Chapter 20: Eight Inner Gates

"Damn it! No, no, no, no!"

Su Li stared at the figure in the photo, his heart ready to burst with excitement. His face was alight with sheer enthusiasm.

Might Guy!

The man who almost kicked off the grand finale of the Hokage saga!

The frog cub had traveled to the world of Hokage!

And miraculously, he'd chosen Might Guy and returned alive!

Did he bring back any inquiries? The answer was a resounding no!

Su Li couldn't contain his restlessness and excitement. Periodically, he checked the system interface to calculate the time until the frog cub's return. Every minute and second felt like an eternity.

Fortunately, not long after, a figure materialized out of thin air.

"Cuck!"

The frog cub's package was full, undoubtedly containing some valuable items. It looked weary and pointed to its mouth.

Su Li instantly understood and began to search the courtyard for food. Even though impatience was gnawing at him, he knew the frog cub wouldn't give him anything unless it was well-fed. So, he waited, remembering that haste makes waste.

It didn't take long for Su Li to gather a bunch of plump, squirming caterpillars and stack them in front of the frog cub.

The frog cub devoured them with enthusiasm, and finally, a look of contentment spread across its face. It then lazily opened the package behind it.

Su Li's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Although he had a vague idea of what was inside, what if...?

What if it was Might Guy's suit?!

"Want to become a green-skinned warrior as well?"

Su Li questioned himself, shaking his head vigorously to dispel the doubts that had clouded his mind.

The frog cub nudged the package, presenting it to Su Li. Unable to contain his anticipation, Su Li eagerly picked it up, his breath quivering and his expression tense.

Inside the package, a sparkling red crystal lay serenely. It wasn't a green leather suit, at least.

With cautious hesitation, Su Li reached out to grasp the crystal, just as he had done before. Once more, an immensely powerful surge of energy coursed into his body.

In a hazy vision, he saw a person—a man scaling a cliff. Initially, the man climbed slowly with both hands, never giving up. Eventually, he transitioned to using only one hand, ascending with increasing speed.

The scene shifted, and now the man was meditating beneath a pounding waterfall. Initially, the torrential waters threatened to overpower him, but he steadied himself. Despite the relentless deluge, he remained unwavering in his posture.

Next, the man sprinted through a forest, kicking through leaves and delivering powerful punches. His speed and strength continued to grow until they outpaced all doubters.

Finally, he stood before a god-like figure, sacrificing his life and youth.

The vision gradually faded to darkness, leaving Su Li deeply moved.

An extraordinary being born from the ordinary!

Might Guy's name was well-deserved!

Simultaneously, the information from the crystal flooded his mind.

[Effect: Enhances attack, movement speed, and explosive power in an all-encompassing manner, maximizing the body's potential. Each gate opened amplifies various attributes several times!]

[Note: Each gate opening has distinct effects; details can be found in the description...]

"Eight Inner Gates..."

Su Li was left utterly baffled.

Unexpectedly, the frog cub's second journey brought back something truly extraordinary – the Eight Inner Gates, the mightiest Taijutsu in the Hokage world. Not even individuals like Madara, wielding the power of Six Paths, could stand against it.

Comprising eight gates in total – open, rest, life, injury, limit, view, wonder, and death – each gate, when unlocked, multiplies combat capabilities several times over. Moreover, each gate offers a distinct effect upon activation.

For instance, the "open" gate releases the brain's restrictions, allowing for the exertion of 100% of one's physical abilities. However, it also overloads the body and rapidly depletes physical strength. The "rest" gate lifts the limit on physical fatigue, consuming the body's capacity for restoring physical energy and offsetting the physical strain from opening the gate.

Each subsequent gate possesses a unique set of functions, becoming progressively more potent. Eight Inner Gates amalgamates the quintessence of all physical arts, representing the pinnacle of the discipline.

Notably, it is an exclusively offensive form, bridging the gap in Su Li's arsenal. The prospect of combining Ultra Instinct with Eight Inner Gates filled Su Li with anticipation. While Ultra Instinct initially heightened speed and responsiveness, the acquisition of Eight Inner Gates would render him untouchable, serving as both an offensive and defensive tool, effectively rendering him invincible.

Enthusiasm overwhelmed him, prompting a triumphant shout. "Takeoff!"

In her room, Aunt Inoue awoke abruptly, her drunken eyes fluttering as she mumbled,

"Takeoff? Flight... Six one, Zhai..." She quickly drifted back into slumber.

In the courtyard, Su Li's expression was one of fervor as he swiftly absorbed the information. Without hesitation, he stood up, moved into the courtyard, and commenced the endeavor.

"The first gate, open! Open!"

Su Li whispered.

Instantaneously, an astonishing surge emanated from his body, the air around him rippling. Simultaneously, he achieved a remarkable sense of inner harmony, as his chakra flowed freely throughout his physique.

A rush of energy and anticipation filled the air, setting the stage for a new chapter of power and possibility.

Su Li's form darted across the courtyard, moving at speeds several times faster than before. Each step sent ripples through the air.

However, this newfound power didn't last long. Su Li had just unlocked the first gate of Eight Inner Gates, and his current physical strength could only sustain it briefly.

Yet, despite the brevity of the moment, amazement graced his face. The combination of Eight Inner Gates and Ultra Instinct surpassed his expectations. Just by opening the first gate, he was nearly matching the speed of Ultra Instinct - Mega.

The thought of achieving that speed while already in the state of extreme freedom and intent filled him with both awe and fear.

Su Li didn't dare to entertain the idea further; he was worried about the potential consequences, especially in his current environment, with Aunt Inoue asleep. He refrained from testing the full extent of his newfound destructive power.

For now, he would wait for a more opportune moment to experiment. Su Li wiped away his sweat, his body exhausted after just a few minutes of exertion. He was drenched in sweat, and his muscles ached.

Looking over at the steps, he saw the frog cub sleeping soundly, its mouth making chirping sounds in its dreams, likely relishing a sumptuous meal.

With a gentle smile, Su Li gently picked up the frog cub and placed it back in the system warehouse.

"Rest well, my little one. This time, you've earned top marks."

Su Li smiled and closed the system interface. The gentle breeze brushed against his body, and he sat on the steps, gazing up at the starry sky.

There was no sorrow on his face. The young man knew he had taken one step closer to reaching the peak in this world.