"The Complete Eight Gates Formation?" Kawaki Aoba gasped. He had nearly forgotten about that legendary technique since the war against Madara. If Kurenai-sensei hadn't brought it up, it might've slipped his mind completely.
He hadn't expected Kurenai-sensei to still be thinking about such a thing.
Once again, Kawaki Aoba was moved by Kurenai Yuhi's dedication.
He still remembered the requirements to attain the complete Eight Gates Formation—it involved opening at least the Seventh Gate, the Gate of Shock. Even with the help of the red and blue military pills, for Kurenai-sensei—originally a Genjutsu specialist—to attempt this must have taken unimaginable effort.
But something didn't add up.
Wait a second... why hasn't Kurenai-sensei's chakra aura changed at all? It felt almost identical to what it was the last time they met.
From his Kenbunshoku Haki perception—a sensory ability borrowed from foreign training—the aura of someone who had unlocked the Eight Gates, even passively, was distinct.
Take Might Dai, for instance. Even in a relaxed state, his presence was like a tightly coiled spring, dangerous and heavy. Anyone with trained sensory ability would feel his intensity immediately.
But Kurenai-sensei? He felt... normal.
> "Kurenai-sensei, thank you. Having access to the full Eight Gates Formation would be a tremendous help.
But to teach it, you must have opened the Seventh Gate yourself—the Gate of Shock—right?"
Kurenai Yuhi froze. His usual composed expression flickered.
That was all Kawaki Aoba needed to confirm his suspicion.
So he hasn't opened the Seventh Gate. But then… how did he obtain the full Eight Gates manual?
Kurenai sighed, clearly not planning to lie.
"Might Dai stopped by my home yesterday," he explained. "He left behind a detailed training scroll—his own notes and experience regarding the Eight Gates. He asked me to pass it to you... once you opened the Seventh Gate by your own power. Until then, I was to supervise your training."
Kawaki Aoba frowned, something nagging at the back of his mind.
"Might Dai felt... off yesterday," Kurenai added. "Like he was hiding something. I didn't press him, since I was so caught up in the technique. But in hindsight, it didn't feel right. I should check in on him."
Just then, an ANBU masked ninja appeared silently in the courtyard.
> "Jōnin Kurenai Yuhi. Hokage-sama has issued a mission. You are to leave the village immediately and pursue the rogue ninja, Might Dai."
Kurenai Yuhi: "...What?"
Kawaki Aoba: "Excuse me?"
Might Dai... defected?
The idea was absurd. If anyone in the village was the picture of loyalty, it was Might Dai.
"Aoba," Kurenai muttered, "even if Asuma defected, I'd find that easier to believe than this."
Aoba turned to the ANBU. "What exactly happened? Last I checked, Dai was still a Genin. What reason could he possibly have to defect?"
The ANBU hesitated, then sighed. "You'll find out soon anyway."
> "Yesterday, during a classified investigation, it was revealed that Might Guy had been... deceased for some time. His presence in the village was due to a reanimation jutsu, similar to that used during the Fourth Great Ninja War."
"Through interrogation, we learned that Might Dai had also died years ago and had been reanimated. However, unlike the usual Edo Tensei, he seemed fully sentient and cooperative—more like a special case, akin to the revived Third Raikage who retained independent thought."
"Fearing he might leak vital information if his reanimation were compromised, Hokage-sama ordered Dai's containment."
"But last night," the ANBU continued grimly, "Might Dai opened the full Eight Gates and escaped, annihilating the team guarding him. Surveillance lost him shortly after."
Kawaki Aoba's stomach sank.
The Hokage believed he might be heading toward the Land of Hot Water.
Of course. The Third Raikage, along with the notorious 'Auspicious Trio,' was reportedly recuperating there. That wasn't exactly classified info among the Five Great Nations.
"I understand," Kurenai said, rising with urgency. "I'll leave at once."
After the ANBU disappeared, Aoba remained silent, watching his mentor prepare.
Something felt deeply wrong.
Dai-sensei… would never harm his comrades without a reason. Kawaki Aoba had met him only yesterday. His chakra had been firm—steady, yet humble. There was no malice, no instability.
And since when did Konoha's security get so lax? Could someone open all Eight Gates, destroy part of the village's inner prison, and flee... without triggering a single alarm?
No. This wasn't just a defection—it was a cover-up.
Kawaki shook his head.
If nothing else went wrong, Susanoo—the mysterious figure watching over these events—would likely gain a new Super-Kage-level force capable of releasing four complete techniques. Hopefully, the Auspicious Trio wouldn't panic when that happened.
Still, Kawaki Aoba had only ever wanted Dai-sensei to continue living peacefully with Guy, perhaps as a way to repay the man for his guidance.
