"Yuzuru!"
The Third Raikage greeted Yuzuru Uchiha with great enthusiasm.
Yuzuru smiled and introduced, "This is Might Duy and Might Guy. They were once Konoha shinobi, but now they want to join the Hidden Cloud."
Hearing this, the Third Raikage immediately nodded in agreement and extended his right hand to Might Duy. "Welcome. From now on, we're comrades. If you run into any issues, just come to me."
Might Duy was caught off guard by the gesture, overwhelmed by the warmth of the reception. Back in Konoha, he had been a perpetual Genin, the target of ridicule and scorn. Even among fellow Genin, no one wanted to team up with him.
Yet now, a man of the Third Raikage's status not only didn't question his identity or motives but treated him with genuine warmth. This was the kind of moment Duy wouldn't have dared dream of.
His eyes turned red with emotion, as they often did—he was a man of deep feelings.
The Third Raikage scratched his head, noticing the shift in Duy's mood.
'This guy reminds me of Sakumo Hatake back in the day. What the hell is going on in Konoha for their shinobi to be this emotionally vulnerable?'
"Tōdai, arrange a place for Duy and Guy to stay, and give them enough funds to live comfortably."
Tōdai grinned. "Leave it to me."
Once Tōdai had led the father and son out of the Raikage's office, the Third Raikage turned to Yuzuru curiously. "This father-son duo you brought back today… they seem a bit extraordinary."
Yuzuru didn't keep him in suspense. "Might Duy and Might Guy possess a secret technique passed down in their family—the Eight Gates Released Formation."
"The Eight Gates remove the body's natural limiters, temporarily granting strength dozens of times greater than normal."
"Of course, starting from the Fourth Gate, each one opened causes irreversible damage to the body."
"And opening the final gate—the Gate of Death—means sacrificing your life."
After listening to Yuzuru's explanation, the Third Raikage nodded.
Just as he suspected. Anyone who caught Yuzuru Uchiha's attention had to be exceptional.
No matter how severe the drawbacks were, a technique that could massively boost a ninja's power in a short time was a priceless treasure in the shinobi world.
He spoke again. "Yuzuru, is it difficult to train in the Eight Gates?"
Yuzuru immediately grasped what the Raikage was getting at and smiled. "Training in the Eight Gates isn't difficult. Whether you can open a gate depends entirely on physical conditioning. So all one needs to do is constantly train and temper their body."
"Really?" The Third Raikage's eyes lit up.
Most of their Hidden Cloud shinobi practiced taijutsu techniques aimed at strengthening the body.
And based on Yuzuru's description, the Eight Gates sounded tailor-made for the Hidden Cloud!
Seeing the Raikage so excited and eager, Yuzuru added, "Don't worry. I'll try to persuade Duy to hand over the training method for the Eight Gates. But we should also offer them a fair reward."
The Third Raikage waved a hand decisively. "That won't be a problem. From now on, all Cloud Village ninjutsu, taijutsu, and secret techniques—including the Lightning Release Chakra Armor—are open to them, free of charge."
Might Duy and Might Guy were now officially Cloud shinobi. Their strength would benefit the village.
Besides… trading existing techniques for one as powerful as the Eight Gates was a bargain no matter how you looked at it.
"I'll go speak to Duy then. And don't worry, with the physical prowess of our Cloud ninjas, I believe most of them will be able to unlock the first three gates at least."
With that, Yuzuru turned and left.
Once the Eight Gates were introduced to the Hidden Cloud, their overall combat strength would rise significantly.
After all, most ninja were still in the lower-to-mid ranks.
And for them, the first three gates of the Eight Gates technique—offering moderate difficulty and considerable power boosts—were a perfect fit.
——
——
After leaving the Raikage building, Yuzuru made his way straight to the residence assigned to Might Duy and Might Guy.
Tōdai had already left, and only a few Anbu were still there helping with the move.
The moment Yuzuru stepped in, the Anbu bowed respectfully. "Lord Yuzuru!"
He waved a hand. "Carry on. Don't mind me."
"Yes, sir!"
The Anbu went back to work while Yuzuru walked over to where Duy and Guy were standing.
The father and son were quietly marveling at the room's furnishings, eyes full of awe.
Seeing Yuzuru approach, Duy looked a little nervous. "Lord Yuzuru, is this really our house? It's so… nice."
Back in Konoha, all he had was a small wooden shack. Compared to this place, it was like heaven and earth.
Yuzuru replied calmly, "It's yours now. The Hatake estate is next door. Once you're settled, let's share a drink sometime."
Might Guy's eyes sparkled. He bowed to Yuzuru and shot out the door like a blur.
Duy, however, still looked as if he were dreaming.
The Third Raikage… Sakumo Hatake…
These were men he once could only look up to from afar.
And now they were offering to drink with him?
For someone like him, a talentless Genin… how did he deserve this?
Seeing Duy still in a daze, Yuzuru asked slowly, "Duy, your Eight Gates technique seems powerful. Are you willing to share it with the Hidden Cloud?"
"The village will compensate you fairly."
Yuzuru repeated the conditions offered by the Raikage.
After hearing everything, Might Duy let out a deep breath.
"I don't need any reward. I'm happy to offer the Eight Gates to the village."
"And if anyone has questions about the training, they can always come to me. I'll gladly share what I've learned."
To Yuzuru's surprise, Duy didn't hesitate in the slightest.
The Cloud had treated him far too well. If he contributed nothing, he would feel ashamed.
Besides… if everyone could train in the Eight Gates, all wearing green bodysuits and pursuing youth—
What a magnificent sight that would be!
Yuzuru hadn't expected Duy to offer up the technique so willingly.
For most shinobi, a secret jutsu like this was as precious as their own life.
And yet here he was, giving it away like it was nothing.
The image of Hiruzen Sarutobi surfaced in Yuzuru's mind.
'Just how much of a fool do you have to be… to let Konoha, a village blessed by fate, end up in such a pathetic state?'