Eight Gates Released Formation Acquired

Kumogakure had sent a Jinchūriki to take part in the Chunin Ninja Exams.

That was serious news.

Everyone knew how destructive Tailed Beasts were. Every Shinobi Village that possessed one had experienced that firsthand.

If Kumogakure could prove it could perfectly control two Tailed Beasts, its chances of winning the war would rise dramatically.

Then...

The Shinobi Villages still sitting on the fence would side with Kumogakure, greatly increasing its troop numbers and fighting strength.

Hiruzen Sarutobi made his decision on the spot.

"Bring Might Duy here!"

Right now, Konoha had no better option.

He knew Kazan's fighting strength well. Kazan had already reached Jonin level.

Even Shinku Yuhi had said that in a fight to the death, he would most likely be the one who died.

But if Kazan's opponent was a Jinchūriki who could perfectly control a Tailed Beast, even he would be outmatched.

The only chance was for Kazan to learn the Forbidden Technique, the Eight Gates Released Formation.

That way, even if he ultimately lost, it would not be a one-sided fight.

Konoha would still have achieved its goal of showing its strength.

Before long...

A flattered Might Duy arrived at the Hokage Building.

"Lord Hokage!"

Might Duy dropped to one knee, visibly excited.

For a lifelong Genin to be summoned by the Hokage out of the blue—perhaps this was his chance.

"Duy, it's been a long time since we last met, hasn't it?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage. Nearly thirty years."

Might Duy was thirty-three this year. He had first met Hiruzen Sarutobi when he entered the Ninja Academy, on the day Hiruzen personally spoke about the Will of Fire at the opening ceremony.

The two had barely seen each other since.

"It's been that long."

Hiruzen Sarutobi marveled at how time had flown.

"Yes. I'm sorry I never became an accomplished Ninja. I'm still a Genin to this day." Shame colored Might Duy's face.

"No. You're already an accomplished Ninja. Others may not know it, but I know how strong you are. You've simply kept that strength in check."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze seemed to see right through Might Duy, moving him deeply.

So Lord Hokage has been watching over me all along!

Once moved, Might Duy wanted to cry.

He and his son were both quick to tears. Whether happy or sad, they expressed it by crying.

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless. This father and son were among the few people he preferred not to deal with.

Their behavior was simply too eccentric.

He decided to skip the small talk. "Duy, I summoned you because I have an S-Rank Mission for you."

"An S-Rank Mission? For me?!"

"That's right. I know you've mastered the Eight Gates Released Formation. I want you to teach it to Kazan as quickly as possible."

The Forest of Death exam would end in five days.

After that came the one-on-one selection round, a test of head-on combat ability.

Once the final sixteen were decided, the last stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams would begin.

The final matches would take place at one of Konoha's largest Training Grounds, before the daimyo and representatives of other Shinobi Villages.

All told, Kazan had only four or five days.

"But Lord Hokage, the Eight Gates Released Formation isn't a technique to use lightly."

"It took me over twenty years to master it, and even now I don't dare use it lightly."

The strain it placed on the body was too great.

If Might Duy opened the Seventh Gate now, his body would protest. If he opened the final gate, the Gate of Death, a single strike might shatter his body.

"You don't need to worry about that. Kazan is more gifted than you realize."

To win him over, Hiruzen Sarutobi took Might Duy to the Back Mountain where Kazan usually trained.

The fist marks covering the mountainside proved that Kazan already met the requirements to train in the Eight Gates Released Formation.

"This is where Kazan usually trains. His body holds boundless potential."

"What's more, he created a Taijutsu technique that trains the body from the inside out, making it nearly indestructible."

"If you agree, I'll see to it personally that Kazan teaches you Tekkai in exchange for the Eight Gates Released Formation!"

Might Duy hurriedly waved his hands.

"That's not it, Lord Hokage. I'd actually planned to teach the Eight Gates Released Formation to Kazan and Guy from the beginning. I just didn't think the time was right!"

Apart from his own son, Kazan was the child Might Duy liked and admired most.

He had watched Kazan grow up too, and had wanted from the start to pass on the only Secret Technique he knew.

The time simply had not been right.

But now...

Seeing all this, Might Duy had no reservations left.

"Lord Hokage, bring Kazan here. I'll teach him the Eight Gates Released Formation myself!"

"Good!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately ordered the ANBU to bring Kazan back from the Forest of Death.

Before long...

The ANBU found Kazan in the middle of training.

"Lord Kazan, Lord Hokage wants to see you. Please come with me."

"Know what it's about?"

"Lord Hokage will tell you himself. Please come with me now."

"Got it."

Kazan did not waste words. He said goodbye to his teammates and left the Central Building in the Forest of Death with the ANBU.

Whoosh!

Kazan leaped up and sped forward, stepping through the air.

The ANBU below were stunned. This Dou Zong powerhouse... no, Lord Kazan really was extraordinarily gifted. He had even developed a technique for walking on air.

In moments, Kazan's Observation Haki located Hiruzen Sarutobi and Might Duy.

Uncle Might is there too?

Could this be about the Eight Gates Released Formation?

Kazan's heart stirred. He accelerated, landing like a comic-book Hero and smashing a large crater into the ground.

"Old Man Third Hokage, what did you call me here for?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not surprised. He already knew Kazan had created a technique called Geppo.

Might Duy, on the other hand, stared in disbelief.

"Moving through the air by kicking it at high speed... How...?"

As Might Duy saw it, only opening the final gate of the Eight Gates Released Formation—the Gate of Death—could make that possible.

And yet...

"Something unexpected has come up in the Chunin Ninja Exams."

"Among the Genin Kumogakure sent this time is the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki. She may be able to control the Two-Tails perfectly!"

"Yugito Nii?" Kazan asked, pretending not to know.

"You know her?"

"I've seen her. My Observation Haki sensed a monster living inside her."