Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Natsuki Defeats Might Duy

"Winner: Might Duy!"

Inuzuka Gaku was stunned for several seconds before realizing he was the chief examiner and loudly announcing the result.

It couldn’t be helped. The shock this battle brought him was too great.

An obscure Genin, nearly twenty years old and still not a Chunin, could actually burst forth with near-Jonin level strength?

And Minato, a genius among geniuses, Jiraiya’s student, had no power to resist in front of him.

The world was changing too fast for him to understand.

"Tsunade."

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately said. "Go check on Duy’s condition."

The reason the Eight Inner Gates was classified as a forbidden jutsu was because it was too dangerous.

The first three gates were considered the safe zone. Starting from the fourth gate, unimaginable side effects occurred, causing severe damage to the body.

And opening all eight gates came at the cost of one’s life.

Might Duy only opened four gates. Although it wouldn’t endanger his life, there would definitely be damage.

If not treated in time, it might affect his future.

The previous Might Duy, in Sarutobi Hiruzen’s eyes, was just a Genin with decent taijutsu.

But now it was completely different. He already viewed Might Duy as a future pillar of Konoha.

The reason was simple.

Opening all eight gates granted temporary Kage-level power.

Although it came at the cost of his life, if Konoha truly faced a life-or-death crisis, Might Duy could completely turn the tide of battle.

"Mm."

Tsunade nodded and immediately walked up to Might Duy.

After Inuzuka Gaku announced his victory, he released the Eight Inner Gates, slumped to the ground, and looked extremely exhausted.

Meanwhile, two other medical ninjas went to Minato to treat him.

His injuries weren’t severe because when Might Duy kicked him, the main force landed on the Rasengan.

"Natsuki."

Nawaki snapped back to reality. "Are you confident you can defeat the Duy from just now?"

"Natsuki can definitely win!"

Kushina snorted lightly.

"Although the Eight Inner Gates is powerful, it has a fatal flaw: the duration it can be maintained is short."

Natsuki summarized. "Over time, he won’t be able to keep fighting himself."

"I see."

Nawaki nodded and asked again. "You know a lot about the Eight Inner Gates?"

"I’ve heard of it."

Natsuki briefly introduced the Eight Inner Gates to them.

"There’s actually an S-Rank taijutsu?"

Nawaki said, his face full of surprise. "I thought the highest taijutsu was only A-Rank."

But he couldn’t be blamed for this.

After all, the Eight Inner Gates hadn’t appeared for a long time.

The Eight Inner Gates was not invented by Might Duy.

Because in the original story, Uchiha Madara once said he had heard of the Eight Inner Gates while he was alive.

The introduction to Might Duy also only said he spent twenty years successfully training in the Eight Inner Gates—not inventing it.

Right at that moment, Minato walked up to them.

"Minato, how are you?"

Natsuki asked.

"I’m fine."

Minato shook his head. "Just minor injuries."

"Minato, losing isn’t unjustified."

Nawaki patted his shoulder. "The Eight Inner Gates is an S-Rank taijutsu."

"S-Rank taijutsu? No wonder."

A look of realization appeared on Minato’s face.

He was learning the S-Rank Flying Thunder God Technique himself, so he knew very well the value of an S-Rank jutsu.

"Natsuki, did you know he learned the Eight Inner Gates beforehand?"

Minato asked curiously.

"Mm."

Natsuki nodded and said casually. "I chatted with him a bit before."

"You really have an eye for talent."

Kushina smiled. "No one in all of Konoha discovered that Duy learned the Eight Inner Gates."

She was even happier that Natsuki recommended such a powerful Might Duy to be her teammate.

"I guess it’s related to his personality."

Natsuki shook his head.

Nawaki and the others were instantly speechless.

Might Duy’s personality was indeed hard to handle.

Natsuki looked at Tsunade, who was treating Might Duy.

After this battle, Sarutobi Hiruzen would definitely pay special attention to Might Duy.

The event in the original story where Might Duy fought the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist alone would most likely not happen again.

After all, with Sarutobi Hiruzen’s ability, he could make him play a greater role.

With Konoha’s support, Might Duy’s strength might even reach a higher level.

Not long after, Tsunade finished the treatment.

Might Duy recovered somewhat and left the field.

"Fourth round, second match: Natsuki versus Nawaki!"

