[Konohagakure]

"Hey, Guy! I have a powerful technique I'd like to teach you. Interested?"

Guy, who was in the midst of his upside-down walking training around Konoha, stopped, tilting his gaze upwards to identify the important figure before him through his inverted perspective.

"Ah! It's Advisor Gojo!"

Guy exclaimed excitedly, his voice brimming with the thrill of meeting his idol.

Thanks to Advisor Gojo, Guy had received a substantial bonus for his outstanding performance during the Kirigakure operation. He'd used the money to buy muscle supplements from the Taiten Ninja Tool Shop and undergo physiotherapy at the Konoha Hospital, healing the lingering injuries from his rigorous training.

It seemed like the Taiten Ninja Tool Shop and the Konoha Hospital reforms were also thanks to Advisor Gojo?

He was truly a godsend in Guy's eyes.

Guy flipped back onto his feet, dusting himself off. "If it's something Advisor Gojo is teaching, I want to learn it, no matter what!"

"But… are you sure you can, Advisor?"

He added, scratching his head sheepishly, realizing his words might have sounded disrespectful.

There were differences even among Chunin. While both were Chunin, Might Guy was a battle-hardened, mission-focused ninja, while Gojo Kaigetsu was known for his administrative work. They couldn't be compared.

When it came to guidance, it wasn't clear who would be guiding whom.

So, Guy decided to rephrase more tactfully, "Advisor Gojo, you seem to be a ninjutsu specialist, but I… my talent in ninjutsu is quite lacking."

"I'm well aware of that, Guy. I remember your performance at the Academy quite clearly."

"Don't underestimate me, Advisor. I'm… quite strong."

"Follow me."

"Yes, Advisor-sama!"

Led by Gojo Kaigetsu, they quickly arrived at a secluded training ground. After identifying themselves and stating their purpose, the guards obediently withdrew.

The key was ensuring complete privacy.

Guy looked around curiously. "Advisor Gojo, what are we doing here?"

If it weren't for his trust in Gojo Kaigetsu, Guy would have been on high alert. The secluded location, with no witnesses, was the perfect setting for an ambush.

"Guy, before I teach you this technique, tell me, how many of the Eight Gates can you open?"

"?"

Guy's breath hitched. Was he being asked about his trump card so directly? Could Advisor Gojo actually be planning to eliminate him here?

He shook his head, dismissing the unsettling thought, and answered honestly. "I've opened up to the Sixth Gate so far, but beyond that… I'm not confident I can open them yet."

"If it were to protect my comrades, against an insurmountable foe, I might be able to push past my limits."

"I see." Gojo Kaigetsu nodded. "Does anyone else know about this besides me?"

"No. I haven't used the Sixth Gate in actual combat yet."

So, Guy was still in his developmental stage. Gojo Kaigetsu calculated silently. Guy, at fifteen, could open six gates. This age was a period of rapid growth for ninjas. In two years, he might be able to use the Seventh Gate, becoming one of the village's trump cards.

Military prosperity, here we come!

Gojo Kaigetsu reasoned that Eight Gates Guy could take on Six Paths level opponents. Seven Gates Guy should be unmatched within the Kage level, at least.

On the day of Kushina's delivery, he'd station Guy outside the delivery room, letting that little Obito fellow witness what it felt like to face two "flashes" at once.

Minato's Yellow Flash and Guy's jet-black flash.

"If my information is correct, your strongest taijutsu technique currently is the Morning Peacock, right?"

"?"

Guy was startled again. How did Advisor Gojo know the name of his new taijutsu technique?

Had he been under genjutsu at some point and had his intel stolen?

'Scary…' Guy's heart pounded. If Advisor Gojo were an enemy, he would have no cards left to play.

"Guy, you cannot reveal the following taijutsu technique or anything I demonstrate to anyone, not even those close to me." Gojo Kaigetsu's expression turned serious. "Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

Guy's face lit up with excitement.

Such Secrecy!

"Assume a defensive stance and prepare for my attack."

"Yes!"

