"Muscle strain?"
Yakushi Nono listened patiently as Ren explained his recent training routine.
After he finished speaking, she adjusted her glasses slightly and replied in her usual gentle tone.
"In that case, the best solution would be to have a medical ninja examine your body regularly."
"With proper medical ninjutsu and therapeutic massage, hidden injuries caused by training can be treated before they worsen."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"But if that isn't possible…"
"At the very least, you should perform a set of gentle relaxation exercises before going to sleep each night."
"These exercises help loosen the muscles and tendons."
"Also, drink a cup of warm milk before sleeping. Proper rest is extremely important for recovery."
As she spoke, Nono stepped into the quiet corridor and demonstrated the exercises.
Her movements were calm and graceful.
Stretch.
Twist.
Breathe.
The entire routine looked surprisingly similar to radio calisthenics.
Ren watched silently.
However…
Watching Nono perform those stretches suddenly reminded him of something.
A few days earlier—
He had used Transformation Technique to turn into Yakushi Nono during his experiments.
And the realism of that transformation had been…
Extremely detailed.
For a brief moment, Ren's expression became slightly awkward.
Fortunately—
Nono didn't notice anything unusual.
After finishing the demonstration, she wrote down several notes and handed them to him.
"These are medicines sold by the Nara clan pharmacy."
"Soothing Tendon Ointment and Vitalizing Bone Oil."
"After intense exercise, apply them to the joints of your limbs and to the acupuncture points along the waist and abdomen."
"They warm and nourish the meridians, which helps prevent strain injuries."
She demonstrated the massage technique as she explained.
"Rub the medicine until the area becomes warm."
"Once it's absorbed, that's enough."
Ren bowed slightly.
"I understand."
"Thank you very much, Yakushi-sensei."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Outside the building, Rin and Obito were already waiting for him.
The three of them left together.
---
Youthful Bonds
That afternoon—
Ren took the ten thousand ryo he had earned from Kurenai's lessons and went to the Nara clan pharmacy.
He bought several jars of the recommended ointments.
Then he distributed them.
One jar for Rin.
One for Might Duy.
And another for Might Guy.
Rin thanked him politely.
But Might Duy…
Had a completely different reaction.
The moment he received the medicine, tears immediately streamed down his face.
He clenched his fists and shouted passionately:
"Ah!!"
"This is the bond of youth!!"
"The passion of youth grows even stronger under the nourishment of friendship!!"
"Let our burning spirit blaze even brighter!!"
Ren: "…"
Honestly.
When it came to embarrassing enthusiasm, the Might father and son truly stood in a league of their own.
---
The Passing of Time
Training continued day after day.
Sweat soaked the training ground.
Chakra flowed endlessly.
And before Ren realized it—
Winter break was almost over.
Soon it was January, Year 46 of Konoha.
---
Ten Days, Ten Laps
Early one morning—
A thin layer of mist floated through the forest surrounding Konoha.
Three figures burst through the fog.
Two of them were running upside down on their hands.
The third ran normally.
Finally—
They reached the entrance of Konoha Village and stopped.
Ren bent forward slightly, breathing heavily.
Sweat dripped from his chin.
His chest rose and fell rapidly.
But his eyes shone brightly.
A proud smile appeared on his face.
Ten days.
Ten laps.
Goal completed.
Behind him—
Might Duy and Guy also stopped.
Duy turned around dramatically.
His eyes sparkled like blazing sunlight.
His teeth gleamed even brighter.
"Excellent, Ren!!"
"This is the most radiant medal of youth!!"
"I, Might Duy, have witnessed your burning sweat and iron-like determination!"
Then he raised one fist into the air.
"Come!"
"To the training ground that belongs to youth!"
Ren nodded.
"Alright."
---
The Hidden Training Ground
Instead of returning to the village—
The three of them headed deep into the forest beside Konoha.
Eventually they arrived at a hidden clearing surrounded by towering trees.
The place was quiet.
No villagers.
No distractions.
Only the rustling of leaves.
Might Duy gestured for Ren and Guy to sit on a large tree root.
The playful expression he usually wore had completely disappeared.
In its place was a solemn seriousness.
