"What are you laughing at? It sounds terrible."
"A guy named Matt Dai is here to see you."
As soon as Sakumo entered the room, he heard the ear - piercing laughter and didn't hesitate to start mocking.
"Lord Kawaki, I'm a Chunin now."
Matt Dai was truly grateful from the bottom of his heart for Kawaki's righteous help.
"It's just a small thing. Come and sit down."
Kawaki ignored the useless rage of Aniki. If he had the guts, come and take a beating.
At this moment, the Ghost Mastiff saw its master, let out a "howl", and quickly ran over on its legs, seeking comfort and hugs.
But Sakumo raised his hand to block it. A pregnant woman couldn't stand it pouncing like this.
The Ghost Mastiff put its front paws on Sakumo's arm. It was so aggrieved that tears were welling up in its dog eyes.
It made Natsuki feel so sorry for it that she stroked its head to comfort it.
The four of them came to the stone table and sat down. Sakumo was also curious about what this oddly - looking Chunin wanted with Kawaki.
The Ghost Mastiff had found a small corner to start self - healing. The meaning of this sentence about being "heartbroken about Konoha 36" is unclear and needs further clarification.
Kawaki poured tea for everyone. Matt Dai spoke first.
"Today, my wife was examined and found to be pregnant. Since I've been promoted to Chunin, I can take on more advanced missions."
"I can earn more money to support my family, so I must come here in person to thank you to show my sincerity."
Kawaki thought that Guy (also known as Kaihuang) truly lived up to being Kakashi's lifelong rival, as his mother's pregnancy check - up was on the same day.
Sakumo still didn't understand the relationship between Dai's promotion to Chunin and Kawaki, but it wasn't a good time to ask.
He silently sipped his tea, while Natsuki drank her milk, beginning to supplement nutrition from now on.
"Congratulations to you. Originally, I wanted to ask about the Jonin qualification, but your mission completion rate and overall qualities are not up to the mark yet."
"But when you accumulate enough experience in the future, I believe becoming a Jonin will be a piece of cake for you."
"By then, your child will also be proud of you."
Kawaki's words almost made Dai burst into tears of gratitude. This was a god - sent benefactor.
"I'll work hard. The blood of youth will never compromise."
Dai's eyes were filled with tears, and his gleaming teeth were almost blinding to the Hatake family.
"Does this guy have Jonin - level strength?"
Sakumo signaled to Kawaki with his eyes. No matter how he looked at it, Dai didn't seem like a powerful ninja.
Ignoring Aniki's look, Kawaki had a plan in mind. If you want to know, I'll let you have a try.
"Dai, I heard you have a very powerful Taijutsu."
"My brother has also done quite a lot of research on Taijutsu. I wonder if he can ask you for some advice?"
Kawaki slyly pushed Sakumo out. In fact, it was him who wanted to see the Eight Gates.
Sakumo was just about to say something. It didn't make much sense for a Jonin to pick on a Chunin.
"Of course."
"Please."
How could Dai give up the opportunity to challenge a strong opponent?
He stood up and politely bowed to Sakumo, then took a quick step and reached the center of the martial arts training hall.
Where he stepped, he left a hole half a foot deep, which finally piqued Sakumo's interest.
The collision between two martial maniacs was about to begin.
"To show my respect for you, I'm going to take off my weights."
Dai grinned at Sakumo across from him.
He slowly removed the weights on his wrists. From a height of about half a person, they dropped to the ground, pressing the land down several inches.
Sakumo's eyes sharpened. This Chunin is incredibly strong.
After removing all the weights, Dai jumped a little and felt completely relaxed.
He put one hand behind his back and took up a fighting stance.
Sakumo also drew his Tantō from behind his back, looking solemn. He realized he might have underestimated this Chunin.
At this time, Kawaki and Natsuki were munching on sunflower seeds.
"Who's going to win?"
Natsuki wasn't worried at all. She knew Kawaki wouldn't have any ill intentions towards her brother.
"I don't know either, but it'll definitely be exciting."
