Chapter 36: Baki — I Can't Beat the Gate?
Kamizuki Izumo's Zanpakutō unsheathed in an instant.
A cold light flashed—as if a sudden explosion of lightning tore through the air.
A thunderous sound echoed, followed by dazzling light that illuminated the surroundings.
Everyone present froze, staring wide-eyed in disbelief.
Baki, however, was even more terrified. His body stiffened, hair standing on end.He could feel a powerful surge of thunder emerging from the void—without any visible hand signs.
No seals at all?! What kind of Lightning Style Ninjutsu is this?That power... it's overwhelming! The pressure alone makes me tremble! I can hardly breathe!
His heart pounded violently.
Suddenly, he remembered the calm attitude Izumo and Kotetsu had shown when facing them earlier.He had assumed it was because they relied on Konoha's protection.
But now, it was obvious—they relied purely on their own strength.
"Wind Style—!"
Baki hurriedly tried to form hand seals, but there was no time.That's why they call it Thunder Flash.
Boom!
The back of Izumo's blade slammed into Baki's stomach.It felt like a baseball bat smashing straight into him.
Baki's body was sent flying through the air before crashing hard onto the ground several meters away.
Izumo calmly withdrew his Zanpakutō, expression unmoved, as if nothing had happened.He stood there quietly and said,
"Can you leave now?"
"W-what?"
"Mr. Baki… he was defeated in an instant?!"
"..."
Everyone who saw the scene was stunned.Chiyo, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro—each one stared in disbelief.
This was Baki—a veteran Elite Jōnin, one of the strongest shinobi in the entire Sand Village.Otherwise, he wouldn't have been chosen as the instructor for the future Kazekage.
Because of the harsh environment of the Land of Wind, the Sand Village had long followed an elite system.
Simply put:At the same rank, a Sand ninja was typically stronger than one from Konoha.
Before Su Li brought the comics to this world, no Elite Jōnin in Konoha would have confidently claimed they could defeat Baki.
But now—such a powerful man was defeated instantly.By a gatekeeper, no less!
How can that be?!
Even worse, the gatekeeper didn't look like he cared.He hadn't even used a second move.
"..."
Temari and Kankuro exchanged nervous glances, swallowing hard.They had visited Konoha during the Chūnin Exams.They'd seen these two gatekeepers before…
Were they really this strong?!
Several Sand shinobi hurried over to help Baki, who lay on the ground.
Although his injuries weren't serious, his pride had taken a massive blow.
Defeated by a gatekeeper… how could I possibly accept this?Where's my dignity as an Elite Jōnin?
Baki exhaled sharply, pulling out his kunai and taking a combat stance.
"Your Excellency is quite strong," he said through gritted teeth. "I was careless just now. Come again!"
Without waiting for a reply, Baki rushed at Izumo once more.
Judging from the earlier exchange, the opponent's speed was tremendous—there would be no time for Ninjutsu.This time, Baki resolved to rely purely on taijutsu.
Izumo's expression remained calm and composed, almost casual.He raised his blade and swung lightly—but that "casual" motion was deceptive.
The speed was incredible.So fast that Baki couldn't even perceive it.
All he saw was lightning—sudden, blinding, and merciless.
The dazzling thunder tore through the air, radiating power.
The spectators gasped in horror.
Facing the surge of electricity, Baki felt his entire body lock up under the crushing pressure.He gritted his teeth, raised his kunai, and braced for impact.
The next instant, an unstoppable force crashed through his arms.
I can't hold it!
The kunai nearly flew from his hands.
"No! This is impossible! I don't believe it!"
Veins bulged across Baki's body as he poured every ounce of strength into holding his ground.His feet dug deep into the dirt, but the lightning's force was overwhelming.
"Aaaaahhhh!"
He was blown back once more, sent tumbling violently across the field.
His hands shook uncontrollably, blood dripping from his torn palms.The skin between his thumb and index finger had split open from the sheer impact.
When he finally looked up, Izumo's expression hadn't changed.There was no joy, no pride—just calm detachment.
As if what he had just defeated wasn't an Elite Jōnin…but an ordinary Genin.
Baki stared down at his trembling, bloodstained hands.
I lost…To a gatekeeper.