“Tekkai—Iron Body?” Guy tilted his head.
“Sounds pretty hard.” “Yeah, that’s right.
Hard,” Makoto straightened up, taking several deep breaths.
“The principle involves forcing blood into your muscles to dramatically increase defense.” “Forcing blood into muscles?” Guy pondered for a moment.
“Like how muscles swell up after a workout?” “Sort of,” Makoto nodded.
“But taking it a step further.
If you can infuse Chakra into the mix, swelling the muscles alongside the blood…” He paused, looking directly at Guy.
“The defensive capability multiplies several times over.” Guy’s mouth gaped wide.
“Chakra…
and blood…
together?” “Precisely.” “W-Won’t you explode?!” “That’s why you have to strictly control the ratio,” Makoto spouted complete nonsense with a deadpan face.
“I’ve been researching it for a long time, and I only recently made some breakthroughs.” “Incredible!” Guy slapped Makoto’s shoulder in excitement.
“Makoto!
You really are a genius!” Makoto winced under the blows, terrified that Guy might knock loose the hidden item strapped to his chest and blow his cover.
“Stop slapping…
hit me any harder and I’ll fall apart…” “Sorry, sorry!” Guy hastily pulled his hand back, though his eyes remained sparkling.
“So can this Iron Body technique be used now?” “Technically yes…” Makoto rubbed his aching shoulder.
“But I need someone to test it.” “Test what?” “Test its defensive strength,” Makoto said.
“Theory is useless without practical combat verification.” Guy nodded vigorously.
“Makes sense!
Who should we get to test it?
Obito?” “Obito injured his hand today,” Makoto lied without blinking.
“So…” He looked at Guy.
Guy pointed at his own nose.
“Me?” “Right,” Makoto nodded.
“You’re strong, so you’re the perfect choice.” “But…” Guy hesitated.
“I’m worried I’ll hurt you.” “Don’t worry,” Makoto patted his chest.
“My Iron Body technique is ready for actual combat.
It won’t get broken so easily.” “Really?” “Really.” Guy stared at Makoto for a few seconds before nodding heavily.
“Alright!
Let me try!” The two headed into an empty alleyway.
Makoto assumed a stance and took a deep breath.
“Come on.
Use your full strength.” “Full strength?” Guy frowned.
“Is that really a good idea…?” “Just do it,” Makoto urged.
“Otherwise, how will we know how tough Iron Body really is?” Guy thought about it and felt it made sense.
“Then…
I’m really coming at you!” “Bring it.” Guy took a few steps back into his opening stance.
Makoto also assumed the standard “Tekkai” stance—crossing his arms over his chest and bending his knees slightly.
However, beneath his shirt lay an iron plate he had snitched from some unlucky Uchiha.
“Here I come!” Guy yelled, charging forward.
His fist whipped up a gust of wind, driving straight toward Makoto’s chest.
Makoto felt a nervous flutter in his chest.
*This kid couldn’t actually punch straight through an iron plate…
right?* *BAM!* A heavy thud sounded.
Makoto felt a violent shock wave in his chest, sliding backward several paces before coming to a stop.
Once steady, he glanced down.
His shirt was fine.
The iron plate was intact.
Yet he had still been pushed back several steps—and his opponent was just a hot-blooded, six-year-old idiot!
What terrifying punching power!
He raised his head to look at Guy.
Guy stood in place, fist still raised, looking somewhat dazed.
“Makoto…
are you alright?” Guy asked.
“I’m fine,” Makoto rubbed his chest.
“What about you?” “I…” Guy looked down at his own fist.
The skin across his knuckles was split and bleeding.
Yet instead of crying out in pain, he grinned widely.
“Makoto!
You actually developed it!” Guy leapt into the air with excitement.
“That punch really felt like hitting solid iron!” Makoto internally breathed a sigh of relief.
*Whew, managed to fool him.* [Ding!
Target ‘Might Guy’ trust in the lie ‘Tekkai—Iron Body’ evaluated at: 100%] [Materialization of lie ‘Tekkai—Iron Body’ reached maximum 70%] [Materialization starting…
degree of materialization is affected by character weight and trust…] [Materialization complete.
Host has acquired the skill ‘Iron Body’] [Notice: Daily usage limit for ‘Lie Made Real’ reached (1/1)] It worked.
Makoto felt something new within his body—a sensation akin to muscle memory or primal instinct.
He tried flexing his muscles.
*Hummm—* A remarkable sense of solidity surged from his four limbs and torso.
Did he…
actually get harder?
Choosing Tekkai had been a calculated decision.
First, the technique was simple enough for someone to visualize and understand.
Second, ninjas naturally possessed high offensive capabilities but low defenses; having a powerful defensive skill like Iron Body provided a far greater margin for error.
“Makoto!
You’re amazing!” Guy was still shouting in excitement.
“I’ve never seen Taijutsu like this before!” “It’s alright,” Makoto acted calm.
“Just a small trick.” “How is this a small trick?!” Guy clenched his fist.
“If mastered, think of how many injuries could be avoided in future battles!” Makoto didn’t respond.
He looked up at the sky; the sun was fast setting.
“Let’s call it a day,” he said.
“I need to go find Obito.” “Obito?” Guy paused.
“Isn’t his hand injured?” “Ah…
right,” Makoto lied without breaking a sweat.
“I’m going to check on how bad his injury is.” “I’ll come too!” “No need,” Makoto waved his hand.
“Go back to running your ten laps.
Don’t waste your Youth.” Guy thought about it and found the logic sound.
“Alright!
See you tomorrow!” “See you tomorrow.” Makoto turned and walked away.
Coming out of the alley, he felt his chest.
The iron plate was still there.
Spotting a trash bin, he pulled the plate out and tossed it inside.
“Don’t need you anymore,” he muttered.
Now he had the real Tekkai.
Even though it had materialized at only seventy percent, it was more than enough.
After all, he now possessed the Genius talent—with further practice, he was bound to unleash its full canonical power sooner or later.