"Guy-sensei! I… I won't cry! You once said that for a man who has made his resolve, crying is an insult. Go, Guy-sensei!!" Rock Lee's shoulders shook as he fought back tears, roaring with all his might.
"Just as I expected. Guy can open all Eight Gates." Naruto's face darkened, but his heart was ablaze with fighting spirit. "Now this is interesting!"
In the instant before opening the final gate, countless thoughts flashed through Guy's mind. The Third Hokage had been defeated by Naruto, and countless comrades had fallen. Even Kurenai, with whom he had been close, had been killed. And his greatest friend, Kakashi, had been utterly defeated.
What was even more hateful was that Naruto had completely crushed Kakashi's confidence and dignity. He had always known that the death of the White Fang was a deep wound in Kakashi's heart, one that had led him to abandon the White Fang's sword style. Obito's death had also sent Kakashi into a deep despair. After finally managing to move on, he had once again killed a comrade by mistake. For Kakashi, this blow was absolutely devastating.
This filled Guy with rage. Why was this Naruto so cold-blooded, so fond of toying with people's hearts?! So cruel and ruthless. In that other world, wasn't Kakashi his teacher? Guy couldn't understand any of it. In his world, youth was something that burned brightly. But from this Naruto, all he felt was a bone-chilling cold.
Now, Lord Third had been defeated, and Jiraiya-sama was tied up. If Naruto were to obtain the power within Naruto Uzumaki, with his personality, he would likely do something even more terrifying. He might even destroy Konoha!
The only one who could stand up now was him!
The only one who could protect everything… was him!
"The time has come. Father, it's just as you said."
"Now is the time…"
"To risk my life to protect what is most important!" Guy pressed his right thumb to his heart, and all the chakra in his body surged towards that single point.
"Eight Gates Formation, the Eighth Gate, the Gate of Death: Open!!!!"
The so-called Gate of Death was the price of burning one's own life to obtain a power that could pierce through anything! Once the Gate of Death was opened, there was no turning back! Regardless of victory or defeat, whether he could beat Naruto or not… the only thing awaiting Guy was…
Death!!!
But since he had already made his decision, he would have no regrets.
Guy took a step, ignoring the pain wracking his body, and charged towards Naruto. The azure-blue chakra instantly transformed into a true, burning red.
BOOM!
An even more violent surge of chakra and power reached its peak in an instant. The ground beneath his feet completely shattered and disintegrated, and endless dust erupted outwards. His entire being had become a crimson flame.
Charging forward, without a trace of fear.
As brilliant and dazzling as a firework, a magnificent and tragic sight.
As violent as a volcanic eruption, as sorrowful as a falling star.
"Is it worth it?" Naruto's eyes held a trace of pity.
But Guy's expression was more determined than ever before.
"I burn my youth with my life."
"I will become a withered red leaf."
"But."
"I will also become nourishment for new life."
"When the new spring arrives, when the green leaves sprout, when life flourishes once more."
"That will be the climax of my burning youth, its most fiery moment!"
"COME, NARUTO!!!!"
In an instant, Guy was upon him. The first punch exploded forward.
"First Step!"
"Evening Elephant!"
Combined with the ultimate training of the Gate of Death, this punch became a chakra air cannon capable of crushing and destroying everything.
Too fast. I can't even see it clearly.
"Bakudo Number 81: Danku."
"Cero!!"
Naruto's expression changed drastically, and he hastily used his strongest defensive Kido. A Cero also shot from his palm, hurtling towards Guy.
BOOM.
The Danku was instantly shattered. The air cannon, like a pillar of light, pierced straight through the Cero and slammed into Naruto's body, sending him crashing into the ground. The earth cracked and split, the fissures spreading out in all directions. The ground shook violently, and dust and smoke billowed. The sheer force of the impact made even Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who were fighting outside the arena, cast shocked and wary glances.
A bottomless crater was blasted into the ground. At the very bottom, blood continuously flowed from Naruto's mouth. He could feel pain all over his body, but he was laughing heartily.
This was the opponent he had always wanted!
This was the battle he yearned for!
To be tempered in death, to break through in the crucible of life and death.
This was Naruto's purpose.
In the eyes of others, he was undoubtedly insane.
"Come on! Entertain me!" he roared, rising from the crater, his eyes wild.
His Kyoka Suigetsu had been active the entire time, but it had almost no effect on Guy. First, the speed and volume of the chakra flowing through Guy's body were too high. Second, Guy's absolute sixth sense could break through Kyoka Suigetsu.
CRACK.
Guy's body faltered. Several bones hidden beneath his clothes had broken, his muscles torn. An intense pain, like his heart was being gouged out, assaulted his nerves. Sweat beaded on Guy's forehead, but it was instantly vaporized by the red steam.
