That afternoon, Ryosuke once again sat cross-legged at home, continuing his training in the Eight Gates Released Formation.
Opening the First Gate didn't create shockwaves or explosive chakra bursts, so practicing inside was safe.
And after gradually adapting to the pain these past few days, he no longer needed Guy supervising him.
At worst he would faint, but it wouldn't endanger his life.
He inhaled deeply, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"I am no longer human."
Not arrogance—
but self-hypnosis.
A way to suppress fear and fortify his nerves before facing the pain again.
Then he began.
Ryosuke refined his chakra and hammered it toward the Opening Gate located on the right side of his brain.
The familiar, needle-sharp agony stabbed him instantly—
penetrating, burning, maddening.
But he grit his teeth and endured.
His chakra reserves were noticeably larger than the day before.
Under the repeated impacts, the Opening Gate pried open a little more each time.
He stopped, rested, then continued.
Again.
And again.
Sweat dripped from his chin.
His forehead was slick.
His vision blurred from the throbbing behind his eyes.
But—
he did not faint.
Not even once.
That alone meant progress.
He wiped his sweat and whispered to himself:
"Good. Keep going."
Guy had been right.
Once the body adapted to the pain—
once one learned to ride it instead of resisting it—
opening the Gates became possible.
Ryosuke trained for hours, most of it spent enduring the agony and forcing his nervous system to acclimate.
By the time he reached his limit, the Opening Gate had widened significantly.
Success was close.
Exhausted, he washed up and ate a simple meal.
He didn't visit Kurenai that night; he had already told her that if he didn't arrive within ten minutes, she shouldn't wait.
Tonight was one of those nights.
He fell asleep almost immediately.
🌅 Dawn – The Fourth Day Before the Duel
Ryosuke woke early—refreshed, alert, and with zero trace of the previous day's agony.
He marveled at it.
His constitution had grown absurdly strong.
Pain that once overwhelmed him…
had vanished with a single night's sleep.
If I can recover from this every day… what is there to fear?
Before practicing the Eight Gates again, he completed his full One-Punch-Man regimen—further strengthening his entire body.
A warm current flowed through him as the system rewarded him.
Everything increased—strength, endurance, resilience.
A perfect foundation for the Eight Gates.
⚡ Afternoon – The Breakthrough
Ryosuke sat down once more, refined his chakra, and slammed it into the Opening Gate.
Pain surged—
—but now it no longer broke his focus.
He continued increasing the pressure—
Crack.
The Opening Gate burst fully open.
A vein bulged along his forehead.
A faint bronze tint spread across his skin.
Then—
A rush.
A surge.
A flood of raw power.
Ryosuke grinned.
He had opened the First Gate.
Strength, speed—every physical parameter sharpened at once.
His performance increased by at least 50%.
He released the chakra flow, and as Guy had taught, the Gate closed naturally on its own.
The vein smoothed.
His complexion returned to normal.
He had done it.
The First Gate—mastered.
Guy could open five gates.
But with Ryosuke's monstrous physique and ever-increasing stats, he had every reason to believe he could reach the same level… or more… before the Night of the Uchiha Massacre.
Five Gates… Six… Seven…
By then, knocking out Itachi and kicking Obito across the street would be trivial.
Satisfied, he decided to relax tonight.
With the First Gate, not only would he remain undefeated against Uchiha Inaho—
he could crush him outright.
He prepared for his evening with Kurenai.
🌙 Evening – The Invitation
Kurenai was already waiting outside her wooden house, dressed in another soft, beautiful kimono.
Her expression held anticipation—and a touch of unease.
Yesterday, he hadn't shown up.
But she didn't blame him.
Adults had responsibilities, and she trusted him.
When she saw him, her crimson eyes softened.
"I thought you might not come today."
Ryosuke smiled, fully recovered and in excellent condition.
"How could I not?"
They walked together once more.
No matter how many times they strolled these streets, the world always felt new at her side.
When they reached a quieter lane, Kurenai took his arm and gently guided him into the familiar grove.
After two previous nights of intimacy, she no longer hesitated.
She rose on her toes, seeking his kiss.
Ryosuke welcomed her.
Her breath grew shallow.
Her body softened against his.
His warmth overwhelmed her senses.
For once, she didn't restrain her desires.
And when they finally parted for breath, cheeks flushed, eyes hazy, she whispered:
"Ryosuke… in three days… would you… come to my place?"
"My mother won't be home."
Her entire face turned scarlet.
Would he understand?
Ryosuke's heartbeat jumped.
How could he not?
He leaned close and murmured:
"Of course, Kurenai."
Three days from now—
He would fight Uchiha Inaho in the afternoon.
And that night…
he and Kurenai would finally cross that final step.
Completing the Many Children, Many Blessings system mission…
earning a new reward…
and embracing the woman in his arms.
Kurenai's relief was immediate.
She hugged him tightly, burying her face against his chest.
🌄 The Fifth Day Before the Duel
The next morning, Ryosuke completed Saitama-sensei's routine, raising his stats yet again.
Then, in the afternoon, he set off for Guy's usual training ground.
It was time to learn—
the method to open the Second Gate.
Guy was exactly where Ryosuke expected him.
The next stage of training was about to begin.
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