Chapter 190: Might Guy Opens the Door
"Do you think my speed is fast?" Mugetsu asked calmly.
"Fast," Kakashi answered without hesitation.
To him, Mugetsu was the fastest shinobi he had ever seen. When Mugetsu unleashed his full speed, Kakashi couldn't even track him with his eyes—it was as if he vanished from sight altogether.
"If you can master the Ninjutsu I'm about to teach you," Mugetsu said with a faint chuckle, "then you too can become as fast as I am."
Kakashi straightened his posture, eyes gleaming beneath his mask.
Mugetsu had long noticed Kakashi's exceptional Lightning Release talent, and among all the Breathing Techniques, Lightning Breathing suited him best. As for Kakashi's delayed reaction problem, Mugetsu knew it could be fixed with enough training.
The Fourth Raikage had reached speed comparable to the Flying Thunder God Technique by using his Lightning Release Chakra Mode. He didn't suffer reaction issues because Lightning Release enhanced his nerve signals, accelerating his reflexes. Lightning Breathing worked in the same way—it was not inferior to the Raikage's Chakra Mode and could achieve the same results.
Even if Kakashi struggled with micro-control, mastering Lightning Breathing would still enhance his Lightning Release and reaction time. Once he achieved the Transparent World state, any lingering limitations would vanish.
"The Ninjutsu I'm about to teach you," Mugetsu warned, his tone suddenly solemn, "is powerful enough to be classified as a Forbidden Jutsu. Its difficulty is extremely high—prepare yourself mentally."
He needed Kakashi to understand the weight of what he was about to learn—to instill gratitude and respect for the technique's worth.
"Forbidden Jutsu?!" Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief.
He had only been Mugetsu's disciple for half a month. Just yesterday, he had learned a Secret Technique, and now, today, a Forbidden Jutsu?
"Could it be that Teacher Mugetsu knew my father?" Kakashi thought silently, suspicion flickering in his mind.
Mugetsu's generosity reminded him too much of Sakumo's few trusted friends. High-level Ninjutsu, Secret Techniques, even Forbidden Jutsu—Mugetsu handed them out as easily as C-Rank missions. Kakashi had been on several teams, yet never witnessed such teaching before.
"The name of this Forbidden Jutsu," Mugetsu began, "is Lightning Breathing. Its essence lies in strengthening oneself through focused breathing.
Once you master Total Concentration Breathing, you can accelerate the process of Lightning Release Nature Transformation, and at the same time, stimulate your cells with Lightning Chakra to enhance your physical power."
"Enhancing Nature Transformation… and activating cells?" Kakashi murmured, utterly astonished. He had heard of techniques that activated cells—but boosting a Nature Transformation through breathing? That was unheard of.
Then, as he pondered, a realization struck him. He recalled the moments during missions when Obito and Guy displayed extraordinary bursts of strength—far beyond their usual capabilities.
"Have Obito and Guy already learned it?" Kakashi asked.
"They've learned Breathing Techniques," Mugetsu replied truthfully. "But theirs differ from yours. There are multiple Breathing Styles."
"Obito practices Flame Breathing, which enhances Fire Release and physical ability. Guy practices Rock Breathing, which doesn't affect Nature Transformations but greatly strengthens the body."
Kakashi was stunned. He hadn't imagined that these powerful arts came in variations—and that Mugetsu had mastered them all.
It explained everything: the unnatural progress of both Obito and Guy, the impossible leaps in power. Under a teacher like Mugetsu, it all made sense.
"If you learn Lightning Breathing quickly," Mugetsu said with a grin, "I might consider teaching you other Breathing Techniques as well."
Different Breathing Techniques didn't conflict with one another—but teaching too many at once would waste time and effort. For now, Lightning Breathing alone would suffice.
"We've talked enough," Mugetsu said finally. "Let me demonstrate Lightning Breathing."
He shifted his breathing rhythm, activating the Total Concentration state. Then, gripping Kakashi by the shoulder, he disappeared in a flash.
The world blurred.
When Mugetsu finally set him down, Kakashi staggered, his legs trembling.
For a moment, he thought he had toured the entire South Border Forest in seconds. His breathing was ragged, his heart pounding uncontrollably.
"Of course," Mugetsu continued calmly, "once a Breathing Technique reaches a certain level, it evolves into a Chakra Mode unique to that Breathing Style.
For Lightning Breathing, that means using Lightning Release Ninjutsu without hand seals, amplifying Lightning Release power, and sustaining continuous cell activation."
As Kakashi steadied himself, Mugetsu entered Lightning Breathing once more. His breathing deepened; lightning crackled across his skin.
In an instant, Mugetsu's entire body was wrapped in blinding blue electricity—his movements sharp, his aura overwhelming. He looked less like a human and more like a god of lightning descended upon the earth.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
Mugetsu didn't form a single hand seal. He simply opened his mouth—and a massive surge of lightning shot forth, obliterating everything in front of him.
Then, he clenched his hand, forming a lightning spear midair. Blue-white thunder coiled around his arm before the spear launched forward like a comet.
A deafening explosion followed, shaking the ground and carving a crater where the forest once stood.
In the Lightning Breathing Mark state, Mugetsu's every move radiated devastating power. Each strike was comparable to a high-tier Lightning Release Jutsu.
This was the true potential of the Breathing Technique Mark—a state that transcended standard Ninjutsu, allowing the user to manifest their element with pure will.
It was magnificent—but also devastatingly costly. Chakra poured out like water with every movement.
