A massive red dragon's roar echoed across the battlefield, its power matched only by Ashveil's presence.
"As an animal, facing my Conqueror's Haki, you showed no fear," Ashveil observed, his voice calm yet tinged with intrigue. "Instead, you dared to roar at me?"
Ashveil's smile widened faintly. He was increasingly impressed with Might Guy's Eight Gates Formation.
"Let me see just how strong your Eight Gates really is," he said.
Might Guy's kick closed in, narrowing the distance to ten meters. The physical strike collided with Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki, unleashing a deafening sonic boom. Even the surrounding space seemed to rupture, forming a crater where earth and debris were drawn into the shockwave.
Kakashi's crimson Sharingan tracked every movement. He noticed the potential—if they could exploit the slightest flaw, they might finally find a way to defeat Ashveil.
Might Guy pressed forward, despite the inevitable slowdown from exertion. Each step brought him closer, sonic booms shaking the ground, chunks of earth flying toward Kakashi, who narrowly dodged them while observing Ashveil's movements.
Ten meters. Nine meters. Eight meters. One meter.
Kakashi could barely breathe, utterly shocked. "Is this Might Guy's move…?" he murmured. "I don't know when it happened, but he's already surpassed my expectations. He's breaking through Ashveil's defenses."
Suddenly, two figures approached. One carried a massive gourd on his back, a "love" tattoo on his forehead; the other had white hair, a lightning tattoo across his arm, and a powerful frame. Gaara, the Kazekage, and Darui, the Fourth Raikage's right-hand man, had arrived.
Neither answered Kakashi directly. Their eyes were fixed on Might Guy's assault.
Darui had faced Ashveil before, and while Gaara had not fought him directly, he knew of Ashveil's overwhelming power. Might Guy's ability to force Ashveil to his limits stunned both of them.
"This is Might Guy of Konoha?" Darui muttered, disbelief etched across his face. "Konoha hides such a terrifying master?"
Kakashi's frown deepened. "Think quickly. We need a way to strike Ashveil while Might Guy draws his full attention. Relying on direct attacks won't pierce his defense."
Gaara and Darui nodded, understanding the delicate balance. Ashveil would expend almost all his energy countering Might Guy, creating the perfect opportunity for them.
But something unexpected happened. Might Guy, red steam coursing from his body, halted abruptly—just one centimeter from Ashveil.
"What's happening?" Darui exclaimed, eyes wide. Kakashi activated his Sharingan, fearing a genjutsu. That final centimeter had stopped Might Guy, despite all his effort.
Gaara's eyes narrowed, recognition dawning. "Kakashi, remember the Chunin Exams?" he said. "Lee's Eight Gates faced my sand. Breaking the external defense wasn't enough—you also had to pierce the surface layer. This is the same."
Kakashi felt despair. "Might Guy… can you find a way to pull back?"
But Might Guy could not. The moment he activated the Eight Gates, he had committed fully. He pressed forward, bones cracking, muscles straining, his body blackened and withered from exertion.
Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki radiated power. "Not bad… in the Shinobi World, this is the first time I've seen such effort," he said, a faint smile on his lips.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed in concern. Ashveil seemed to mock Might Guy, despite the man's immense struggle.
Desperate, Kakashi activated Kamui again. Gaara and Darui, puzzled at first, recognized the urgency. They launched their attacks—Darui's Storm Release and Gaara's high-pressure sand—toward Ashveil simultaneously.
But all attacks struck only his Conqueror's Haki, barely denting it. Compared to Might Guy's assault, their power was negligible. Ashveil remained unscathed, stepping closer to Might Guy, his smile widening.
Kakashi roared, "Stop right there! You are not allowed to insult Might Guy!"
Ashveil's lips twitched. "Kakashi, stop shouting. I will save Might Guy. If he suffers any loss, that is on me."
The battlefield grew tense. Even as Might Guy's body strained against the Eight Gates.
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