NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: Nativity of a World of Trees
One day after Shun taught Guy the Rasengan, he was solemnly entrusted with the Eight Gates by Duy.
The training that week left Shun amazed.
No wonder the Eight Gates technique had been around for years, yet only Duy, Guy, and the future Metal Lee had mastered it.
The way chakra circulated through meridians, how to open the Eight Gates, and how to unlock them in the most precise way to unleash potential all contained countless intricate techniques.
The human body was inherently fragile, and meridians and acupoints were even more prone to damage. Moreover, the first two gates were located in the human brain. If mishandled, opening these 'Gates' could be fatal on the spot.
Especially the first gate, as opening it required releasing the brain's limitations to fully utilize 100% of the body's capabilities, it had to be done with utmost care.
No wonder Duy had been mocked for so long and it had taken him twenty years to master the entire technique.
With Duy as an expert teacher guiding Shun, his pace in mastering the Eight Gates accelerated significantly. Additionally, while in the True Spirit Reincarnation mode, all negative effects wouldn't return to the main body. With his Sage Body, Shun dared to push his training even further than Duy and Guy.
Finally, on the night before the monthly assessment of the Ninja Academy, Shun managed to open the first gate.
It was already late at night when Shun, after carefully closing the Eight Gates, walked to his room's balcony.
He leaned on the railing and gazed at the deep, starry sky, the orange glow of Konoha Village, while also glancing at the golden roulette wheel.
—Naruto—
[Remaining stay time: 8 days]
"Given the current situation, if things continue as is, there won't be anything else to gain, and everything will return to normal once time runs out."
"Although this time's harvest is good, tomorrow's assessment might not be an opportunity to strike it rich."
"Since True Spirit Reincarnation can clear all negative effects when returning to the main world, I might as well go big!"
As if thinking of something, Shun went back inside, wrote some letters, and placed them in a drawer.
He then took out a sheet of blank paper, and as his pen moved, names began to appear one by one.
And the name at the center of the entire page was...
Shimura Danzo!
❀❀❀
The Ninja Academy was exceptionally quiet that day.
It was a beautiful day with clear skies and a strong breeze, but up close, most of the students wore serious expressions.
Even Anko, usually the most cheerful and energetic, was quiet, occasionally practicing ninjutsu hand signs.
Of course, on this day of the monthly assessment, some felt anxious while others were excited.
For instance, members of the Uchiha Clan (except Obito) and other clan students were very proud, eager to enjoy the limelight this one day of the month.
When the bell rang, the Ninja Academy students gathered at the training grounds with awareness.
The junior classes were a bit more relaxed; they only had to compete in basic shuriken skills and the three basic techniques.
However, in the senior classes where Shun, Kurenai, and Anko were, they had already started fighting under the guidance of their class instructors.
At first, it was rookie duels, and both Kurenai and Anko won easily.
With explosions and ninjutsu duels, the atmosphere grew more intense. When everyone saw the silver-haired Kakashi on the stage, the excitement peaked.
The reason was simple: this famous genius, son of Konoha's White Fang, was up against an Uchiha Clan member who had activated his Sharingan.
His opponent was a student preparing to graduate that year. With the one-tomoe Sharingan activated, this combat strength was already at a Genin level.
"Go, Shinno!"
"Show that kid the power of Uchiha!"
"I can't stand this guy for a long time!"
"Kakashi, so handsome!"
"Come on, Kakashi, don't let those smug ones win!"
Amid the cheers of fanatical supporters around, the two on the training ground held kunai and stared at each other calmly.
Both sides observed each other closely, and finally, amid the shouting, the two figures moved simultaneously.
*CLANG*
The crisp sound of kunai clashing was pleasing to the ear.
Both figures collided in the center of the field like arrows released from taut strings. In just a breath, the kunai clashed repeatedly, producing one spark after another.
The first round of combat had the audience cheering loudly.
If the opponent had been anyone before, they would have been defeated by these two before they could even form a hand sign.
The two exchanged blows at a dizzying speed, and then both had to retreat after neither gained the upper hand.
Suddenly, the eyes of the Uchiha member turned red, and the one-tomoe Sharingan locked onto Kakashi's movements with murderous intent.