Almost like a priest performing a sacred ritual.
"Ren."
"Guy."
"Listen carefully."
He spoke slowly.
"The Eight Gates is an ultimate taijutsu technique."
"It unlocks the natural restraints within the human body and releases astonishing chakra power."
"It took me twenty years to master it."
His voice grew heavier.
"Each gate opened multiplies your power several times."
"If all eight gates are opened…"
"Your strength may approach that of the Hokage himself."
"But…"
"The price is equally terrifying."
Ren listened quietly.
But internally—
He couldn't help thinking.
That's not entirely accurate.
The true limit of the Eight Gates depended on the user.
Adult Might Guy was already a jonin.
When he opened all eight gates, his power reached an absurd level.
Almost approaching Six Paths tier strength.
But Duy himself was only a genin.
His upper limit was naturally lower.
Still—
Considering the legendary feat where Duy annihilated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—
Even his version of the Eight Gates was easily Kage level.
Even the Third Hokage might struggle against it.
Of course—
The Eight Gates had one obvious weakness.
The burst duration was extremely short.
If you couldn't defeat the enemy within a few minutes—
You would likely die yourself.
Because of this, Ren had already made a decision.
For now—
He would only train enough to open the third or fourth gate.
That alone would provide an incredible survival trump card.
---
The Resolve of Youth
"…Therefore,"
Duy continued.
"To cultivate the Eight Gates, you must possess the resolve to burn everything in order to protect what you hold dear."
"You cannot pursue power simply for the sake of power."
His sharp gaze suddenly locked onto Ren.
"Ren!"
"Tell me!"
"Is your resolve as firm as bedrock?!"
Ren immediately responded loudly.
"Yes!"
"Uncle Duy!"
"I've already prepared myself for that resolve!"
Duy smiled proudly.
"Excellent!"
"Then I will now teach you the method to open the first three gates!"
---
Learning the Eight Gates
Duy began pointing to the acupuncture points across his body.
"The Gate of Opening…"
"The Gate of Healing…"
"The Gate of Life…"
"The Gate of Pain…"
Ren recognized many of these points.
He had already studied them in books at the Konoha Library.
Although Duy wasn't the best teacher, his explanation was still understandable.
And Guy enthusiastically added extra explanations whenever something wasn't clear.
Compared to Naruto's chaotic attempt to teach Konohamaru the Rasengan in the future—
This lesson was incredibly detailed.
Before long, Ren had grasped the basic concept.
However—
His real focus wasn't on Duy's explanation.
It was on the Galgame System.
He knew the system often triggered events during major moments.
But so far—
There was no reaction.
Perhaps the trigger required witnessing the Eight Gates in action.
Just like when Obito first demonstrated the Great Fireball Technique.
---
The Demonstration
Finally—
Duy clenched his fists.
His legs spread slightly apart.
"Now…"
"I will demonstrate the Eight Gates myself."
"First Gate!"
"The Gate of Opening… open!"
His body trembled slightly.
Then—
"Second Gate!"
"The Gate of Healing… open!"
Veins began bulging across his arms.
His chakra surged violently.
"Third Gate!"
"The Gate of Pain… open!"
BOOM!!
An invisible shockwave erupted from his body.
His short black hair lifted like seaweed underwater.
The air around him vibrated.
Circular shockwaves spread outward across the training ground.
Birds in the surrounding forest burst into flight.
Within that state—
Duy began striking.
Punches.
Kicks.
Movements so fast they left behind afterimages.
At that exact moment—
The Galgame System finally responded.
[Detected an extraordinary potential conquest target: "Eight Gates."]
[Limited-time Encounter event triggered.]
---
[Location: Training ground west of the village.]
[You sense an explosive aura of youth.]
[Before you stands a vibrant girl with short red hair and wheat-colored skin.]
[She is frantically tempering her body in a nearly self-destructive way.]
[Every strike carries the roar of breaking past human limits.]
[The flames burning in her eyes seem capable of igniting another person's soul.]
---
WARNING
This target is extremely proactive.
The conquest process carries high risk.
It may cause irreversible effects to the host's body and mind.
---
Proceed with Encounter?
YES / NO
--------------------------------
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