Chapter 181: Eight Gates User's Power

After finishing a morning of training, Mu Yue said to the students, "Tonight is Kai's birthday, so we'll gather at Kai's house later."

This was mainly directed at Kakashi; Obito had already prepared his gift long ago.

"I have other things to do now. You can do whatever you want—if you want to keep training, you can stay here all afternoon."

Mu Yue was off to put on an acting show for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Maybe he's getting you a gift, Kai. I wonder what kind it'll be." Obito said with envy.

His birthday was on February 10th, still over a month away, but Obito was already looking forward to what Mu Yue would prepare for him.

"Haha, no matter what gift Mu-Yue sensei gives me, I'll be happy." Might Gai laughed loudly.

He felt Mu Yue was already very good to him—apart from his father, no one had ever treated him this well—so he didn't ask for more. Even if Mu Yue just said "Happy Birthday," that would make him happy.

"That's true, but if the gift is better, you'd be even happier, right?" Obito thought for a moment and said.

If Mu Yue gave him a standard mass-produced kunai for his birthday, he'd be happy and keep it as a souvenir. But if Mu Yue gave him a personally crafted kunai, he'd be even happier and treasure it more.

…

After leaving the training ground, Mu Yue headed straight for the Hokage Building.

It was true that, due to special circumstances, he had more opportunities to see Hiruzen Sarutobi, as he'd told Might Gai. But Mu Yue brought it up mainly to make his words more convincing.

Under normal circumstances, it was easier to see Hiruzen Sarutobi at the Hokage Building. Going to his home to find him would only work when it was nearly evening, and that would be too late.

Knock knock!

Mu Yue knocked on the door of the Hokage's office.

"Come in." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice came from inside.

"Lord Third." Mu Yue greeted respectfully.

"Ah, Mu Yue. Is there something you need?" Hiruzen Sarutobi took the pipe from his mouth, exhaled a puff of smoke, and asked.

"Lord Third, I've discovered a ninja in Konoha whose power far exceeds his current rank. He's extraordinarily strong but remains a genin." Mu Yue said seriously.

"An extraordinarily strong genin?" Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately pictured someone in his mind.

"Is it a ninja who carries a pot on his back?" Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment and asked.

When thinking of someone with outstanding strength who had stayed a genin, his first thought was Kōsuke Maruboshi.

Kōsuke Maruboshi was a veteran ninja whose skill and contributions had long reached the level of a jōnin, but because of past incidents that left him scarred, he had always refused promotion.

Hiruzen Sarutobi greatly admired Kōsuke Maruboshi and had even taught him his self-created A-rank jutsu, the Shadow Shuriken Clone Technique.

"No. As for distinguishing features, it would be his thick eyebrows and green jumpsuit." Mu Yue shook his head.

"Might Duy?" Hearing Mu Yue's description, Hiruzen Sarutobi pictured a new figure.

Might Duy was somewhat known in Konoha, but for a bad reputation.

Mu Yue nodded and explained:

"I discovered it by chance. Since Might Duy's son, Might Gai, is interning under me, I found out Might Duy's true strength on one occasion."

That was why Mu Yue had waited until after the internship started to take this step. Having this connection made the whole story more reasonable and convincing.

"He has mastered a powerful taijutsu called the Eight Gates. If he goes all out, I wouldn't be a match for him." Mu Yue fabricated earnestly.

"I felt something was off—a genin who knows a powerful taijutsu I'd never heard of. So I came to report it to you, Lord Third."

Hearing Mu Yue's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi showed a slight look of surprise. That Might Duy had actually mastered the Eight Gates.

"It's only natural you don't know about it, because the Eight Gates is a forbidden technique from the Scroll of Seals." Hiruzen Sarutobi explained.

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a while, puffing smoke, and said:

"This forbidden technique has existed since the Warring States period. Once mastered, its power is terrifying. The Second Hokage once gathered people to try to create a squad of ninja capable of using the Eight Gates. Might Duy was among them."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had never witnessed the power of an Eight Gates ninja himself, but he had seen the training method. It was the ultimate form of "sheer strength moving mountains."

If Tobirama Senju's Eight Gates squad project hadn't failed so completely, he would have wanted to start one himself.

Tobirama Senju had pioneered many innovations—the Ninja Academy, the Anbu, all sorts of things—but not all of them succeeded. The Eight Gates project was the most notable failure.

We wasted manpower and resources, and in the end, not a single successful practitioner — all failed.

"I can't believe that after so long, he still hasn't given up and has actually succeeded." Sarutobi Hiruzen exclaimed.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen formed hand seals and created a shadow clone.

"If Might Duy truly mastered the Eight Gates, then his rank of genin is no longer appropriate; he can be promoted to chunin." Sarutobi Hiruzen said.

For the Third Hokage, Might Duy's successful training in the Eight Gates was no small achievement; it proved the feasibility of the Eight Gates Squad Project.

But relying solely on Mu Yue's word was useless; Sarutobi Hiruzen had to go see for himself.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Mu Yue's character, but that he didn't trust Mu Yue's judgment — this was a ninja of the Eight Gates that even his teacher had sought.

Watching Sarutobi Hiruzen directly create a shadow clone, Mu Yue thought to himself: "The allure of an Eight Gates ninja is really strong." This way, there was no need to wait for Might Duy to come; he could just let the shadow clone go with him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's shadow clone went to an empty training ground, while Mu Yue went to fetch Might Duy for the test.

Because Mu Yue had reminded him in advance, Might Duy had been staying at home; Mu Yue saw him as soon as he went.

"Let's go. The Third Hokage wants to personally test your abilities, Senior Dai. Please give it your all." Mu Yue instructed.

"No problem! I'm always ready to burn with youth!" Might Duy gave a thumbs up, showing his shining white teeth as he laughed heartily.

At this moment, Might Duy's feelings were surging. Decades had passed, and he was prepared to remain an eternal genin — he never expected to get such an opportunity.

"Also, Senior Dai, please try not to discuss my abilities with the Third Hokage." Worried that Might Duy might let something slip, Mu Yue reminded him again.

Although Might Duy didn't know the full extent of his strength, it was still not at a level that could be shown now.

"Don't worry, I understand." Might Duy nodded in response.

He didn't know why Mu Yue wanted him to hide his strength, but Might Duy respected Mu Yue's choice and was willing to help.

Then, with Mu Yue leading the way, the two went to the training ground where Sarutobi Hiruzen's shadow clone was.

That's it for today.