Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

"Guy, Lee is still so young, are you trying to destroy him by teaching him the Eight Gates?"

Kakashi frowned and said in a deep voice, "I won't ask what Lee means to you, and I won't stop you from getting emotional about it, but there needs to be a limit. I misjudged you, Guy."

"What do you know about Lee? Lee has something he wants to prove and protect even if he dies, so I want him to become a man who can defend that goal! That's all."

Guy added, "Don't underestimate LeeHe's my most prized student, and he's already made decent progress in the Eight Gates, even reaching the fifth gate. With my supervision, there won't be any issues."

"I also believe in Guy-sensei!" Lee declared resolutely.

Kakashi sighed, "Let's hope so."

'Lee's ability to open five gates at such a young age proved his natural Taijutsu talent. Guy might be a fool, but he certainly wouldn't sabotage his own student.'

"What exactly is the Eight Gates? Is it really that serious?" Naruto asked at the right time.

Since Naruto was planning to obtain the Eight Gates with the system, getting Guy's direct instruction would make it legitimate. That way, he'd have a solid reason to use the technique without raising suspicion.

Guy explained, "The so-called Eight Gates is about releasing limitations."

"That's right. On the Chakra Pathway System, there are eight Chakra Points called gates, located throughout the body, starting from the head. These gates are named the Gate of Opening, Gate of Rest, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain, Gate of Limit, Gate of View, Gate of Wonder, and Gate of Death. These are the Eight Gates."

Kakashi elaborated further, "These eight gates ordinarily restrict the Chakra Flow within the body. The Eight Gates Technique forcibly removes these limits, unleashing strength dozens of times greater than normal. When all eight gates are open, the user gains power many times that of the Hokage, but at the cost of their life."

"No wonder Kakashi-sensei got so angry. He's worried Guy-sensei might end up destroying Lee." Sakura interjected.

Kakashi nodded without saying anything more.

Seeing that the timing was right, Naruto raised his hand with enthusiasm, "Alright, I've decided! I'll learn the Eight Gates. Please teach me."

"Although the Eight Gates is powerful, it requires rigorous training. Talent alone isn't enough."

Guy said, shaking his head with doubt toward Naruto.

However, before Guy could say more, Kakashi interrupted and said, "Guy, just go ahead and teach him."

Kakashi suspected Naruto was joining the Taijutsu training out of curiosity. After all, with the Kyubi within him, Naruto had breezed through most challenges.

Kakashi felt that it was high time he faced some real discipline, and Taijutsu training would do just that.

"Well, since you're saying so, I'll teach him."

Guy agreed, trusting Kakashi's judgment. Then, he turned to Naruto and said, "Learning the Eight Gates is no small feat. Prepare yourself for some intense, grueling training."

"No problem!"

Naruto nodded and answered decisively.

Anyway, he only needed a reason to start the training, and truly mastering the Eight Gates would depend on the system. As for making him suffer through intense training? That was a pipe dream.

Next, Guy launched into a lengthy lecture, explaining the body's structure and how the Eight Gates release internal restrictions.

After nearly an hour, he concluded his explanation with, "That's basically how it works. The rest depends on your diligent training… don't slack off."

"Okay."

Just as Naruto finished answering, a system notification sound rang in his head.

[It is detected that the host has stayed in the Team 3's training ground for one hour. Sign-in successful. Reward: Eight Gates Taijutsu!]

'It's here!'

Naruto was delighted, and felt a surge of invisible energy gathering inside him, precisely at the locations of the Eight Gates.

But, that's all.

It didn't bring any noticeable change in his strength or abilities.

'What's going on?'

Naruto was stunned and quickly opened the system panel. When he saw the skill introduction, only then did he understand.

[Eight Gates: Current Status - Not Activated.]

[Activation Requirement for the First Gate (Gate of Opening): Perform 1 push-up.]

'So this is taijutsu, huh? It really does require training. But with such an easy requirement, is this even necessary?'

Naruto was speechless. Then, without delay, he got down and did a single, perfect push-up.

"Skipping warm-up and diving straight into exercises can lead to muscle strain. Working hard is good, but don't rush it." Guy advised patiently.

Kakashi, however, smirked with interest, 'It seemed Naruto was about to face some challenging experiences.'

In just the next moment, a surge of powerful energy exploded from Naruto.

At the same time, the system prompt sounded again in Naruto's mind.

[The host has met the condition. Gate of Opening activated successfully.]

[Gate of Opening: Lifts brain limits to allow 100% bodily capability, boosting attack and speed while consuming body energy at an accelerated rate.]

Along with the prompt sound, a series of crackling sounds were heard in Naruto's body, and the restriction at the Gate of Opening also 'popped' and was lifted.

An endless stream of power gathered and surged from within his body, and Naruto felt more powerful than ever before.

'So this is the power of the Eight Gates? It's terrifying.'

Naruto stood up, clenched his fist, and punched the big tree next to him. With just an ordinary punch, the waist-thick tree snapped in half and fell to the ground with a loud bang.

"Huh…?"

Seeing this scene, everyone was dumbfounded.

"Is this… genius at work?" Kakashi was speechless. He didn't expect that even the Eight Gates could not defeat Naruto.

'This is too unscientific… How can the Eight Gates be activated with just one push-up?'

However, Guy just scoffed, "Kakashi, did you secretly teach him the Eight Gates just to show off?"

With his Sharingan, Kakashi could open the first gate himself, so Guy was convinced that Kakashi must have been tutoring Naruto beforehand.

"If I could teach him, why would I bring him here?" Kakashi said speechlessly.

But Guy remained skeptical. He couldn't believe Naruto could unlock the gates without prior training.

Meanwhile, Naruto started doing push-ups again.

[Eight Gates: Current Status - Gate of Opening.]

[Requirement to unlock the Gate of Healing: Perform 2 to the power of 2 push-ups.]

'2 to the power of 2 is 4, it's a piece of cake.'

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

In seconds, he completed the four push-ups, and the prompt sounded again in his mind.

[It has been detected that the host has met the condition. Gate of Healing activated successfully.]

[Gate of Healing: Eliminates physical fatigue limits by intensely draining body energy, restoring stamina and counteracting the exhaustion from the Gate of Opening's energy consumption.]

A refreshing wave of energy surged through Naruto's body, and he felt invigorated, with every trace of fatigue wiped clean. His entire body brimmed with energy.

Under the effect of the Gate of Healing, his golden hair stood up as if he had transformed into a Super Saiyan.

"I… I've grown even stronger..."