Might Duy looked at Guy.
Suddenly, he grinned.
“Dad has never opened the eighth gate.” “But Dad knows that someday, he will.” Guy’s heart clenched.
He knew.
Of course he knew.
But he couldn’t say it.
Duy reached out.
Placed his hand on Guy’s head.
Ruffled his hair.
“Guy.” “Dad is teaching you the Eight Gates, not so you can open the Gate of Death.” “It’s so you have a choice.” He paused.
“Having a choice is stronger than anything.” Guy looked up at him.
Moonlight fell on that stubbled face.
His eyes were bright.
The same as always.
And yet, different.
“Dad…” “Yeah?” “I’ll learn it.” Duy grinned.
“Good.” “But you have to promise Dad one thing.” “What?” Duy looked at him.
Dead serious.
“Never open the eighth gate unless it’s your last resort.” Guy froze.
Duy continued.
“Dad’s biggest wish in this life is to watch you grow up.” “Watch you get married.” “Watch you have children.” “Watch you become a greater shinobi than I ever was.” “So—” He gave a thumbs-up.
Teeth gleaming.
“Guy.
You have to live.” “Living—that’s the greatest youth of all!” Guy looked at that hand.
That face.
Those eyes.
A warmth surged through his chest.
Not the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic.
Something else.
He couldn’t name it.
But he knew.
This time.
This idiot dad of his— Would not die.
Absolutely not!
“Okay!” He gave a thumbs-up.
Tapping it against Duy’s hand.
SLAP!
Under the moonlight.
Their silhouettes stretched long across the ground.
Duy began to teach.
Every move.
Every stance.
Every gate, one by one.
“Gate of Opening!
Focus on your breathing!
Don’t hold it in!” “Gate of Rest!
Feel your body’s limits—but don’t push past them!” “Gate of Life!
This is the watershed!
Once you open this, you’re truly wielding the Eight Gates!” Guy tried over and over.
First attempt—Gate of Opening.
Failed.
Second attempt—failed again.
Third.
Fourth.
Fifth.
Until dawn broke.
Finally— “Gate of Opening!” BOOM!
The shockwave exploded outward.
Much smaller than Duy’s, to be sure.
But it was open.
Guy stood there.
His whole body burning.
His heart pounding like a drum.
But he grinned.
Duy charged over.
Threw his arms around him.
“Guy!!!
You did it!!!
You did it!!!” Guy was squeezed so tight he was seeing stars.
“Dad…
let go…” “Never!!!
You only practiced for one night!!!
One night!!!
It took Dad three months to open the first gate!!!” Guy was rolling his eyes.
But he was smiling.
Duy released him.
Stepped back.
Gave a thumbs-up.
Tears and snot streaming down his face.
“Guy!
You’re a genius!
A true taijutsu genius!” Guy panted.
Looking at his reddened arms.
The Gate of Opening.
Just the first gate.
But the feeling—all his power was surging, boiling over.
Speed.
Strength.
Reflexes.
Everything was different.
He looked up at Duy.
“Dad.” “Yeah?” “Keep going.” Duy blinked.
“You’re not tired?” Guy grinned.
“Youth doesn’t stop.” Duy grinned back.
“Alright!” The sun rose.
And set.
And rose again.
Three days.
Three whole days.
Guy and Duy stayed in that valley, neither going to school.
When hungry, they ate dry rations.
When thirsty, they drank from the stream.
They trained until they collapsed, slept, then woke up and continued.
Day one—Guy opened the first gate.
Day two—he opened the second gate.
Day three— “Third Gate!
Gate of Life!
Open!” BOOM!!!
The shockwave exploded outward.
Green steam rose from Guy’s body.
Faint, but unmistakably there.
He stood there.
His whole body flushed red.
Veins bulging.
His heart pounding like it was about to explode.
But he stood.
Duy stood not far away.
Watching him.
His eyes reddened.
“Guy…” Guy turned.
Grinning.
“Dad.
I opened it.” Duy rushed over.
This time, he didn’t hug him.
He just stood in front of him.
Looking at him.
“Does it hurt?” Guy shook his head.
“No.” “What does it feel like?” Guy thought for a moment.
“It feels like—” He raised his hand.
Clenched his fist.
“It feels like I could punch a ninja bear to death with one hit.” Duy laughed.
“Really?” Guy nodded.
Duy pointed at a boulder twenty meters away.
“That one.” Guy looked over.
That boulder was taller than he was.
He walked over.
Stood in front of it.
Took a deep breath.
Gate of Life—fully open.
He raised his leg.
“Leaf Whirlwind!” WHOOOOSH— CRASH!!!
No Vajra Leg.
Just raw physical strength, channeled through the simplest taijutsu.
The boulder split from the middle.
Cracked clean in two!
Guy landed, gasping for air.
Duy walked over and stood beside him.
Looking at the split boulder.
Silent for a long time.
Then he said.
“Guy.” “Yeah?” “You’re stronger than Dad.” Guy turned to look at him.
Duy looked back.
“Really.” “It took Dad twenty years to reach the sixth gate.” “You’ve only trained for three days and you’ve already opened three gates.” He paused.
“Someday, you’re going to become an incredible shinobi.” Guy looked at him.
That face.
Still the same idiot expression.
But the pride in his eyes—impossible to hide.
Warmth spread through Guy’s chest.
“Dad.” “Yeah?” “When I open the eighth gate, I’ll show you.” Duy blinked.
Then he burst out laughing.
“Alright!
Dad will be waiting!” He gave a thumbs-up.
Teeth gleaming.
“But before that—” “Let’s eat!” Guy laughed too.
“Alright!” End of Chapter 25