating meat? I think that would be quite pleasant."

"Sure." Might Duy agreed readily. Then, regardless of whether anyone else could follow them, he began discussing the Eight Inner Gates with Beichen Haotian and exchanging their insights. Of course, Might Duy did most of the talking. After cultivating the Eight Inner Gates for twenty or thirty years, he had realized far more than Beichen Haotian.

Beichen Haotian and Might Duy chatted enthusiastically, while Kakashi asked Hatake Sakumo like a curious child, "Father, what are the Eight Inner Gates? Are they powerful?"

"The full name of the Eight Inner Gates is the Eight Gates Formation. It is a Taijutsu Forbidden Jutsu. The eight gates are the Gate of Healing, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain, Gate of Limit, Gate of View, Gate of Wonder, Gate of Death, and Gate of Opening. Each gate represents a restriction on the human body. Unlocking every restriction in the body grants power beyond that of a Kage, but using that power carries enormous risk. Opening all eight gates almost certainly means death."

"I only learned today that Duy created this Forbidden Jutsu. I have to say, it is truly remarkable! Guy, your father is an extraordinary man. Duy, let me promote you to Jonin," Hatake Sakumo said sincerely, clearly startled.

"Forget it, Lord Hatake. This power of mine can't be used lightly, and being a Jonin requires more than sufficient strength. I'm far lacking in things like experience," Might Duy said, waving his hand. Faced with the temptation of becoming a Jonin, he refused without the slightest hesitation.

"You're right. I hadn't considered everything carefully enough. If there's ever anything you can't resolve, don't hesitate to come to me for help. I truly admire you for creating such a Forbidden Jutsu!" Hatake Sakumo said openly with an embarrassed smile.

"You're flattering me. Lord Hatake is renowned throughout the Ninja World and protects Konoha. You are the one truly worthy of admiration."

"All right, stop flattering each other. Both of you are worthy of admiration, true outstanding men," Beichen Haotian said with a smile.

Hatake Sakumo and Might Duy burst into laughter. Seeing the adults laugh, Might Guy laughed as well. In the end, even Kakashi, with his aloof temperament, was infected by the atmosphere and smiled.

Today was a special day for the two children. Not only had their eyes been opened and their stomachs filled, but they had also come to know their fathers anew and admired them even more.

The relationship between these two lifelong best friends also began to change from this day onward, and their understanding of each other grew deeper.

Thanks to Nangong Huaxiao, Zhuhán Wàndāndàn, and reader 161228 for the recommendation votes! Brother Zhuhán Wàndāndàn, I see your recommendation votes almost every day. Thank you very much!