"First Gate, Gate of Opening, Open! … Sixth Gate, Gate of Joy, Open!" Green chakra steam billowed around Guy, the pained expression on his face easing slightly.

Guy's power surged. In this state, a simple run could tear up the ground beneath his feet. He could likely defeat most Jonin.

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The Eight Gates were indeed a forbidden technique. They forcibly amplified the user's power, effectively shaving years, even decades, off their training. Of course, the side effects were severe. If it weren't for someone like Guy, a taijutsu fanatic, the pain inflicted on the body by using the Eight Gates would be unbearable.

The Eight Gates pushed the body to its absolute limit. The power unleashed came at the cost of equivalent physical damage. No matter how strong one's body, the damage could only be mitigated, not eliminated.

The Sixth Gate, the Gate of Joy, was a crucial turning point. It reduced the strain on the body, allowing for the accumulation of power to use techniques like the Morning Peacock or to push towards the Seventh Gate.

But none of that mattered. Gojo Kaigetsu possessed Reverse Cursed Technique, a god-like medical ninjutsu. Even if Might Guy crippled himself, as long as he still breathed, Gojo could likely bring him back to full health.

"The taijutsu I'm about to teach you is as powerful as the Morning Peacock."

"And it's not limited by the Eight Gates. Theoretically, you can use it even in your base state. However, combining it with the Eight Gates will significantly amplify its power."

"Watch closely, Might Guy. I'll demonstrate it for you." Seeing Guy's excitement, Gojo Kaigetsu knew the time was right to show off.

"This technique is called--"

"Black Elbow: Dead Star!"

Gojo Kaigetsu slowly raised his elbow, his body leaning back. The next moment… he vanished.

His speed was so great that Might Guy couldn't react. He only saw a black shimmer around Gojo's elbow, a blur of movement, and then the esteemed advisor was gone.

Guy's pupils contracted. An indescribable force slammed into the muscles of his crossed arms, guarding his chest.

His feet left the ground, his gaze drifting upwards to the training ground's lights.

For a fleeting moment, Guy thought he saw his deceased father smiling down at him from the sky.

"Ah, Father…"

Bam!

Guy crashed heavily to the ground. Finally, the searing pain in his arms reached his brain.

But Guy, accustomed to the pain of the Eight Gates, quickly sprang back to his feet with a carp-like flip.

Grimacing, he stared warily at Advisor Gojo, who was beckoning him forward.

He had been too careless! He'd underestimated the power of what he thought was a conventional taijutsu technique.

It almost knocked him unconscious, even with six gates open.

"The elbows and knees are our body's sharpest weapons. Taijutsu techniques utilizing these parts are the most powerful."

"The key to this technique is instantaneously channeling a large amount of chakra into your elbow."

"This…" Guy regained his composure. As a taijutsu expert, he understood what Gojo Kaigetsu was saying.

"Advisor Gojo, I think I understand. I've tried channeling chakra to my elbows and knees, but the resulting taijutsu wasn't as powerful as your Dead Star…"

"Of course not. Simply channeling chakra into your elbow won't achieve the Dead Star's effect."

"Space-time!"

Gojo Kaigetsu raised a finger. "The essence of the Black Elbow: Dead Star is the momentary distortion of space between the physical impact and the chakra surge. On the surface, it appears as if my elbow struck you, but the actual damage is caused by the spatial distortion created by the interaction between my elbow and the chakra at the moment of impact."

"The stronger the user's body, the greater the destructive power of the Dead Star."

"My physical prowess is… average. If you, Guy, were to use it in conjunction with the Eight Gates, the destructive power would be immense."

The corners of Guy's mouth twitched upwards. He scratched his head sheepishly, the pain in his forearms seeming to lessen.

"Alright! Might Guy, you've learned the principle behind the Dead Star. Now use it to defeat me!"

"?"

"No more talk, Guy! Whether you've learned it or not, try using your understanding of the Dead Star and clash with me. This technique requires practice!"

"I understand!"