Inuzuka Gaku shouted at the right moment.

"I wonder if I still have a chance to enter the top three."

Nawaki shook his head.

Might Duy’s sudden emergence made him lose confidence in even reaching the top three.

"If you can beat me, you can be in the top three."

Natsuki smiled.

"..."

Nawaki was instantly at a loss for words.

"Youth cannot give up easily!"

Might Duy gave a thumbs up.

"True."

Nawaki’s spirit jolted. "We’ll only know the result after we fight."

Natsuki nodded and walked onto the field with him.

Because his opponent was Nawaki, he didn’t use a wooden sword but projected Kurosawa.

Besides Nawaki being stronger than his previous opponents, it was also because he used the Greatsword Samehada.

Using a wooden sword against the Greatsword Samehada would be asking for trouble.

One-Sword Style: 36 Pound Phoenix!

Natsuki took a step forward. Kurosawa in his hand swung out at high speed.

The wind howled. The air current generated by the sword swing turned into a flying slash, instantly attacking Nawaki.

Water Release: Water Formation Wall!

When Nawaki saw him raise his arm, he rapidly formed hand seals.

A water wall rose in front of him, blocking the flying slash.

The water wall trembled violently but wasn’t immediately shattered.

Nawaki grabbed the Greatsword Samehada from his back and leaped, stepping on the water wall.

Water Breathing: Second Form — Water Wheel!

He descended from the sky, his body twisting like a water wheel. The Greatsword Samehada carried a torrent of water pouring down.

The swift and fierce offense gave him an aura of moving forward with indomitable will.

Seeing this, Tsunade couldn’t help but nod.

Water Breathing: Fourth Form — Striking Tide!

Natsuki paused, gripped Kurosawa with both hands, and slashed out.

Water flow surrounded him, eventually turning into an arc-shaped blade light along with the slash.

A shrill collision sound rang out.

Kurosawa and the Greatsword Samehada clashed fiercely.

For a moment, the two swords were locked in a stalemate.

But right at that moment, the Greatsword Samehada suddenly opened its mouth, twisted its body, and bit toward Natsuki’s wrist.

Its speed was fast, but Natsuki’s reaction speed was faster.

He quickly pulled back Kurosawa, dodging the Greatsword Samehada’s bite. At the same time, he twisted his body. Water sprayed out.

Water Breathing: Sixth Form — Whirlpool!

A whirlpool-like slash enveloped Nawaki.

Nawaki immediately sensed the crisis.

But in a hurry, he could only raise the Greatsword Samehada to block in front of him.

Fortunately, the Greatsword Samehada was large enough and instantly blocked this slash.

However, the immense force transmitted made Nawaki stumble backward.

Natsuki pressed forward. Kurosawa continuously swung out.

For a moment, Nawaki was blocking while retreating, looking very disheveled.

Nawaki gritted his teeth, knowing he couldn’t let this continue.

He twisted his wrist. The Greatsword Samehada flew out, its hilt extending like a chain.

Samehada: Flying Chain Slash!

Natsuki stopped in his tracks and met it with a slash.

The immense force made his body tremble slightly.

Nawaki flicked it forcefully. The Greatsword Samehada rose and fell like a meteor hammer, smashing heavily toward Natsuki.

Natsuki narrowed his eyes.

While locking onto the Greatsword Samehada, he stepped back and flicked his hands.

Two Kurosawas flew out, hitting the Greatsword Samehada.

Broken Phantasm!

With a thought from Natsuki, the two Kurosawas immediately exploded.

The Greatsword Samehada was sent flying.

The powerful force traveled back along the hilt.

Nawaki instinctively tightened his grip on the hilt but couldn’t hold on. The Greatsword Samehada flew out of his hands.

He didn’t have time to pick it up and directly formed hand seals with both hands.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!

Streams of water appeared out of thin air, transforming into a giant water dragon in the blink of an eye.

The water dragon roared and bit toward Natsuki.

Seeing this, Natsuki took out another Kurosawa.

Water Breathing: Tenth Form — Constant Flux!

He moved. Water flow appeared with him.

Natsuki burst forth at extreme speed, charging toward Nawaki.

Kurosawa in his hand swung out in an instant.

And above his head, water gathered, also forming a water dragon.

The two water dragons collided, making a muffled sound.

