The violent chakra of the Eight Gates Released Formation is utterly uncontrollable. Any chakra cloak or external chakra enhancement wrapped around the user's body will be forcibly dispelled upon its activation.
However, this doesn't mean the two techniques cannot coexist. They can be layered—but only under one strict condition: the Eight Gates must not be opened beyond the Third Gate (Gate of Life). Once the Fourth Gate (Gate of Pain) is opened, the user's body experiences too much strain, and any chakra cloak-enhancement becomes unstable.
Yuhi Shin'ichi sighed in frustration. Based on Kawaki Aoba's description, he had thought he could take his strength to the next level—approaching Kage-level combat ability. With that, he could finally make a name for himself in the shinobi world.
But reality had slapped him hard in the face.
Achieving quasi-Kage strength was not so simple, even with a powerful external aid.
Still feeling dejected, he turned back to Kawaki Aoba and delivered a second piece of bad news.
> "Aoba, I'm sorry. I don't know why you're so determined to master the full Eight Gates Formation, but... I don't think I can help you achieve it."
Kawaki Aoba: "???"
Yuhi Shin'ichi scratched his head awkwardly.
> "You know I'm a genjutsu specialist. My taijutsu was never my strength. Even using your strengthening potion, I can only push my body to open the Third Gate, the Gate of Life. I don't have the physical foundation to open the Fourth Gate, let alone the Gate of Wonder (Fifth Gate)."
Kawaki Aoba slapped his forehead.
It's over. Barbecue.
Both plans had failed. The complete Eight Gates Formation was, for now, out of reach.
That said, if Shin'ichi had already reached his physical limit, there was no longer a need for their team to risk exposure by impressing Might Guy-senpai directly.
Indeed, at Aoba's request, none of his team had demonstrated any "superhuman talent" in taijutsu when training under Guy. All knowledge of the gates beyond the Gate of Opening had come from Kawaki Aoba's own research and experiments.
> "Aoba," Shin'ichi said with a bit more optimism, "I still don't know why you're so focused on mastering the full formation, but look—our team's gotten really strong. Stronger than we ever were before."
At that moment, Yuhi Kurenai stepped forward and gently hugged Aoba's arm.
> "He's right. We've all gotten stronger. If we can't finish mastering the Eight Gates now, let's not push ourselves too hard."
Sarutobi Asuma came over and patted Aoba on the shoulder.
Then, another large hand landed on his opposite shoulder.
> "That's right, Aoba. You're not alone. I promise—I'll keep training until I can open the Gate of Wonder and help you unlock the complete formation."
> "You guys…"
Kawaki Aoba chuckled softly.
> "Alright, alright. You win. Everyone's gotten a lot stronger lately. Maybe we can afford to relax a little."
The four teammates shared knowing smiles—each of them quietly proud of how far they had come.
Team Overview:
Captain Yuhi Shin'ichi had managed to combine the chakra cloak technique with the first three gates. He'd even begun to master Rokushiki techniques like Shigan (Finger Pistol) and Soru (Razor). Once just a genjutsu-oriented jōnin, he was now a formidable taijutsu elite jōnin. With enough red medicine, he could confidently hold his own—even against a quasi-Kage opponent.
Kawaki Aoba possessed max-level Kagura Shingan (an enhanced Observation Haki-like perception), the Flowing Rock Smashing Fist, and several powers gained through sacrifice-based methods. His base combat level exceeded that of a standard elite chunin, and with the Eight Gates Formation or chakra cloak active, he could likely defeat even elite jōnin. His trump card, Black Coffin, remained unused and secret.
Kurenai and Asuma, though the least powerful in the group, had both learned to use the chakra cloak and the basics of the Eight Gates Formation. Their strength now surpassed that of typical chunin.
As a whole, their team was undoubtedly among the top-tier units in the shinobi world.
---
Land of Wind — Sunagakure
Inside the Kazekage Building's war room, the Sand Village's senior council had gathered.
