The Eight Gates
As black chakra erupted outward, Shinnō's body began to swell unnaturally. Muscles ballooned beneath his skin, his once-average frame expanding with brutal force. At the same time, his white hair darkened, turning pitch black.
When the surge finally settled, the man standing there no longer resembled a middle-aged wanderer.
He was a young, powerfully built fighter, radiating oppressive chakra.
Shinnō flexed his fingers, savoring the sensation. "This is the Body Activation Technique. With the ultimate body it creates, I can open all Eight Gates at once… even the Gate of Death."
"What?!" Neji's eyes widened.
Eight Gates.
He knew that technique all too well.
Rock Lee used it.
After opening just five gates, Lee's power was already enough to push Neji into serious danger. Even with the Byakugan and Gentle Fist, techniques that should theoretically counter such reckless chakra flow, Neji had struggled.
Lee's chakra density became overwhelming. His speed skyrocketed. Landing precise strikes was nearly impossible, and even successful hits were often forced open by sheer chakra pressure.
And that was only five gates.
Eight Gates was on a completely different level.
Yet as the initial shock faded, Neji frowned.
Something felt… off.
Shinnō's presence was strong, but not nearly as terrifying as Neji had expected.
Neji activated his Byakugan and examined him carefully.
Then he scoffed.
"So this is your Eight Gates?" Neji said coldly. "You're embarrassing the technique. You don't even measure up to a fraction of Lee's strength."
"You—!" Shinnō roared in fury. Years of scheming, all dismissed as worthless.
"And one more thing," Neji continued, smiling faintly. "If I knew you were stalling for time… why do you think I let you?"
Shinnō's heart sank. "What?"
"Hinata-sama, can you see it?" Neji asked calmly.
"Yes," Hinata replied, stepping forward, her Byakugan still active. "His power source is below. There's a passage leading straight to it."
Neji nodded. "Naruto, the Zero-Tails is the core of his power. Deal with it."
"Got it!" Naruto clenched his fist, anger burning in his eyes.
"Wait—Jūgo's here too?" Sakura blurted out as the large man appeared nearby, birds circling quietly around him.
"I found the villagers," Jūgo said evenly. "They're being held under heavy guard."
"Perfect," Neji said. "Hinata, Ryūko, Sakura, go with Jūgo and rescue them."
Naruto grabbed Ryūko's shoulders and shook her lightly. "Ryūko, snap out of it! You promised, remember? Your people are waiting for you!"
Ryūko clenched her teeth, glanced once at Shinnō, then turned and ran after the others without looking back.
Naruto finally smiled and turned to Neji. "You good handling him alone?"
"Leave it to me," Neji replied without hesitation.
Naruto nodded and sprinted toward the passage Hinata had indicated.
The vast hall was left with only two figures.
Shinnō and Neji.
"You sent all your allies away and plan to face me alone?" Shinnō sneered. "That confidence will get you killed."
Neji didn't respond.
Shinnō's excitement had already begun to cool. Compared to what Fujimoto Tōma had demonstrated in Konoha, this power felt… lacking.
Was the Zero-Tails weaker than he'd believed?
If so, underestimating Neji would be fatal.
"For you," Neji said calmly, "I'm enough."
He stepped into the Gentle Fist stance.
"Let's see why the Hokage trusts you," Shinnō snarled.
He vanished.
So fast.
Neji's pupils shrank as chakra exploded from his tenketsu.
"Rotation!"
The moment Neji began spinning, Shinnō's fist slammed into him, wrapped in black chakra.
"Taijutsu: Bone-Splitting Fist!"
The Rotation shattered.
Neji was blasted into the wall, stone exploding around him as he collapsed to the floor.
"So that's it?" Shinnō laughed, finally relaxing. "All talk, no substance."
Neji coughed, forcing himself upright. His shock was undeniable. Rotation hadn't failed. He had simply hit its limit.
Just like during the Chūnin Exams.
Naruto had broken through it with raw force.
"I'll admit it," Neji said steadily. "Even a corrupted Eight Gates is terrifying."
Shinnō's grin widened. "Call your friends back. It's too late anyway. I'll kill you, then hunt them down one by one."
Neji inhaled deeply and reset his stance. "No need."
In his vision, Shinnō's movements slowed.
"I can see you."
"Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams, One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms!"
Neji struck.
Two palms. Four. Eight.
Before he could continue, Shinnō closed the distance again.
"Body Activation Fist!"
Forced back, Neji spun once more.
Rotation shattered again.
But this time, Neji noticed it.
The impact was weaker.
Shinnō frowned. Breaking through Rotation wasn't easy, and it cost chakra. Neji's pressure points were useless, but Shinnō couldn't ignore the drain.
Neji hit the wall again, but his eyes gleamed.
The next attack came.
Black chakra compressed into a dense sphere around Shinnō's fist.
That couldn't be blocked.
Dodging was impossible.
At the last second, Neji leapt upward, activating Rotation midair. The strike blasted him skyward instead.
He landed against the wall, pushed off, and charged downward.
"Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams, Sixty-Four Palms!"
"You're tickling me!" Shinnō roared, swinging again.
This time, Neji didn't spin.
He raised his arms.
The impact was devastating.
Pain exploded through his bones, spreading like fire as he was sent flying once more.
"That should end it," Shinnō muttered.
The dust hadn't settled before Neji burst out of it.
"What?!" Shinnō's eyes widened. "You're still standing?!"
Neji attacked again.
"Useless!" Shinnō snarled. "You can't hurt me!"
Neji smiled.
That smile made Shinnō's stomach drop.
Something was wrong.
Snarling in irritation, Shinnō launched his strongest strike again.
"Body Activation Fist!"
Neji didn't dodge.
Didn't block.
Didn't move.
The fist stopped inches from his chest.
Frozen in place.