"Am I already at my limit? It seems I need to hurry." Guy frowned slightly.
Naruto looked at Guy with admiration. After opening the fifth gate, the body would begin to endure pain. The further one went, the more the pain would intensify. Each gate opened required enduring a different level of agony. By the Gate of Death, the accumulated pain would be unimaginable, and one's bones could fracture at any moment. But Guy was able to endure such pain so nonchalantly. Such great perseverance… could that not be considered a talent in itself?
Guy continued to run towards Naruto. This was the climax of his youth. What were a few broken bones?
"Evening Elephant!"
The continuous high speed made it difficult for Naruto to react.
"First Step!"
Guy's speed soared, and he sent Naruto flying with a kick.
"Second Step!"
Guy's speed grew faster and faster, his attacks more and more ferocious. His terrifying fists completely suppressed Naruto. Naruto was like a sandbag, being sent flying in all directions.
"Third Step!"
"Fourth Step!"
Guy's frenzy continued!
With each attack, Guy's muscles would tear to varying degrees. In the end, blood began to seep from the surface of his skin, instantly turning to steam. Guy could feel his life force fading, but he was proud! Because this time, he was fighting to protect!
"FIFTH STEP, AHHHHH!"
The continuous attacks sent Naruto flying out of the arena, crashing through countless walls before finally stopping.
"All five hits landed! It's over!!!" the crowd cheered. They looked at Might Guy with eyes full of respect.
However, in the next moment, Naruto's voice echoed through the air.
"With a mortal body, by burning your life, you can achieve such a feat. I even fully unleashed the power of Hollowfication, fusing my Reiatsu and chakra, and still I could not stop you."
"You are the first person to leave me in such a sorry state."
From within the dust, Naruto staggered out. The mask on his face had shattered, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He didn't look seriously injured, but Naruto knew that his insides were a wreck.
"This power… this pressure… this is the battle I've always wanted," Naruto said, his eyes filled with excitement. He could feel the lock on Kyoka Suigetsu slowly opening. Soon, he would be able to touch…
Bankai!
The madness in Naruto's heart was ignited. All this time, what he had pursued was a power that transcended all limits. To that end, he had cultivated various potential Shinigami, all for the chance to one day glimpse a power beyond the ninja world. He had even aimed to conquer the ninja world, all so that everyone would have an equal opportunity for education, the opportunity to learn ninjutsu, and even to become a Shinigami. That way, he could cultivate geniuses who would constantly push him to become stronger.
"This feeling of excitement… this is the first time in my life."
"Come, Might Guy! Let me see the ultimate burning of your youth!!" Naruto opened his arms, and the Reiatsu in his body erupted. Kyoka Suigetsu suddenly shattered, its fragments blurring and distorting the five senses of everyone present.
"As expected! No matter which world you're from, Naruto, your youth is so dazzling!!!" Guy laughed heartily.
"Be careful, Naruto. My next attack will be the ultimate burning of my youth."
All the chakra in Guy's body began to surge towards his heart. The Gate of Death of the Eight Gates Formation had already burned all of Guy's chakra and stamina. The only thing left was his insignificant life. To turn his own life into a flame, to burn until the very last moment, holding nothing back. This was the ultimate, most dazzling youth.
Countless days and nights of arduous training, all for this one brilliant moment. This one move was the culmination of Guy's thirty years of burning youth.
"Seki!" The red chakra instantly exploded outwards. The surrounding ground completely collapsed, and the entire arena was now a field of rubble, with not a single patch of intact land. The Konoha 12 had also fled back to the stands, watching with heavy hearts as Guy was bathed in the light of the fire.
The earth shattered, and Guy's aura soared like a dragon. Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and even Shukaku stopped fighting, staring in horror at the arena, which was now enveloped in red chakra. All the unconscious spectators in the stands also awoke, staring in shock at the god-like Guy in the center of the arena.
Crack, crack.
Might Guy could feel the bones in his body dislocating again, even melting under the intense heat. He didn't stop. He kept running, running with all his might. Even if he turned to ash and scattered! His youth would not end because of it!
A giant red dragon's head appeared, letting out a deafening roar.
All of Guy's chakra finally converged at his heart, at the gate of death. The immense chakra erupted like a tsunami.
Feeling this apocalyptic level of chakra, Naruto knew that his Kyoka Suigetsu would be completely useless. In Might Guy's world, even if he lost his five senses, he could still lock onto him with his life energy.
A heroic spirit welled up within him, and he laughed wildly. His smile was filled with untamed arrogance.
"This chakra… this pressure!"
"As expected! Only you can fully unleash the Eight Gates Formation!"
"Only you can bring the Eight Gates to its true potential!!"
"I, Naruto Uzumaki, acknowledge you!!"
"In terms of taijutsu, you already stand at the pinnacle of the heavens!"