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"Well… the third gate is also functioning steadily."
"Little Li, I'll examine the state of your fourth gate!"
"Alright!"
With Tian Yu's signal, Xiao Li immediately followed his instructions and opened the fourth gate.
"Gate of Pain—Open!"
With a roar, a visible surge of chakra erupted from Xiao Li's body. His energy intensified, and his speed skyrocketed again—this time even more terrifying than before.
Under the influence of the fourth gate, Xiao Li's movement became a blur, his steps leaving cracks across the forest floor. His limbs blurred as he dashed about, breaking the air with sheer velocity.
Even Hyuga Neji, with his Byakugan activated, could barely keep up. What he saw was no longer a form—it was just streaks of afterimages.
Seeing this—
Hyuga Neji's ever-calm face twitched visibly several times.
There was something very profane he wanted to say…
Hyuga Neji (internally): "How can someone be so monstrous? Li Luo, you were hiding all of this just to explode like this in front of me?"
---
"Little Li, stop!"
Deep within the Forest of Death,
Tian Yu finally called out, halting Xiao Li's intense offensive. He signaled for Xiao Li to withdraw from the Eight Gates Formation state.
Xiao Li responded instantly. A few meters away, the fiery aura around his body faded as he deactivated the gates, gasping hard for breath. His whole body trembled as exhaustion surged from within.
"Opening the fourth gate still causes your chakra flow to lose balance. Your body isn't yet adapted to the intense chakra volume it unleashes…"
Tian Yu gave his analysis calmly, but firmly.
"You should continue tempering your physique with foundational training. Only after mastering that can you even think of opening the fifth gate. If you force it now, your body won't hold—it could collapse from the sheer internal pressure."
Xiao Li nodded solemnly. "I understand. Thank you, Brother Tian Yu!"
Tian Yu smiled. "You've improved tremendously, Xiao Li. Really impressive progress!"
"For now, let's wrap it up. Remember this well—unless it's a true life-or-death battle, never open the fifth gate without full preparation!"
He emphasized it once more with conviction.
Xiao Li clenched his fist and gave a firm nod. "I'll always remember what Brother Tian Yu taught me!"
And with that—
The guidance training for Rock Lee ended for the day.
Tian Yu turned to the side. "Neji, you're up next. Come on."
However, Hyuga Neji still looked dumbfounded from witnessing Xiao Li's explosive strength.
Was this really the same Li he sparred with before?
He subconsciously shook his head. "No… I'll wait for the next round to ask you for guidance."
"Huh? Weren't you just…" Tian Yu tilted his head slightly, confused by Neji's sudden change of heart.
Earlier, during the match with Xiao Li, Neji had been so eager, stating he wanted to spar with Tian Yu next.
So why the sudden retreat?
Tian Yu didn't press further.
After all, training sparring was a personal matter. Besides, his agreement to guide Neji stemmed from respect for Might Guy's mentorship.
Neji backing out? That just meant less work for Tian Yu. Nothing to complain about.
"Well… It's not even dark yet. We've got some time."
"How about I treat everyone to a light meal?"
With Neji bowing out, their schedule unexpectedly freed up.
This might even be a good opportunity to find a nice place to eat… and maybe let Teacher Guy have a few drinks in peace.
"Cough, cough…"
"Since Neji's out—then I'll step in!"
From the side—
Might Guy suddenly stood up, his eyes shining as he looked at Tian Yu.
"After seeing your battle with Xiao Li, my blood is boiling!"
"Tian Yu, we haven't sparred in ages—come! Let me see how far you've grown!"
"Uh… this…"
Tian Yu instantly regretted being so generous with the meal offer.
Sparring with Might Guy? That wasn't part of the plan.
But still… this was Teacher Guy.
The same Might Guy who had taught him the Eight Gates Formation, trained him fiercely, and watched over him like a second father.
Tian Yu couldn't turn down his heartfelt excitement.
"Well… alright then."
"Since the Forest of Death is empty, we can go all out!"
"Let's keep it to 80% of our strength, though—it's getting late and we still need to eat afterward."
Without hesitation—
Tian Yu activated the Eight Gates Formation. The ground beneath his feet cracked as a storm-like wave of chakra exploded around him.
The sheer volume of energy surged outward, shaking the treetops violently.
Hyuga Neji was nearly blown off his feet by the shockwave.
"Tian Yu…"
"H-He…"
"So strong…"
Neji stammered in disbelief.
He stared at the visible, dense chakra, swirling like a physical substance around Tian Yu.
Eighty percent?
Even at 80%, this was overwhelming.
Neji stood frozen, his worldview crumbling bit by bit.
Meanwhile,
Might Guy let out a wild, excited laugh and immediately entered the Eight Gates Formation as well.
His chakra didn't just flare—it condensed, forming a pressure so intense it warped the surrounding air.
Neji's eyes widened again.
This man—this cheerful, loud, passionate teacher who always shouted about "youth"—
Was a monster in disguise!
"Tian Yu, I won't be holding back!"
"Teacher Guy, give me everything you've got!"
With their mutual challenge accepted, the two elite warriors leapt into combat!
Tian Yu and Might Guy—two users of the Eight Gates Formation…
Collided!
The sheer pressure of their fists colliding shook the entire forest.
Their movements blurred beyond Neji's comprehension. Not even his Byakugan could track their speed now.
Only muffled thunderclaps echoed as shockwaves rippled outward.
Even from a distance, the tremors crushed trees, split rocks, and sent Li and Neji tumbling backward from the epicenter.
Chunks of broken trunks flew through the air.
Branches snapped like brittle sticks.
It was as if the Forest of Death was being reshaped—not intentionally, but by the residual force of their unmatched clash.
"…Is this really the strength of Tian Yu and Teacher Guy…"
Neji could only mutter.
A casual training match between the two had reduced a swath of the forest into ruin.
---
Half an hour later—
The storm ceased.
Tian Yu and Might Guy stepped out from the wreckage, breathing heavily, yet still standing tall.
"Hahaha! What a refreshing fight!" Might Guy bellowed, clearly pleased.
"Tian Yu, you've become far stronger than before!"
Tian Yu replied humbly, "I'm still nowhere near Teacher Guy's level."
There was no need to overshadow his mentor—not when the path forward was paved by Might Guy himself.
The disciple surpassing the master?
Not today.
Not while the will of youth still burned strong.
"Let's stop here."
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