"By the way, senpai, the Hokage wants to see you."
After admitting everything without hesitation, Kaede remained calm and looked at Might Duy.
The jonin nearby hesitated slightly upon hearing this, then said, "I was just about to report to Lord Hokage myself. Let's go together."
"Alright."
Might Duy nodded, then gave Kaede a grateful look.
Kaede smiled and gave him a thumbs-up before turning and leaving the Hokage building.
Instead of heading directly to the rendezvous point, he strolled in the direction of home first.
…
Inside the Hokage's office.
Might Duy and Sarutobi Naoki, a jonin from the mission assignment department, walked in together.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, pipe in mouth, eyes closed in deep thought. He was considering the next wave of troop deployments. It wasn't enough to just send Orochimaru to the front lines in the Land of Grass, forces were also needed to monitor Sunagakure's movements in the Amegakure, all while keeping an eye on both Kumogakure and Kirigakure.
"Hokage-sama."
Sarutobi Naoki stepped forward, bowed, and began his report. "I have something to report. Kaede and Might Duy formed a two-man squad to carry out a C-rank escort mission. While in the Land of Grass, they were ambushed by Hidden Stone ninja… Kaede killed the enemy's jonin, confirmed to be Iwagakure's jonin, Hibikari!"
Hiruzen didn't pay much attention to the first half of the report, idly listening while still lost in thought. But the latter part cut through his thoughts like a blade.
He opened his eyes in surprise and looked at Naoki. "Kaede… killed a Hidden Stone jonin?"
Naoki took a deep breath. "Yes. And not just that, he and Might Duy worked together and wiped out the entire ten-man enemy unit."
"…"
For a moment, Hiruzen was at a loss for words.
He had assumed Kaede had likely failed the escort mission in the Land of Grass. Since it was only a C-rank assignment, he hadn't paid it much attention and didn't bother to follow up.
Who would've thought that not only did an unexpected battle occur, but Kaede had resolved the crisis and completed the mission with flying colors?
Compared to that, their decision to return and report after encountering an advanced force of Hidden Stone ninja didn't even seem noteworthy anymore.
"That child…"
Hiruzen turned to look out the window, his heart stirred.
Ten years old.
At nine, he killed an elite scout from an enemy village. Now, at ten, he had slain a full-fledged Iwagakure jonin!
Even the famed White Fang of Konoha, or Orochimaru in his youth, hadn't achieved such feats until they were twelve or thirteen.
Kaede's accomplishments had already surpassed the brightest geniuses of his era, leaving even Sakumo and Orochimaru in the dust!
"…I see."
After a few seconds, Hiruzen collected himself and waved for Naoki to step down. Then he turned to Might Duy and asked, "Duy… how many of the Eight Gates can you open?"
In Kaede's report on Duy, he had mentioned that Duy possessed greater combat ability than himself, and also revealed that Duy had mastered the Eight Gates technique.
After all, for someone labeled a "Eternal Genin" to suddenly possess strength exceeding that of Chunin and even Jonin, there had to be some secret technique at play.
Once a ninja reaches a certain level in taijutsu, it becomes possible to sense the Eight Gates within the body. Hiruzen had sensed them himself in his youth, though he never pursued opening them.
But sensing the Gates and opening them are two entirely different matters. Very few could truly open them, and Duy's ability to do so suggested exceptional talent in taijutsu.
The sudden question caught Might Duy off guard. He blinked, then answered honestly, "The eighth gate."
"oh, that explains wh—"
Hiruzen was still half-occupied with thoughts of Kaede when the words hit him mid-sentence. He suddenly froze, eyes wide.
"…Wait, did you say the eighth gate?!"
He stared at Duy in disbelief.
The eighth gate!
The Eight Gates technique was named after those eight internal limiters in the human body. The eighth gate was the final one, its absolute limit.
Any forbidden jutsu pushed to its extreme was terrifying, and Hiruzen had a good idea of what releasing all eight gates might do to a person.
Reaching the eighth gate was something far beyond what most could even dream of!
"Yes."
Duy gave a sincere nod.
Hiruzen felt shaken.
He even started to doubt Duy's words. But looking at Duy's face, there wasn't the slightest sign of deceit. And a lie like this would be easily exposed anyway, there was no point in making it up.
"...Have you ever actually opened the eighth gate?"
Still skeptical, Hiruzen pressed further.
Duy hesitated, then said, "No. The side effects are too severe. I can feel it… If I open the eighth gate, I'll die."
Hearing that, Hiruzen drew in a sharp breath, and any lingering doubts he had faded away.
It made sense. A forbidden jutsu that unleashed such overwhelming power had to come at a steep price. Death as a consequence of opening the final gate… was a completely reasonable outcome.
Still…
That Duy had the ability to open the eighth gate, to push the Eight Gates technique to its absolute peak, that was something Hiruzen had never anticipated. It wasn't something just anyone could do. In its own way, that too was an exceptional kind of talent.
Though he didn't know exactly how strong someone would become after opening the eighth gate, he had a solid guess, burning one's entire life force for power wouldn't yield anything weak.
Possibly… it might even reach Kage-level.
Enough to rival him.
"…Might Duy, I hereby promote you to Tokubetsu Jonin, effective immediately. You've earned it. But there's no time to rest. I need you at the front lines."
Hiruzen spoke to him solemnly and firmly.
Given Duy's combat ability, he was clearly suited for frontline duty. In fact, he'd be ideal as a vanguard soldier, his strength would allow him to deal with unforeseen dangers. Even in the worst-case scenario, opening all eight gates would allow him to ensure the safe retreat of his allies.
"Yes, sir!"
Might Duy's voice trembled with excitement.
Just like Kaede had said, he'd really been promoted to Tokubetsu Jonin! From a mere Genin to a Jonin of the village in one leap!
And from Hiruzen's expression, he could feel it, it wasn't just an empty title. The Hokage himself genuinely valued him!
His blood felt like it was boiling.
It was the burning passion of youth.
At this moment, even if he were ordered to charge into the battlefield and unleash the Eight Gates Formation, trading his life to inflict heavy losses on the enemy… he wouldn't hesitate for a second!
************
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