But Nawaki’s water dragon was sliced in half in the next second.

And Natsuki had already reached him. His arm trembled, and Kurosawa stopped abruptly.

"I... I concede."

Nawaki looked at Kurosawa in front of him, swallowed hard.

"Did Natsuki create a new kenjutsu based on Water Breathing again?"

Surprise flashed in Orochimaru’s eyes.

Natsuki had used Water Breathing: Tenth Form — Constant Flux before, but he wasn’t present.

Jiraiya and Tsunade knew about it.

"The main point isn’t Water Breathing."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.

Orochimaru nodded slightly.

He knew Sarutobi Hiruzen was talking about Projection Magecraft and Broken Phantasm.

As Natsuki’s teacher, the fact that Natsuki defeated Chiyo’s son and daughter-in-law naturally wasn’t hidden from him.

He also knew the specifics of how they were defeated.

Like Sarutobi Hiruzen, he didn’t expect the inconspicuous Projection Magecraft to produce such massive power.

It was just that its advantages and disadvantages were both very obvious.

"As expected, I lost again."

Nawaki shook his head, not feeling too bad about it.

After all, he often lost to Natsuki in their usual spars.

The only difference this time was that it was during the Chunin Exams.

With this loss, he didn’t know if he could make it into the top three.

But becoming a Chunin wouldn’t be a big problem.

During wartime, the requirements would be lowered considerably.

"Don’t lose to Duy."

Nawaki picked up the Greatsword Samehada. "That way, I’ll have lost to the first place, which sounds much better."

"I’ll try my best to fulfill your request."

Natsuki chuckled.

The two left the field, and Kushina and the others gathered around.

"Finally reached the final."

Minato sighed emotionally. "It’s just that things often develop beyond expectations."

"This is the unpredictable youth!"

Might Duy said with a firm face. "We can only keep moving forward!"

"I have to say, what Duy says always makes a lot of sense."

Nawaki couldn’t help but agree.

"Really?"

Might Duy asked excitedly. "Then do you want to join the path of youth?"

"No, no. I’m not interested in youth."

Nawaki was so scared he hurriedly shook his head.

Seeing this, Natsuki, Kushina, and the others couldn’t help but laugh.

"The final match of the Chunin Exams: Natsuki versus Might Duy!"

After the break ended, Inuzuka Gaku walked to the center of the field and announced loudly.

"Now that there’s Duy with the Eight Inner Gates, do you guys still think Natsuki can get first place?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.

He had asked this question before, and they all believed Natsuki would win in the end.

But at that time, they didn’t know Might Duy had mastered the Eight Inner Gates.

"If Duy can only open four gates, then he is not Natsuki’s match."

Orochimaru pondered for a moment.

"I’ve checked. Given Duy’s current physical condition, it’s highly likely he can’t open the fifth gate, and even if he could, he wouldn’t be able to sustain it for more than a few seconds."

Tsunade added.

"Let’s wait and see."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slightly and smiled.

Natsuki and Might Duy walked onto the field.

"Natsuki!"

Might Duy said very seriously. "I’m very grateful for your recommendation. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to participate in the Chunin Exams!"

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen sent someone to notify him, he had already learned the whole story from Kushina.

"I recommended you because you have the strength."

Natsuki replied.

"To repay you, let’s have a hot-blooded youth showdown!"

Might Duy roared loudly. "Eight Inner Gates! Gate of Opening, Open! Gate of Healing, Open! Gate of Life, Open! Gate of Pain, Open!"

He directly opened four gates.

Green chakra, violent like a storm at sea, swept in all directions.

Natsuki felt the surging air current hitting his face.

He secretly thought it was indeed astonishing.

"Konoha Whirlwind!"

Might Duy’s body instantly appeared in front of Natsuki.

That astonishing speed made Minato and the others watching only see a flash of green light.

Reinforcement Magecraft!

Weight-Type Magic: Gravity Mitigation!

Natsuki jumped back, directly dodging his kick.

Minato’s heart jolted.

He also realized that Natsuki’s reaction speed was no less than his own.

What’s going on now?

"Konoha Great Whirlwind!"

Might Duy missed one kick and followed with another.

His speed pushed to the extreme.

Before Natsuki even landed, Might Duy’s attack was already in front of him. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Fortunately, he had the reaction speed from the Kirigaya Kazuto template. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to react at all.

