"Senior Duy, don't be restrained.
The reason I asked Hokage-sama to summon you here is actually for the Eight Gates technique.
I used my mission rewards to exchange for training in the Eight Gates, and after some digging, I found that of all those who practiced it back in the Second Hokage's era—you're the only one still an active shinobi.
So naturally, you were the right one to invite.
From now on, you'll stay in the Uchiha compound.
During the period you're teaching me, this will count as a formal mission. The payment will be at the B-rank mission rate.
Since you have family to provide for, the salary will be settled monthly.
Tentatively—three hundred thousand ryō per month.
Any objections?"
Kai smiled warmly.
Of course, he wouldn't blurt out something foolish like "I want to recruit you" the first time they met.
Everything had to be done step by step.
Might Duy was just a commoner—kind-hearted, guileless, and a little self-conscious. Someone like him had no place in the dirty struggles of the high-level factions.
Better not to let him see that side at all.
Because unlike his son Guy—who was simple-minded enough to support whichever Hokage sat in office—Duy himself would only retreat further into the shadows if confronted with such ugliness.
That was the heart of a true commoner: to live quietly, to avoid trouble.
So, what was the right way to approach him?
For ordinary shinobi, throwing money, ninjutsu, and gear at them was enough.
But for someone like Might Duy, things had to move slowly.
Step one: extend a favor.
Learning the Eight Gates was no short-term task. At minimum, it could take months. At maximum, years.
Three hundred thousand ryō a month might not sound huge, but it was direct pay—no team to split it with, no village tax.
Compared to what Duy usually earned, it was astronomical.
After all, he struggled even to join squads for C-rank missions. At best, he might scrape together thirty or forty thousand ryō. Most of the time, he lived on pitiful D-rank jobs chasing cats and dogs—five hundred to ten thousand ryō apiece.
Slaving away all month, and still barely feeding his son.
So while the salary Kai offered seemed ordinary on paper, for Duy it was a godsend.
First, a favor. Then, build trust. Then, form a bond.
For someone like Duy, sincerity was the ultimate weapon.
Dirty means? Maybe. But that was how great plans were made.
At the very least, Kai wasn't cheating him. He was giving him a better life.
And compared to the miserable days Duy was living now—wasn't that kindness?
As expected, Duy froze in shock.
The Eight Inner Gates Formation?!
For once, he didn't feel weak or ashamed. This was the one thing he could proudly call his own.
And the money…
As the years piled on, he understood more and more just how important money was. Not for himself—for Guy.
Three hundred thousand ryō a month was no small figure.
He knew it was odd. He knew there was no free lunch.
But what could he do?
Even if there was a trap ahead, he had to jump into it.
Not for his own sake—for his son's.
Guy was at a crucial age. Training the Eight Gates devoured his stamina. He needed meat every day, even special medicinal baths.
Duy had the recipes—passed down since Tobirama's era—but no money to buy the ingredients.
Right now, he could barely put meat on the table three times a day.
Yes, the forests around Konoha were full of beasts. But they belonged to the clans. Without permission, hunting was forbidden.
The only option was the Forest of Death—too dangerous, even for many Chunin.
And so, Duy had never realized his own strength.
He just… endured.
Now, hearing Kai's offer, he clenched his fists and said firmly:
"Kai-kun, I promise.
I'll teach you the Eight Inner Gates Formation as best I can.
But I can't guarantee success. The technique demands too much from the body.
So…"
Duy looked embarrassed.
The money meant everything to him. He would never give it up.
But he was too honest not to admit the truth: he might not be able to teach Kai to truly master it.
Kai simply shook his head with a smile.
"That's fine.
I already have special taijutsu training methods of my own.
In fact, if you want to learn them, I'll even share them with you.
Let me give you a demonstration."
He led Duy into the depths of the Uchiha compound, to a vast private training ground—the clan's Field #29.
And then, without hesitation, he unleashed the Rokushiki.
Shave. Iron Body. Paper Art. Moon Step. Tempest Kick. Finger Pistol…
They were nothing precious to him—if Duy wanted to learn, he'd gladly teach.
Because giving was the key to receiving.
And indeed, Duy's initial awkward smile soon melted into wide-eyed awe.
He had thought no taijutsu could rival the Eight Gates.
But seeing these techniques…
His eyes grew serious.
They were strong. Terrifyingly strong.
Even comparable to the Sixth Gate in sheer effect—without wrecking the body.
"Kai-kun…" Duy finally spoke, his voice shaking.
"This taijutsu is already incredibly powerful.
You don't need to risk the Eight Gates at all.
The Eight Gates force the body beyond its limits—self-destruction disguised as power.
Beyond the Seventh Gate, yes, it surpasses your methods… but the price grows worse with every step."
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