"The foundation of taijutsu cultivation lies in having a strong body. The Eight Inner Gates even more so — without a body tough enough, one simply can't sustain opening up to the Sixth Gate.
Lord Leo, I'm just an ordinary genin. My monthly living allowance is pitiful, and I rarely get missions.
I train desperately every day, and my body has accumulated many hidden injuries. That's why I can only maintain the Gates for a short time.
However, I can open the Seventh Gate — but the backlash would be far worse than the Sixth!"
Might Duy said earnestly. On this path of taijutsu, all the hardship and loneliness he'd endured were known only to himself.
To endlessly push the limits of one's body without nurturing it — that was devastatingly harmful.
But for strength, for the sake of proving himself, Might Duy had to do it.
To work hard. To persevere. To never give up!
Leo was silent. Great power always demanded sacrifices beyond ordinary understanding — especially something like the Eight Inner Gates, known as the strongest taijutsu in the ninja world. At its peak, it could even kick the Six Paths Madara half to death!
If not for Madara's regenerative body, the history of the ninja world might have been completely different.
With that thought, Leo said, "Dai, once we return to the village, if they ask about this mission, tell them you were the one who killed Mist-nin. That way, the village will finally recognize your worth and increase your pay. With better living conditions, your taijutsu will progress even faster. You'll truly shine in the future."
Might Duy's eyes widened. "How can I do that? Most of the Mist-nin were killed by you, Lord Leo!"
"You need that reward," Leo replied calmly. "Besides, I heard your child is about to be born. Dai… do you really want your son to grow up poor and struggling like you?"
"Uuuuh—!"
Might Duy burst into tears, bawling uncontrollably.
To have one true friend in life — one could die without regrets!
Ah, youth! Though full of hardship, it was also full of blazing hope!
At that moment, Dai felt his youthful spirit burning brighter than ever.
Honestly, watching a man twenty years older than himself cry right in front of him was… kind of gross.
But it also showed how genuine Dai was — straightforward, honest, without pretense.
"All right, all right — the fish is about to burn," Leo pointed to the small fish roasting on the grill.
Dai snapped out of his emotional daze, quickly grabbed a fish, and handed it to Leo.
Soon, the two of them had eaten everything, leaving behind nothing but a pile of fish bones.
"Dai, let's rest a bit longer, then head back to Konoha," Leo said. Something in his heart felt uneasy — as if trouble was brewing.
"Got it," Dai replied.
During the short break, Leo brought out a treasure chest. Given how many ninjas they'd just defeated, there had to be some great loot this time.
Still, seeing that it was only a Silver Chest, his eEXPectations weren't too high.
The chest slowly opened, and a flash of white light burst forth. At the bottom, a silver-edged card floated, glowing faintly.
When he picked it up, countless white sword auras erupted within, swirling like a giant storm that could rend the heavens.
"One-Sword Style: Thirty-Six Calamities of the Wind!"
It was a Skill Card. Instantly, all information about the technique flooded Leo's mind — every principle, every form — as if it had been forged into him a thousand times over.
Leo's heart stirred. This was Zoro's supreme One-Sword Style technique from One Piece!
Zoro's swordsmanship was divided into One-Sword, Two-Sword, and Three-Sword Styles — each with its own unique power.
Even the simplest form, when wielded by a true master swordsman, could unleash earth-shattering might.
He opened his status panel:
Host: Leo
Abilities: Conqueror's Haki Lv3, Observation Haki Lv3, Armament Haki Lv3, Tornado Secret Art Lv3, Soru Lv3, Moonwalk Lv3, Thirty-Six Calamities of the Wind Lv1 (Next level requires 10,000 EXP)
Devil Fruit: Flame-Flame Fruit Lv3 (Next level requires 10,000 EXP)
Weapon: Great Blade – Enma
EEXPerience: 13,000 / 10,000
This was his fastest gain yet! He immediately spent 1,100 points to raise Thirty-Six Calamities of the Wind to Lv3, leaving 11,700 EXP.
Now that he had over 10,000 EXP left, he could level up another ability.
But which one — the Three Haki or the Devil Fruit?
Observation and Conqueror's Haki wouldn't offer much of a boost right now. Armament Haki at Lv3, when combined with his monstrous strength, already let him fight evenly with a jonin for a short time. Together with the Six Powers, he was more than capable.
After some thought, he decided: strength above all. Leo spent 10,000 EXP to upgrade his Flame-Flame Fruit to Lv4.
At that instant, a violent surge erupted inside him. The mild inner flame that once burned steadily now blazed into a roaring inferno!
Outside, Might Duy suddenly felt the air grow scorching. The temperature around them rose sharply — especially near Leo's position.
He looked around, bewildered.
After a long while, the heat gradually subsided. Leo opened his eyes, feeling the fiery energy still coursing within. If he used the Flame-Flame Fruit now, the destructive power would be far greater than before.
But looking at his remaining EXP — only 1,700 — he sighed helplessly.
"Still poor… even with a Devil Fruit."
"Lord Leo, did you just feel… really hot just now?" Dai asked.
"Did I?" Leo smiled faintly, then stood up. "It's getting late. Let's get moving."
"Right."
The two of them swiftly left the campsite, leaping through the vast forest.
Even at full speed, it would take them an entire night to reach Konoha.
But both were shinobi — their stamina far surpassed ordinary men's. They could travel through the night without rest.
However, as night fell, Leo's Observation Haki suddenly detected something unusual ahead. He immediately stopped.
"Lord Leo, what's wrong?" Dai halted on a tree branch, frowning.
He trusted Leo's intuition completely — whenever Leo furrowed his brow, something bad always followed.
"I'm not sure… Dai, let's move along the ground."
With that, he led the way down.
They followed the trail for a while — spotting bloodstains, scattered kunai, and ninja tools.
Then they found several bodies lying on the ground — Konoha ANBU, already dead.
Rustle!
The grass ahead suddenly trembled — a dark shadow shot out without warning!
"Take this!"
Startled, Might Duy instantly unleashed a Leaf Whirlwind Kick at the shadow!
Leo recognized the figure and was just about to stop him — but it was too late.
With a loud thud, the shadow was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing into the ground!
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