Chapter 49: The Eight Inner Gates
Three years later.
Name: Uzumaki Masahiko
Age: 21 Years (-)
Nin: 632 (+)
Tai: 824 (+)
Jutsu: 4543 (+10) (Convertible)
Academy Basic Three: LV10 (100000) (Maxed)
Shuriken Jutsu: LV10 (100000) (Maxed)
Earth Release: (Fusable 1/2) LV6 (436598/600000) (+)
Wind Release: (Fusable 1/2) LV6 (497738/600000) (+)
Fire Release: (Fusable 1/2) LV6 (462243/600000) (+)
Water Release: LV2 (10000/20000) (+)
Lightning Release: LV5 (200007/400000) (+)
Fuinjutsu: LV6 (413328/600000) (+)
Yang Release: LV6 (400000/600000) (+)
Yin Release: LV6 (510000/600000) (+)
Special Talent: Mind's Eye of the Kagura
Mining: LV6 (10030/20000)
Forging: LV8 (40059/60000)
Overall Evaluation: S
Witness Points: 32
Masahiko looked at his status bar and let out a slight sigh.
He had truly been training hard these past three years, and his progress was not small. Converted to Witness Points, he had saved himself at least 30 points worth of effort.
However, his Overall Evaluation was still S, proving he hadn't made a qualitative breakthrough. The increase in strength was still limited.
As for his age, there was a change. After he reached 20, he could only increase his age, not decrease it further. It seemed he couldn't stay 18 forever.
"32 Witness Points... too few. Even if I add them all, there won't be much of a breakthrough," Masahiko muttered to himself. Training in the clan for three years hadn't yielded a single Witness Point; nothing major had happened in the Warring States in recent years.
Hashirama had basically persuaded every clan except the Uchiha. The Senju and Uchiha had skirmished a few times, but Uchiha Madara had never appeared, presumably still adapting to his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Consequently, the Senju had pushed the Uchiha back again and again. Members of the proud Uchiha clan were even starting to surrender to the Senju.
"It looks like the final battle isn't far off. But my strength..."
"Sigh... I, Uzumaki 'Skirmish,' am a bit of a failure..."
Masahiko sighed and shook his head repeatedly.
"Sensei! We're here!" In the distance, Kento-kun's shout rang out. He was followed by Yiko-chan, who had grown into a young woman.
Masahiko only had two disciples left now... Not because anything bad had happened to Nanako-chan, but because she had gotten married last year and was now an expectant mother. Her husband was actually a year younger than her—Masahiko had met him before. It was Uzumaki Gensuke, the boy who had done the most push-ups during the selection test.
"Sensei, we just came from Nanako-neechan's place. She sends her regards," Yiko said in her clear voice.
Masahiko nodded to show he understood. "Anything else?"
Yiko glared at Kento, and Kento shouted, "Sensei! Let's have another duel! I've developed a new ultimate move!"
Masahiko looked resigned. For the past three years, every time Kento made a little progress, he would come to Masahiko to be "taught a lesson."
"Fine, fine, fine. Come on then. Let's see your new move..." Masahiko said perfunctorily.
"Alright! Here I come, Sensei!" Kento roared. "Eight Inner Gates: First Gate, Gate of Opening, OPEN!"
Violent chakra stirred up a fierce wind, blowing Masahiko's red hair into a mess—and his mind into chaos.
BANG!
Kento's punch landed squarely on Masahiko, sending him flying.
"Sensei!" Yiko glared at Kento and rushed over. "Are you okay?!"
Kento scratched his head. "Is my new move really that strong?" He closed the Gate of Opening and ran after them.
"I'm fine! I'm great! Never been better!" Masahiko laughed loudly as he replied.
Simultaneously, a familiar line of text scrolled past his eyes: "Witnessed and slightly changed a Naruto world Side Story: The Eight Inner Gates. Received 10 (*2) Witness Points."
"'Slightly changed'... It seems Kento really was supposed to be the one to develop the Eight Inner Gates. It's just happened earlier now. I knew his taijutsu talent was ridiculously high."
"I should have thought of it sooner. Since Tobirama included it in the Scroll of Seals, it meant the Eight Inner Gates wasn't developed by a Senju, but by someone close to them..."
"And with Kento's talent and perseverance, he'll probably have Clan Head-level strength in his twenties. Plus, he's Masahiro's grandson. It wouldn't surprise me if he became the Uzumaki Clan Head."
While Masahiko was thinking this, Yiko's voice interrupted him.
"Kento! Look what you did! Sensei is old, and you punched him silly... He's just sitting there giggling!"
Masahiko's face went dark.
"Sensei? Sensei? Are you okay?" Kento asked worriedly.
"I'm fine. Kento, from now on, you are my teacher!" Masahiko snapped out of it and said quickly.
"It's over, Yiko. Sensei really has lost his mind..." Kento murmured.
Half an hour later, after finally explaining everything and wiping the sweat from his forehead, Masahiko managed to convince his two disciples that he wasn't crazy...
"Kento, how many gates can you open?" Masahiko asked.
"Six!" Kento replied happily.
Masahiko thought for a moment. " based on our physical constitutions, I should be able to open the Seventh Gate. The Eighth might be a stretch, but I don't want to die..."
"This jutsu is very harmful to the body. It must be classified as a Forbidden Jutsu. You cannot teach it to others casually. For now, only the two of us will practice it. Furthermore, you cannot open all Eight Gates. Opening all eight will drain your life force rapidly. Even with our Uzumaki constitution, using it would likely mean death," Masahiko instructed Kento solemnly.
Kento nodded. "I know, Sensei. After opening the Fifth Gate, the pain becomes unbearable."
Masahiko's face stiffened. He thought, 'How could I forget about the pain? Forget the Seventh Gate, I'll just stick to opening five for fun...'
"Sensei, if you and Kento are training in this, what about me?" Yiko asked from the side.
"Er..." Masahiko hesitated. The 14-year-old Yiko had already learned all of Masahiko's Wind and Fire jutsu. He really didn't have anything left to teach her.
"Yiko, you aren't suited for taijutsu training. Continue training your ninjutsu. Once you improve a bit more, I'll try to teach you Scorch Release..." Masahiko said, though he lacked confidence. Kekkei Genkai were hard to learn without the corresponding bloodline unless you had a system like his.
"Sensei, you forgot! I developed an Earth affinity not long ago!" Yiko said angrily.
Masahiko froze. "Did you tell me that?"
Yiko glared at him. Masahiko quickly placated her. "Alright, alright, my mistake. I'll teach you Earth Release! Seriously, you're becoming more and more like Nanako."
For the next six months, the three of them immersed themselves in training.
Six months later.
"Eight Inner Gates: Seventh Gate, Gate of Wonder, OPEN!" Masahiko's shout echoed across the training ground.
"Ack... CLOSE!"
"HEAVENS! WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH?!"
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