"What are you laughing at? That thing is hideous."
"A man named Might Duy is here to see you."
Shuomo walked into the room, heard that sharp, annoying laughter, and immediately started mocking him.
"Master Kawakaze, I've become a Chūnin now."
Might Duy was deeply grateful for Kawakaze's generosity.
"It was nothing. Come, have a seat."
Kawakaze completely ignored his useless and irritated older brother, as if daring him to come over and get beaten.
When the ghost mastiff saw its master, it let out a little whimper and rushed over for comfort and cuddles.
But Shuomo raised his hand to block it—pregnant women couldn't handle being knocked over by it.
The mastiff put its front paws on Shuomo's arm, looking pitiful and teary-eyed.
Nayuki felt bad seeing this, so she gently stroked its head to comfort it.
The four of them walked over and sat down at the stone table. Shuomo was also curious what this weird-looking Chūnin wanted with Kawakaze.
The ghost mastiff quietly found a corner to heal its injuries. Kawakaze felt a bit sorry for Konoha's Village 36.
Kawakaze poured tea for everyone. Might Duy spoke first.
"Today, I learned my wife is pregnant. Now that I've made Chūnin, I can take on higher-ranked missions."
"I want to earn more money to support my family, so I had to thank you in person to show my sincerity."
Kawakaze thought to himself that Dai truly deserved to be Kakashi's lifelong rival—after all, even their mothers' pregnancy checkups happened on the same day.
Shuomo still didn't understand what Dai being a Chūnin had to do with Kawakaze, but now wasn't the right time to ask.
Nayuki quietly drank tea—well, milk now, since she had to start nourishing herself.
"Congratulations. I originally wanted to ask whether you might qualify for Jōnin, but your mission record and overall ability still aren't enough."
"But once you gain more experience, I believe becoming a Jōnin won't be a problem."
"When that time comes, your children will be proud of you."
Hearing Kawakaze's words, Dai's gratitude almost brought him to tears. This man must have been sent by heaven.
"I'll work hard. The flames of youth will never give in!"
Dai's eyes shined with tears, and his sparkling teeth nearly blinded the Hatake household.
"Does this guy really have Jōnin potential?"
Shuomo gave Kawakaze a look. No matter how he saw it, Dai did not look like a powerful ninja.
Kawakaze ignored him and came up with an idea. "If you want to know, why don't you try it yourself?"
"Dai, I've heard your taijutsu is exceptional."
"My brother is also very knowledgeable in physical training. Would you mind giving him some pointers?"
Kawakaze shoved Shuomo out of his seat—plainly because he wanted to see the Eight Gates in action.
Shuomo opened his mouth, but he knew it was meaningless for a Jōnin to bully a Chūnin.
"Of course."
"Please."
Dai would never turn down a chance to challenge someone strong.
He stood up, bowed politely to Shuomo, and then strode to the center of the training hall.
A hole in the middle of his sandal caught Shuomo's attention.
A clash between two training maniacs was about to begin.
"To show you respect, I will remove my weights."
Dai grinned at Shuomo.
He slowly unstrapped the weights on his wrists and dropped them from waist height. They slammed into the ground, digging several inches deep.
Shuomo narrowed his eyes. This Chūnin had some serious strength.
After removing all the weights, Dai jumped lightly, feeling his body completely unburdened.
One hand behind his back—his starting stance.
Shuomo drew a short blade and grew serious. Maybe he really had underestimated this man.
Meanwhile, Kawakaze and Nayuki were snacking on sunflower seeds.
"Who do you think will win?"
Nayuki wasn't the least bit worried. Kawakaze would never have malicious intent toward her brother.
"No idea, but it's going to look good."
Kawakaze grabbed another handful of seeds, not taking his eyes off the floor.
Shuomo didn't use Flying Thunder God—it consumed too much chakra and couldn't be used repeatedly.
And Dai didn't require him to use it anyway.
Shuomo's short blade glowed with white chakra, and he moved.
Dai narrowed his eyes and raised his right hand—barely blocking Shuomo's strike—then leapt back to put distance between them.
"Your speed isn't bad. Let's see if you can dodge the next one."
The test worked. In terms of pure speed, Dai was still far behind.
"Gate of Life—OPEN!"
Dai laughed, his face turning red as green energy erupted around him.
It was the Third Gate of the Eight Gates—still within the safe zone.
"Burn, youthful passion!"
Dai charged at Shuomo, counterattacking.
His afterimages flickered everywhere, green streaks flashing across the room.
"That looks incredible."
"Yeah. When fully opened, the Gates unleash power beyond Kage-level."
The spectators chatted casually.
Shuomo took each punch and kick head-on, but in raw strength he wasn't Dai's match.
After getting kicked back, Dai appeared behind Shuomo, ready to execute a crisp little combo.
But Shuomo sensed him. Before Dai could wrap bandages around him to begin Asa Kujaku, Shuomo's figure vanished.
Flying Thunder God was still used.
Dai was confused—Shuomo had disappeared without warning.
What a magnanimous opponent!
"You're very strong. A worthy challenge."
But it wasn't enough.
Shuomo's voice came from behind him. In a confined space like the training hall, Flying Thunder God was too advantageous.
Before Dai could respond, Shuomo kicked him away, sending the blade flying from his hand.
He'd been suppressed by Kawakaze for too long—he needed to vent.
He wanted to beat Dai up with his bare hands.
Dai crossed his arms to block the kick, pupils wide. He couldn't comprehend someone this fast.
"In that case, I won't be polite."
"The flame of youth never dies. Gate of Pain—OPEN!"
Dai's face darkened and reddened, expression fierce, pupils nearly disappearing.
"Morning Peacock!"
Dai's fists blurred as he charged forward, the friction igniting flames, his blows coming with incredible speed.
Shuomo was surrounded by burning fists, the air pressure so intense he couldn't freely use Flying Thunder God.
He took several heavy punches before escaping Dai's assault.
"How beautiful…"
"Big brother got beaten again."
The two shameless spectators looked thrilled, admiring the Peacock.
"I lost."
Dai released the Gate of Pain and admitted defeat. Shuomo drew his blade—but froze halfway.
He was devastated, almost coughing blood. Did he take that beating for nothing?
"You didn't lose."
"If this weren't a spar, I'd be dead already."
Dai was surprisingly perceptive. Shuomo had shifted the blade from his hand to his foot—if it had been a real fight, Dai might have been beheaded.
Shuomo could only sheathe his dagger resentfully, his face dark.
Where had this monster come from? He was only a Chūnin…
He didn't know—without Kawakaze, Dai would have stayed a Genin his whole life.
And if he hadn't died fighting the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, no one would ever know how strong Might Guy's father truly was.
After opening the Sixth Gate, Dai looked perfectly fine. His training allowed him to withstand its toll—unlike Lee, who practically destroyed himself whenever he opened the Gate of Inner.
He strapped his weights back on and sat by the stone table.
By now, there was no disdain left in Shuomo's eyes.
And the two spectators also behaved, suddenly acting like obedient children.
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All the fanfiction is 30-chapter ahead but this "Naruto: Tsunade the Fugitive Healer" is 30 chapters ahead there