Konoha: I Have a Gravity Training Room

Tatsuya Yamashiro forced himself to calm down, then hurriedly used the Thousand Crow Technique, controlling the crows to harass Rock Lee while looking for an opening to attack with Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu. It actually caused Rock Lee quite a bit of trouble.

However, Rock Lee ultimately forced his way out of the Crow Swarm and thoroughly defeated Tatsuya Yamashiro.

"Rock Lee wins!"

With Might Guy's announcement, the battle came to an end.

Tatsuya Yamashiro made the Seal of Reconciliation with a mournful face. For a moment, he did not even dare look at Megumi Kato's expression, feeling that he had embarrassed himself in front of the girl he liked.

Rock Lee extended his hand and smiled sincerely. "Tatsuya, right? You're very strong! I look forward to fighting you again!"

Tatsuya Yamashiro froze, then felt even more ashamed. The other's strength and mindset were both better than his. It seemed perfectly normal that he could not win.

So he took a deep breath and clasped Rock Lee's hand. "You're the strong one, Rock Lee. But I'll train hard. I won't lose to you next time!"

"Whoa! What a friendship of youth!"

Might Guy suddenly howled, thick streams of tears running down his cheeks. He looked utterly bizarre.

Unexpectedly, Rock Lee began crying as well. "Whoa! I'm moved too! Might Guy, this is youth!"

"Rock Lee!"

"Might Guy!"

The large and small kappas embraced, with an image of crashing waves frozen behind them. It was so beautifully dramatic that everyone else felt embarrassed just watching.

Tenten could only feel her mouth twitch as she forced out a smile. "Heh, hehe. Don't mind them, everyone. You'll get used to it."

Tatsuya Yamashiro and Megumi Kato immediately gave Tenten pitying looks. Tenten really had it rough!

At that moment, Tatsuya Yamashiro walked over to Megumi Kato and lowered his gaze. "Megumi, I'm sorry. I lost."

Megumi Kato's voice was gentle. "Mm, I saw. But it's okay. You'll win next time. Let me see if you were hurt anywhere. I'll treat you."

At her words, Tatsuya Yamashiro immediately scratched his head with a foolish grin. The two began openly showing off their affection.

Seeing this, Aoba Yamashiro could not very well scold his younger clansman on the spot. Besides, he could tell that his clansman had not trained for very long. He decided to put him through extra training later.

The second match soon began, naturally between Megumi Kato and Tenten. There was no suspense to the result—Megumi Kato lost decisively.

To be honest, Megumi Kato was quite capable among genin. On top of beginning to learn Medical Ninjutsu, calling her an outstanding genin would not have been an exaggeration. It was just that her opponent was Tenten.

Tenten was already capable of fighting Neji for a long time without losing, even without revealing her trump cards. Moreover, the Water Style Ninjutsu Megumi Kato used had all been taught by Xia Mu. Tenten was extremely familiar with Xia Mu's techniques, so Megumi Kato's loss was only natural. Fortunately, Megumi Kato was not dejected by her defeat.

At that moment, Neji stepped forward. "Xia Mu, it's been nearly a year. I'm glad to fight you again!"

Xia Mu stepped forward as well. "Looks like you've trained hard this past year, Neji. But I haven't been standing still either. I won't hold back this time!"

"Then let's give it everything we have! I want to see how far I can go against you!"

As Neji spoke, he activated his Byakugan. At Might Guy's shout to begin, he actually charged forward first.

Xia Mu did not hesitate either. After rapidly forming hand seals, he pressed his hand to the ground. "Earth Release: Mud Wall!"

Neji hurriedly slammed on the brakes. A wall of earth erupted directly in front of him. Had he not stopped just then, the earthen wall would have launched him into the air, leaving him full of openings and no different from a target.

It was clear that Xia Mu's timing was extremely precise.

Moreover, avoiding that wall did not mean it was over. Earthen walls rose behind Neji and on both sides, and even a wall closed over his head.

In an instant, he was trapped inside a matchbox-like earthen hut.

Chapter 83: Fighting Neji Again

Xia Mu did not idle around either. His hands rapidly formed seals as he created two Shadow Clones. One used Moon Walk to head into the sky, while the other used Earth Release to burrow underground. His original body charged toward the matchbox.

Everyone watched in a daze. Xia Mu's movements were simply too fast.

From using Earth Release to trap Neji to creating two clones, it was as though he had planned it all in advance, without the slightest hesitation.

This move might work against others, but against Neji, who possessed the Byakugan, it probably would not be enough. The Byakugan offered all-around observation with no blind spots. Neji had likely watched Xia Mu's every move from inside that matchbox.

There was no way it could serve as a sneak attack!

"Eight Trigrams Palms!"

The matchbox-like earthen hut exploded apart. Neji stood in place in a ready stance, waiting for Xia Mu to attack.

Yet the Shadow Clone in the sky was first to greet him with several Tempest Kick slashes. Neji had no choice but to dodge, only to quickly discover that the underground Shadow Clone was about to grab his ankle. He could only hurriedly leap backward.

But Xia Mu's original body was not merely watching. He had already rushed in front of Neji, launching a rapid barrage of Iron Body punches.