This time, they weren't debating whether to fight Konoha.
They were debating how to do it.
> "What are you all waiting for?" snapped a young kunoichi with her dark hair tied in a tight bun. "You were the ones who demanded war—why are you hesitating now? Are you all afraid of Konoha?"
Her voice rang with arrogance and defiance. Her name was Yekura, and her chakra flared with heat—both literally and metaphorically.
> "That's enough, Yekura," one elder growled. "We all agreed that avenging the Third Kazekage was necessary. But this is not a matter to be decided by emotion."
> "Hmph," Yekura sneered, arms crossed. "If that's so, then declare war already. If you're too scared to fight, then stay here. I'll go to the frontlines myself and show Konoha the terror of Scorch Release!"
Her arrogance rubbed many the wrong way—but none dared challenge her directly. Yekura was no ordinary kunoichi. She was the first in the village to synthesize a kekkei genkai by combining Fire and Wind chakra, unlocking the fearsome Scorch Release—capable of evaporating enemies in seconds.
Despite her youth, Yekura was a high-level jonin with Kage-level potential.
A raspy cough interrupted the tension.
All heads turned toward Elder Chiyo—one of the village's most respected and experienced shinobi.
> "Enough. We're here to discuss how to make Konoha pay—not to squabble like brats."
Her aged gaze scanned the room before landing on Yekura.
> "Yekura's tone may have been inappropriate, but she's right about one thing—we've waited long enough. If we continue to delay, we'll look weak not only to Konoha, but to the rest of the Five Great Nations."
Yekura's eyes lit up. She opened her mouth, ready to volunteer for the frontlines—
But Chiyo beat her to it.
> "Therefore, I propose we send Rasa to the border to deliver our declaration of war."
Yekura froze. Her wide eyes shot toward Rasa, who had remained silent until now.
> "Rasa was the Third Kazekage's personal student. He has the right to lead this charge."
Yekura's enthusiasm deflated. She gritted her teeth and sat back down—knowing she had no ground to argue. Elder Chiyo's reasoning was sound.
Rasa finally rose, his voice calm but resolute:
> "I accept. I've fully mastered the power of Magnet Release. I will not allow the name of Sunagakure—or of my master—to be disrespected."
Yekura clicked her tongue, annoyed but no longer resistant.
> "Tch… fine. Let that golden sand boy have his fun."
No one else raised objections.
The Sand Village was now ready to move.
And the winds of war began to stir.
Thus, the task of formally declaring war on Konohagakure fell to the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
"Very well, let's proceed to the main topic of this meeting—discussing our strategy for the upcoming war against Konoha," Rasa said with a grave expression.
Elder Chiyo proposed that their approach should focus on strategic delay and reconnaissance. She suggested forming alliances with other shinobi villages to launch a joint offensive against Konoha.
Her plan was met with resistance from hardliners led by her younger brother, Ebizō. He argued that if war was inevitable, they should strike Konoha with full force in a decisive battle—one that would show the world the strength of Sunagakure.
This aggressive proposal was ultimately rejected by most of the council. Many of them had survived the Second Shinobi World War and knew that Sunagakure stood little chance in a direct confrontation with Konoha.
Officially, the reason given was that Ebizō had not been the one to declare war, and therefore lacked the authority to dictate how Rasa should lead the initial battle.
Though infuriated, Ebizō could only grit his teeth and return to his seat. Inwardly, he resolved that if the battle went poorly, he would take his men and charge into the front lines himself—consequences be damned.
Tactically speaking, if Sunagakure were to gamble on an all-out assault, Ebizō's plan might have yielded an early advantage. But Chiyo, who had endured two previous Great Ninja Wars, understood too well the disparity in strength between the two villages.
Even if they gained an upper hand initially, unless the other villages coordinated an assault, Konoha—backed by its seasoned veterans and a new generation of elite shinobi—would inevitably recover and retaliate.
