"To master powerful taijutsu, you need a robust physique!" Might Batsu said enthusiastically, pulling two jump ropes from his ninja pouch and tossing one to Kazuku.
"First, 5,000 jump ropes!" His training method was simple and brutal.
Jumping rope improved cardiovascular endurance, leg muscles, wrist strength, and jumping ability.
"Long sessions build endurance; fast bursts enhance explosiveness," Batsu said, brimming with energy.
Considering Kazuku was only seven, jump rope was a simple, accessible exercise.
But Kazuku stared at the rope, his face darkening.
Not because 5,000 was too much, but because this training was too basic!
Without the Forest of Death's hour-long ordeal, he might've found 5,000 jump ropes challenging.
But…
After surviving the Forest of Death, 5,000 jump ropes felt like child's play!
It was like asking a junior high student who topped the school to solve elementary math problems.
Forget progress—it was a waste of time.
5,000 jump ropes might not even budge his attribute panel.
Noticing Kazuku's expression, Batsu thought he was doubting the training's value.
At seven, facing a 5,000-jump-rope challenge?
Feeling daunted was normal.
This was the moment for encouragement!
"Hahaha!" Batsu let out a hearty laugh. "Young Master Kazuku, stick with it, and your physique will grow stronger."
"And then…"
His smile vanished, replaced by unprecedented seriousness.
"Watch closely, Young Master Kazuku. This is the result of my relentless effort!"
With a shout, Batsu activated the first of the Eight Gates.
Gate of Opening, open!
His fingers clenched into a fist, raised high, then slammed down onto the grass.
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out as the ground beneath Batsu cracked, spiderweb-like fissures spreading to Kazuku and Tobirama's feet.
The cracks spanned at least five meters.
And this was just the Gate of Opening.
Even Tobirama instinctively furrowed his brow.
He'd chosen Batsu as Kazuku's taijutsu teacher because of his dedication to the art.
That effort let him master the Eight Gates!
Strictly speaking, the technique was Tobirama's hypothesis, inspired by Senju monstrous strength.
If monstrous strength involved precisely controlling chakra, enveloping the body, and unleashing it…
Could chakra be used inversely to break through bodily limits, unlocking pathways to unleash greater power?
But after studying the Eight Gates, Tobirama realized opening these limits damaged the body.
To mitigate the backlash, one had to train relentlessly, building muscles strong enough to withstand it!
If it couldn't be passed down, its creation was meaningless.
Eventually, Tobirama found Batsu, who lacked skill in ninjutsu and genjutsu.
To prove he could be an elite ninja, Batsu trained like a demon daily.
Over time, his physical strength far surpassed his peers!
This relentless limit-breaking made him the ideal user of the Eight Gates!
Tobirama's original plan was for Batsu to pass this training method to Kazuku.
To give him a formidable physique.
But he hadn't expected…
Batsu would showcase the Eight Gates on the first day!
Of course, Kazuku's status played a big role.
He was the First Hokage's grandson.
And Tobirama's grandson.
Tobirama was the one who taught Batsu the Eight Gates.
Passing it to Kazuku was only natural.
"See that, Young Master Kazuku? That's the power of dedicated physical training," Batsu said, pausing and spreading his arms to elaborate. "The technique I used is called the Eight Gates."
"As the name suggests, each gate unlocks a bodily limit, granting immense power."
"That punch was just the first gate's effect. At the fifth gate, Gate of Limit, merely moving can stir the air and shake the ground!"
Batsu declared proudly.
Kazuku hadn't expected to witness the legendary Eight Gates on the first day.
But it didn't change his stance.
"Mr. Batsu, I'm not questioning your training. I just think… it's too simple!"
Batsu: "???"
"I don't know what Lord Tobirama told you, but I just came from the Forest of Death. That survival exercise no longer challenges me," Kazuku sighed helplessly. "Surely no one thinks 5,000 jump ropes is hard?"
His words left Batsu dumbfounded.
Surely no one thinks 5,000 jump ropes is hard?
When Batsu started training, he couldn't even complete 500!
And Tobirama had said Kazuku was a rare genius, so he'd upped the volume tenfold!
Yet to Kazuku, it was just that?
And what was that about the Forest of Death?
Wasn't that a high-difficulty exercise for chunin?
Why was a seven-year-old like Kazuku involved?!
Batsu turned to Tobirama.
"5,000 jump ropes is indeed too simple," Tobirama said after serious thought, agreeing the training was too easy for Kazuku.
To Batsu, it was a bolt from the blue.
This…
Was this what a super genius was?!
At that moment, Kazuku's check-in system pinged in his mind.
[Check-in system cooldown complete!]
[Host, please confirm: Proceed with check-in?]
"The second check-in already?" Kazuku thought. "Wonder what I'll get this time."
The first check-in gave him "Hashirama's Chakra." As a self-proclaimed luck god, the second shouldn't be bad, right?
Taking a deep breath, he confirmed in his mind.
[Check-in successful!]
[Congratulations, host, on receiving a check-in gift pack!]
[Open now?]
(End of Chapter)