Youth That Never Ends, Eight Gates Formation: Open!

Watching his father rush in front of him, Might Guy was utterly bewildered.

"Why? Dad, you're only a genin. Why did you rush over here?"

Ebisu and Shiranui Genma were even more stunned. Might Guy's father was not a strong fighter at all, and the people before them were all skilled Kirigakure ninja. There was simply no chance of winning.

"Another Konoha Ninja?"

"He looks like that watermelon-head's father. How tragic. Father and son dying together... Then let me show you some kindness and send you from this world without pain, with my Kubikiribōchō."

Juzo Biwa wore a cruel expression, the Kubikiribōchō in his hand eager to strike. Might Duy, who had remained silent for so long, revealed his usual smile.

"Is there any other reason? Protecting what you cherish—that is the youth and spirit of a real man. You have to live well, Guy."

"Now is the moment for youth to burn! Eight Gates Formation: Open!"

His aura surged into the heavens as vigorous life force burned without end. Emerald Green flames and terrifying chakra condensed into tangible form burst forth with unprecedented brilliance.

"Run, Guy! Your old man will hold them off here!"

"Dad!"

"Impressive chakra, but don't tell me you think you can defeat us. Lightning Release: Lightning Fang!"

Lightning descended from the sky. The hazy, shifting mist obscured their vision as terrifying arcs of electricity scattered countless silver sparks and shot straight toward the four of them.

The next instant, utterly unrestrained, broad and powerful Taijutsu came charging in. With a single kick, the lightning that would have been fatal to ordinary ninja was scattered apart.

"I will never, never allow you to harm shoots that have yet to grow! I will never allow you to lay a hand on Guy! This is the full strength I have gained by burning my life away. Prepare yourselves!"

Bang!

Thunder rumbled as streaks of lightning flashed. A light rain fell in a soft drizzle, sliding down the Demon Fox Mask.

"Autumn rain? Rare weather."

Walking through the rain, he casually flicked the kunai in his hand. Droplets of blood mixed with the rainwater, washing away the thick stench of blood.

The cold, emotionless figure vanished from where he stood, leaving behind only severed limbs and mangled corpses.

A short while later, numerous battered Kirigakure ninja squads who had survived the flames of war hurried over, their eyes filled with grim reluctance.

"Damn it, that guy again. How could Konoha raise a monster like that? No one has even seen his true face. His Body Flicker Technique is even better than the Yellow Flash's."

"Body Flicker Gengetsu. In just two months, he has killed hundreds of ninja from every village. A genius who has never made a mistake. They say he's from the Uchiha Clan, but no one has actually seen his face. Who knows whether it's true or not?"

The Kirigakure ninja all looked grave and clenched their teeth. An opponent skilled in the Body Flicker Technique was the natural nemesis of strike squads like theirs, who roamed about raiding wherever they pleased.

"It doesn't matter if we didn't find him. Didn't we get something good this time?"

The gray-blue-haired man at the front spoke indifferently. Inside the transparent test tube in his hand, submerged in pale yellow liquid, was an eyeball with a pure white pupil.

"After so much effort, we only managed to seize this Byakugan through sheer luck. The Hyuga Clan even split into the main house and branch houses for its sake."

"Now, the Byakugan, one of the Three Great Dojutsu, belongs to Kirigakure."

A peculiar gleam flashed in his single eye as Mist Jonin Ao turned to the others.

"Inform the Seven Ninja Swordsmen immediately. Have them escort us back to Kirigakure. This is an important Kekkei Genkai. We must not let Konoha's two Body Flicker ninja set their sights on it!"

"Yes!"

As the figures vanished, Ao turned and shouted.

"We leave first. Even if we have to stake our lives on it, we must deliver the Byakugan back to Kirigakure. Move out."

Near the border of the Land of Fire, at the designated meeting point, Uchiha Huayue's eyes turned cold as he asked in a chilly voice.

"Duy still hasn't returned?"

"No. I just saw the back of Duy's child, Might Guy, but Duy has been gone for a long time and still hasn't returned. There seems to be very thick mist over there."

Kosuke's explanation made Huayue fall silent for a moment. His eyes flickered before he finally gave his instructions in a low voice.

"Prepare emergency medicine. Something may have happened to Duy. I'll be back shortly."

After Huayue left, Kosuke's wrinkled old face grew increasingly ugly. Had the ominous feeling in his heart come true? Could he only place his hopes on the captain now?

"Don't let anything happen to you, Duy. Didn't you want to see the day your child became a jonin?"

Meanwhile, on the battlefield between the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and Might Duy.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were all panting heavily. Several who had been slightly careless were covered in wounds.

"You tracksuit bastard, just one kick and we're badly injured? Chakra visible to the naked eye, simple movements but Taijutsu with overwhelming power... Who the hell is this bastard? His name isn't in the ninja handbook!"

Kushimaru Kuriarare's tone was devoid of emotion. Like the Anbu mask on his face, he seemed cold and merciless.

"Konoha Taijutsu expert, you are worthy of us remembering your name. Who exactly are you?"

Munashi Jinpachi, wielder of the Exploding Blade Shibuki among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, barked the question. Every one of the swordsmen standing amid the dust and smoke was on full alert.

"Konoha's Eternal Genin, a hot-blooded man whose youth never ends—Might Duy!"

"Might Duy? We'll remember that name. Now, please die here forever. To show our respect, we will hold nothing back. Lightning Release: Lightning Dragon Tornado."

"Longsword Ninja Art: Earth Spider Stitch."

"Explosion Blade Ninja Art: Heavy Death."

"Devour his chakra, Samehada!"

"You must live well. Protect the treasure you value most, Guy..."

Just as Might Duy was about to ignite everything and pour his last remaining chakra into the death gate, a cold thread of chakra precisely sealed the other seven gates of the Eight Gates Formation. A familiar indifferent voice sounded behind him.

"Didn't I tell you to focus on stalling for time? If you burn away that last bit of chakra, you'll have no hope of surviving at all, Duy."

"Cap... Captain, you finally made it..."

The immense burden the Eight Gates Formation had placed upon his body had brought Might Duy to the verge of collapse, but there was not no way to save him.

Kurama, please. I never thought the technique I came up with would be used here.

Life force so vigorous it was visible to the naked eye gathered into golden markings similar to a Curse Mark. After temporarily locking down Might Duy's body, three figures rushed over at high speed.

"Dad! Dad!"

"He won't die for now. Let him rest over there for the moment. I have something to discuss with these guys. What the hell did you bastards do to my squad member?"

Among the three, Ebisu, who found that voice extremely familiar, lifted his head in confusion. Only when he saw the Uchiha crest on the back of the black cloak did realization dawn on him.

"Huayue, they're the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure. Every one of them is an elite jonin. We can't beat them. We should run!"

"Body Flicker Technique... You bastard, are you Body Flicker Gengetsu? You're just a brat! Were all those idiots who died by your hand complete morons?"