Might Duy was nothing if not honest.
He truly wanted to earn the money, but he couldn't bring himself to take advantage.
This was exactly why Uchiha Kai worked so hard to win him over.
Beyond Duy's raw strength, it was his kind, simple, and straightforward nature that mattered.
Kai, crafty as he was, preferred befriending such people.
Because once you won them, you never had to worry about betrayal—no matter how high a price others offered.
He shook his head, then smiled.
"Don't worry, Duy-senpai. I already obtained the original scroll of the Eight Gates from the Hokage himself.
I know the risks, but the Eight Gates are still a powerful trump card, aren't they?
On the battlefield, if you're truly forced into a corner, being gravely injured is still better than being dead, right?
And you as well, senpai.
In the future, if possible, you can practice the Marine Six Styles too. They'll serve as daily combat techniques.
Then, in a true crisis, you can rely on the Eight Gates."
Kai spoke with total sincerity.
But across the table, Duy only grew more embarrassed.
He had already taken Kai's money, and now he was also "freeloading" off Kai's taijutsu training method?
As a taijutsu specialist himself, Duy could tell at a glance—this Marine Six Styles was in no way inferior to the Eight Gates in essence.
"T-this doesn't feel right!" Duy shook his head hurriedly.
"I already accepted your money, and it's only natural I teach you the Eight Gates.
If I also take a set of techniques equivalent to an S-rank, then I'm really just taking advantage!"
He shook his head again and again, clearly self-aware.
Kai only chuckled.
"Think of it as a gift between friends, senpai. Surely you don't look down on me?"
"How could I? Of course not!" Duy gave an awkward smile, then sighed in resignation.
"Alright, I'll learn.
But I really am the one getting the better deal here."
Kai waved it off.
He didn't mind in the slightest.
As the old saying went—a loss is a blessing.
"Senpai, don't worry about yourself.
We Uchiha value sincerity above all when it comes to friends.
So why don't you move in with me later?"
But Duy quickly shook his head.
"That won't be necessary. I still have a son at home. He's about the same age as you, actually."
"Mhm, I know." Kai nodded.
"You mean Guy, right?
I believe he'll astonish the entire world someday.
Move in together. The Uchiha clan doesn't lack money, and I know your situation. Just eat with us.
Taijutsu training requires proper nutrition. And medicinal baths too—skip those, and it'll cripple the foundation.
I'll also be training the Eight Gates, so we can practice and spar daily."
He said this very seriously.
Because that boy Guy would someday surpass even his father—capable of challenging super-kage-level opponents.
Winning over Might Duy now was also an investment in Might Guy's future.
After all—he and Guy weren't close, and unlike his father, Guy wouldn't be so easy to win over later.
On the other hand, Duy knew exactly how much potential his son held.
His constitution was stronger than his own.
With better resources and fuller meals, Guy's achievements would undoubtedly surpass his father's.
So even if Kai's enthusiasm felt a little overwhelming, Duy's simple heart couldn't think too far ahead.
And thus, somewhat dazedly, he agreed.
Before long, Kai had cheerfully talked him into packing up and moving—with Guy in tow.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Tower.
While Kai was busy on his end, Sarutobi Hiruzen was even busier.
The daily affairs of Konoha were heavy enough, and now three fronts of war weighed on his shoulders.
The man woke earlier than the roosters and slept later than the dogs.
And today, especially—
Minato had returned, and the first thing he did was report in person.
Hiruzen dropped everything on his desk and received him personally.
Yes.
He had to hear firsthand from Minato's own mouth about Uchiha Kai.
Because the Anbu's reports had been simply too outrageous.
One battle, three thousand Hidden Stone elites annihilated.
And along the way, nearly killing the Third Raikage's son, A.
Good heavens.
If this was true, the plans already in motion would have to be rewritten from scratch.
"When Kai-kun fell into Onoki's trap, I didn't know the details," Minato said evenly.
"But later, when he saved my students, I witnessed his power with my own eyes.
He has a special technique that releases a terrifying aura. Ordinary Jounin can't withstand it. Chunin and below are knocked out instantly.
It's an area-wide attack. By my estimate, it covers at least ten kilometers.
In other words, without special countermeasures, any ordinary ninja within ten kilometers can't even lift a hand against him.
To surround and kill Kai-kun is absolutely impossible.
Neither by sealing him with numbers, nor exhausting his chakra—neither is viable.
And with his Mangekyo, even a jinchuriki risks falling under his genjutsu.
After all, tailed beasts are notoriously weak against illusion.
As for his overall strength—he was able to face both the Tsuchikage Onoki and the Cloud's AB combo at once. I'd say, at the very least, he's not below me."
Minato's tone was grave.
Before the Hokage, he still played the role of the loyal subordinate.
After all, Minato was kind and just—but no fool.
Even in the original history, when he became Hokage, he tried to establish his own guard unit and even placed Kakashi in Anbu as a captain, attempting to build influence.
But Kakashi, after his father's suicide, Obito's death, and Rin's death by his own hand, had sunk into a gloomy state—lacking any ambition to seize power.
Then came the Nine-Tails' attack, and Minato's death.
But now things are different.
With Uchiha Kai's intrusion, everything was shifting.
So in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen, Minato performed flawlessly.
Hiruzen wanted to know Kai's true power, and Minato didn't hide a thing.
Kai himself had never tried to conceal it anyway.
But across the desk, Hiruzen's heart grew heavier and heavier.
So it was true.
What now?
Uchiha Kai was too formidable.
Even the deadly trap he had prepared had been shattered with ease.
What move could he possibly make next, to remove him?
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell into silence.
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