This ninja in Naruto is unscientific

Chapter 198 Asuma Wants to Learn the Eight Gates

On the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers, the swirling yellow sand finally ceased its restlessness.

The tent at the Konoha front-line command post was opened, and Sakumo Hatake came out, holding a newly signed ceasefire agreement and an apology statement issued by the Sand Village government.

"The disappearance of the Third Kazekage was due to an internal rebellion and has nothing to do with Konoha's White Fang. We sincerely apologize for the previous misunderstanding."

In just a few lines, the accusation of "assassinating the Kazekage" against Sakumo was cleared, and the tense atmosphere between the two countries finally eased.

This was not a case of Sunagakure having a change of heart, but rather a result of being forced by reality.

The forces of Iwagakure were like a sharp knife plunged into the heart of the Land of Wind, and the steam-powered army led by Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, caused Sunagakure endless suffering.

Beset by enemies on all sides, Sunagakure, having lost its strongest Kazekage, suffered the defeat of Elder Chiyo, and been captured by Ebizo and Sasori, had no choice but to bow down to Konoha and seek a chance to catch its breath.

"Sakumo-sama."

A ninja appeared instantly and reported, "The latest instructions from the village indicate that negotiations regarding Sasori's extradition are still ongoing."

"What did Sunagakure say?" Sakumo put away the scroll and looked toward the distant desert.

"They demanded that Scorpion be extradited back to the village for trial and were willing to pay a ransom, but Nara's intention was..."

The ninja who was giving the report paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

"He said that Sasori is not only a war criminal, but also a treasure trove of core puppet technology. Anyone who can turn the Third Kazekage into a puppet is no small fry. Unless Sunagakure is willing to give up half of the mining rights or an equivalent amount of forbidden scrolls, there's no point in talking about it."

Shuo Mao nodded upon hearing this.

"Understood, remain vigilant."

"yes!"

……

Konoha Hospital.

Kakashi Hatake, carrying an exquisitely packaged fruit basket, stood in front of the ward door, took a deep breath, and then gently knocked on the door.

"Please come in! The door to youth is always open!"

From inside came Matt Kai's powerful, even deafening voice.

Kakashi pushed open the door and entered.

On the hospital bed, Matt Day was wrapped in thick bandages all over his body, with only his eyes and mouth showing, and his legs were slung like a mummy.

But his eyes were bright and alert, showing no signs of someone who had just escaped death.

Beside his bed, Matt Kay was energetically...peeling an apple, cutting off more flesh than was left.

On the other side, there was an unexpected person sitting there.

Sarutobi Asuma.

This usually rebellious son of the Hokage was now holding a water glass and carefully placing the straw to Might Guy's lips.

"Uncle Dai, have some water." Asma's voice carried a rare hint of respect.

"Yo, Kakashi!"

When Kai saw the person at the door, he immediately put down the horribly damaged apple in his hand, gave a thumbs up, and revealed his gleaming white teeth.

"You've come to visit my great father too? This is the bond of youth!"

"...I'm here to visit you in the hospital."

Kakashi's deadpan eyes twitched, and he was relieved to see that Guy was still so energetic.

He placed the fruit basket on the bedside table and bowed slightly to Matt Day on the bed.

"Uncle Matt, are you feeling better?"

"Much better! Much better!"

Although Matt Day was unable to move, his voice remained loud.

"Thanks to Lady Tsunade's timely return to the village and the emergency medicine from the research institute, I feel full of energy now! If the doctor hadn't stopped me, I would have gotten out of bed and done five hundred squats!"

"Please don't do that," Kakashi retorted expressionlessly, then looked at Asuma beside him.

"What are you doing here?"

Asma put down his water glass, scratched his cheek somewhat awkwardly, and looked away.

"Um... I'm here to take care of Uncle Dai."

Asuma glanced at Might Guy, and the arrogance in his eyes lessened considerably.

"If Uncle Dai hadn't arrived that day, Genma and the others would have died at the hands of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. It's only right that we take care of Uncle Dai since he saved our lives. Genma, Ebisu, and I took turns caring for him."

The image of Might Guy taking on seven opponents single-handedly that day was deeply etched into Asuma's mind.

That power, that awareness of burning one's life to protect, greatly shocked him, a boy who had always lived in his father's shadow.

"and……"

Asma hesitated for a moment, then suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Might Guy.

"Uncle Dai! Please teach me the Eight Gates Formation!"

The ward fell silent for a moment.

Kai stopped crying and looked at Asuma in surprise. Kakashi also raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

"The Eight Gates Formation?"

Matt Daly paused for a moment, then gave a simple, honest smile, but his eyes turned serious.

"This is not an easy ninjutsu to learn."

"I'm not afraid of hardship!"

Asuma said eagerly, "I want that power too, the power to protect my comrades, to protect the village! I know I was a bit arrogant before, but..."

"It's not a matter of suffering."

Might Guy interrupted him, looking through the window at the Hokage Rock in the distance.

"The Eight Gates Formation is achieved through years of hard work, culminating in that one moment of brilliance. There are no shortcuts, no tricks, only the daily, tedious, and painful honing of physical skills."

"Besides, you've seen what happened to me. Once the gate to death is opened, there's no turning back."

Might Guy looked at Asma, his tone gentle yet firm:

"You have exceptional talent for ninjutsu, and you're the Hokage's son; you have a path more suited to you. If you truly want to learn, you must first ask yourself if you're prepared to spend decades honing a sword that can only be wielded once?"

Asma was stunned.

Decades... all for a single strike?

He looked at Matt Day's body, which was wrapped in bandages, and remembered that day.

"I..." Asuma clenched his fists, not answering immediately.

"No need to answer right away."

Matt Daly smiled, though his smile was mostly hidden by bandages.

"If you really want to learn, start by running 500 laps around Konoha every day. If you can stick to it for a month, I'll teach you the basics."

"Five hundred laps?!" Asuma's eyes widened.

"That's right! This is the foundation of youth!" Kai interjected, excitedly grasping Asuma's hand. "Asuma! Let's run together! Let's sweat it out under the setting sun!"

"Who wants to go with you! Let go!" Asuma shook off Kai's hand in disgust, but did not refuse the offer of five hundred laps.

Kakashi stood aside, watching this noisy yet vibrant scene.

He thought of his father, Obito, and the words that Nishikawa Tetsu had said.

"Power takes many forms."

Kakashi thought to himself.

"Some people rely on talent, some on lineage, and some... rely on this clumsy yet dazzling effort."

He picked up an apple and skillfully began to peel it, his perfect knife skills leaving Kai, who was standing to the side, dumbfounded.

"Give."