Facing Night Guy rushing in with a momentum like ten thousand tons crashing down, a rare trace of seriousness appeared between Carl's brows.
Carl could feel the violent ripples in space. For someone to twist space relying solely on physical power—Night Guy was enough to make him take notice.
Even Lily, who had always been nonchalant, now showed clear surprise. Humans of this world had always given her the impression of having weak physical strength, yet this Guy completely overturned that perception.
In truth, among the hand-to-hand specialists she had fought in the Pirate World, aside from a few empowered by special Devil Fruits, the rest basically couldn't affect space using pure physical strength alone.
Guy's roar shook the sky. He had already reached Carl, and with blood-flames surging around his leg, he kicked ruthlessly toward Carl's abdomen.
Carl's Tenseigan shone like a blazing sun. With a low shout, he swung his demonic sword horizontally against the sole of Guy's foot. Thick black haki lightning burst outward, tearing countless ghastly ravines across the ground.
The already-ruined terrain could no longer withstand their clash. The earth continued cracking nonstop. The observing shinobi had no ability to fly; they could only desperately retreat again and again. Being slow by even one second meant falling into those bottomless chasms.
Today they truly witnessed the heights individual power could reach. Normally, they themselves could be considered elites among shinobi—but compared to Guy, they were newborns. And Carl was so far beyond that it couldn't even be measured.
Up to this point, Carl had been utterly unpressured the entire fight. If they were the ones facing Guy, his first Evening Elephant would have wiped them all out instantly.
...
By now, under the leadership of the Third Hokage and Danzo, they retreated to a relatively safe distance. But that also meant they could no longer see the battlefield. Thankfully, the Hyūga clan was among the shinobi present. They activated their Byakugan and looked toward the place they had just fled from.
But when they saw the state of the battlefield, the Hyūga all widened their eyes at the same time, faces filled with terror.
Seeing their expressions, everyone's hearts tightened. Kakashi urgently asked:
"What's happening over there now? Is Guy okay?!"
One Hyūga member swallowed hard and slowly spoke:
"Carl does not appear to be seriously injured. Guy is lying on the ground—his condition unknown."
The moment those words fell, silence washed over the group. Then thud—someone dropped to their knees, face full of despair.
Naturally, he wasn't the only one. Even the Third Hokage and Danzo lowered their heads helplessly.
Suddenly, that same Hyūga shouted in alarm:
"Carl is about to strike Guy!"
...
Back on the battlefield—after that clash with Night Guy, Carl's clothes were no longer as pristine as before. His abdomen was heavily damaged, and his exposed skin was visibly red and swollen.
Although he had blocked Guy's "Big Kick" with Muramasa, the force that passed through still smashed violently into his abdomen.
Carl lifted a hand and touched his stomach, then slowly walked to where Guy had fallen. Guy lay flat on his back, his entire body charred black.
Opening the Gate of Death had almost burned his blood dry. The leg he used to attack had even begun showing signs of crumbling into sand.
This was burning oneself out in the truest sense.
Looking down at Guy, whose life was nearly gone, Carl suddenly crouched and pressed a finger to Guy's neck.
A thin line of crimson flowed from Carl's pale fingertip into Guy's body—an explosive rush of life energy.
As the blood-chi surged in, Guy's charred flesh began recovering at a speed visible to the naked eye. His nearly nonexistent heartbeat grew strong and powerful again.
Carl slowly stood up. At that moment, Lily descended from the sky and landed beside him. She looked Carl up and down and said:
"Haven't seen you this messy in a long time. You're hurt?"
She reached out and gently rubbed his abdomen. Carl grabbed her hand, annoyed:
"Your hand is cold. Stop touching me."
Lily pouted but didn't pull her hand back. Instead, she forced Carl's hand to continue rubbing a few more times while muttering:
"What, I can't touch you? What, are you blaming me for not helping? You're the one who insisted on playing tough. So many powers you could've used, but you had to fight him head-on with pure physical strength. If I stepped in, would you really have been happy?"
Carl laughed, pulled her into his arms, and poked her nose:
"I'm teasing you. Actually, I really enjoy it when you rub my stomach."
"Hmph! Then I won't rub anymore!"
She said that, but her hand didn't move away at all. Carl squeezed her hand, and she continued rubbing. Feeling her gentle movements, Carl's smile grew wider.
Right now, he truly felt this trip to the Naruto world had been worth it. On Mary Geoise, he'd never see Lily act like this.
...
Just as Carl was enjoying himself, the Third Hokage and Danzo finally led the shinobi back.
Kakashi rushed past them and shouted:
"Guy!!!"
The moment they arrived, Lily silently slipped out of Carl's arms and regained her usual cold demeanor.
Seeing these killjoys, Carl arched a brow, lifted Guy—still unconscious—from the ground with a gesture, and casually flung him toward Kakashi, who was still far away.
Kakashi lunged forward, leapt into the air, and caught Guy in a princess carry before landing steadily.
He immediately pressed his ear to Guy's chest. Hearing the strong heartbeat inside, he exhaled heavily in relief and shouted:
"Medical ninja! Hurry!"
The Third Hokage ordered three medical shinobi forward. But after examining Guy, they gave an absurd conclusion:
"Guy has only superficial injuries. Nothing serious."
Everyone who knew anything about the Eight Gates was stunned.
Nani?
Guy, after opening the Gate of Death, not only didn't die—he only suffered surface wounds?
Did Guy upgrade the Gate of Death?!
Danzo, thinking the same as the Third Hokage, was already considering how to obtain this "improved" Eight Gates technique from Guy.
But remembering Carl's existence, Danzo instantly deflated .
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+90 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg