The days in the Anbu passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, Sora had been in the Anbu for almost a month.
During this month, he participated in various training sessions on time every day, from stealth reconnaissance to code decryption, from taijutsu sparring to tactical coordination.
On the surface, like the other reserve members, he systematically learned all the skills required for the Anbu.
But only Sora himself knew that the sense of urgency deep inside him grew stronger with each passing day.
The assessment two months later, although not quite like the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head, was not far off.
After all, only ten out of four hundred would be selected. This elimination rate could be described as brutal.
Not to mention that the reserve members in the 201-400 number range had trained for a full three months longer than Sora's group, and their strength was clearly greater.
After training ended, Sora often stayed alone in the taijutsu training ground to continue extra practice of the Eight Inner Gates.
After opening the Fourth Gate, the Injury Gate, both speed and strength would increase significantly, enough to push his power to the level of a Special Jonin.
Only then would he have confidence to stand out in the assessment.
Fortunately, his ability with the Eight Inner Gates had already been exposed during his time at the ninja academy, so Sora didn't need to deliberately hide practicing it in the Anbu.
Moreover, with his Uzumaki clan physique, he had also increased the frequency of opening the gates a bit. Although it couldn't reach the level of his time at the orphanage, it was still much more frequent than Might Duy and others.
Occasionally, instructors or fellow trainees saw him training the Eight Inner Gates. They would just glance a few more times and didn't inquire too much. Firstly, they knew but wouldn't ask. Secondly, that's just how the Anbu was. They didn't pry into others' affairs, they only focused on missions.
"Number 567, training extra again?" One night, Instructor Leopard, while inspecting the training ground, saw Sora still training hard and couldn't help but ask.
Sora stopped his movements and replied respectfully, "Yes, Instructor. I want to improve my strength as soon as possible."
The eyes behind the leopard mask examined Sora for a moment, and he asked, "Eight Inner Gates?"
Sora nodded.
"Good taijutsu, but be mindful of gradual progression," Instructor Leopard's tone carried a hint of reminder. "Over-training can damage your body instead."
"Thank you for the reminder, Instructor. I will be careful." Sora said this, but inwardly he smiled bitterly.
How could he not know the importance of gradual progression? But time waited for no one!
...
And as the training intensity increased, Sora's appetite also grew considerably, often requiring him to have extra meals.
Fortunately, the Anbu's benefits were quite good. No matter how large Sora's appetite, it was fully provided for, so he wouldn't starve to death from frequently practicing the Eight Inner Gates.
"567, going for extra food again?" A fellow reserve member, seeing the small mountain of food on Sora's tray, couldn't resist teasing.
Sora just gave a slight smile and said, "The training is intense, it makes me hungry easily."
After briefly acknowledging these fellow trainees, Sora directly buried his head in his meal. Not far from him sat another person, who looked slightly plump. Although he didn't know his name, it was obvious without thinking that he was from the Akimichi clan, eating even more than Sora.
Time passed day by day. Sora could feel himself getting closer and closer to the Fourth Gate, the Injury Gate, but that barrier remained impossible to break through.
"Why can't I open it?" Late one night, Sora sat alone in the training ground, his brows tightly furrowed.
During this period, he had continuously tried to break through the "Injury Gate." It felt nearly ten times more difficult than the "Third Gate, the Life Gate."
This wasn't normal. According to what Might Duy said, the difficulty should only be about three times greater.
Currently, he had followed the method taught by Might Duy, repeatedly attempting to break through the Injury Gate countless times, but each time he failed at the last moment. That feeling was like pushing a door with all his might. It had clearly shaken, but he could never fully push it open, as if his strength gave out.
Sora sat in the corner, stroking his chin as he recalled the original work's descriptions of the Eight Inner Gates.
The Fourth Gate, the Injury Gate, was located in the chest. Opening it could greatly increase speed and strength, but it would also place an enormous burden on the body. Even a taijutsu genius like Might Guy could only safely open the Fourth Gate after the age of ten.
"Could it be because of age?" Sora suddenly thought of this problem.
He was only seven years old now. His body was not yet fully developed. The strength of his muscles and bones might still be insufficient to withstand the burden brought by the Fourth Gate.
Moreover, the Eight Inner Gates was essentially a technique that removed the body's limitations. If the body's foundation wasn't strong enough, forcibly opening higher gates could harm oneself.
Thinking of this, Sora couldn't help but feel somewhat discouraged.
If this was really the reason, then no matter how hard he tried, it would probably be difficult to open the Fourth Gate in the short term.
But the assessment date was approaching day by day. He didn't have much time to waste.
"No matter what, I have to try!" Gritting his teeth, Sora decided to risk it.
In the following days, Sora trained even more frantically.
During the day, he attended the Anbu's regular training. At night, he practiced the Eight Inner Gates extra. His appetite also became even larger, eating nearly ten times the food of an ordinary ninja at almost every meal.
The fellow reserve members all noticed the abnormality of this Number 567.
"Is that kid crazy? Training so late every night."
"You think, maybe he wants to pass the next assessment?"
"Don't joke around! We've only been here a little over two months. Aren't we just filler for this assessment?"
"But his taijutsu is really powerful. Not many are his match in taijutsu sparring."
"..."
Sora paid no attention to these discussions. His entire mind was now focused on breaking through to the Fourth Gate.
Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, only three days remained until the assessment.
That night, Sora was as usual doing extra training at the training ground. By now, his body was soaked with sweat, and his muscles trembled slightly from overexertion, but he still didn't stop.
"One last attempt!"
"If I can't break through today, then I'll have to participate in the assessment using the three-gate state."
Sora sat cross-legged, adjusted his breathing, and began operating the Youth Breathing Method. Then, the chakra within his body slowly gathered towards his chest, preparing to impact the "Injury Gate."
Once, twice, three times... Each impact brought heart-wrenching pain, but Sora clenched his teeth and forcibly endured it.
"Not enough! I need even more power!" Sora shouted inwardly.
He recalled the bits and pieces since arriving in this world: the warmth of the orphanage, Nonō's care, Kurenai's friendship, the teachings of Might Duy and his son, and the grueling training of these past nearly three months in the Anbu...
And the Third Shinobi World War that would erupt in a few years!
"I can't lose! I must become stronger!" Driven by a powerful will, Sora gathered all the chakra in his body and launched the final assault!
Boom!!!
It was as if something exploded inside him. An unprecedented power instantly surged throughout his entire body.
Sora suddenly opened his eyes, a flash of sharp light in his pupils.
"Success! The Fourth Gate, the Injury Gate, open!"
However, the joy lasted only a few short seconds before intense pain followed.
Sora felt as if all the muscles in his body were being torn apart. Every cell screamed in protest. His chest felt as if struck by a heavy hammer, making breathing difficult.
Fine droplets of blood also seeped from the surface of his skin, looking particularly frightening.
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