Shisui had just returned home when he received an unexpected visitor.
“Clan leader,” Shisui greeted Uchiha Fugaku.
“No need to be so formal. Call me uncle. I fought alongside your father,” Fugaku said with a smile.
“Alright, Uncle Fugaku,” Shisui nodded.
“Is there something you need from me today?” Shisui asked.
He didn’t think Fugaku, the Uchiha clan leader, would visit him without a reason.
“There’s nothing specific. It’s just time for the clan to reward our outstanding members, and I happened to have some free time, so I thought I’d deliver it personally and see our clan’s genius,” Fugaku said warmly.
“Thank you for the trouble,” Shisui said gratefully.
He was more concerned about something other than the reward. Although Shisui had no parents or grandparents, he needed more money.
His parents had left him a substantial inheritance, enough to live comfortably even if he never became a ninja.
“Haha, it’s no trouble, and it’s not far,” Fugaku laughed.
“Shisui, do you have any plans for the future?” Fugaku asked suddenly as he handed over the rewards.
“I heard that you already have the strength to defeat a graduate Genin. Have you considered graduating early? The academy’s curriculum might not be of much help to you anymore.”
“If you graduate early, I can make a special application to have you join the police force directly. You’ll be able to train under the clan’s Jonin,” Fugaku continued.
Typically, freshly graduated Genin wouldn’t be assigned to the police force and would first train under a Jonin mentor. But as the head of the police force, Fugaku felt confident he could get special approval from the Third Hokage.
Shisui had already discussed early graduation with Mokutsuki and preferred his suggestion. He didn’t believe any Uchiha Jonin could surpass Mokutsuki in skill and teaching ability.
However, since Fugaku had come personally, Shisui didn’t want to reject him outright. After a moment, he politely declined, “Uncle Fugaku, I feel that I still have some way to go before becoming a full-fledged ninja, so I don’t plan to graduate early.”
“Hmm, I see. You’re quite mature for your age, Shisui. You’ll surely achieve great things in the future,” Fugaku praised, despite the rejection.
“Shisui, I’ve heard you’re close with Uchiha Obito. Recently, Obito has made significant progress and is recognized as an outstanding Uchiha as well,” Fugaku said.
“Yes,” Shisui nodded. Mokutsuki had only told them not to reveal he was their teacher, but he didn’t say they should pretend not to know each other.
“What do you think of Obito?” Fugaku asked.
“He’s a very talented Uchiha who trains hard,” Shisui replied.
“Excellent. Our clan’s future depends on you exceptional young Uchiha,” Fugaku said with a smile.
When Fugaku left, Shisui walked him to the door.
“The Konoha Police Force, huh…” Shisui shook his head.
Fugaku’s offer didn’t appeal to him at all.
…
“Dad, I’m home,” Might Guy called out. His injuries weren’t serious, and after being treated with medical ninjutsu, he quickly returned home.
“Guy, how was the exam today? Did you unleash your youth to the fullest?” Might Duy asked.
“I lost to Obito today. I only took second place,” Guy replied.
“But Obito was really strong today. Even though I gave it my all, I still lost.”
Smack!
Duy placed his hands heavily on Guy’s shoulders, tears streaming down his face. “Guy, as long as you burn your youth to the fullest, there’s no need to be discouraged by failure. And second place is still great! It means you’ll never lack for strong opponents.”
“I’m not discouraged. I accept my loss to Obito because he was stronger today. But I’ve won more of our matches overall,” Guy said, giving a thumbs-up.
Guy understood that today’s loss was purely due to a slight difference in strength. He was confident he would catch up soon.
“That’s the spirit of youth, Guy. I’m proud of you,” Duy said, hugging Guy.
“After burning your youth, you need to fill your stomach. I’ve made dinner, so eat up,” Duy said, handing the prepared food to Guy.
Just as Guy was about to eat, there was a knock on the door.
“Someone’s at the door? That’s unusual. Could it be a client?” Duy wondered, going to open the door.
“There’s no way,” Guy retorted. “Who would come to a Genin’s house for a mission?”
“Haha, you never know. I’m a recognized cat-finding expert by the Hokage,” Duy laughed.
“Who is it?” Guy asked, peeking to see two unfamiliar ninjas at the door.
“Who came?” Guy asked, his expression changing.
He didn’t know their names, but he recognized them as the two ninjas he had chased down and beaten for insulting his father.
“Are they here for revenge?” Guy quickly set his chopsticks down and ran to Duy’s side.
“What do you want?” Guy asked cautiously, ready to defend his father.
“Guy, do you know them?” Duy asked, confused.
The tall, thin ninja and the slightly chubby ninja stepped forward.
Guy quickly adjusted his breathing rhythm, looking for the best angle to attack without damaging their house.
But to his surprise, the two ninjas bowed deeply and said, “We’re sorry!”
Guy silently withdrew his leg, returning to normal breathing.
“Guy, what’s going on? Why are they apologizing?” Duy asked, still confused.