Satisfied that Kakashi had witnessed its might, Mugetsu exhaled, deactivating the Mark. The crackling energy around him faded.
Kakashi stood silently for a long moment, awe flickering in his single visible eye.
"No wonder it's a Forbidden Jutsu," he murmured.
For the first time, he felt that his understanding of what defined a Ninja—and power itself—had changed completely.
The sight of Mugetsu unleashing devastating lightning with nothing more than a single clap was simply too exaggerated. Kakashi knew that even with perfect hand seals, he couldn't replicate such power.
What unsettled him even more was the realization that Mugetsu had mastered not just one, but multiple Breathing Techniques. If his Flame Breathing Chakra Mode could create a sea of fire with a single exhale, then what kind of monstrous strength would his body possess under Rock Breathing Chakra Mode?
And if—just if—Mugetsu combined several Breathing Modes together and reinforced them with Haki… Kakashi couldn't even begin to imagine how terrifying that power would be.
Mugetsu's strength, in his eyes, was unfathomable—like a bottomless abyss that no one could measure.
"We'll start with the basics," Mugetsu said, his voice calm yet authoritative. "You must first change your normal breathing into Concentrated Breathing."
Though Kakashi's overall strength far surpassed the others', his initial performance was about the same as theirs when they had started learning Breathing Techniques.
[You taught your disciple Lightning Breathing. Due to the disciple's immense gratitude, a critical reward was triggered. You received Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient Level)]
Mugetsu nodded in satisfaction. Although the reward was "only" Proficient Level, he valued high-level Chakra Nature Transformation even more than Mastered Ninjutsu. Only unique powers like Armament Haki and Breathing Techniques could surpass it in worth.
The afternoon passed in steady training. Yet, like Shisui and Obito before him, Kakashi didn't gain any visible proficiency on his first day.
Learning an entire afternoon with no measurable progress left Kakashi, usually a fast learner, mildly frustrated. But after Mugetsu's patient explanation—that Lightning Breathing was far more intricate than any Ninjutsu he'd studied before—his frustration quickly faded.
As the sun began to set, Mugetsu received encouraging news.
Might Guy had finally opened the first of the Eight Gates.
Immediately, the system echoed its familiar tone:
[Disciple Might Guy, under your guidance, diligently trained and achieved a certain increase in strength. You received the reward: Eight Gates (Proficient)]
Mugetsu's eyes brightened slightly.
It was a remarkable reward—no partial Gates, no incomplete stages—just the full set of Eight Gates, directly at Proficient Level.
Though Mugetsu seldom relied on the Eight Gates in combat, his body had been steadily tempered through the continuous Rock Breathing Constant State. One day, he believed, he'd be able to open the Sixth or even the Seventh Gate without sustaining injuries.
Even if he never needed to use it himself, it would serve as perfect reference material for teaching Guy.
He had expected Obito to trigger the next improvement reward, but Guy had overtaken him—an early reward for pure diligence.
Mugetsu couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
"Obito's most difficult era is coming," he thought. "Until he awakens his Sharingan, he won't be able to defeat anyone except Rin."
Against Guy—who now combined Eight Gates with Rock Breathing—Obito had no chance. Kakashi already surpassed him, and as for Shisui… he was on an entirely different level. The youngest of Mugetsu's disciples, yet the strongest.
"Guy," Mugetsu said, "familiarize yourself more with the Gate of Opening. The first three gates are the safe zone—you can train them aggressively without worry."
Guy nodded seriously, his eyes blazing with the spirit of youth.
Now that Guy had finally mastered the Eight Gates, Mugetsu knew it was time to complete the long-standing training mission.
Kakashi's progress with Lightning Breathing was steady; as long as he remained disciplined, his strength would increase rapidly. Even an incomplete Breathing Technique could provide significant improvement if practiced correctly.
Mugetsu calculated the time. Guy's training mission had lasted over five months—his longest one yet. The completion reward would surely be substantial.
Interestingly, after Guy's trust level rose to four, no new life mission had appeared. Mugetsu suspected that training missions couldn't coexist with life missions, or perhaps life missions were locked until the current training concluded.
As for Guy's eventual life mission, Mugetsu could easily guess it: to become the strongest Taijutsu user in the Ninja World.
Five days later, another notification arrived.
[Disciple Uchiha Obito, under your guidance, diligently trained and achieved a certain increase in strength. You received the reward: Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient Level)]
Mugetsu sighed softly, a trace of regret flickering in his eyes. "If only it had been Wind Release, I could've perfected all five nature transformations…"
Still, the reward wasn't bad. The Proficient Fire Release Nature Transformation converted into 750 proficiency points, raising his own Fire Release to 8,350 proficiency—Master Level.
Within those same five days, Guy became increasingly fluent with opening the Eight Gates.
When Mugetsu compared the power levels of Guy and Kakashi, he found that Guy—using Rock Breathing and Eight Gates simultaneously—held a slight edge in pure strength.
Satisfied, Mugetsu decided it was time to arrange a real test.
"Practical combat helps you master what you've learned," he declared. "Guy, you'll face Kakashi. Obito, you'll spar with Shisui. After your matches, rest briefly, then switch opponents."
The announcement sparked immediate reactions. Obito groaned dramatically.
"Why not me against Kakashi?" he protested. "Fighting Shisui is so boring! He never gives me any openings!"
Mugetsu hid a smile. Obito's frustration was predictable—and useful.
Meanwhile, Guy grinned widely, giving Kakashi a confident thumbs-up. "My dear friend, be careful this time. Today, my youth burns brighter than ever!"
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