Chapter 350: Open! Eight Inner Gates Formation
On the main battlefield, two figures stood facing each other from a distance. Within a radius of several kilometers around them, no one else dared to approach.
In a clash at this level, any ninja below Jonin rank would likely be killed just by the shockwaves of their battle. Both sides had tacitly agreed to let them fight it out alone.
A blinding flash of lightning enveloped Watanabe's body as he cracked his neck and slowly walked toward the silent Might Duy.
"What's wrong? Why so quiet today? This isn't like you," Watanabe said. He held a special appreciation for the man who was stubbornly resisting him.
Aside from the First Raikage, "A," Duy was the first opponent Watanabe had encountered who could match him in a contest of pure taijutsu. He hoped for a battle where neither of them would hold back, a fight with no regrets.
As a member of the Ninshu, Watanabe had heard of the Eight Inner Gates. He knew that the true battle would only begin when the enemy was enveloped in red steam. He was eagerly awaiting that moment.
Hearing Watanabe's question, Might Duy touched his abdomen, recalling the conversation he had with Kyosuke before Kyosuke left.
"What is this?" Duy had asked, holding the bottle Kyosuke had tossed to him and looking at the blue pill rolling inside.
"Um... it's a drug that effectively enhances heart function. It's enough to sustain your life for a short time, even after opening all eight gates," Kyosuke had explained in detail. Fearing Duy might forget, he had even stuffed a simple instruction manual into Duy's pocket.
"Even so, try not to use it if you can help it. If the situation changes, I want you to notify me immediately." Kyosuke's solemn words echoed in Duy's ears. He had agreed with a smile, but only he knew what he was truly thinking.
"The drug needs a little time to take effect. Before that..."
"Hoo..." Duy exhaled slowly. The chakra within his body boiled instantly. In a split second, an astonishing amount of chakra surged from the seven opened gates in his body.
"Seventh Gate of Shock... Open!"
The Gate of Shock, the last gate before the Gate of Death. The user emits blue steam formed by evaporating sweat, and their physical abilities are drastically enhanced.
Especially now that Duy had transplanted Hashirama cells, this boost was nearly double what it would have been originally.
Unfortunately, facing Watanabe, who was also using the "Thunder God Armor," Duy was still at an absolute disadvantage even with the Seventh Gate open.
Without any probing attacks, Watanabe blinked and appeared in front of Duy instantly upon seeing the blue steam. He launched a devastating straight punch.
"Thunder God Armor: War God Strike!"
Intense force accompanied by blinding lightning formed a vortex of air like a thunder dragon, instantly enveloping Duy.
Seeing this, Duy didn't back down. He threw a straight punch of his own. The roar of the white tiger formed by air pressure resonated across the battlefield.
"Daytime Tiger!"
BOOM!!!
The full-power clash between the two created a shockwave that stunned everyone. Amidst the earth-shaking tremors, even those fighting kilometers away turned their gaze toward the interweaving of lightning and white aura.
A long while later, the smoke cleared. Might Duy and Watanabe stood in their original positions, maintaining their punching stances. But around them, apart from the ground beneath their feet, almost no terrain remained intact.
Looking at the enemy whose breathing was still steady, Duy silently retreated a distance. He pressed his finger against his chest and whispered, "When my body is dyed crimson, it is the climax of the symphony of youth."
"Eight Inner Gates, Eighth Gate of Death... Open!!!"
"Eight Inner Gates Formation!"
The Gate of Death, the final gate. The ultimate gate that leads to inevitable death upon use.
Once all eight gates are open, it is called the "Eight Inner Gates Formation." Red steam, formed by evaporating blood, emanates from the user's body. The user gains power dozens of times greater than the Five Kage and can use attacks similar to air cannons, striking the air to create attacks or move through the sky.
Of course, they can also unleash all their power in a short time. The power is so immense that even the prelude to an attack can distort space.
This was evident from Might Guy in the original story when he opened all eight gates. Now, with the addition of the Sage Body, Might Duy's combat power would certainly not be inferior.
"Th-this feeling..." Staring at the dense red steam before him, Watanabe froze.
The feeling rising from the bottom of his heart was unfamiliar, so distant that even with his long memory, he couldn't recall the last time he had felt it.
That feeling was... fear!
"So, I can feel fear too... I, Watanabe, can actually feel fear?!" Watanabe clutched his face, letting out a laugh that bordered on madness. Simultaneously, the lightning surging around his already solid Thunder God Armor became even more turbulent.
"Come on! Let me kill you with my own hands!!!" As his roar faded, Watanabe exploded with full power, appearing behind the enemy. Wrapping his body in the Thunder God Armor, he unleashed a frenzied barrage of attacks.
"Thunder God Armor: War God Dance!"
However, Might Duy vanished instantly from his sight. Amidst the red mist, even Watanabe's eyesight couldn't locate him immediately.
"Impossible! His speed..." Before the emotions of fear and rage could fully rise in Watanabe's heart, a powerful wave of air pressure slammed into him.
"Gah!" Struck by the unseen attack, Watanabe sprayed a massive amount of blood from his mouth and nose. But he gritted his teeth. Even as his legs sank deep into the ground, he refused to take a step back.
His pride would not allow him to retreat in a taijutsu battle.
Watching Might Duy reappear before him, Watanabe roared, preparing to unleash a thunderous strike. But at this moment, he couldn't even launch a single effective attack.
Might Duy simply punched the air. The resulting shockwave, like an air cannon, accurately hit Watanabe again, interrupting his attack.
"Evening Elephant: Second Step."
Crack!
The previously indestructible Thunder God Armor trembled under the Evening Elephant's assault. With a crisp sound, it shattered.
In front of Might Duy, the ground had been blasted into a trench seven meters deep by the Evening Elephant's force. Watanabe was buried waist-deep in the earth, blood flowing freely from his body.
Clearly, even if Duy didn't attack again, Watanabe wouldn't last much longer. But out of respect for his opponent, Duy prepared to end his life personally.
Watanabe's gaze was unfocused, and he could no longer speak. But a smile appeared on his face, the meaning of which perhaps only he understood.
Taking a deep look at him, Might Duy slowly raised his arm. After pausing in the air for a second, he swung down with full force.
"BOOM!"