◉◉◉◉◉
Upon hearing that her body wasn't yet strong enough to attempt the Eight Gates, Tenten simply shook her head.
"In that case, I'll pass," she said with a small smile."I already spend most of my time studying ninja tools... I don't have the energy to train my body like Lee does."
Her tone was polite but firm.
Guy accepted her refusal without disappointment.
In truth, he had never intended to encourage her to walk such a dangerous path.
His gaze turned to Neji and Lee.
Both young men stepped forward without hesitation.
Guy smiled broadly, pride swelling in his chest.
"You truly wish to continue?"
Lee's eyes blazed.
"I have no other path but taijutsu, Sensei! Please teach me!"
And Neji, calm, confident, simply nodded.
Years of grueling training under the brutal physical regimens of his old world had prepared him for this. His body was forged far beyond the standards of even Konoha's elite.
No one in this world had thicker blood and stronger bones than pirates...
Guy, overwhelmed, wiped a tear from his eye.
"Ahhh! Such a Youthful spirit! Father... your Eight Gates technique will not be forgotten!"
He remembered Might Duy his father
mocked and belittled for years, who proved himself in one glorious moment by defeating the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Now, Guy would pass that legacy onward.
Regaining his composure, he addressed Neji and Lee solemnly.
"Before we begin, you must understand the true danger."
He paused, waiting to see if they would hesitate.
Neither flinched.
"Good," Guy said, steeling his voice.
"Listen carefully."
He explained:
> "The Eight Gates refer to eight specific points along the body's chakra pathway system each serving as a natural limiter to prevent excessive strain."
> "They are the gate of Opening, Gate of Rest, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain, Gate of Limit, Gate of View, Gate of Wonder, and Gate of Death."
And then, he detailed each one:
Opening Gate: Removes the brain's natural limiters, allowing 100% of one's physical strength to be used. Drains energy rapidly.
Rest Gate: Replenishes stamina by forcefully rejuvenating body tissues.
Life Gate: Boosts power and speed significantly. Skin flushes red; green energy begins to radiate.
Pain Gate: True damage begins. Entry into the true Eight Gates state.
Limit Gate: Movements surpass sound speed. Strain intensifies dramatically.
View Gate: Semi-open state, maintaining energy emission without full transformation, reducing stress.
Wonder Gate: The body begins releasing blue vapor. Even a slight touch causes excruciating pain.
Death Gate: Ultimate release. Red vapor rises from blood evaporating through pores.
Use ensures death but at incomparable power.
The only known shinobi to ever open the final Gate Gate of Death was Might Duy, Might Guy's own father.
With it, he had shattered the Seven Swordsmen, killing four and scattering the rest.
Lee listened, practically vibrating with excitement.
Neji, though internally prepared, still felt a stir of awe.
The price was brutal but so was the power.
Finally, Guy stepped back, arms wide.
"Now then if you still wish to continue,
you may attempt to open the First Gate: the Gate of Opening!"
Neji and Lee sat down cross-legged, hands on their knees.
They closed their eyes, gathering chakra inward, searching for the first 'gate' hidden within themselves.
---
Meanwhile, Tenten dangled her legs off a bench nearby, cheek resting on her palm, gazing at Neji's face with a faint, dreamy smile.
Guy watched intently, tension thrumming through him.
If anything went wrong, he was ready to intervene instantly.
Tenten tilted her head lazily.
"Sensei, do you think they'll manage it?"
Guy smiled.
"They both have the strength it's just a matter of time."
"But," he warned, "be ready. If either one succeeds, their body might briefly lose control. Step back immediately."
Tenten nodded nonchalantly,
'I do not really feel worried about Guy nearby.'
"But who do you think will succeed first?" she asked, her voice playful.
Guy considered.
"Lee knows his own body through sheer effort and injury."
"But Neji..."
He frowned thoughtfully.
"Neji's physique might be even stronger than Lee's. And being from the Hyūga, his understanding of his chakra pathways is... remarkable."
Even as he spoke—
BOOM!
A sudden surge of chakra burst from Neji's body, sending a pressure wave across the training field.
Both Tenten and Guy snapped their heads toward him.
In that instant, they heard it faint but distinct:
A dragon's roar. A tiger's growl.
The wild chakra rippled outward...
...before Neji's body instinctively suppressed it.
The explosion of power folded neatly back into his core, leaving the air shuddering.
Guy's eyes widened.
Tenten gasped.
"What... was that just now?"
◉◉◉◉◉
~Uploading Schedule= 2 Chapters/day
~Support with 100 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◉◉◉◉◉
For early access to advanced chapters on
P-atreon:
P-atreon/iamxeno
(Just remove the - hyphen to access Patreon normally)
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!