Amid the cheers of the Uchiha Clan, the opponent displayed exceptional shuriken skills, and several black shadows shot directly at Kakashi's body.
The impressive skill of manipulating the collision of shurikens to change their trajectory could only be performed by an Uchiha with Sharingan.
In response, Kakashi demonstrated remarkable hand-sign skills, using Fire Release as the shurikens flew into the air.
The fireball launched like a seed of impatience spreading in all directions, attacking the opponent!
Moreover, all the flames were controlled by chakra, making them difficult to dodge. Alongside their stunning visual effect, they packed significant power.
This level of attack caused the surrounding girls to scream.
Simultaneously, veins appeared around Uchiha Shinno's eyes.
"Playing with fire in front of an Uchiha, are you seeking death?"
Almost instantly, expending most of his chakra, Shinno formed hand signs and spewed a massive fireball forward.
A Level-C ninjutsu completed in an instant, destroying the opponent's fireball while covering Kakashi's figure and sending him flying.
"Hmph, foolish."
Shinno snorted coldly, about to claim victory, when he suddenly felt cold at his neck.
Kakashi's figure had turned into wood, and at some point, he had appeared behind the opponent, completing the 'kill'.
The audience erupted in cheers, staring at Kakashi in admiration.
As the protagonist figure, Kakashi seemed indifferent, as if it was just a trivial matter.
In such a warm atmosphere, Guy rushed to the center of the training field.
"Kakashi! Accept my challenge and ignite your youth!"
The appearance of the school's famous underdog and his passionate shout drew everyone's attention.
"I refuse. You're too weak and unqualified to fight me."
Kakashi rejected without hesitation.
"Kakashi, are you afraid? This time, I will definitely defeat you!"
Guy shouted desperately, but Kakashi remained unmoved.
"Hey, did the taijutsu 'genius' break his head running last night? A weakling who doesn't even know ninjutsu wants to challenge a genius?" joked Shiranui Genma, holding a leaf in his mouth, making everyone around laugh.
"Why, if idiots like you were willing to challenge the strong, the world would have been in chaos long ago. Idiots will remain idiots. Don't waste time on the exam."
Ebisu stood beside Genma, pushing up the small sunglasses on his eyes, and his mocking words made everyone laugh again.
"Right, battles between the strong are rewards for the weak like you. Until you have equivalent power, just keep running in circles!" Genma laughed.
At this moment, Guy trembled with their words, especially under the mocking gazes and humiliating atmosphere, making his face flush with embarrassment.
Shun glanced at the two chatterboxes. If his memory was correct, these two would become Guy's teammates after graduation. In the end, they'd be moved by Guy's persistence and sincerity, apologizing earnestly.
However, right now, they were the main culprits discriminating against Guy.
'I was only planning to mess with Kakashi, but now that you've jumped in, the bigger the scene, the better!'
*BANG*
Shun kicked a wooden post beside him into the center of the field, and the sudden loud noise silenced everyone.
When the smoke cleared and everyone could see again, there was a wooden post in the middle of the field, and atop it stood a boy even colder and more handsome than Kakashi.
"You speak words like that to suppress your friend and laugh at him—are you worthy of being Konoha ninja?"
Shun's voice spread throughout the Ninja Academy.
But as each person lifted their angry eyes to meet the bloody magatama filled with killing intent, they all lowered their heads, trembling, unable to withstand the terror and doubt in their hearts.
"You said battles between the strong are a reward for the weak?"
"Then I'll give you a chance. Everyone who just laughed at Guy, gather up. This reward is presented by Takema Shun!"
Looking at Kakashi, Genma, Ebisu, and other ninjas, Shun tilted his head and laughed:
"What, do Konoha ninjas not even have the courage to act?"
His words were like a fuse. As the final word fell, dozens of shurikens flew toward Shun without hesitation.
From Kakashi to the geniuses from various Konoha clans, colorful techniques stained the sky like a sea of flames.
Amidst countless moments of crisis, Shun spoke indifferently, and his words were clear to all:
"Wood Release Secret Technique: Nativity of a World of Trees