Recruitment × Eight Inner Gates

"Hoo."

The figure held a pipe, taking a deep drag. Through the hazy smoke, a face that was maturing prematurely was revealed.

If anyone knowledgeable were here, they would notice that this person's features and the way he smoked bore a faint, subtle resemblance to the Third Hokage.

"Sigh."

The figure let out a deep sigh. Although the pain of unrequited love was agonizing, what hurt even more was that he lacked the courage to even confront his rival.

Naturally, he had thought about catering to her preferences. Kurenai Yuhi had said she liked mature and steady men, so he had leaned into the style of the old man—growing a beard and smoking a pipe.

But he should have known long ago: in the world of ninjas, "mature and steady" is merely a synonym for one thing—strength.

He had graduated in the same batch as Nara Dan and naturally knew just how absurd Nara Dan's talent for Taijutsu was.

None of their fellow graduates had ever lasted more than three moves under Nara Dan.

Of course, that included him.

Although he was confident his own talent wasn't lacking, compared to those top-tier monsters, and compared to his father, he knew exactly where he stood.

This world was just that cruel. Even if you start at the same line, or even slightly ahead, once the race begins, you can't even catch the dust left in someone else's wake.

"Perhaps... I really should consider the old man's suggestion."

The figure in the darkness vanished, leaving behind only a murmur in the breeze and the lingering scent of tobacco.

On the other side, Nara Dan was unaware that he had inadvertently scared off a rival.

And a rival who was supposedly Kurenai Yuhi's "destined one," if one were to follow the original plot.

But even if Nara Dan knew, he wouldn't care. The so-called plot had been a mess since the moment he arrived in this world.

It is worth mentioning that

After finishing his date, Nara Dan encountered someone unexpected.

A breeze brushed over the leaves on the ground. On the quiet road, he had unknowingly walked into a deserted area where the mottled traces on the concrete floor intertwined with the shadows of the trees.

Nara Dan walked along the path with a calm gait and stood still.

His white kimono and black hair moved with the wind. A beast-like aura, as tangible as reality, radiated outward, causing the dancing leaves to freeze for a split second.

"Is the Root of Konoha always so sneaky?"

His steady voice echoed on the quiet road, seemingly meeting no response.

Slowly, the leaves scattered by the wind danced in the air, gathering together to gradually form a human shape.

An old man appeared from the leaves, leaning on a cane, his eyes wrapped in bandages, dressed in a dark kimono.

"Your strength has improved again, Dan."

Danzo's voice, like the grinding of underground sand and stone, emerged with a hint of praise.

As the Executive Deputy Hokage of Konoha, he naturally knew the specific intelligence on Nara Dan, including the extremely high praise from the Sannin and White Fang.

He had a 100% mission completion rate, and a record of never having been injured during any mission.

If nothing else, facing this demon of Konoha, even his loose kimono could not hide his terrifying aura.

To be honest, the moment Nara Dan locked onto his presence, he truly felt the air stagnate and the sensation of impending death.

"Lord Danzo is too kind."

Seeing Nara Dan looking at him expressionlessly without taking the bait, Danzo didn't feel awkward and continued to speak his mind.

"First of all, congratulations on your promotion to Special Jonin."

"But rather than wasting away under Sarutobi, why not come work for me?"

"You are now a Jonin, but at your age, Sarutobi will absolutely not let you promote again for a long time."

"And given how wary Sarutobi is of you, it is not impossible that he might shelve you just like he did with White Fang."

"You were well-acquainted with White Fang; you should know his fate."

Danzo didn't care at all about how treasonous his words were, He went straight to the point to recruit Nara Dan.

But given his long-standing relationship with the Third Hokage, even if these words reached the Third's ears, nothing would happen.

"Perhaps, but White Fang chose his own fate."

Nara Dan raised an eyebrow indifferently, noncommittal to Danzo's words.

The implication was: I am not as stupid as White Fang.

Indeed, even though Nara Dan appeared glorious now, and the Nara Clan was firmly a die-hard faction of the Third Hokage, Wasn't White Fang the same? In fact, White Fang was even more prominent in influence and strength than Nara Dan was now, yet when they wanted to get rid of you, they didn't hesitate at all.

Moreover, the closer you are to someone, the more you must guard against them. The principle held by those in power is: if I didn't give it to you, you cannot take it.

And if Nara Dan were to advance any further, he might break the Nara Clan's long-standing position as "Hokage's Advisor."

Once the roles of master and servant were reversed, it might well lead to another political disaster similar to White Fang's.

"But what Sarutobi cannot give, I can."

"And what Sarutobi dares not give, I can as well!"

Danzo naturally understood the nature of Nara Dan; he was not some successor to the so-called Will of Fire, and only profit could fundamentally move him.

This political speech, appealing to both interest and emotion, wielded both hard and soft tactics.

If Nara Dan were truly a seventeen-year-old youth, or perhaps a political idiot like Uchiha Itachi, he might have actually been swayed by this old man.

Unfortunately, Nara Dan was neither, and as someone familiar with the plot, he knew exactly what kind of dark creature Danzo was.

But it seemed Danzo had not yet finished his piece.

What was it that Sarutobi dared not give?

Nara Dan looked at Danzo, seemingly clear on the answer in his heart.

Danzo did not disappoint Nara Dan's expectations, slowly uttering those four words:

"Formation of the Eight Inner Gates!"

Danzo stared fixedly at Nara Dan, hoping to see the reaction he desired.

But soon, Danzo was disappointed. Although Nara Dan's expression did indeed flicker, he remained as calm and composed as ever.

His aura, like that of an ancient beast, did not weaken in the slightest; instead, it grew as deep as the ocean, constantly crashing against him.

"Sigh."

But this was within Danzo's expectations. After all, unlike common ninjas, Nara Dan possessed both the intellect of the Nara Clan and the formidable power to protect himself.

The Nara Clan naturally provided him with protection and additional political attributes, so swaying him was no easy task.

Although frustrated, Danzo, as the Root of Konoha, would not give up so easily, for anyone with a discerning eye knew that war was approaching.

And unlike the Sannin, who bore the clear political brand of the Third, Nara Dan, who lacked such a distinct mark, might be willing to place a bet on an old relic like him.

"You know, Dan, the current Taijutsu resources in Konoha likely cannot help you cross that threshold. But the Formation of the Eight Inner Gates can, and only the Formation of the Eight Inner Gates can."

Nara Dan certainly knew of the Formation of the Eight Inner Gates; it was a famous forbidden technique of counterattack in the Hokage world.

It was a technique that removed the body's restrictions on Chakra, allowing excess energy to be released.

In the meridian system where Chakra flows, there are eight points that suppress and control the Chakra within the body: the Gate of Opening, the Gate of Healing, the Gate of Life, the Gate of Pain, the Gate of Limit, the Gate of View, the Gate of Wonder, and the Gate of Death.

These eight gates set limits on the amount of Chakra within the body.

However, this technique could force Chakra to transcend these limits, thereby drawing out strength dozens of times greater than one's original capacity.

The state where all eight gates are opened is called the Formation of the Eight Inner Gates, which can instantly grant power ten times greater than that of the Five Kage.

But it also results in death as one's own life force is burned away.

The brilliance of Night Guy was something every fan of the Hokage series would never forget.

Nara Dan was no exception; he, too, coveted this powerful forbidden technique, before the man who delivered that strongest kick had even arrived.

New author, new book, seeking recommendations and collections.