Eight Inner Gates Formation

The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment, took several file folders from his drawer, walked over to Sato Hideaka, and handed them to him, saying, "These are the files and intelligence on Hyuga Ningbo and Uchiha Kaoru. They might be of some use for your decisive battle in a month..."

"Hyuga Ningbo, a genius of the Hyuga Clan, awakened his Byakugan at age five. He excels in the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation, and Eight Trigrams Palm Vacuum Wall. Having mastered these techniques, he is considered a standout among Chunin."

"Uchiha Kaoru, a genius of the Uchiha Clan, awakened her Sharingan at age eight and developed two tomoe by age ten. She possesses both Fire and Lightning chakra natures and excels in the Sharingan Windmill Triple Blade, Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, and Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique. Furthermore, rumors suggest her talent for Lightning Release ninjutsu is no less than her talent for Fire Release..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen recounted the intelligence on the two in a low voice. Sato Hideaka's expression began to darken. Uchiha Kaoru had not used a single Lightning Release technique throughout the Forest of Death; clearly, she had been concealing a significant portion of her strength. She was likely far more formidable than he had imagined.

"The Uchiha Clan once killed a ninja from the Yotsuki Clan during a battle with Kumogakure and obtained the method to strengthen oneself with Lightning Release. As a direct relative of the Uchiha Clan's Great Elder, Uchiha Kaoru is very likely to possess the method of using Lightning nature transformation to enhance cellular activation... Therefore, her strength should be above that of an elite Chunin!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone was filled with praise; it was clear he held Uchiha Kaoru's talent in high regard. Sato Hideaka recalled a scene from the Forest of Death where Uchiha Kaoru had displayed incredible speed, which was likely related to this cellular activation.

Lightning-attribute cellular activation can be divided into two types: permanent cellular activation and temporary cellular activation. There is a vast difference between these two!

Temporary cellular activation refers to using Lightning-attribute chakra nature transformation to replace the bio-electric currents connecting the nerves, thereby increasing cellular activity and nerve reflex speed. This form of activation provides intense stimulation to the body and a massive boost, but it also causes greater physical damage.

As for permanent cellular activation, it refers to a method of continuously breaking through physical limits through long-term physiological training supplemented by Lightning-attribute chakra nature transformation to enhance one's physique, speed, and strength. This results in a permanent boost, and the effects are much gentler.

The former provides powerful effects, while the latter is permanent. These two modes of activation complement each other, not only forging the strong physique of the Yotsuki Clan but also making them more adaptable to the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, allowing them to become leaders among Nintaijutsu users.

According to the intelligence provided by the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, the speed Uchiha Kaoru displayed back then was likely related to Lightning-attribute chakra nature transformation and permanent cellular activation!

Judging from the previous battle, Uchiha Kaoru's strength was already above his own, and she was still hiding her Lightning Release ninjutsu and Lightning-attribute chakra nature transformation abilities. Meanwhile, he had already exhausted his trump cards. Sato Hideaka couldn't help but touch the simple box in his hand...

Was it truly necessary to consume this Special Military Ration Pill during the decisive battle?

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Sato Hideaka and continued, "Uchiha Kaoru's strength should be between an elite Chunin and a Special Jonin. If you truly wish to defeat her, I fear there is only one person who can help you!"

One person, who could help me?

Sato Hideaka was somewhat puzzled. He already possessed various powerful Kekkei Genkai, but in terms of speed, strength, and physique, he was far behind the fourteen-year-old Uchiha Kaoru. Who could possibly help him bridge such a massive gap?

"How about this: I will write you a letter of recommendation. Take it and find a Genin named Might Duy. Although Might Duy is only a Genin, he possesses extremely high mastery of Taijutsu and can make up for your current shortcomings. Of course, this training will involve enduring immense hardship..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to see the doubt in Sato Hideaka's eyes. He wrote a letter of recommendation on his desk and handed it to him.

Sato Hideaka's entire body trembled. He couldn't help but curse himself inwardly. Having watched the anime for so many years, how had he not thought of using the Eight Inner Gates Formation to compensate for his own flaws?

Might Duy, the father of the "Sublime Green Beast of Prey" Might Guy, was a pure Taijutsu ninja who excelled in the Eight Inner Gates Formation. His greatest achievement was single-handedly taking on the renowned Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, killing four of the sword-wielders and scaring off the other three. He was the only man to ever make the Seven Ninja Swordsmen doubt their own existence!

Because he appeared so infrequently in the anime, his strength could only be inferred indirectly. Fighting seven top-tier elite Jonin alone, killing four and scaring off three—this was an absolute hallmark of Kage-level combat power.

The Eight Inner Gates was undoubtedly a Kage-level Taijutsu technique, and opening all eight gates would grant one the ability to surpass Kage-level strength for a short period!

Sato Hideaka took the letter from the Third Hokage, bowed, and said calmly, "Thank you, Lord Third... I don't think I will let you down!"

After exchanging a few polite words, Sato Hideaka left the Third Hokage's office to find Might Duy and seek his guidance, following the intelligence just provided by the Anbu. Watching Sato Hideaka's retreating figure, Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a bitter laugh and said:

"Not letting us down—truly a genius seen once in a century. Has our so-called plan already been seen through? He didn't even call me 'Grandpa Third' anymore; it seems Hideaka still harbors resentment...!"

"Hideaka is only six years old and has just arrived in Konoha. He is naturally wary of his surroundings. Why not choose Kakashi to carry out this mission?" Hatake Sakumo stood to the side and asked in a deep voice.

"The advisory council's stance is that since Kakashi only recently became a Chunin, it wouldn't be a perfect result if he participated in the Genin trials, even if he defeated the geniuses of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans. That is why they had Hideaka step in... Although I tried to refuse, Danzo agreed to it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and added, "I have guessed at Danzo's intentions. After all, Sato Hideaka's potential is simply too great. Even the First and Second Hokage might not have been stronger than him at this age. I fear he wants to suppress the two clans while simultaneously limiting Sato Hideaka's potential!"

"The Land of Fire occupies the world's most vast and fertile land, and the other four great nations have always been eyeing this fertile territory with covetous eyes. No one can guarantee that a genius like the Second Raikage won't emerge in the ninja villages of the other four nations. If Konoha has already begun to limit the potential of its own geniuses, who will be left to stand against them?"

Even someone as composed as Hatake Sakumo could not help but feel indignant upon hearing of the dark and vicious schemes Danzo used against a child of only six years old, and he began to feel a sense of injustice for Sato Hideaka!