To put it simply, compared to Jinin Akebino and Pakura, Might Guy didn't seem nearly as dangerous.
Whoosh—!
Might Guy dived forward again, closing the distance between himself and Yagura, entering his ideal combat range!
This time, both his speed and strength had risen to another level!
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
In terms of pure taijutsu, Might Guy's strength was undoubtedly above that of a standard Chunin.
But at this level, Yagura could easily keep up.
Noting the weights strapped to Guy's legs, Yagura crouched low, dodging the incoming strike. The whipping leg kick passed just overhead, cutting through the air so fast it sent a chill down his spine.
Might Guy quickly retreated with a leap.
Once again, his proud taijutsu attack had failed to land a solid hit.
Yagura, in contrast, casually stood up, hands still in his pockets, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. He looked completely at ease.
How could this be?!
"This is... exhilarating!"
Might Guy clenched his fists in excitement, raising his arms with a shout, once again assuming his fighting stance as he locked eyes with Yagura.
"Youth! Such boundless youth! I will defeat you here!"
As long as you don't open the Eight Gates, everything is fine.
Of course, defeating me is out of the question.
...
A towering wall of water surged up, cutting off Might Guy's advance.
Yagura was starting to get into the rhythm of battle.
"Water Release: Water Barrier!"
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Might Guy leaped high into the air, sweeping his leg in a powerful arc, slicing through the water wall. As he descended, he delivered another crushing kick aimed straight at Yagura.
Boom!
The impact shattered the stone floor beneath them.
Yagura dodged and immediately launched a counterattack, stepping forward with a clenched fist aimed directly at Guy.
Guy, still regaining his footing, barely managed to tilt his head to evade. He was surprised by Yagura's own taijutsu proficiency. Raising both arms in a hurry, he blocked the next punch and used the force to propel himself backward.
Flipping in midair, he landed gracefully, then immediately shot forward again like a wild beast.
Once more, they clashed at close range, exchanging fierce blows and kicks.
...
Observing their battle, Mukumo spoke up.
"Fourteen times."
"Hmm."
Ringo Ameyuri added, "So far, Yagura has had fourteen opportunities to end the fight with his Coral Palm."
Why hasn't he used it?
Because he knew more than either of them.
Might Guy had a way to break through the coral's confinement.
It wasn't just about his raw taijutsu skill and power.
The Eight Gates Technique unleashed immense chakra from every pore in the body, capable of shattering any restraint.
If possible, Yagura would avoid pushing Guy to the point where he would activate the Eight Gates.
Because at that point, the battle would become troublesome.
...
Ducking under Guy's punch, Yagura grabbed his opponent's extended arm.
With Guy's focus on their upper-body exchange, Yagura suddenly twisted, lowering his stance and sweeping a leg toward Guy's lower half.
However, Guy's reflexes were just as sharp. The moment he felt Yagura pull on his arm, he reacted, leaping to evade the incoming kick.
Yagura exhaled lightly and released his grip.
Not good!
Still airborne, Guy realized what was coming next, his expression shifting.
He's about to use a jutsu! Is it Water Release?!
I can't let him create distance!
"No way! Leaf Whirlwind—!"
Despite having no foothold in the air, Guy forcefully rotated his body, spinning 270 degrees to unleash a devastating kick aimed at Yagura!
Swish!
To Guy's shock, Yagura smoothly stepped back, dodging the strike with ease.
In the same instant, he gathered water into his right hand, forming it into a razor-sharp blade. Lowering into a stance, he pressed his back leg into the ground.
"Lightning Release: Thunderclap and Flash!"
Except for a select few, including the Third Hokage, the only thing most spectators saw was a flash of lightning—
—and then Yagura was behind Might Guy.
The previously blue water blade was now stained red.
Squelch!
Blood spurted from deep gashes in both of Guy's knees!
A sharp, nerve-piercing pain shot through his legs, and the sudden loss of blood left him dizzy. His mind went blank for a moment, and when he came to, he was already crashing to the ground.
Rolling several times, he pressed his hands to the floor, steadying himself. His knees trembled as he attempted to stand.
But just as he straightened up, his legs gave out again, nearly causing him to collapse.
Zzzzt!
His muscles spasmed—his legs were going numb.
Raising his gaze, his eyes locked onto Yagura's weapon, and his heart sank.
Damn… so the water blade was infused with Lightning Release chakra… causing paralysis.
Yagura tilted the water blade slightly, letting a few drops of blood splatter onto his cheek.
A grin spread across his face.
"Love using your legs? Then I'll cripple them."
The words, spoken so lightly, sent a chill through the entire watchtower.
Some of the younger shinobi instinctively pressed their legs together, fearfully eyeing Yagura.
Then, glancing at Guy, they couldn't help but feel relieved that they weren't the ones fighting Yagura.
Ringo Ameyuri and Mukumo exchanged looks.
Mukumo hesitated. "He's doing it again..."
Ameyuri simply shrugged. "Yeah, sometimes he gets like this."
They were used to it by now.
Lately, their usually cheerful and easygoing little sunshine tended to act… differently during battle. Especially when dealing with weaker opponents.
Don't ask why.
They'd been on the receiving end before.
...
Guy had instinctively crossed his arms to protect his vitals, but he hadn't expected Yagura's target to be his knees from the very beginning.
Tearing off a roll of bandages, he hastily wrapped them around his bleeding wounds. The cloth was quickly soaked red, but he ignored it, winding the bandages tighter, biting the end to secure them.
Pain flared as he stood, his legs still trembling. The lingering electricity sent his vision swimming. The world flickered white.
Looking up, he met Yagura's calm gaze.
He's just a kid. Seven, maybe eight years old.
Yet his strength had already reached such a level.
A genius…
Another one.
Just like Kakashi.
Back then, Kakashi was also a super-genius, passing his early graduation exam that year…
And by the next year, he was already a Chunin.
I could only watch his back, separated by an impossible gap.
A gap called talent.
...
"Five hundred laps. If I can't finish, I'll do five hundred handstand laps. If I can't do that, five hundred push-ups. If I still can't, five hundred finger push-ups."
He had fought every step of the way to catch up.
And now…
At least in taijutsu, I will never lose!
...
Guy yanked up his pant legs, revealing the heavy weights strapped beneath.
Youth… burns!
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
Read more than +100 chapters and support me on Patreon
Patreon(.)com/Jixo