Chapter 182: The Strength of the Eight Gates Ninja
After a morning of training, Mugetsu clapped his hands together and said,
"It's Guy's birthday tonight. Everyone, gather at his house this evening."
His eyes lingered briefly on Kakashi — the reminder was mainly for him. Obito, after all, had already prepared his gift.
"I have something else to take care of now," Mugetsu added. "You're free to continue training here or rest for the afternoon."
In truth, he was heading to meet the Third Hokage — time to put on a little performance.
"Maybe he's going to prepare a gift for you, Guy," Obito said, his voice filled with curiosity. "I wonder what kind of gift it'll be."
His own birthday was still more than a month away — February tenth — but the thought already excited him.
"Haha! Whatever it is, I'll be happy!" Guy replied with his usual booming laugh.
"To me, Mugetsu-sensei is already incredible. Aside from my father, I've never met anyone who treats me so kindly. Even if his gift is just a simple 'Happy Birthday,' I'll be grateful."
"That's true," Obito said after a moment's thought, smirking. "But if it's a really good gift, you'll be even happier."
If Mugetsu gave him a regular kunai from the store, Obito would treasure it. But if it were one Mugetsu forged himself… he'd guard it like a family heirloom.
---
After leaving the training ground, Mugetsu made his way straight to the Hokage Building.
He had told Maito Dai that he had a special connection to the Hokage — a convenient half-truth meant to make his plan sound more believable. In reality, the Hokage's office was simply easier to reach during the day. Visiting his house at night would have been far too late.
Knock, knock.
"Enter," came Hiruzen Sarutobi's calm, deep voice.
Mugetsu stepped inside and bowed respectfully. "Third Hokage-sama."
"Oh, it's you, Mugetsu," Hiruzen said, setting down his pipe and exhaling a curl of smoke. "What brings you here today?"
"Third Hokage-sama," Mugetsu began with a serious tone, "I've discovered a ninja in Konoha whose strength far exceeds his rank. Despite being exceptionally powerful, he's still only a Genin."
Hiruzen's brows rose slightly. "An exceptionally powerful Genin?"
Immediately, a certain face came to mind.
"Would this be the one who carries a pot on his back?" he asked after a pause.
If anyone matched that description, it was Kosuke Maruboshi — the so-called "Eternal Genin." Despite possessing Jonin-level strength and vast experience, Kosuke had refused promotion after a past failure that left a lasting scar on his heart.
"No," Mugetsu said, shaking his head. "If I had to describe him… bushy eyebrows, green jumpsuit."
"Ah. Maito Dai."
A new image formed in Hiruzen's mind — one tinged with faint disappointment. Maito Dai was well-known in the village, though not for flattering reasons.
Mugetsu nodded and elaborated.
"I discovered it by accident. His son, Might Guy, is currently interning under me. By chance, I witnessed Maito Dai's true strength — and it shocked me."
This was precisely why Mugetsu had waited until the internship period to make his move. The timing made his report seem both natural and justified.
"He's mastered an incredibly powerful Taijutsu known as the Eight Gates," Mugetsu said gravely. "When he opens them fully… I wouldn't be able to defeat him."
"I found it strange that a Genin could possess such a technique I'd never even heard of, so I came here to report it to you directly, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise. "The Eight Gates, you say?"
He set his pipe down, fingers steepled. "That explains it. The Eight Gates is a forbidden technique recorded in the Scroll of Seals."
He paused, then exhaled slowly.
"This forbidden Jutsu has existed since the Warring States Period. Once mastered, its power is terrifying. The Second Hokage himself once formed a team of shinobi to train in the Eight Gates. Maito Dai was one of them."
Hiruzen had never personally witnessed the technique's power, but he'd studied its structure. The training required was sheer madness — a form of ultimate brute force.
If Tobirama's Eight Gates squad hadn't been such a complete failure, Hiruzen might have tried to revive it himself.
Tobirama Senju was a visionary — the Ninja Academy, the Anbu, so many institutions were his creations. But not every innovation succeeded. The Eight Gates program was one of his greatest failures, consuming years of effort and manpower for no tangible result.
"I never thought he would persist all these years," Hiruzen murmured, shaking his head. "And to think he actually succeeded…"
He formed a single hand seal. "Shadow Clone Technique."
A puff of smoke filled the room as a perfect copy of the Hokage appeared beside him.
"If Maito Dai truly has mastered the Eight Gates," Hiruzen said, "then remaining a Genin is no longer appropriate. He should at least be promoted to Chunin."
To Hiruzen, this discovery was monumental. It proved that the Eight Gates could indeed be mastered — that Tobirama's vision hadn't been in vain after all.
Still, words alone weren't enough. He needed to confirm it with his own eyes.
It wasn't that he doubted Mugetsu's honesty — but such a claim required absolute verification.
Watching the Hokage create a clone immediately, Mugetsu inwardly smiled. The allure of an Eight Gates ninja truly was powerful.
There was no need to wait for Dai to come to the Hokage — the Hokage's shadow clone would go to him instead.
---
Hiruzen's shadow clone went to an empty training ground, while Mugetsu made his way to fetch Maito Dai.
As expected, Dai had stayed home all morning, just as Mugetsu had advised.
"Let's go," Mugetsu said when he arrived. "The Third Hokage wants to see your strength firsthand. Do your best to show him everything you've got."
"No problem!" Dai declared, striking his trademark pose with a brilliant grin. "I'm always ready to burn with the flames of youth!"
Emotion welled in his chest. For decades, he had prepared himself to die as a nameless Genin — but now, finally, a real chance had appeared before him.
"One more thing, Might Dai," Mugetsu said with a faint smile. "Please avoid mentioning my strength to the Third Hokage."
Although Dai didn't fully understand why, he simply nodded. "Don't worry. I understand."
He trusted Mugetsu completely — and if his teacher wanted something kept secret, he would honor that.
Led by Mugetsu, the two soon arrived at the training ground where Hiruzen's shadow clone waited.
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