◉◉◉◉◉
Because of Lee's sudden dizziness, Might Guy's original plan of forty laps of handstand walking around Konoha had to be... postponed.
(And frankly, neither Neji nor Tenten had any intention of going along with that madness anyway.)
---
After safely returning "Little Tiger" to the Fire Daimyo's wife, Guy headed off to the Hokage Tower to formally submit the mission report.
Meanwhile, Neji, Tenten, and Lee returned to the training ground to wait for further instructions.
Tenten sighed dramatically, flopping onto a bench.
"I think I finally understand why that cat keeps running away."
Neji chuckled.
Given Little Tiger's hefty size, spoiled attitude, and deadly strength, it was a wonder the cat only ran away and didn't start launching counterattacks.
"Today's mission was easy," Neji said. "But be prepared we'll probably be asked to chase that cat again."
Tenten groaned aloud.
"Seriously?! Again?!"
The very thought drained her soul.
Meanwhile, Lee was still brimming with energy.
"Every mission is training!" he declared passionately. "No matter what, we grow stronger!"
Neji nodded approvingly.
"Lee is right. We're still inexperienced. One step at a time."
Tenten muttered something under her breath about boring missions and lost dignity, but ultimately accepted her fate.
She just needed to vent a little.
As they chatted, Neji suddenly felt a soft ding in his mind his system quietly notifying him of a completed mission.
The reward was modest, but it was still progress.
Step by step... the next year will be crucial.
Neji thought with a small smile.
---
Before long, Guy returned looking as energized as ever.
He tossed a small pouch toward Neji, who caught it neatly.
"Here's your reward! Isn't Youth wonderful?"
Neji opened the pouch and distributed the coins evenly.
Tenten peeked at her share and immediately slumped.
"That's it?!"
Neji shrugged.
"Honestly... it's not much."
The words hit Guy and Lee like a double slap to the face.
Guy gaped.
Lee's lip trembled.
Tenten, blissfully unaware, tucked the coins away like a true heiress.
Neji chuckled under his breath.
The pain of being broke... truly devastating.
"Should we... comfort them?" Tenten whispered.
"They look like they're about to cry."
Neji smiled.
"Let them be. A man's tears... are not a crime."
Tenten tilted her head.
"That's... weirdly poetic."
Neji shrugged.
"Something I overheard once. Don't worry about it."
Still sniffling slightly, Guy clapped his hands to regain control.
"Alright!" he boomed. "Since you finished your first mission early we'll spend the rest of the day training!"
Lee's eyes shone like twin suns.
Tenten sighed.
Neji simply nodded.
Guy continued, serious now.
"As you know, I specialize in taijutsu.
Today, I want to introduce you to something very special something only a few can even attempt."
He took a deep breath.
Then, with sudden force, his chakra exploded outward.
"Gate of Opening... OPEN!"
"Gate of Rest... OPEN!"
"Gate of Life... OPEN!"
A violent aura of green energy erupted around him, whipping the air into a frenzy.
His hair floated upward. The ground trembled.
Neji and Tenten instinctively stepped back.
Even Lee, though familiar with it, swallowed hard.
"This..." Guy's voice thundered across the field, "...is the Eight Gates Technique!"
He stood there, cloaked in surging green flame, a titan of pure physical power.
"The Eight Gates," he continued,
"unlock the limits placed on the human body's chakra flow."
"By opening these gates, one can achieve strength far beyond natural limits."
"But..."
His eyes turned grave.
"This is not without cost."
"The first three gates are relatively safe. But beyond them, every step draws you closer to death."
Guy let the gates slowly close, the aura fading around him.
He looked at them each in turn, his voice steady but heavy with meaning.
"If any of you wish to learn it... I will teach you."
"But remember this is no ordinary power. It is a burden."
He paused.
"Currently, only Lee and Neji have bodies strong enough to begin training."
He turned to Tenten.
"Tenten — if you wish to walk this path too, you'll need to build your body even stronger first."
Tenten clenched her fists, determined.
She wouldn't be left behind.
Neji, meanwhile, felt a thrill deep in his chest.
The Eight Gates... If I master them, even without perfect vision, I can surpass any limit!
His path forward was clear.
◉◉◉◉◉
~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!