Chapter 144 – The Mystery of the Body's Hidden Gates
"Why does Uncle Shikaku, along with those medical-nin, seem to have some understanding of what the body's hidden gates are?"
"In the original storyline, I don't recall there being any mention of this 'body's hidden gates' concept!"
"Could it be…"
"Could it really be just like I suspected before? That Might Duy's extreme weighted training is actually the prerequisite for mastering the Eight Inner Gates? And what Shikaku and those medical-nin referred to as the body's hidden gates... is actually the foundational stage for opening the Eight Gates?"
Koshino's pupils narrowed slightly, reflecting the shock in his heart.
Because during the treatment for the hidden internal ailments by Shikaku and the three medical-nin, Koshino had already dismissed the idea that Might Duy's overloaded training regimen had any real value.
Who could've guessed that things would take such an unexpected turn?
Originally, Koshino felt like he had wasted an entire week on Duy's extreme training without seeing much progress, and deep down he had even started to resent Duy's "devil drill sergeant" persona. But now, after what he had learned from Shikaku and those three medics, it was clear that Duy's training did carry a hidden, miraculous benefit.
So on one hand, Koshino felt ashamed for ever doubting Might Duy.
On the other hand, there was no question—Koshino had to understand the truth behind the body's hidden gates!
Not for anything else—but purely because of the forbidden technique Duy developed: the Eight Inner Gates. Koshino felt compelled to fully study what the "extreme weight training" really meant, and what this so-called "body's hidden gates" truly referred to!
However, Shikaku had come with urgent matters—the war between Konoha and the Hidden Mist was intensifying, and they needed support from Koshino's Blades Squad. The three medical-nin had been sent by Shikaku solely to treat Koshino's hidden internal injuries. So even if Koshino asked, neither Shikaku nor the medics might be able to explain the secrets of the body's hidden gates.
As the saying goes: only the one who tied the bell can untie it.
If he truly wanted to understand the body's hidden gates, Koshino believed he needed to visit Might Duy in person. So for now, he just lay quietly, pretending he hadn't heard a thing about the hidden gates, waiting patiently for Shikaku and the medics to finish his treatment.
Surprisingly, it only took a single day.
Not only were Koshino's internal ailments completely purged thanks to the combined efforts of Shikaku and the three medics…
Even the physical fatigue left from his extreme training was fully healed in just that one day.
Without a doubt, this was the benefit of activating the body's hidden gates.
And this likely explained how Might Duy, despite suffering severe injuries, could recover so rapidly—within just a few days.
What's more, after the treatment was complete and his accumulated fatigue vanished, Koshino returned to his tent with Shikaku and resumed his chakra cultivation and Uzumaki clan mental techniques—only to discover that both had become noticeably faster to train!
The unexpected boost in training speed made Koshino even more convinced of the importance of unlocking the body's hidden gates.
After all, whether it's chakra refinement or the Uzumaki clan's spiritual techniques, both were slow, cumulative processes.
Even if unlocking the gates only increased his training speed by ten percent—not the thirty percent he hoped for—it would still be worth it. Because if he could fully master the secrets of the body's hidden gates, and significantly accelerate his chakra and mental cultivation, then even his path to reaching Kage-level strength could be cut in half!
He would truly become someone who could stand tall at the peak of the ninja world.
"Unlocking the body's hidden gates... it's just too important!"
"I was so wrong before—how could I ever have doubted Might Duy, the man who created the Eight Inner Gates forbidden technique, would make a mistake in training methods?!"
"But still... if Duy really uncovered such a secret, why did he remain a low-ranking genin his entire life?"
"Could there be a deeper story behind it?"
Though he now lived in a young body, Koshino had experienced an entire lifetime—he knew better than anyone that the world was filled with unseen truths.
Take Konoha's internal power struggles, for instance—
Those were brought up multiple times in the original storyline.
Even if Koshino were dull or immature, with his knowledge of the original plot, how could he not be aware of Konoha's darker side?
What's more, Koshino had always been a mature and composed person. Combine that with the naturally high intelligence of the Nara Clan, and it was only natural for him to suspect that there had to be some hidden reason behind Might Duy remaining a genin his entire life.
So, to confirm his suspicions, Koshino spoke up and stopped Shikaku, who was preparing to leave, and asked him about the real reason behind Might Duy's eternal genin status.
But what Koshino got in return… was a truly shocking answer.
Because when Koshino carefully and tactfully asked the question, Shikaku's reply was—
There was no hidden reason at all!
Might Duy was a genin for life simply because he lacked the strength to pass the Chūnin Exams!
"You're kidding, right?"
"Forget the whole hidden gates thing—just in the original storyline alone, he's the one who developed a forbidden technique like the Eight Inner Gates! And yet, you're telling me he couldn't even pass something as basic as the Chūnin Exams?"
"Uncle Shikaku has to be joking, right?"
Koshino silently muttered in his heart as he glanced at Shikaku with an unconvinced look.
But to his surprise, meeting Koshino's skeptical gaze, Shikaku just sighed and gave a helpless smile—then stepped forward and gave him a light smack on the head.
"You little brat, you think you're the only smart one in the village? You think everyone else is an idiot?"
"The fact that Duy never made it past genin is something everyone in the village knows. You think someone rigged the exams? The Third Hokage? Or maybe the Fourth Hokage—your teacher, that 'brilliant' Hokage?"
"No. None of them!"
"So get that clever little brain of yours in order and stop thinking about all that conspiratorial nonsense."
"You're still young—if all you do is focus on the dark side of things, it won't help you, or me, or our entire Nara Clan!"
"Focus on training under Duy!"
"As long as what Duy has researched can combine with that monstrous talent of yours and truly shine—that's the only thing worth your attention!"
"All right, Koshino. I've got other matters to handle. I won't stay here any longer."
"I'm leaving."
With that, Shikaku patted Koshino's head again and turned to leave.
But Koshino couldn't let it go. Shikaku's words still didn't explain what he truly wanted to know about Might Duy's genin status. So he quickly called out to stop him:
"But Uncle Shikaku, you still haven't told me!"
"Why is it that Captain Duy was able to uncover the mysteries of the body's hidden gates, yet couldn't use it to improve his own strength?"
"There has to be something more to the story, right?"
"Uncle Shikaku, please just tell me!"
"Sigh…"
Hearing Koshino's persistent questioning, Shikaku let out a long sigh.
And then, realizing that if he didn't clear up Koshino's confusion, this stubborn kid might actually keep him from going to deal with the ongoing conflict with the Hidden Mist, Shikaku slowly turned his gaze toward the distance.
Through the tent window, he looked at Might Duy and his son Guy, who were both training with unwavering dedication.
Then, with a quiet voice, he said:
"Koshino, do you know why Duy puts you through such strict training?"
"Why he teaches you with such harsh discipline?"