Uchiha Kagami immediately activated his Sharingan, observing the changes in Kazuku's chakra.
As Kazuku entered the Eight Gates state, his aura transformed dramatically, exerting pressure even on Kagami, who stood outside the arena.
"Who do you think will win?" Koharu stared at Kazuku, dumbfounded, unable to resist asking.
Though Kazuku had courage and confidence, she knew Danzo better.
In taijutsu and ninjutsu, Danzo excelled.
With Kazuku's Senju monstrous strength banned by Lord Tobirama…
She saw no way for Kazuku to defeat Danzo.
But now, her perspective shifted.
The Kazuku who'd activated the Eight Gates was a completely different person.
Still, Koharu didn't believe Kazuku could've mastered the Eight Gates in just one day.
Even if his talent was monstrous, learning it in a single day was too outrageous!
It was more likely Kazuku had been secretly studying the Eight Gates from the start!
"Probably… Danzo," Menma said softly, but even he hadn't noticed his answer lacked the certainty it once held.
Kazuku's performance had exceeded everyone's expectations.
"Danzo will win," Hiruzen said, unwavering in his support.
"Young Master Kazuku opening the Eight Gates is surprising, but it's no ordinary technique."
Hiruzen shared his analysis with the others.
"The Eight Gates Technique requires not only exceptional talent but an extraordinarily robust physique to sustain it. Otherwise, the damage to muscles and meridians would be immense!"
Though Hiruzen hadn't trained in the Eight Gates, he understood it well.
To use it, one needed extreme, overload training beyond human limits for extended periods.
Only that could condition the body's organs and tissues to minimize the technique's damage.
And even then, it only minimized it!
Forcing the gates open could leave lifelong injuries at best or end a ninja's career at worst!
"I must admit, at seven, Young Master Kazuku is an unparalleled genius in taijutsu!" Hiruzen continued.
"But to defeat Danzo by pushing himself into such danger? That's utterly unwise!"
"No, it's reckless!"
"He won't last long enough to beat Danzo—he'll collapse from muscle damage first!"
Hiruzen's analysis flowed nonstop.
Though shocked again by Kazuku's talent, he still didn't believe Kazuku could win!
Unlike Might Batsu, who'd trained his physique to an extreme degree through inhuman methods…
Kazuku's physique couldn't handle the power he was wielding!
In truth, Hiruzen wasn't the only one to see this.
Kazuku himself knew full well the damage the Eight Gates could inflict.
He understood it better than anyone here.
That's why he hadn't immediately jumped to the Gate of Pain or Gate of Limit.
He knew his physical limits.
So, he'd only opened three gates.
This was the Eight Gates' last safe zone, burning energy exponentially but not damaging muscles or meridians.
As for the drained energy, Kazuku could replenish it with Hashirama's Chakra to sustain the three gates.
But…
It still wouldn't last long.
He had to end this quickly!
"Here I come, Danzo!" Kazuku roared, his bent knees snapping straight, unleashing his explosive power to the fullest.
Danzo's eyes widened, not daring to blink. Kazuku's performance shattered his worldview.
A seven-year-old mastering the Eight Gates?
Hadn't he had no prior training?
How could his physique handle it?
No…
How could anyone learn the Eight Gates at seven?!
It was too exaggerated, too absurd!
But undeniably, Kazuku had done it.
Huff…
Danzo took a deep breath, his movements swift and precise. He pulled a kunai from his pouch, threw it at Kazuku, and began forming hand seals for Wind Release.
His tactic was simple.
He knew the Eight Gates rapidly consumed energy.
Kazuku couldn't sustain it long.
If he kept Kazuku at bay, preventing close combat…
Kazuku's body would hit its limit, forcibly deactivating the Eight Gates.
Then, victory would be Danzo's with a single word.
But what Danzo never could've dreamed…
Despite not blinking, keeping Kazuku locked in his sights…
In the next second…
Kazuku vanished!
Yes!
He just disappeared!
"Where is he?!" Danzo's scalp tingled, his breath catching. Losing his target meant he couldn't even defend.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. The pressure Kazuku exerted felt like a mountain crashing down.
He hadn't even noticed his hands and legs trembling slightly!
"I'm here," Kazuku's voice came from behind.
For a ninja, exposing their back to an enemy…
Meant handing their life to them!
Life or death, entirely in the opponent's control!
Unprecedented fear surged in Danzo's heart. He opened his mouth, roaring hysterically, "I won't lose to you!"
But as he spun, swinging his fist, he realized Kazuku wasn't behind him!
To be precise, as Danzo turned, Kazuku used even greater speed to circle back behind him.
The man who'd later found Root…
Who'd orchestrated the Uchiha clan's destruction without bloodshed…
Who, during Pain's invasion, preserved his strength and used Pain to eliminate rivals…
Was now being toyed with by Kazuku!
"Danzo, you're too slow," Kazuku's voice rang in his ear again.
This time, Kazuku wasn't playing. As he spoke, he clenched his fist, striking Danzo's abdomen.
With Danzo flailing, his entire body was wide open!
Thud!
With a muffled impact, Danzo's feet left the ground, his back arching. Intense pain radiated from his abdomen, forcing him to vomit his breakfast.
Kazuku's onslaught had just begun.
After the straight punch, he planted his hands on the ground, shifting his weight, and whipped his right leg out, striking Danzo's abdomen again.
Then, bending his elbows forcefully, he propelled himself off the ground with explosive strength.
Left leg.
Right leg.
Consecutive spinning kicks chased Danzo, sending him higher and higher!
(End of Chapter)