"Fifth match, Higashino Shinichi VS Might Duy!"
With the proctor's loud announcement, the two walked into the center of the arena and stood facing each other.
"Shinichi!" Might Duy took a deep breath, crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes more serious than ever: "Let us have a—passionate youth duel!"
Before his voice had even faded!
Might Duy dropped his hands and his whole body shook!
Boom!!!
A violent surge of chakra erupted with him as the center, instantly blasting away the fine sand and stones on the ground!
His skin quickly flushed with an abnormal crimson, visible pale green energy waves steamed around him, and his hair stood slightly on end due to the surging chakra.
Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain—Four Gates, open!
Opening four gates right at the start was his greatest respect for the young man before him, and his way of carrying out his 'youth' vow.
A wave of uncontrollable gasps rang out from the stands. Even ordinary spectators who didn't understand ninjutsu could feel the suddenly rising, oppressive energy fluctuations.
On the high platform, the Third Kazekage's eyes narrowed slightly: "Oh? Using this level of explosive secret technique right from the start... It seems your village's young genius puts quite a bit of pressure on his compainions."
The Third Hokage looked at the imposing Might Duy in the arena, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
He knew of the existence of the Eight Gates, but he never expected that this 'Eternal Genin,' who was usually inconspicuous in the village and often teased, could master and use this technique to such an extent.
This hidden talent and resilience were indeed things he had overlooked in the past.
---
In the arena, facing this momentum, Shinichi's eyes became completely calm.
He lowered his center of gravity slightly, without any intention of weaving signs or drawing a blade, assuming the purest taijutsu starting stance.
"I'm coming, Shinichi! Youth—Explosion!"
Might Duy's figure suddenly blurred.
'Fast!'
More than a level faster than when he fought Sunamaru before!
Almost at the same time the sound arrived, a fist wrapped in pale green energy waves reached Shinichi's face.
Shinichi neither dodged nor avoided it; his right arm swung up like a whip, meeting fist with fist!
Bang!
A heavy muffled sound exploded, the ground beneath their feet cracked simultaneously, and the airwave spread out in a ring.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Failing the first strike, Might Duy used the force to spin, his left leg sweeping across Shinichi's waist and abdomen like a battle-axe.
Shinichi took a half-step back, his left knee swiftly rising to strike the side of the other's calf precisely, deflecting its force, while his right hand formed a palm, slicing like lightning toward Might Duy's slightly exposed ribs from the spin.
Might Duy reacted extremely quickly, using the sweeping leg as a pivot to kick out with his other leg in mid-air, aiming straight for Shinichi's wrist.
Clap!
Hands and feet collided, and the two used the force to separate simultaneously, only to clash again in an instant.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Might Duy attacked again, the wild wind howling, and the chakra airflow it brought was like a small storm.
Shinichi's footwork was agile, his figure weaving through the dense attacks, sometimes parrying with the edge of his palm, sometimes clashing hard with his elbow, every contact producing a solid thud.
His movements didn't look as violent and fast as Might Duy's in his Four Gates state, but they were more precise and efficient, neutralizing attacks and counterattacking in the blink of an eye.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The muffled sounds of fists and feet meeting were continuous like a heavy rain. A pure taijutsu confrontation, yet it produced a heart-pounding intensity and momentum.
Although Shinichi had not activated any explosive secret techniques, the foundation from his years of training and the extra bonuses from various traits allowed him to go toe-to-toe with Might Duy in his Four Gates state without any fear.
"So fast... my eyes can't keep up at all!"
"Is this really a taijutsu duel? It's like two ninjas releasing ninjutsu against each other!"
Exclamations rose from the stands, many spectators widened their eyes, trying to capture the two figures crossing at high speed and the airwaves exploding from time to time.
Over a dozen rounds of high-speed offense and defense passed in a breath. Their understanding and use of taijutsu had reached a realm that many Genin and Chunin could hardly attain; their moves were clean and crisp, their power precise and ruthless.
---
After a fierce clash of fists, the recoil caused their figures to pause slightly.
In that split second, Shinichi's eyes sharpened, keenly capturing the tiny moment of stiffness when Might Duy's old strength had just faded and his new strength had yet to be created.
He lowered his body, narrowly avoiding the wind pressure of a heavy punch that followed, trying to suppress him; his whole body was like a spring that had been compressed for a long time, and his right leg whipped out from below like a flash of lightning!
A sharp, extremely simple yet startlingly fast low-side kick landed solidly on Might Duy's chest and abdomen.
Thud!
Amidst the muffled sound, Might Duy was sent flying back as if struck by a giant hammer, his feet plowing two deep grooves dozens of meters long into the rocky ground before he barely managed to steady himself, his blood churning in his chest.
Shinichi did not pursue him, standing in place, his breathing still steady and his eyes bright. He said loudly: "Duy-senpai, your strength... should be more than this, right?"
Might Duy slowly straightened up, wiped the corner of his mouth, and looked at the boy across from him with burning eyes, who clearly hadn't used his full strength, and fell silent for a moment.
That feeling of being recognized, of being expected, and the desire to bloom with all his might finally overcame all his concerns and hesitation.
A smile that was almost brilliant yet incomparably serious appeared on his face.
"You're right... Shinichi."
"Then let my youth be completely unrestrained for once!"
"Fifth Gate: Gate of Closing, open!!"
Even more surging green energy soared into the sky, his hair stood on end, and cracks like spider webs began to appear on the surrounding ground.
However, it wasn't over yet.
Under the shocked gazes of everyone, the chakra around Might Duy surged crazily again. The color of the green energy waves became deeper, faintly revealing a sharp blue radiance!
"Sixth Gate: Gate of View, open!!!"
Rumble—!!!
A terrifying airwave, several times stronger than before, erupted violently. Debris was swept into the air, and the entire arena seemed to tremble slightly.
At this moment, Might Duy was like a god of war wrapped in green flames. The oppressive feeling he radiated made many spectators in the stands find it difficult to breathe.
"Sixth Gate..." Instructor Chen adjusted his sunglasses and muttered to himself, his tone grave.
On the high platform, the Third Kazekage's pupils constricted, and the Third Hokage's hand holding his pipe paused, his expression also becoming solemn.
---
In the arena, Shinichi felt the oncoming, almost suffocating majestic momentum and strong wind; his clothes clung to his body, fluttering loudly.
Yet his eyes were startlingly bright amidst the incoming violent energy.
'Good, good, good!!!'
'This is how it should be!'
'Let these ignorant Sunagakure people see what the world is really like!'
"Senpai, it seems this move is a great burden on you." Shinichi assumed a stance, his voice clearly penetrating the howling energy wind pressure: "In that case, let's settle this quickly! I'll also let you see my full power—the next move will decide the winner!"
"Good! Shinichi, let our next move decide the winner!"