I, Konoha's Sage of Life

"The Eight Gates Release Technique may harm the user's body, but opening the initial gates does not lead to instant death. As the restrictions are lifted, both chakra and physical states undergo varying levels of transformation."

"In such a state, ordinary taijutsu becomes obsolete."

Even the first activation of the Seven Heavens Breathing Method is classified as at least an A-rank forbidden technique, likely accessible only to elite Chūnin or higher.

This isn't something that needs to be rushed.

Kyoichi believed that developing taijutsu specifically tailored to the Eight Gates Release Technique was far more urgent.

Might Duy was indeed strong!

But...

His application of the Eight Gates was far too rudimentary.

If he could master the taijutsu techniques that Might Guy would later develop, it's possible that Duy could have taken out all of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. Perhaps even opening only seven gates would have been enough to repel them.

So...

Researching complementary taijutsu was the priority.

"That makes sense, but, Kanda-Sensei, I have no clue where to start. I wouldn't even know how to begin creating something like that," Might Duy said, scratching his head.

He could explain the Seven Heavens Breathing Method in detail because he had spent 20 years researching the Eight Gates Release Technique, accumulating a wealth of knowledge and experience along the way.

However...

The creation of taijutsu techniques was outside his area of expertise. Duy was not a naturally aggressive or combative person. Aware of his lack of talent, he had never been particularly interested in such matters.

"I have a rough idea," Kyoichi said, fully understanding the situation.

Duy simply lacked combat experience.

He had always been a Genin. Outside of the war, he rarely had opportunities for real combat or killing. His experiences were entirely different from Might Guy's.

After all, creating the Eight Gates Release Technique itself was already an incredible feat.

"Alright then!"

Duy scratched his head, still at a complete loss despite racking his brains.

Kyoichi turned his attention to Might Guy.

Duy might not understand combat well, but Guy did. Though he was still just a Genin, Guy had been through far more battles than his father.

Take techniques like the Leaf Hurricane, for example.

Guy had already mastered them far faster than Duy ever had.

"Guy, have you mastered the Eight Gates yet?"

"I've only managed to open three gates," Guy replied, looking slightly ashamed.

But...

Kyoichi was already impressed. To open three gates at the age of nine was no small feat.

Considering Guy's future accomplishments, though, this was not surprising.

Kyoichi explained the concept of Primary Lotus.

"Did you understand that?"

"Got it!"

Guy's talent for combat far surpassed his father's.

While Duy was still pondering the idea, Guy had already grasped its essence—

The Primary Lotus emphasized a chain of high-speed attacks. While it placed a significant burden on the body, it was perfectly suited for the state achieved after opening the Eight Gates.

"During the states of the Gate of View and the Gate of Shock, qualitative changes occur. Could we create taijutsu techniques specifically designed to complement these states?" Kyoichi suggested.

Duy fell into deep thought.

He was, of course, familiar with the Gate of View. When he demonstrated the Eight Gates Release Technique to Guy in the past, he had activated the Gate of View directly.

Using the unique properties of the Eight Gates...

It seemed feasible.

The discussion ended there.

Duy's comprehension abilities weren't particularly high. Explaining too much would only confuse him further. It was better to present the concept, ensure he understood the principles, and let him figure out the rest.

There wouldn't be much warfare this year, so Duy had plenty of time to think it over.

Meanwhile, Kyoichi began attempting to master the Eight Gates himself.

His body was strong, and he already had experience with the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, so...

The Gate of Opening? Easily opened!

The Gate of Rest? No problem. But the Gate of Life was more challenging.

However...

The Gate of Life was the true starting point of the Eight Gates. He wasn't even considered a beginner yet.

"It seems that if I want to open more gates, I'll need to train even harder," Kyoichi thought.

He glanced at his system.

There had been a notification earlier, but he had been too busy to check.

[Completed: "Seven Heavens Breathing Method" and "Primary Lotus" Instruction.]

[Evaluation: Excellent.]

[Reward: Medical Ninjutsu Basics, Mystical Palm Technique.]

Huh?

Medical ninjutsu?

Kyoichi was taken aback. He hadn't expected the reward to be something seemingly unrelated to his teaching efforts.

But...

After claiming the reward, his chakra control had noticeably improved.

"That makes sense. Medical ninjutsu requires the highest level of chakra control. Receiving this reward is essentially giving me a foundation in medical knowledge and refined chakra control."

What a pleasant surprise!

Kyoichi was thoroughly satisfied.

Compared to this, the Mystical Palm Technique, despite being an A-rank ninjutsu, felt more like an added bonus.

In the days leading up to the Jōnin Exam, Kyoichi spent most of his time training taijutsu with Duy and Guy. His shadow clones continued honing his kenjutsu skills.

Around this time, the war at the frontlines had largely concluded.

More and more ninja were returning to the village. Kyoichi even recognized some familiar faces, such as Chōza Akimichi and Hizashi Hyuga.

However...

None of them knew him.

Kyoichi had no intention of approaching them. There was no need.

They were adults, not easily fooled, and forcing interaction would only feel awkward.

Instead, Kyoichi focused on his training.

He had already opened three gates, but he hesitated to delve further into mastering the Eight Gates.

The Eight Gates Release Technique was undeniably powerful, but it might not be the best fit for him.

The chakra it unleashed was far too volatile. Even with his enhanced chakra control from the medical ninjutsu reward, he could only barely manage the technique.

Executing precision jutsu like Earth Spear or Superhuman Strength in that state was simply impossible.

In comparison...

The Seven Heavens Breathing Method had none of these drawbacks.

Perhaps it was better suited to him.

Of course...

Kyoichi still intended to practice the Eight Gates. It wouldn't be his primary method but rather a trump card.

Guy, on the other hand, made significant progress—

He had already mastered the Primary Lotus!

As for Duy, while he struggled with taijutsu techniques, he quickly grasped the first activation of the Seven Heavens Breathing Method.

Like Kyoichi, he stopped there, not delving into the second or third activation. Instead, he focused on simplifying the first activation—

It was still too risky to use as a standard technique!

But those details were not Kyoichi's concern. He had more pressing matters to attend to.

The Jōnin Exam!

Over the past few days, his taijutsu had improved immensely. His daily kenjutsu practice also yielded significant progress.

However, the swordsmanship notes left by his grandmother were mostly fragmented ideas and theories rather than a cohesive system of techniques. His current swordsmanship was, at best, practical but unrefined.

On the fifth morning, Kyoichi arrived at the Forest of Death as scheduled.

The Forest of Death was vast, filled with traps and wild beasts, and divided into several training zones.

Upon arriving, Kyoichi noticed he wasn't the only participant in the Jōnin Exam. There were about seven or eight other ninja, including three from the Aburame and Hyuga clans.

This setup felt... familiar!

Moreover, some of them seemed to be observing him discreetly.

Root, perhaps?

As for the remaining three participants, one or two might have been ordinary ninja like him, but one of them clearly wasn't—

The one with a ponytail and a scar at the corner of his mouth.

Hayate Shirakumo?

That person was definitely not an ordinary ninja.

An Anbu, perhaps?

Kyoichi speculated silently.

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