Saying that, Kawaki grabbed another handful of sunflower seeds and didn't even turn his head while watching the two in the arena.
Sakumo didn't activate the Flying Raijin because it consumed too much chakra and he couldn't use it frequently.
He also didn't think Dai was worth using such a powerful technique against.
The Tantō glowed with a white chakra light, and Sakumo moved.
Dai squinted his eyes slightly, raised his right hand, and barely managed to strike Sakumo's wrist. Then he stepped back to create some distance.
"Not bad speed. Let's see how you dodge next time."
Sakumo's probing attack had an effect. In terms of speed, Dai was no match for him.
"Life Gate, open!"
With a loud shout from Dai, his face began to flush red, and green energy started to radiate from his body.
This was the third gate of the Eight Gates, the last safe zone.
"Burn, youth!"
Dai rushed towards Sakumo and launched a counter - attack.
His afterimages appeared in the arena, one green afterimage after another appearing and disappearing.
"Looks really cool."
"Of course. When this technique is fully activated, it can unleash power beyond that of a Kage."
The two onlookers still didn't forget to discuss.
Sakumo took every punch and kick head - on, but he was ultimately no match in terms of strength.
He was kicked flying, and Dai appeared behind him, planning to execute a smooth combo.
Sakumo noticed this intention. Before Dai could wrap the bandages around him, his figure disappeared.
He used the Flying Raijin after all.
Dai was a bit stunned. Sakumo disappeared without any warning.
He was such a big guy!
"You're strong. You're a good opponent."
"However, this isn't enough."
Sakumo's voice came from behind Dai. Using the Flying Raijin in the martial arts training hall gave him a huge advantage.
As soon as the words fell, before Dai could react, he was kicked out by Sakumo. Sakumo even abandoned his Tantō.
Having been suppressed by Kawaki for too long, he needed to vent.
He actually wanted to beat Dai with his fists and feet.
Dai crossed his hands to block the kick. His pupils were still dilating. He couldn't understand how someone could be so fast.
"In that case, I won't hold back anymore."
"The flames of youth will never die out. View Gate, open!"
Dai's face was now congested and turned black. His expression turned ferocious, and his eyes no longer showed black pupils.
"Morning Peacock!"
Dai's fists waved at high speed, rubbing against the air to create flames. He attacked Sakumo with extremely high frequency and speed.
Sakumo was surrounded by the flaming fists. The pressure in the air even made it difficult for him to use the Flying Raijin freely.
He endured several punches before escaping Dai's attack range.
"So beautiful!"
"Aniki is getting beaten again."
The two idle onlookers were extremely excited. The Morning Peacock was incredibly cool.
"I lost," Dai said, deactivating the View Gate and conceding defeat. Sakumo had drawn his sword and charged forward, but stopped halfway.
He was so frustrated that he felt like spitting blood. Did he just take those blows in vain?
"You haven't lost yet."
"If this weren't a spar, I'd be dead."
Dai wasn't blind to the situation. Sakumo had switched from using his sword to his foot; otherwise, Dai would've been beheaded.
Hearing this, Sakumo could only angrily sheath his tantō, a look of annoyance on his face.
Where did this monster come from? He was just a Chunin.
What Sakumo didn't know was that without Kawaki, Dai would've been a Genin his whole life.
If Dai hadn't died in a battle against the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist, perhaps no one would've realized how powerful Dai was.
Even after opening six gates, Dai's face showed no signs of strain. Clearly, his physical training had allowed him to resist the after - effects of opening six gates.
Unlike Rock Lee, who almost wrecked himself after opening the Limit Gate.
Putting on his weights again, Dai returned to the stone table and sat down.
At this moment, the contempt in Sakumo's eyes was gone.
The two onlookers also straightened themselves up and behaved like good kids, not adding fuel to the fire for Sakumo.
<><><><><><><><>
~ 80+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
p-atreon.com/Tansnovel
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
~ Every 50 Powerstones = 4 Bonus Chapters on the weekend!