"Batsu agreed to Kazuku's request to go all out?"
Hiruzen and the others looked stunned.
This meant, in Batsu's subconscious, Kazuku was an opponent worthy of his full strength!
Unlike sparring.
During training, Batsu only opened up to the Gate of Life.
At most, he used 30% of his power.
Kazuku, trained by Batsu, should know this better than anyone.
"What's Kazuku thinking?" Hiruzen couldn't fathom.
Did he really believe he could beat a fully committed Batsu?
Impossible!
Kazuku's talent was undeniable, obvious to all.
But the age gap was a chasm!
Batsu was twenty-seven, training since Kazuku's age.
He had nearly twenty years more taijutsu experience, and his body was in its prime!
Where was Kazuku's chance?
"Maybe it's because of Danzo," Hiruzen thought, standing beside him.
Danzo was a chunin, after all.
Kazuku's victory over him likely boosted his confidence.
Made him feel strong.
But…
Batsu wasn't Danzo.
He was a taijutsu specialist, an Eight Gates master.
Against Batsu, Kazuku's advantages weren't advantages.
Even his devastating Cherry Blossom Impact or Painful Sky Leg…
Were meaningless if they couldn't hit.
And even if Danzo and Batsu were both chunin…
In raw strength, Hiruzen bet Batsu could take five Danzos!
Everyone, including Hashirama, agreed.
Kazuku was overconfident this time.
He was strong, but no match for Batsu.
He'd lose.
Badly.
The confidence he'd built could collapse.
"Sarutobi," Danzo glared, face dark. "I heard you, loud and clear."
"I didn't say anything," Hiruzen coughed, deflecting. "Anyway, I think Kazuku has no chance against Batsu. He'll lose."
"Seriously, what's Lord Tobirama thinking?" Danzo echoed.
Hiruzen soon latched onto a theory. "Maybe Lord Tobirama's real intent is…"
He swallowed, convinced he'd cracked it.
"I get it. For a ninja, arrogance is never good."
"Lord Tobirama must want this match to ground Kazuku."
"He's gifted, but talent alone won't make a great ninja."
"To be exceptional, you need hard work… and humility."
Hiruzen's imagination ran wild.
Danzo and Kagami nodded, buying the idea.
They could already see the outcome.
Hashirama, meanwhile, was utterly baffled.
He'd assumed Tobirama's test would be something like snatching bells from Batsu.
Now, it seemed otherwise.
Going all out? What?
Were they planning to open the Eight Gates and go head-to-head?
Batsu, he could understand.
But Kazuku…
Even if he'd learned the Eight Gates, at his age, he'd likely only mastered the First Gate, right?
In truth, after witnessing Kazuku's feats…
Tobirama had convinced himself Hashirama secretly trained him.
He thought Hashirama was playing dumb, so he never specified which gate Kazuku had reached.
This left Hashirama clueless.
Tobirama, meanwhile, was exasperated.
Since when did his brother love acting?
Whatever.
He shook his head, signaling Kazuku and Batsu to the field's center.
"If there are no questions, the match begins."
As referee, Tobirama declared the start.
"Teacher Batsu, be careful."
The instant Kazuku spoke, he opened the Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing, and Gate of Life.
His skin flushed red, green energy radiating.
After yesterday's fight, he'd fully adapted to this state.
"The… Gate of Life?" Hashirama gasped, stunned.
A seven-year-old mastering the Gate of Life?
" Kazuku, since I promised to go all out, I won't hold back. Be careful!" Batsu shouted.
Then…
Gate of Opening, open!
Gate of Healing, open!
Gate of Life, open!
As Batsu opened three gates, his state matched Kazuku's, green energy emanating.
"Not bad," Kazuku nodded, wanting this full commitment.
But the moment he spoke, Batsu was in his face.
So fast it was like teleportation.
Kazuku's pupils dilated, shock in his eyes.
This Batsu was leagues fiercer than yesterday.
"So he was holding back during training."
Kazuku swallowed, his heels digging in, forcing his body back to dodge Batsu's straight punch.
Next second…
Konoha Strong Whirlwind!
Batsu's legs swept through the air, delivering a spinning kick with stunning speed and force.
Only now did Kazuku realize…
In yesterday's sparring, Batsu's every move, every response…
Wasn't his best or strongest.
But a high-level guide to teach Kazuku how to fight!
"If yesterday's Batsu fought me at this level, I'd have been knocked out in three moves."
No exaggeration.
To Kazuku, today's Batsu was a different person from yesterday's.
His attacks were sharper, more direct, more ferocious!
Yet Kazuku didn't panic—he grew excited.
His eyes blazed.
Sure, Batsu was unrecognizable.
But today's Kazuku was unrecognizable too!
Clenching his fist, Kazuku chose to meet him head-on, aiming a punch at Batsu's whipping leg.
It landed perfectly.
Two immense forces collided!
BOOM!
A shockwave blasted outward.
Now Batsu was the surprised one.
"Smart move. Constant retreating would've let my attacks overwhelm you."
"Not only would you be on the defensive, but the psychological pressure would mount."
"Disrupting the enemy's offense disrupts their rhythm."
Even if their roles swapped, Batsu doubted he could've responded better.
(End of Chapter)