Neji could only hastily defend himself. He had initially set up his Eight Trigrams stance and intended to unleash the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, but Xia Mu had disrupted his rhythm through the simultaneous sneak attacks from above and below. Now, he had to face Xia Mu's rapid assault and had no chance to use the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. He was utterly passive.

As expected of Xia Mu. One step ahead means every step ahead. I've already fallen into his rhythm!

Neji thought anxiously, but his hands did not dare slow down for even a moment as he continuously blocked Xia Mu's iron fists. After several exchanges, both his hands had begun to go numb, because Xia Mu's hands truly were like iron.

But Xia Mu suddenly changed his style, turning his Iron Body fist technique into a rapid Finger Pistol assault.

Finger Pistol hardened the fingers into iron, and its fingertips were incomparably sharp. One hit would definitely punch a hole through him.

Neji found defending himself even harder. Even with Chakra coating his palms, he did not dare clash head-on with Finger Pistol. He could only keep retreating while also guarding against attacks from the sky and underground.

That was why Xia Mu had sent two clones into the sky and underground. They could greatly restrain Neji.

The others watched in amazement. Xia Mu's move was truly difficult to deal with. First, Xia Mu's original body was already troublesome with its rapid assault, and then there were the occasional sneak attacks from above and below. Forget genin—even many chunin probably would not last long. The fact that Neji had defended for so long was already incredibly rare.

It showed that when Shadow Clones were used well, they could absolutely produce unexpected results.

Unlike Naruto, who just sent a group of Shadow Clones charging in to die. The key was that his taijutsu was so terrible, which was why he often ended up getting beaten.

Neji was growing anxious. Xia Mu's attacks were becoming faster and faster. If this continued, his defeat would only be a matter of time, and that was something he could not accept.

He had not even forced Xia Mu to reveal his true strength.

Gritting his teeth, he began to spin, and a hemispherical Chakra barrier immediately formed around him.

"Eight Trigrams Palms: Rotation!"

Xia Mu decisively stopped his rapid assault, and even the Shadow Clone in the sky paused its sneak attacks. Rotation's defense was simply too invincible, and breaking through it would not be easy. However, there was no protective barrier beneath Neji's feet. Xia Mu had discovered that weakness during their last fight, and now there happened to be a Shadow Clone underground.

The next second, an earthen wall suddenly surged up beneath Neji's feet.

Still spinning, Neji was sent flying by the wall. His Rotation was interrupted, and in midair, his entire body was full of openings.

Xia Mu's Shadow Clone in the air immediately used Tempest Kick to envelop Neji. Neji could only twist his body as much as possible to dodge while frantically striking out with both palms to shatter the Tempest Kicks.

However, the power of the Eight Trigrams Palms needed footwork and waist strength to be unleashed at its fullest. In the air, it was severely restricted.

Very soon, Neji landed covered in blood. Before he could react, Xia Mu's original body was already behind him, a kunai aimed at his throat.

"Neji, you let me win."

As Xia Mu spoke, he put away the kunai and dismissed his two Shadow Clones.

Neji gritted his teeth in unwillingness, but he still took a deep breath. "I lost."

He had no choice but to admit defeat. Although he had taken the initiative from the start, Xia Mu had completely controlled the rhythm of the battle. He had not even been able to use the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. Then, when he used Rotation, his absolute defense, the underground Shadow Clone had ambushed him and launched him into the air with a single Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall.

Once he left the ground, he could not even maintain Rotation!

So Rotation really did have a weakness. It could defend against all directions and even above, but beneath the feet was its weak point. As long as someone used Earth Release, they could break the technique!

He had known that since their last fight, yet he had still been unable to resist trusting Rotation's defense. This was the result. Even Rotation had been broken. What else could he do but lose?

"I still couldn't force you to use your full strength!" This was what Neji found most frustrating.

"It's fine. I'll be waiting. You can challenge me anytime!"

Xia Mu knew that after his previous defeat, Neji seemed to have changed considerably. He no longer believed the Byakugan and Gentle Fist were supreme, nor did he think Rotation could not be broken. That was a good change.

Honestly, the Hyuga Clan clung stubbornly to outdated rules. They had made no progress for a thousand years, forever immersed in the glory of their ancestors and unable to wake up. They did not realize that the times were changing. If the Hyuga Clan did not understand how to adapt, it would eventually be abandoned by the era.

Look at history. After several Shinobi World Wars, which famous Hyuga powerhouse had emerged?

Konoha's White Fang, the Legendary Sannin, the Yellow Flash, Body Flicker Shisui—what did the Hyuga Clan have to show for itself?

It was nothing but a decaying clan!

Now that Neji had become clear-headed after being defeated and understood the need to change, perhaps the Hyuga Clan would truly need Neji to become powerful again in the future. However, Neji was from the Branch Family. The rotten main-family and branch-family system was suppressing this genius. The Hyuga Clan would personally push its ancient family into the abyss!

Still, that had nothing to do with Xia Mu. He was only reflecting on it.

The battle was over, but it was not truly over yet.

