Passing It On

"Since you know, things will be simple."

"If this had happened earlier, with your current combat strength, you definitely could have overwhelmed all opponents."

"But your opponent is a Jinchūriki. That changes things."

"To help you complete your mission, I've decided to have Duy teach you the Eight Gates!"

Here it comes.

Kazan had guessed as much when he saw Might Duy.

The only thing that could make Hiruzen Sarutobi take an interest in Might Duy and his son was the Eight Gates.

But this old man is ruthless. To prepare for war, he's making a child train in the Eight Gates.

As Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi was adequate when it came to Konoha.

For the sake of the village, he could sacrifice anyone—even himself.

Sacrifice the few to benefit the many.

If you were among those who benefited, it was righteousness. But as the one being sacrificed, Kazan naturally felt somewhat displeased.

However...

"Although I don't know what the Eight Gates is, please teach me the Eight Gates, Uncle Duy!"

Kazan pretended not to know about the Eight Gates, putting on an air of selfless devotion to the village.

In short, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to owe him a favor.

I'll remember this, Hiruzen Sarutobi. You'll have to repay me later!

"Good. Since that's settled, let's begin."

Might Duy didn't waste words. He found a quiet place and began teaching him.

Then~

"Ha!"

"Eight Gates, Gate of Opening—open!"

With a loud shout, Kazan could sense a switch opening somewhere inside Might Duy. Chakra surged from his body like a tide.

"Kazan, this is the only technique I've mastered in twenty years. By opening the Eight Gates within the human body, one can remove the body's restrictions on Chakra."

"Before I begin teaching you, I must make this clear. Once all Eight Gates are opened and the Eight Gates Released Formation is activated, we gain power dozens of times greater than our normal state."

Might Duy's expression was extremely solemn as he spoke.

"Then what's the price?"

"The price is that once the Gate of Death is opened, survival is absolutely impossible!"

That was why Might Duy looked so serious.

"Kazan, I need you to promise me that you won't open the Eight Gates unless it's absolutely necessary. There is only one prerequisite for practicing this technique: Self-Constraint!"

Might Duy explained his "Self-Constraint" to Kazan.

It wasn't simply about refraining from casually using the Eight Gates.

Might Duy's Self-Constraint meant putting shackles on himself when facing difficulties, forcing himself to his limits, and establishing rules that belonged only to him.

Only by having shackles could one truly face challenges!

"This is my Self-Constraint! And Kazan, you need to establish a Self-Constraint of your own."

"Self-Constraint?"

Kazan thought for a moment, then grinned.

"My Self-Constraint is that I won't let my companions die before my eyes!"

The perfect answer!

Might Duy smiled, and so did the observing Hiruzen Sarutobi.

A child who had inherited the Will of Fire was worthy of their trust.

With his concerns gone, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and left. "I still have matters to handle, Kazan! These next few days, quickly master the Eight Gates under Duy's guidance."

"Okay."

And so.

Kazan began training in the Eight Gates with Might Duy.

Unlike Cherry Blossom Impact, the Six Powers, and the other techniques, Kazan could only train the Eight Gates with his own body.

Put simply, the Eight Gates was a technique that released one's own potential.

Within the meridian system through which Chakra flowed were places that suppressed and stored the Chakra inside the body.

These eight places were what the Eight Gates needed to open: the Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain, Gate of Limit, Gate of View, Gate of Wonder, and finally, the Gate of Death!

Once all Eight Gates were opened, the human body's potential would erupt completely, without restraint.

The price, however, was that the excessive power would constantly rebound against the body. The more gates one opened, the greater the backlash.

Only an absolute powerhouse could use and train in this technique.

"Ha~"

Following Might Duy's guidance, Kazan concentrated and began charging toward the first of the Eight Gates—the Gate of Opening.

He didn't have much talent in Ninjutsu, but when it came to Taijutsu, he possessed extraordinary aptitude.

In just one day, Kazan broke through the Gate of Opening.

"Buzz~"

Terrifying Chakra erupted from his body. The shock wave swept across the surroundings, making the nearby leaves shake violently.

"This kind of talent... Guy, compared to Kakashi, Kazan is the one you need to chase after!"

Might Duy thought to himself.

He had opened the Gate of Opening smoothly in just one day. His talent in Taijutsu far surpassed his own.

"However, Kazan, it's still too early to celebrate."

"The Gate of Opening is only the prelude to the Eight Gates. The real difficulty comes after the fifth gate!"

Kazan naturally knew that the Gate of Opening was merely the "opening ceremony" of the Eight Gates Released Formation.

Unlike in the Chunin Ninja Exams anime, it was only after opening the sixth gate, the Gate of View, that steam appeared around Might Guy's body.

The steam from the Gate of View was green.

The steam from the Gate of Wonder was blue.

And the final Gate of Death produced a red as vivid as blood!

"Let's keep working hard together, Kazan, and pay tribute to youth!"

Pay tribute to your uncle. You keep going on about youth—do you still think you're eighteen or twenty?

Although he was complaining inwardly, Kazan's fist had already met Might Duy's.

"Bring it on!" Might Duy roared with laughter, meeting it with his own fist.

There had always been a saying in the ninja world.

A first-rate Ninja only needed to exchange blows with someone to understand what they were thinking.

The two of them opened the Eight Gates together and repeatedly clashed fists.

As they fought, Might Duy began to laugh.

And so.

Several more days passed.

During those days, Tsume Inuzuka and Shibi Aburame continued waiting.

They waited for the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams to end, and waited for news of Kazan.

"Kazan still hasn't come back? What exactly did Lord Hokage want him for?"

Tsume Inuzuka was beginning to worry.

Today was the final day of the Forest of Death exam.

If he missed it, his qualification would definitely be revoked, and he would lose this chance at promotion.

Zhi Aburame was still playing with his bugs, which greatly irritated Tsume Inuzuka.

"Say something already. Stop playing with those disgusting bugs of yours all the time."

That's really hurtful. Why insult my bugs?

He decided to fight back.

"My bugs are actually very cute."

"..."

Who would care about your bugs?

Don't lose sight of what's important!