“We shouldn’t have mocked you for being a perpetual Genin. As fellow Konoha ninja, we should respect each other,” the chubby ninja apologized.
“And I shouldn’t have attacked a ninja academy student as a ninja,” the tall, thin ninja also apologized.
Not long after Guy had beaten them, they had woken up and, in their anger, hadn’t felt they were wrong. But they gradually calmed down.
The guy’s strength was impressive. Even though they hadn’t used ninjutsu or dirty tricks, knocking out two Chunin was extraordinary for a student.
They had inquired about Guy and learned he had recently become the top student in the academy.
They decided it was wise to apologize to Guy, realizing he might become solid and not want to make an enemy out of a potential powerhouse over something trivial.
“These are for our apology. Please accept them,” the tall, thin ninja said, handing over some supplements and a large bag of various foods.
“And this money is for any medical expenses,” the chubby ninja said, offering some bills.
Duy looked at Guy, letting him decide as he wasn’t aware of the whole story.
“We’ll accept the supplements and food, but keep your money. I wasn’t injured,” Guy said, taking the items but refusing the money.
Guy felt the insults to his father had been settled with the beating he had given them. The supplements and food could be compensation for their disrespect, but he wouldn’t take the money.
Even though he knew they weren’t well off, he knew his father wouldn’t accept such money.
“Please, just take it. It’s only twenty thousand ryo,” the tall, thin ninja insisted.
“Admitting your mistakes is also part of youth, but please keep the money,” Duy said, refusing politely.
Since Guy had decided, Duy wouldn’t accept the money either.
The two ninjas exchanged glances and reluctantly took back the money.
They felt a bit of respect for the father-son duo, who refused money that wasn’t theirs despite their modest living conditions.
Guy explained everything to Duy during dinner, knowing he couldn’t hide it anymore.
“If people talk behind your back, it just means you’re living a more exciting life than they are. Sarcasm is a form of praise, and gossip is applause for your wonderful life. They’re singing your victory song. Because I live not to please you,” Duy said earnestly.
Duy had always maintained this mindset. No matter what people said, he didn’t care, seeing it as support from people who didn’t matter to him.
Guy didn’t respond, thinking that while he could endure being called a loser, he couldn’t accept his father being insulted.
“But to gain the upper hand against official ninja means your youth is truly flourishing!” Duy said, giving a thumbs-up.
“You’ve grown so much. I think it’s time to officially pass on that technique to you,” Duy said.
Despite being a perpetual Genin himself, Duy believed Guy’s future would be different. He had been preparing to pass on the Eight Gates to Guy.
But because of its dangers, Duy had planned to teach Guy after he became a ninja. Now, he felt Guy was ready to train in the Eight Gates.
“What technique?” Guy asked, puzzled.
“You’ll see tonight,” Duy replied.
That evening, Duy took Guy to his training spot and, with a severe expression, said, “I’m going to teach you the Eight Gates, a forbidden technique, not an ordinary taijutsu!”
“A forbidden technique!” The guy was surprised.
Mokutsuki once told them that their breathing techniques could be considered forbidden.
Guy knew how powerful the breathing techniques were. Even though he hadn’t fully mastered them yet, they had already significantly boosted his strength and training effectiveness.
The fact that his father might possess a technique on par with the Rock Breathing amazed Guy because he knew his father was a ninja who couldn’t even become a Chunin.
“Yes, it took me twenty years to master the Eight Gates. It’s the
Only taijutsu I can teach you,” Duy said.
“Gate of Opening, open! Gate of Healing, open! … Gate of View, open!”
Duy opened six gates in succession, unleashing powerful chakra. The intense green energy enveloped him, and the sudden surge of power created gusts that pressed down the surrounding grass and rustled the leaves.
“So strong!” Guy exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement at Duy’s terrifying aura.
“This forbidden technique is powerful but dangerous, which is why I’m teaching it to you now,” Duy said seriously.
Guy had trouble sleeping that night, deeply shocked by Duy’s demonstration.
He had always respected and loved his father but never thought him particularly strong. He even stepped before Duy to protect him from the two ninjas earlier.
He was thrilled to learn that his Genin father could unleash such terrifying power.
But he also had concerns. The Eight Gates were as tricky as his father said, taking twenty years to master. Guy worried that training in the Eight Gates and Rock Breathing would slow his progress, disappointing Mokutsuki.
Guy, being proactive, told Mokutsuki about it the following day.
“Sensei, I’m sorry. My progress in breathing techniques might slow down,” Guy said.
“Not necessarily. The two forbidden techniques might complement each other,” Mokutsuki said with a smile.
“The Eight Gates require a strong body, and Rock Breathing is the best for strengthening the body.”
“Actually, I know a bit of the Eight Gates myself. You can ask me if you have questions during training.”
“You know the Eight Gates, too, Sensei?” The man was shocked. He remembered Mokutsuki, who wasn’t even twenty yet but had mastered several forbidden techniques.
(End of chapter)
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