Might Dai

Nawaki heard the Third Hokage's reply and smiled calmly. "I think Lord Hokage may have misunderstood. Our squad isn't here to take a C-Rank Mission. We're here to take a B-Rank Mission!"

The other Genin teams in the hall erupted at Nawaki's words.

"What? They're going straight for a B-Rank Mission?"

"As expected of a genius. He doesn't do things the usual way!"

"Shinnosuke is smiling so brightly, but his words carry such force. So cool!"

"But is that even allowed?"

The Third Hokage hurriedly rejected Nawaki's request. "No. B-Rank Missions can only be taken by Chunin..." As he spoke, he seemed to realize something. His expression suddenly darkened, and he took a long draw from his pipe.

Seeing his reaction, Nawaki's lips curled into a smile. "Lord Hokage seems to have forgotten that I'm a Special Jōnin now. That means our squad's average strength is above that of a Chunin team, so according to the rules, we should be allowed to take a B-Rank Mission, right?"

The Third Hokage tapped his pipe hard. "Hmph! You crafty brat. You rushed to become a Special Jōnin just so you could take a B-Rank Mission, didn't you? Even if you meet the requirements according to the rules, have you considered the danger you might be putting your teammates in?"

Nawaki answered confidently, "Shinnosuke and Hikari are already at Chunin level. All they lack is experience and the ability to analyze situations and make sound judgments. Besides, I'll do everything in my power to protect them. Just as I trust them, they'll trust me! With our team spirit, we can overcome any difficulty and complete the mission!"

"Exactly! We trust Nawaki's judgment, and we won't hold him back!" Shinnosuke and Hikari solemnly agreed with him.

"Team spirit, huh? You always know how to move people with your words, kid. I'll be watching." Seeing that they were completely united in their opinion, the Third Hokage could no longer find a reason to stop them. He could only take another puff from his pipe and reluctantly agree.

At that moment, Nawaki noticed a lonely figure off to one side, watching them enviously. His thick eyebrows and large eyes made his face look even more innocent than a little child's.

A thought suddenly struck Nawaki, and he asked the Third Hokage, "By the way, Lord Third Hokage, now that I'm a Special Jōnin, am I qualified to become a Genin instructor?"

"That's right, but your squad can't disband, and there aren't any new graduates available to join you as subordinates. What are you scheming now, you brat?"

"I think Genin Might Dai could join our squad as my subordinate. That way, he wouldn't have to take missions alone, and our squad's overall strength would improve." Nawaki shared what he had in mind.

Might Dai hadn't expected that after becoming a Jōnin, a genius like Nawaki wouldn't look down on him, but would instead reach out to help him. Tears of gratitude streamed down his face.

The other Genin nearby started murmuring among themselves.

"Why is that weirdly dressed guy always alone?"

"That's Might Dai. He doesn't have a chakra affinity, so he can't use ninjutsu. He can only train in Taijutsu and the Three Basic Techniques, which is why he's never been able to become a Chunin!"

"He's the famous eternal Genin! His squad abandoned him because he was holding them back."

"I see! Why would Nawaki, a Jōnin, take an interest in someone like him?"

Though he had long since grown used to being mocked, Might Dai felt especially uneasy this time. Was it because he, too, longed for comrades?

The Third Hokage glanced at the anxious Might Dai and said awkwardly, "Nawaki, you should know Dai's situation. With his abilities, joining your squad probably wouldn't help much. He might even become a burden."

Might Dai's eyes dimmed at the Third Hokage's words. In a low voice, he said, "Thank you for the offer, Jōnin Nawaki, but I really would hold everyone back since I can't use ninjutsu! I'm going to take a mission!" With that, he turned to leave.

"Wait! Dai!" Nawaki hurriedly called out to stop him.

Might Dai stopped in his tracks, looking dejected. "Is there something else, Jōnin Nawaki?"

"Don't lose heart, Dai! I believe that even without ninjutsu, you can still become a great ninja through Taijutsu alone!" Nawaki looked at Might Dai and spoke with great conviction.

Might Dai's eyes lit up. "Do you really believe that, Jōnin Nawaki?"

Nawaki nodded firmly. "I do. We needn't look far: the Hyuga Clan in our own village is renowned throughout the Shinobi World for its Gentle Fist Taijutsu. The Third Raikage also became the leader of his village through his Taijutsu, and earned the titles Shield of the Strongest and Spear of the Strongest. Am I right, Lord Hokage?"

The Third Hokage nodded. "That's right, but the Hyuga's Gentle Fist and the Raikage's Taijutsu are both advanced forms of Taijutsu and closely guarded secrets. They're very difficult for ordinary people to learn."

Nawaki smiled. "I want Might Dai to join our squad not out of pity, but because I see his talent for Taijutsu!"

"Oh?" The Third Hokage looked at Might Dai with interest. He knew Nawaki wouldn't make such a claim without reason.

"Dai, if I'm not mistaken, you've been training in Taijutsu relentlessly, and your body is much stronger than an ordinary person's. You're wearing weights right now, aren't you?" Nawaki asked with certainty.

Might Dai had recovered his composure. At the mention of Taijutsu training, he answered confidently, "That's right. I'm wearing a thousand kilograms of weights!"

The people around them erupted again.

"A thousand kilograms!"

"That's absurd!"

"How strong is his body?"

Nawaki nodded, as if he'd expected as much. "At this level, I'm sure you've developed your own Taijutsu, haven't you?"

"That's right. I developed the Eight Inner Gates based on the eight gates within the body. Each time I open a gate, it removes part of the body's restrictions on chakra, allowing me to gain a massive amount of chakra," Might Dai replied.

Nawaki nodded. "Many people know about the eight gates within the body, but very few can open them. The violent chakra puts a heavy strain on the body. Without enough physical strength and control, you can't master it and will only hurt yourself! How many gates can you open freely without injuring yourself?"

"Four!" Might Dai scratched his head. He really is a genius. He knows so much about the Eight Inner Gates—he understood as soon as he heard about it.

"Can you demonstrate?"

"No problem! Gate of Opening, open! Gate of Healing, open! Gate of Life, open! Gate of Pain, open!" Might Dai roared several times and quickly opened four gates in succession. A huge surge of chakra welled up around him. Veins bulged on his forehead, and his skin turned red.

"Attack me with everything you've got. Don't hold back!"

At Nawaki's words, Might Dai vanished from the spot. He moved so fast that it was almost like teleportation; only the whoosh of air rushing past could be heard.