Might Duy's Eight Gates Lesson

"Muscle strain?"

Yakushi Nonō patiently listened as Mikami Yu finished explaining. Then she adjusted her glasses and said gently, "For something like this, the best approach is still to regularly see a medical ninja for examinations, using professional Medical Ninjutsu and massage techniques to eliminate hidden injuries.

"If that isn't possible, then at the very least, do a set of gentle stretching exercises before bed every night, then drink a cup of warm milk. Promoting physical recovery through sleep is also quite effective."

As she spoke, Nonō demonstrated the stretching exercises in the quiet hallway.

They looked rather like radio calisthenics.

However, as Mikami Yu watched Nonō hopping about while exercising, he involuntarily recalled transforming into Nonō at the training ground two days ago. His expression became a little unnatural.

At that,

Nonō gave it no further thought. After finishing her demonstration, she wrote another note and handed it over. "The Nara Family's secret Muscle-Soothing Paste and Bone-Rejuvenating Oil—applying these two medicines to the joints of your limbs and the acupoints around your waist and abdomen after intense exercise can effectively nourish the meridians and reduce strain...

"Just like this. Massage until it heats up and absorbs, and that'll do."

"I see... Thank you, Teacher Yakushi!"

Mikami Yu gave a slight bow in thanks, then hurriedly turned and left with Nohara Rin and Obito, who had been waiting nearby.

That afternoon.

Mikami Yu exchanged all ten thousand ryo he had earned from Yuhi Kurenai for several jars of medicinal ointment from the Nara Family Pharmacy.

He also took out some of it and shared it with Nohara Rin and the Might Duy father-and-son pair.

There was no need to mention Rin.

Might Duy was so moved that tears welled in his eyes. He could not help shouting, "Ah, this is proof of the bonds of youth! Let our hot blood burn even fiercer beneath the nourishment of these ointments!"

Mikami Yu: "..."

How should he put it? When it came to being cringey, the Might father-and-son duo truly stood alone...

And so.

Time flew by amid sweat and the circulation of chakra. In the blink of an eye, it was Konoha Year 46, January.

Early that morning.

As the thin mist met the first light of dawn, three figures—two running on their hands, one running normally—charged out of the fog-shrouded area together and stopped near the entrance to Konoha.

There, Mikami Yu let out a long breath. His chest heaved violently, sweat dripping from his chin, yet his eyes were bright and the corners of his mouth curved upward. "The achievement of ten days, ten laps—completed!"

As the three of them came to a stop one after another.

Might Duy turned around, his eyes instantly erupting with a radiance more dazzling than the sun, his white teeth gleaming brightly. "Wonderful, Yu! This is youth's most brilliant medal! Your burning sweat and iron-like perseverance—I, Might Duy, have truly received them!"

"Come! To the training ground that belongs to youth!"

"Alright!"

Mikami Yu nodded.

Rather than returning to the residential district, the three went straight into the depths of the dense forest on the side of the village. They stopped in a hidden clearing surrounded by enormous trees.

Then, Might Duy gestured for Mikami Yu and Might Guy to sit on the tree roots. The rare playfulness on his face had vanished entirely, leaving only an almost reverent solemnity.

"Yu, Guy, listen carefully!"

"The Eight Gates is the ultimate Taijutsu secret art that unlocks the restraints within the human body and releases astonishing chakra! It took me twenty years to comprehend it. With every gate opened, one's strength surges severalfold. When all eight gates are opened, one may even gain power close to Lord Hokage's, but the price is equally severe..."

That's a lie. The Hokage wasn't that strong either.

Mikami Yu thought.

The upper limit of the Eight Gates depended on the person. Adult Might Guy himself was a jonin, so when he opened all eight gates, his power approached the Six Paths Level. Duy himself was only a Genin, so his upper limit was much lower than Guy's. But considering he had kicked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen into the Auspicious Trio, he was definitely at Kage Level.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi might not have been able to withstand it.

Of course, the Eight Gates' weakness was also obvious: its burst of power lasted far too briefly. If he could not kill his opponent within the first few minutes, he would most likely die himself.

Therefore, Mikami Yu's short-term plan was only to train until he could open the third or fourth gate, giving himself another trump card for survival.

"...Therefore, to cultivate the Eight Gates, you must possess the resolve to burn away everything in order to protect what you cherish in your heart, rather than merely pursuing power."

As Might Duy spoke, his gaze blazed as he looked at Mikami Yu. "Yu! Tell me, is your resolve as firm as a rock?!"

"Yes! Uncle Duy! I have long been prepared for this resolve!"

Mikami Yu answered loudly.

"Good! Then I will now teach you how to open the first three gates!"

At once.

Might Duy began pointing to the acupoints on his body and explaining how to open the Eight Gates.

Opening, Healing, Life, Pain...

Mikami Yu had seen this knowledge about acupoints in books at the Konoha Library, so it was not unfamiliar to him. Although Might Duy's teaching ability was not especially good, it was at least much more detailed than when Naruto taught Konohamaru the Rasengan. Not to mention Might Guy was there to supplement the explanation.

Thus, Mikami Yu quickly gained a general understanding.

However, compared to Might Duy's explanation, more of his attention was on the Gala System. It had not issued a mission yet, so he would probably have to wait for Might Duy to personally activate the Eight Gates, just as Obito had previously cast Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu.

Very soon.

Might Duy clenched his fists and spread his legs slightly. "Now, I will personally demonstrate the Eight Gates... First Gate of Opening, open!"

"Second Gate of Healing... open!"

"Third Gate of Pain..."

With each low shout.

The veins all over Might Duy's body bulged. The chakra within him fell into a violent state, his short black hair beginning to float like seaweed. Invisible waves of air turned into ripples that spread throughout the training ground, startling flocks of birds into flight.

Under these circumstances, Might Duy began to swing his fists and kick his legs, moving so fast that afterimages trailed behind him.

It was also at that moment.

The Gala System finally reacted—

``` [ Ding! Detected an extraordinary potential target: "Eight Gates." Time-limited Encounter mission triggered! ]

[ At the training ground on the western side of the village, you are drawn in by an explosive aura of youth. An energetic young girl with short red hair and wheat-colored skin is frantically tempering her body in an almost self-destructive manner. Every strike carries a thunderous roar of breaking through her limits. The flames burning in her eyes seem capable of igniting the souls of others. ]

[ Warning: This target is extremely proactive. Winning her over may involve enormous risks and could cause irreversible effects on the host's body and mind. Do you still wish to encounter her: Yes/No ]