Xia Mu raised a hand toward Might Guy in invitation. "Might Guy, while we're at it, let's have a match today. I'll let you see how well I've learned the Eight Gates."

"You want to fight me? All right! Come at me!"

Might Guy stepped onto the field with his hands on his hips and quickly assumed a defensive stance, not underestimating Xia Mu in the slightest.

Xia Mu took a deep breath. The next second, a powerful aura burst from around him. "Eight Gates, Third Gate: Gate of Life, open!"

Bang! The Chakra surge kicked up a storm, sweeping away all the sand and gravel nearby and leaving everyone except Aoba Yamashiro and Tenten shocked.

Neji decisively activated his Byakugan, his expression grave. "So this is the Eight Gates? It's my first time seeing it. It opens the body's limits and completely releases Chakra, unleashing terrifying power for a short time. I believe what Tenten said now. Xia Mu can erupt with such power just by opening the Third Gate. If Might Guy truly opened the Gate of Death, he might really be able to cripple the Sage of Six Paths with a kick!"

Chapter 84: Naruto and Sasuke's True Love, Sakura the Mistress

Rock Lee's entire body trembled, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

He had not expected Xia Mu to already be able to open the Third Gate. And judging from how relaxed Xia Mu looked, he was probably capable of opening even more gates.

Sure enough, Might Guy's Eight Gates was the strongest. Since he had learned Might Guy's techniques, he would definitely be able to prove his dream in the future. Even if he could not use ninjutsu, he could still become a powerful ninja!

"Ha ha ha! Such youth! In that case, I'll do it too! Eight Gates, Gate of Life, open!"

Buzz! Might Guy's entire body was covered in a Chakra aura, and then he vanished from the spot in a flash.

Xia Mu vanished as well. Only two rapidly moving afterimages could be seen in the air. Every collision boomed like muffled thunder, and the resulting gusts nearly uprooted the surrounding trees.

Still, it was only a spar, so neither side used any powerful techniques.

Might Guy did not even use Morning Peacock. He merely relied on the speed and power of the Third Gate to trade blows with Xia Mu. Yet even that alone gave everyone a tremendous shock.

Half an hour later, the two stopped, both breathing heavily.

Might Guy wiped away his sweat in satisfaction, flashing his bright white teeth. "What a contest of youth! Xia Mu, your application of the Eight Gates has become exceptionally proficient. I have to say, your talent is truly impressive."

As Xia Mu let Tenten help wipe his sweat, he humbly said, "I'm still far from defeating you, Might Guy. I need to keep working hard."

"Ha ha! If you want to defeat Konoha's Blue Beast, you're still far from it!"

"No, no. I think I'm getting close!"

"Oh? Boy, having ambition is a good thing, but you can't make empty boasts. Fine then—when you defeat me someday, I'll give you a treasured set of tights!"

"Absolutely not!"

Tenten could not help but interrupt. "Might Guy, Xia Mu does not want tights! My boyfriend cannot become a kappa!"

Rock Lee immediately became dissatisfied. "What nonsense are you talking about, Tenten? This is the symbol of youth, not a kappa! Can you even call yourself Might Guy's student?"

"I don't like them anyway, and I won't let Xia Mu be assimilated by you!"

"Only by being assimilated by us can you truly become strong! Might Guy is the strongest, and becoming like Might Guy will make you the strongest too!"

"Ahhh! Anyway, absolutely not!"

The two kept arguing, making everyone laugh uncontrollably.

After the spar, they naturally had to enjoy a good meal. The little rich girl Tenten generously treated everyone, taking them to Q Meat BBQ for a feast that left everyone delighted.

During the meal, Rock Lee accidentally drank a cup of alcohol, scaring Xia Mu into quickly throwing him out onto the street.

While everyone was wondering what was going on, Rock Lee began drunkenly flailing about and actually started using Drunken Fist. He was surprisingly good at it.

Fortunately, Xia Mu had thrown him out of the barbecue restaurant in time. Otherwise, Rock Lee might have torn the whole place apart in just a few moves. They would have had to pay for the damages for nothing. Even if Tenten's family was rich, they could not waste money like that.

"Rock Lee's Drunken Fist is pretty good. He'd have no problem fighting chunin. The problem is that he probably doesn't know it himself," Neji could not help commenting.

"Yeah, but his alcohol tolerance is too poor. He got drunk after just one cup. It would probably be difficult to develop his Drunken Fist. Forget it, don't think about it. If we let him learn Drunken Fist, wouldn't he tear Konoha apart?"

Might Guy decisively abandoned the idea. People with poor alcohol tolerance should forget about learning Drunken Fist. If they were not conscious, it did not matter how well they fought.

After that farce, Might Guy sent Rock Lee home, and everyone else went their separate ways.

Xia Mu and Tenten were not in any hurry to go home. Holding hands, they wandered down the street. It was rare that neither of them had a mission, so they decided to go on a date and relax properly.

Unexpectedly, as they wandered around, they ran into Team 7, who were boredly playing cards.

Naruto still had quite the card-playing addiction. He insisted on dragging Sasuke and Sakura into playing with him. The two could not refuse, and playing cards was actually fairly interesting.