But now... this.
He clenched his jaw.
Dai must have revealed something to Hiruzen yesterday. That's the only explanation for this so-called mission. Dai was the kind of man who wouldn't keep secrets from the Hokage, even if it cost him.
It was a good thing Aoba hadn't shown Dai the red and blue pills during his training in the Eight Gates. That would've caused another headache.
And Konoha was full of "righteous fools" like Dai. If Minato doesn't become Hokage soon, the whole village might explode from all this bottled-up ideology.
Aoba rubbed his brow.
The only way to reason with guys like Dai and Guy is through the authority of the Hokage—and the will of the village. That's all they ever listen to.
---
Later, Kawaki Aoba and Kurenai arrived at the Might household.
ANBU had already sealed off the premises, but to Aoba, that meant little.
They slipped past without trouble and found Might Guy inside—knees on the floor, his body trembling.
> "Aoba… my—my father… he defected…"
With tears and snot streaming down his face, Might Guy was a complete mess.
For the Might father and son, shedding tears over the flame of youth was normal—but such heart-wrenching sobbing was a first.
Kawaki Aoba didn't know what to say. Did Guy truly not have a shred of doubt?
He could only sigh. The Third Hokage really has a lot to answer for...
"It's okay, Guy. I believe Uncle Dai must have had his reasons. When you become stronger than him, you can ask him yourself."
It was meant to be a casual word of comfort. But after hearing it, Might Guy seemed to be lit with blazing passion. His fighting spirit surged like a bonfire.
"That's right! Dad must have had a reason! I'll become really, really strong. And when I surpass him... I'll ask him face to face—why did he leave? Has he forgotten the youth we vowed to protect together?!"
Looking at Guy, now burning with renewed resolve, Aoba was silent again. Was there ever any need to worry about Guy?
But... why did this plotline feel so familiar?
He wasn't sure if the future would still include a brotherly pursuit battle, but at this rate, Konoha might be looking at a father-son pursuit battle instead.
Cough. Cough.
Suddenly, a cough echoed from behind, and Guy looked up—startled.
"Lord Hokage!"
The newcomer was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. He sighed softly as he addressed Guy.
"You're Dai's son, aren't you? You have your father's eyes. Like him, you're a hard-working genius."
He patted Guy on the shoulder gently. "Guy, don't blame your father. His departure from the village may not have been by choice. According to our intelligence, he's being controlled."
"Controlled?" Guy repeated, eyes widening.
Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "Yes. A powerful external force has taken control of him. The man responsible for those deaths wasn't truly your father—it was the one manipulating him from behind the scenes."
The Third Hokage, ever the tactician, had seamlessly shifted Guy's anger toward an unseen enemy. If that enemy was someone like the powerful "Smoker"—a placeholder name in Aoba's mind for now—then Guy's drive to become stronger would only multiply.
Seeing Guy's burning gaze, Hiruzen nodded secretly to himself. He continued, "Your father once faced the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist alone. He protected Konoha in silence. He died a hero."
"Now that this has happened, the village will not abandon you. All the training resources you need will be provided."
After witnessing the terrifying power unleashed when Might Dai opened all Eight Gates, the Third Hokage had naturally turned his eyes to Dai's heir. And Guy, overwhelmed by emotion, took it as another debt of gratitude to the village.
The Father's Other Legacy
With Guy's path arranged under the Hokage's guidance, Kawaki Aoba no longer had to worry.
Returning home with Yūhi Kurenai, Aoba began preparations to unlock the Eight Gates himself.
The Eight Gates—this forbidden technique had once been his primary goal. Back then, he believed it would be the foundation of his rise. But before he even obtained the complete knowledge, he had already reached Super-Kage level.
Now, looking at Might Dai's handwritten training scroll, Aoba couldn't help but sigh.
With time and growing strength, his desire for the Eight Gates had waned. At his current level, only extraordinary techniques or bloodline abilities could offer improvement.
Flipping through the manual, most of the early content was already familiar to him. What truly interested him now was only the final section: the Eighth Gate—the Gate of Death.
It wasn't long before he finished reading and memorized the final pages.
Closing the scroll, Aoba whispered in his heart: Sacrifice.
His expression was calm, his mind prepared for whatever outcome awaited.
As the sacrificial light dimmed, a glowing orb appeared on the altar—familiar in shape and energy.
Aoba picked it up without hesitation and absorbed it into his body.
And then—
"…Holy crap."
Just two words, but they carried all the shock he could muster.
So much for calm and indifference… The surprise was too great to contain.
Kaio-ken?!
Yes, Kaio-ken—the god-tier technique once used by Son Goku in the early Dragon Ball series. Somehow, this Eight Gates technique had transformed—or evolved—into something else entirely.
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