Guy, also not one for idle chatter, immediately assumed the Dead Star's starting stance, his body leaning back as his elbow moved forward.

His leg muscles, empowered by the Eight Gates, exploded with force! Like a black and green projectile, he launched himself straight at Gojo Kaigetsu. The reinforced training ground floor couldn't withstand his force, cracking under his feet.

"Black Elbow: Dead Star!"

"Black Elbow: Dead Star!"

Their shouts echoed in unison as their elbows collided.

Boom!

A cloud of dust and debris erupted from the shattered ground.

Following the law of "smoke without wounds," Gojo Kaigetsu stood firm, a deep crater forming beneath his feet. The black fabric of his combat uniform around his elbow ripped apart into shreds.

Through the tattered cloth, Gojo Kaigetsu's elbow appeared slightly red and swollen.

As for Guy, he looked far more worse for wear. He lay sprawled on the ground several meters away. Blood seeped from his elbows beneath his green training suit.

"Guy-!"

"Your elbow strike lacks power! Your punches and kicks are unrefined! Your footwork is sloppy! Your reactions are slow! And you think you can learn my taijutsu? Dream on!"

"Open your eyes, Guy!"

Gojo Kaigetsu's shout snapped Guy back to reality.

"I feel my youth burning! Yosh!" Might Guy sprang back to his feet with another carp-like flip, wiping his nose with his thumb. "I feel like I'm one step closer to mastering Advisor Gojo's Dead Star! Let's go again!"

"Hold on."

Gojo Kaigetsu raised his left hand, signaling a pause in their training. A greenish glow emanated from his palm as he pressed it against his injured elbow.

"Reverse Cursed Technique, activate--"

The swelling on Gojo Kaigetsu's elbow visibly subsided, quickly returning to normal.

Even Gojo himself was surprised. He experimentally flexed his arm, finding that aside from some chakra depletion, he felt even better than before.

"All healed. Let's continue, Guy! I could spar with you all day!"

Guy stared wide-eyed, muttering incomprehensible words like "foul play," "cheating," and "I want some of that too."

This time, it was Guy's turn to call for a halt. "Um… Advisor Gojo, I don't think I can learn this today. How about another time?"

"It's because you can't learn it that we must practice more diligently!" Gojo Kaigetsu said with a smile. "Tell you what, I'll demonstrate the Dead Star a few more times to give you some experience points."

Gojo Kaigetsu was as cheerful as a child with a new toy. This was his first time engaging in hand-to-hand combat.

And it just so happened to be with the durable Guy. Any ordinary ninjutsu specialist would have been sidelined after a single blow. Only Guy could endure so many hits and still stand.

"Guy! Your rival Kakashi has already been promoted to ANBU Captain and is being used as a shining example of Konoha's Will of Fire! Can you stand being left behind by Kakashi?"

"What?! Kakashi's pulled ahead again? As his rival… I can't accept that!"

"Advisor Gojo! Standing before you now is not Might Guy, the Konoha Chunin, but a youthful, forest-green beast, blazing with the flames of youth!"

"Yes, yes! That's the spirit, Guy! When it comes to taijutsu, I, Gojo Kaigetsu, acknowledge you as the strongest!"

"Fight!"

One black blur, one green, their speeds too fast for the naked eye to follow, they clashed once more.

"Black Elbow: Dead Star!"

Boom!

"Again!"

"Elbow!"

Boom…

Falling and rising repeatedly, the resounding impacts continued from afternoon onwards.

As the sun began to set, nearing shift change, the ninja guarding the training ground gate finally succumbed to the allure of clocking out, disobeying Gojo Kaigetsu's orders and cautiously pushing the gate open.

He froze, dumbfounded.

The training ground was unrecognizable. The specially reinforced ground was utterly devastated, as if plowed over countless times.

Then he saw the two figures in the center.

Half of Gojo Kaigetsu's black combat uniform sleeve was gone. As for Guy…

He wasn't emitting even a wisp of green steam anymore, only the steady rise and fall of his chest proved he was still alive.

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