In the world of martial arts, speed determines the winner. Applied to the ninja world, it still held true.

Natsuki’s overall strength was greater than Might Duy’s, but as soon as they engaged, he fell into a disadvantage due to speed.

However, he naturally knew he couldn’t let this situation continue for too long.

Broken Phantasm!

Natsuki threw a Kurosawa and immediately detonated it.

Sensing danger, Might Duy hurriedly retreated.

BOOM!

Kurosawa exploded, but it didn’t hurt Might Duy.

One-Sword Style: Iai — Lion’s Song!

Natsuki took out a new Kurosawa, flashed, and rapidly transformed into a beam of blade light speeding forward.

"Konoha Strong Whirlwind!"

After steadying his body, Might Duy delivered a kick.

Green chakra wrapped around his right leg, giving this strike the power to break steel.

Kurosawa was kicked and trembled violently.

Natsuki let go and used Broken Phantasm again.

Chakra suddenly exploded. Air currents swept fragments toward Might Duy.

Might Duy, in the state of four gates, had astonishing speed and hurriedly dodged to the left.

This dodge widened the distance from Natsuki again.

Water Breathing: Tenth Form — Constant Flux!

Natsuki leaped up, gripping a newly projected Kurosawa with both hands.

Water flowed, forming a water dragon above his head.

"As expected of you! Strong enough to make my youth boil again!"

Might Duy gritted his teeth and roared. "Gate of Limit, Open!"

The chakra air currents around his body surged again.

But he wasn’t having a good time either. His face was twisted and ferocious. Unimaginable pain spread throughout his entire body.

Natsuki’s heart stirred, confirming one thing.

That was, Might Duy didn’t know Primary Lotus, Morning Peacock, Night Guy, or other such taijutsu.

He only knew the Eight Inner Gates. Simply put—brute force over technique.

Thinking about it carefully, it made sense. If he knew Morning Peacock and the others, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist wouldn’t have only lost four members.

"Konoha Strong Whirlwind!"

Might Duy kicked out again.

The same kick, but in the state of the fifth gate, its power had explosively increased.

BANG!

The water dragon was kicked to pieces. Water splashed everywhere.

Natsuki couldn’t help but retreat backward.

He extended his left hand and grasped a second Kurosawa.

Natsuki immediately steadied his body and dashed toward Might Duy.

Starburst Stream!

Horizontal slash, dashing horizontal slash, spinning slash, parallel twin slash... alternating left and right chops, thrusts.

In an instant, Natsuki, wielding twin swords, unleashed a sixteen-hit combo.

The speed was like a violent storm.

Every strike brought up chakra air currents, like continuous ocean waves, all surging toward Might Duy.

Might Duy, in the state of five gates, reacted very quickly.

He continuously threw punches, clashing with the twin swords, making fierce collision sounds.

But he quickly realized he couldn’t keep up with Natsuki’s speed.

Blood splattered!

Might Duy’s entire body was sent flying backward.

His arms were already covered in sword cuts.

"What kind of kenjutsu is this?"

Tsunade asked subconsciously. "It’s actually this fast?"

"He swung sixteen times in an instant."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Natsuki and said in admiration. "Such speed reminds me of Sakumo."

To be able to rival Hatake Sakumo’s speed meant that most Jonin would find it very difficult to withstand this Starburst Stream.

"I haven’t heard of any powerful Dual Blades kenjutsu users in the ninja world currently."

Orochimaru said with a strange expression. "This is another kenjutsu created by Natsuki."

"I’ll go treat him first."

Tsunade said, then used the Body Flicker Technique to arrive in front of Might Duy.

He had already exited the Eight Inner Gates state by now. Coupled with his injured arms, he looked extremely severely wounded.

"We won!"

Kushina shouted happily.

"When did Natsuki create another new kenjutsu? Why haven’t I seen him use it before?"

Nawaki’s mouth twitched, feeling that Natsuki was getting more and more monstrous.

Minato felt the same way.

He found that the more he learned about Natsuki’s intel, the greater the gap between them became.

"Winner: Natsuki!"

Inuzuka Gaku took a deep breath and announced the result.

In his view, this final match was no longer a battle that should occur between Chunin—but more like a Jonin exam.

_____________________________________________________

Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247

~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!

~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]