Battle! Might Duy!

Sosuke walked over to take a closer look.

Sure enough!

Who else could that green figure doing handstands in the morning breeze be but Might Duy!?

At this moment, Might Duy was supporting his entire body with his hands, standing upside down!

His arms were trembling as if they were bearing an immense, crushing pressure!!

A rope was tied around his waist, and behind him!

He was actually dragging a massive log, thick enough for several people to wrap their arms around, with that rope!!!

Seeing this, Sosuke's pupils couldn't help but constrict slightly, and he felt genuinely shocked in his heart!

This guy Dai!! Such terrifying training!! Could it be that he didn't even realize what kind of terrifying existence he was?

Composing himself, Sosuke stepped forward and said softly.

"Dai, long time no see."

Might Duy, who had been drenched in sweat and on the verge of collapse, widened his eyes—which had been squinted shut in pain—upon hearing that voice!

Looking at the white-robed figure in front of him!

Might Duy was naturally incredibly excited; he pushed off the ground with his hands, snapped the rope, and jumped up!

He looked at Sosuke with a face full of joy and excitement!

"Sosuke, long time no see!!"

Facing Sosuke, his demeanor and posture were somewhat agitated and reserved. After all, in his eyes, Sosuke was not just a simple friend!

It was Sosuke who had saved him! Saved him from his downward spiral!! It was he who had helped him regain his passion for youth and reignited his persistence in his own Ninja Way!!!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but recall the training grounds at the Ninja Academy, and the words Sosuke had said to him when he stepped forward to duel Instructor Morino on his behalf.

"...The so-called rules exist for those who cannot survive without following them."

"...Dai, do you believe in your taijutsu?"

"...Then! Dai! Watch closely. As long as you are strong enough, even with just taijutsu, you can possess your own piece of the sky."

The past was vivid in his mind. To him, Sosuke was the person who had acknowledged him, a person worthy of his absolute respect!

Seeing Might Duy's excitement, Sosuke couldn't help but smile slightly.

What a simple and straightforward guy. Perhaps you have never even realized your own terrifying potential.

Looking at Might Duy, who was covered in scars and thick calluses, Sosuke thought to himself.

A ninjutsu failure? What a group of ignorant fools. How could no one have discovered the talent of a Might Duy like this?

Suddenly, an idea popped into Sosuke's mind!

Considering the feasibility of this thought, the corners of Sosuke's mouth curled into a smile.

"Dai, do you still have any stamina left? If you can, may I ask for a favor—would you spar with me in a taijutsu match?"

Hearing Sosuke's words, Might Duy froze on the spot!

It was as if his brain had crashed; it took a long while before he looked at Sosuke in astonishment, almost unable to speak!!

"Sosuke, although I... I still have strength, how could that be possible!?"

"How could I possibly be your... opponent? With my strength, it's impossible for me to trade blows with you."

Looking at the sincere Sosuke before him, Might Duy waved his hands frantically, his face flushing red.

In Might Duy's eyes, the strength of Sosuke was well-known and plain for all to see!

He was able to forcefully defeat a Chunin instructor using only taijutsu!

For such a Sosuke to suddenly ask him for a taijutsu spar was truly shocking.

Although he persisted in his Ninja Way of practicing taijutsu, for Might Duy, it was a choice born of necessity; after all, he had no way to practice ninjutsu and could only pour his energy into the path of taijutsu!

Furthermore, he had self-awareness. While his taijutsu had a few bright spots, if his opponent were Sosuke, his own meager strength would likely be insignificant.

However, Sosuke, who usually wore a gentle expression, was very firm at this moment. This gentle firmness made it impossible for Might Duy to refuse.

He could only awkwardly agree. Although he knew it was impossible to defeat Sosuke, Might Duy still gave this taijutsu duel his utmost importance!

This was his Ninja Way, and it was his respect for his opponent!

On the field.

Looking at the earnest Might Duy opposite him, Sosuke's expression also turned slightly serious, simply because his opponent was a person worthy of respect!

Dai, let me see just what kind of strength you have reached by now!

However, before the fight began, Might Duy suddenly raised his hand for a pause. He looked at Sosuke with a flushed face and said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Sosuke, please wait a moment. If the opponent is you, although I cannot win, I still want to try with everything I have!"

With that, under Sosuke's slightly surprised gaze, he removed the wrist and ankle weights he was wearing.

"Thud!"

As the wrist weights were tossed aside, they left a slight indentation in the ground and kicked up a cloud of dust; it was clear that they were by no means light!

Watching this scene, and then looking at Might Duy as he loosened his limbs after shedding his gear!

The gaze behind Sosuke's frames couldn't help but grow slightly solemn!

This guy Dai!! Has he been carrying such weights during his training all this time? What a terrifying talent!

Opposite him, Might Duy was now fully prepared, looking at Sosuke with a serious expression.

"Sosuke! I'm coming!"

No sooner had the words left his lips!

His figure vanished in an instant, like a lingering shadow!

Sosuke watched this scene in shock, but under his Slash Path, everything within a radius of several yards was within his absolute perception!

A dark shadow gradually solidified behind him!

"Bang!"

A powerful, heavy kick struck out, only to be blocked by Sosuke's braced left arm.

The rocks beneath his feet shattered instantly!

After feeling the strength of Might Duy through his left arm, Sosuke's eyes sank!

As expected!! Under such grueling training, Dai's strength is practically like a cheat code; it's not something a human should possess. If I had to describe it, only a massive beast could wield such terrifying power!

However, having just blocked that strike!

Before Sosuke could even shift his stance, right in front of him!

Might Duy's body had already solidified, his face etched with intense focus!

"Bang!"

A violent knee strike!

Yet, in the blink of an eye, it was parried by Sosuke's elbow!

The two collided with immense force, both retreating afterward!

Looking at Might Duy, a smile curled at the corners of Sosuke's mouth, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Dai! You possess unparalleled aptitude in taijutsu! But this alone is not enough to satisfy me. Bring out some real strength; I believe this is not your limit."

Dai, bring out your true power. I believe you are capable of far more than this; your terrifying physique is truly formidable. Feeling the slight ache in his elbow and arm, Sosuke thought with a smile.

Across from him, Might Duy felt the depth of Sosuke's strength only after engaging him in battle!

It seemed that nothing could pose a threat to him; no matter the attack! No matter the speed, it all seemed to be within Sosuke's control!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unwillingness. In terms of taijutsu, while he didn't think he could defeat Sosuke! But! Was he really unable to even satisfy him!?

Might Duy looked at Sosuke with a serious face and said.

"Sosuke, then! From here on out, you must take this seriously. I have never used this technique in front of anyone before! I hope it will satisfy you!"

Hearing his words, a hint of excitement flickered in the eyes behind Sosuke's frames.

A light breeze swept past. He stood straight in the distance, a faint smile on his face, carefully observing Might Duy, seemingly filled with anticipation for what was to come!

Dai, let me see it! The true strength you have been hiding!

"Opening Gate! Open!"

Following Dai's shout!

"Boom!" With a roar, a powerful surge of chakra erupted from his body like a pillar of clouds reaching for the sky, but it wasn't over yet!

"Rest... Rest Gate! Open!"

Dai's face was already flushed red! Veins bulged across his body! His hair danced wildly in the wake of his soaring chakra!

In the distance, Sosuke watched Dai in utter shock!!

Is this your hidden strength!! Dai!! To raise your chakra to such a level in an instant!!! A terrifying technique!!

Thinking of his own issues with chakra deficiency!

Even amidst his astonishment, a look of joy couldn't help but surface in Sosuke's eyes!

If this is truly possible, then nothing could be better!!!