Ryosuke stepped into the shaded forest clearing and immediately spotted Guy waiting for him.
The taijutsu master lifted a hand in greeting, flashing his familiar, sunny grin.
"Ryosuke! How's the progress? Even if you still can't open it, don't push yourself too hard. The First Gate can't be rushed."
Guy had learned something important over the past month:
he was hardworking, yes—but Ryosuke was impatiently hardworking.
If this kid didn't grow fast enough, he created absurd training regimens on the spot.
Getting beaten to increase stats?
Who did that?
One thing was clear—Ryosuke was desperate for power.
Even so, Guy hadn't expected quick results.
After all…
He himself had taken two full years to open the First Gate.
Which made Ryosuke's next sentence hit him like a kunai to the forehead.
"I opened the First Gate yesterday," Ryosuke said calmly. "I'm here to learn the Second."
Guy froze.
…Two years for him.
…Three days for Ryosuke.
That wasn't a gap.
That was an abyss.
Ryosuke's physique must already far surpass what Guy had back then.
But that wasn't the shocking part.
The pain of opening the First Gate was the same for everyone.
Only someone completely fearless of agony could break through that barrier.
No wonder the technique wasn't widely taught—
most people couldn't endure this even if they wanted to.
Guy's shock slowly melted into admiration.
"Ryosuke… you really are suited for taijutsu."
Then, more seriously:
"But don't rush. Strengthen your foundation first."
Ryosuke nodded. Guy was right.
He didn't even know how long he could maintain the First Gate.
He'd closed it quickly yesterday—excitement and Kurenai had distracted him from testing its duration.
But now he understood:
Chakra determined how long one could maintain the Gates.
That was why Rock Lee had stalled at the Sixth Gate—
his chakra reserves simply couldn't support more.
Ryosuke inhaled and focused.
He gathered chakra… and—
Boom.
The First Gate snapped open instantly.
A thick vein bulged along his forehead, skin darkening with power.
A wave of heat burst from him, rippling through the clearing.
Guy watched silently, even though he already knew Ryosuke had succeeded.
Seeing it happen before his eyes was another matter entirely.
Now came the real test:
How long could Ryosuke maintain it?
○ 10 minutes.
Ryosuke remained stable.
Guy's eyes narrowed.
When he'd opened it for the first time, he'd lasted one minute—barely.
○ 30 minutes.
Ryosuke's breathing grew heavier, but he was still holding strong.
Guy felt his scalp tingle.
This boy wasn't just talented—
he was born for the Eight Gates.
Three days to open the First Gate,
and holding it for half an hour…
Guy exhaled slowly.
"Ryosuke, enough. I'll teach you the Second Gate now."
Ryosuke released the chakra flow.
The Gate closed.
The vein faded.
Color returned to his skin.
A wave of weakness washed through him—normal recoil.
As his physique improved, even that would diminish.
⭐ Learning the Second Gate — The Gate of Rest (休門)
Guy's expression turned solemn.
"The Second Gate—Rest—is also located in the brain. Opposite the Opening Gate, on the left."
He shifted into position.
Bang.
Twin veins bulged at his temples.
His skin darkened.
His aura surged with explosive vitality.
"The Gate of Rest releases the brain's fatigue limiter," Guy explained.
"It restores stamina and counteracts exhaustion from the First Gate."
Ryosuke activated his Sharingan.
The chakra pathways,
the meridian nodes,
the exact angle and rhythm of chakra impact—
he recorded everything.
Once his body recovered enough, he began.
He refined chakra—
guided it—
and struck the Rest Gate.
Agony hit immediately.
It wasn't like the Opening Gate's stabbing pain.
This was deeper—
a knife twisting in the center of his skull.
He gritted his teeth and kept going.
More chakra.
More pressure.
More pain.
The Rest Gate trembled… widening a fraction.
But then—
a tidal wave of agony crashed through him.
His fingertips went numb.
His back drenched with sweat.
The world darkened at the edges.
Still—he endured.
Ten minutes.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Nearly an hour passed.
Sweat dripped from his chin like rain.
His hair clung to his cheeks.
His breath came shallow and ragged.
Guy watched, and for the first time…
felt fear.
This…
this wasn't normal training.
This was self-destruction with discipline.
Even Guy hadn't trained so recklessly.
Not with the Rest Gate.
One wrong push and the brain could rupture.
Alarm finally overriding admiration, Guy lunged forward.
"Ryosuke! Stop! Don't be reckless!"
His voice wasn't scolding.
It was trembling.
He was terrified.
Because the way Ryosuke trained—
even Might Guy feared the boy would kill himself.
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