Ch. 161Taijutsu sparring partner
Xuandou fought the Raikage to improve his Taijutsu, using Yae-gaki, the Eight Gates Formation, and Yang Release chakra to endure the strain. After opening the fifth gate, he gradually learned from the Raikage’s techniques, and the battle continued as Xuandou’s skills rapidly improved.
- The Raikage struck Xuandou, but Yae-gaki’s armor absorbed most of the blow and began repairing itself.
- Xuandou opened the fifth gate and used Yang Release chakra to heal the damage the Eight Gates Formation caused to his body.
- Xuandou attacked the Raikage, and the two fought at close quarters while Xuandou struggled against the Raikage’s superior Taijutsu experience.
- Xuandou studied the Raikage’s movements with his Rinnegan and adapted his blocks, footwork, and counterattacks during the fight.
- Shisui told Itachi that Xuandou was using the Raikage for practice, and Itachi observed that Xuandou was improving rapidly.
- Over less than an hour, Xuandou progressed from being unable to fight back to trading blows with the Raikage.