---
Might Guy's self-restraint exists to protect what he cherishes, a vow to give his life if necessary. He teaches the same principle to both Ye Dou and Rock Lee. During the preliminary rounds of the Chūnin Exams, Lee's use of the Eight Gates—specifically the Initial Gate and Healing Gate—was approved by Guy, demonstrating his belief in willpower and resolve as the true core of strength.
But Ye Dou is different. His will, though centered on himself like a beam of light, can shatter when his life is truly threatened. Might Guy doesn't know this—he is, after all, one of the purest inheritors of the "Will of Fire" that Sarutobi Hiruzen often spoke of.
Just as Ye Dou could never understand Guy's obsession with "youth," Guy could never fully understand Ye Dou's inner thoughts.
At this moment, Might Guy glanced at both Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, assuming Ye Dou's motivation was tied to them.
And with that thought, he no longer hesitated.
"If that's the case… then show them your youth, Ye Dou!"
This was his intent. "Fourth Gate: Gate of Pain, OPEN!"
Boom!
A shockwave exploded outward as an intense whirlwind swept across the battlefield.
Green chakra surged around Ye Dou like boiling magma, characteristic of the Eight Gates Released Formation. Blood pumped violently through his veins, his skin turned red from capillary rupture, and his irises faded—leaving only the whites. His long, black hair flared despite the still air.
To onlookers, he now resembled a wrathful guardian deity—like an enraged Vajra.
He fixed his gaze on Uchiha Itachi and coldly declared, "Today, you will die here."
Boom!
With a thunderous crack, the hotel floor shattered beneath his feet as Ye Dou vanished from sight—his body moving like a blur, launching directly at Itachi.
"So fast!"
Even Uchiha Itachi was shocked. The Ye Dou before him was more than twice as strong as during their previous clash. His movements pushed the limits of Itachi's Sharingan, forcing it to its peak just to follow.
Itachi brought his hands up, deflecting Ye Dou's kunai in the nick of time—but he couldn't react fast enough to the follow-up.
Boom!
A devastating kick landed cleanly. Despite anticipating the attack and adjusting his stance, Itachi was still hurled backward, coughing blood midair.
Yet, his strength was undeniable.
Any ordinary ninja would have died instantly from that kick, but Itachi absorbed the impact, redirecting the force to minimize fatal damage. He still had the strength to stand.
Ye Dou roared, brandishing his war blade with wild abandon. The walls were cleaved like tofu, deep cuts gouged in stone and wood alike.
"Guh!"
Itachi coughed blood again, but his face remained cold and emotionless—like a glacier, utterly composed despite the situation.
Everyone nearby was stunned.
Especially Uchiha Sasuke, who watched in disbelief. The figure he idolized—the elder brother he revered as an untouchable genius—was now being overwhelmed, even beaten, by one of his own classmates: Ye Dou.
His broken left arm no longer hurt. His mind was in turmoil.
He had thought he was strong—that he had surpassed most of his peers. Even Hyūga Neji, the prodigy of the Hyūga clan, hadn't intimidated him.
But now?
He was powerless.
This battle, the sheer speed and violence of it, was beyond his ability to follow. Even his Sharingan was useless against Ye Dou.
He was devastated. Angry. Desperate.
How could he surpass his brother like this? How could he defeat Itachi Uchiha if he couldn't even match Ye Dou?
His mind spiraled. He thought of the Cursed Seal of Heaven, of Orochimaru's whispered promises. Maybe… maybe he could give him the power to change everything.
Dark thoughts spread through his mind like wildfire.
He had only one desire: to become stronger—stronger than both of them.
---
[Fierce Battle]
With the Fourth Gate opened, Ye Dou's speed and strength had more than doubled.
He now felt as if he could demolish a house with a single punch.
But even with this immense power, Uchiha Itachi couldn't be taken down easily.
The hotel walls were devastated—his blade had torn them apart, leaving the battlefield marked with deep, slashing wounds.
Ye Dou's strikes came faster and harder, as if he had overdosed on pure adrenaline. Each blow was delivered with precise fury.
Uzumaki Naruto stood frozen, stunned by the sheer force. He now felt even greater pressure to master Jiraiya's Rasengan—a jutsu said to be stronger than Chidori—because he didn't want to be left behind by his teammates.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The fierce sword aura continued to rage, forcing Itachi to weave and dodge with precision.
For Itachi, this was one of the most difficult battles he'd faced since awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Even Orochimaru, powerful as he was, had once been easily overpowered by Itachi's Tsukuyomi.
But Ye Dou was different.
He fought without fear, undeterred by genjutsu. Itachi's strongest technique—Tsukuyomi—was useless against someone who attacked with such raw physical speed and fury.
He considered using Amaterasu, but its devastating nature could kill unintentionally, and he hesitated.
Ye Dou sensed this weakness and pressed in, blade gleaming with killing intent.
Despite Itachi's disheveled appearance, his injuries were mostly superficial. Ye Dou had opened the Fourth Gate, but hadn't yet broken through Itachi's defenses.
This was a testament not only to the power of Amaterasu and his visual prowess, but also to Itachi's unmatched combat instincts.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
In a flash, Itachi released a giant fireball—the jutsu he'd mastered at age seven.
Might Guy, watching closely despite the chaos, was stunned. Even amidst this brutal exchange, Itachi's speed and chakra control remained flawless.
"Open!"
Ye Dou roared, slashing through the fireball with his war blade, splitting it cleanly as if it were nothing more than mist.
Might Guy wiped sweat from his brow. His disciple… was fiercer than even himself at that age.
"He can even split flames... what kind of ninjutsu is this?" Yu Zhong murmured.
He watched Ye Dou carefully, as if trying to decipher whether his aura came from sheer chakra, or something beyond—something… dominating.
---
Visit patreon.com/Mikeo481 to get 50+ chapters