Facing Shinnosuke Sarutobi

Before long, Hatake Sakumo finished turning in his mission and arrived with Kakashi.

"Huh? Duy, what are you doing here?"

Hatake Sakumo looked surprised to see Might Duy, unable to understand why he was here.

Might Duy scratched his head sheepishly when he saw Hatake Sakumo. "I haven't taken as many missions lately, and with all the training equipment I've bought, money's been a little tight. So I thought I'd train here, then hunt something to cook for myself."

Hatake Sakumo looked exasperated. "Duy, you're clearly strong. Why don't you tell the Third? Once he knows how powerful you are, he'll definitely put you to good use. You wouldn't have to stay a genin and take nothing but D-rank missions."

"Sakumo, you know I can't use this taijutsu unless I have absolutely no other choice. I can only use it when I'm living up to my ninja way. Otherwise, I'll only lose myself."

Might Duy looked at Hatake Sakumo with unwavering resolve.

Hatake Sakumo's expression darkened. Although the Eight Gates Formation had its drawbacks, once mastered, opening three gates gave strength equivalent to a chunin, five to a jonin, six to an elite jonin, and seven to Kage level. No one had ever opened all eight, so no one knew what would happen.

Moreover, those comparisons were to the best at each rank. Ordinary ninja of the same rank were no match for someone using the corresponding gates of the Eight Gates Formation.

As long as Might Duy demonstrated the strength of five gates, Hiruzen Sarutobi would surely promote him to Jonin. Even if he couldn't lead his own team on independent missions, certain specialized missions could easily be entrusted to him.

Then, even if Might Duy completed only one mission a year, it would cover his training and living