Her gaze drifted toward Rasa and Ebizō. Though both were powerful, they lacked the strategic depth and emotional stability of hardened commanders. Chiyo sighed inwardly, hoping this war would mature them quickly.
Only then, perhaps, could the older generation finally step aside. If they survived the war, that is.
Chiyo had already accepted the possibility of dying in the upcoming conflict. While Sakumo Hatake's suicide may have avenged her fallen family in her eyes, her hatred toward Konoha still burned deep.
Let's bring this war to an end—whatever the cost, she thought. This old woman will accept whatever comes.
With the council's decision finalized, Rasa was dispatched with a cadre of elite shinobi—including subordinates of the missing Third Kazekage—to rendezvous with advance units already deployed across the border.
Meanwhile, Konoha's leadership, headed by the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, was aware of Sunagakure's mobilization. However, their countermeasures were kept under strict secrecy, even from most of Konoha's ninja forces.
As a result, life in the village remained calm and peaceful, in stark contrast to Sunagakure's war-ready state.
Perhaps this contrast reflected the difference in national strength and political confidence between the two villages.
---
At Konoha's Training Ground 7, Team Kawaki Aoba—led by Might Guy—was immersed in intense physical training.
Thanks to Aoba's innovative red medicine, the team could train without fear of injury. Might Guy himself had made noticeable progress, regaining vitality and surpassing his previous Genin-level strength.
To be clear, it wasn't a matter of becoming stronger—it was the restoration of a once-brilliant body worn down by years of reckless training.
Aoba had taken it upon himself to rehabilitate Might Guy gradually. Once fully recovered, Guy could potentially reach the level of a Tokubetsu Jōnin purely through Taijutsu.
But recovery was a slow road.
"Huh? Senior Kurenai, practicing Taijutsu here?" a cheerful voice called out.
Yuhi Kurenai turned and saw two figures approaching: Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kushina.
"Minato-sensei? Are you here to train too?" Kurenai asked, casting a cautious glance at Kushina. As a veteran Jōnin, he knew she was the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki. Normally, ninja were instructed to avoid her unless ordered otherwise. Their meeting here seemed purely coincidental.
Still, he didn't expect the village to permit such casual interactions with the Jinchūriki—especially one so recently promoted to Jōnin.
Then again, Minato was Jiraiya's star pupil. That explained a lot.
Minato offered a sheepish smile, especially as Kushina gave him a light scolding.
"We agreed to relax, but Minato dragged me here, saying he needed inspiration for a new jutsu. He's been out of it the whole walk. If I'd known this, I'd have stayed home."
Minato chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.
Kawaki Aoba, observing nearby, narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
So Minato is working on a new jutsu… this must be before he developed the Rasengan, Aoba mused.
Kushina soon approached him with her characteristic directness.
"Hey, you're Kawaki Aoba, right? The genius Kakashi mentioned—the one who created several original techniques? Do me a favor and help Minato with his jutsu. If you do, I'll even throw in a reward."
Kushina's tone was blunt and carefree, but Minato hurried to pull her back, flustered.
"Come on, Minato, don't stop me. I'm trying to scout this kid for Kakashi. How can your disciple fall behind another genius from his own generation?"
Aoba blinked.
Is Kushina being reckless… or just fearless?
Regardless, the notion that Kakashi had taken notice of him was surprising. Though they graduated in the same era, Kakashi had always stood out as Konoha's prodigy.
"I'm sorry, Aoba. Kushina means well, but she can be a little… enthusiastic," Minato said sincerely, bowing his head.
That warmth and humility were unmistakable.
This is the man who will become the Fourth Hokage, Aoba thought. He truly shines like the little sun of Konoha.
With this unexpected encounter, Kawaki Aoba felt no hostility—only opportunity. And so, he decided: he didn't mind becoming friends with Minato Namikaze.
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