Chapter 28 — Might Guy and the Eight Gates
[Name]: Obuya (Devil Fruit User)
[Rank]: One-Star Demon (1000 more Demon Points required to reach Two-Star)
[Abilities]: Human Reassembly (Stage 1), Human Modification (Stage 1), Lethal Injection (Stage 1), Cardiac Shock (Stage 4)
[Modifications]: No Devil Body Transformation performed
Obuya opened the "Personal Information" page and, as expected, saw the newly acquired One-Star Demon ability.
A surge of excitement rose uncontrollably within him. The long-awaited Human Modification ability was finally his. For a brief moment, he even felt the urge to test it immediately—perhaps by transplanting a Kekkei Genkai and observing the results firsthand.
"Human Modification has stages too? What exactly can I do at this level?"
He quickly navigated to the "Ability Attributes" page, where a detailed description of the ability appeared:
[Barrier · Human Modification: Steal and transplant another's Kekkei Genkai. In addition, perfectly replicate all abilities of the donor. However, the transplanted Kekkei Genkai cannot undergo deep evolution.]
Obuya's heart began to race as he read through the description.
The ability itself was undeniably powerful—stealing a Kekkei Genkai and instantly gaining all associated abilities was equivalent to bypassing years, even decades, of training. However, the final line revealed a crucial limitation.
This was not a true bloodline inheritance.
It was a direct transplantation of power.
Because he lacked the corresponding bloodline, the transplanted Kekkei Genkai could not evolve further. It was a shortcut—one that granted immediate strength, but capped its long-term potential.
In other words, even if he transplanted a Mangekyō Sharingan, it would never evolve into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. Without Uchiha blood, the path of progression was fundamentally cut off.
"This should be the limitation of Stage 1," Obuya thought calmly. "It's incomplete… but that also means there will be a Stage 2. Maybe at that point, the system will allow true bloodline integration—or even full inheritance."
He filed the thought away before shifting his attention to the second ability.
[Lethal Injection: Strike the enemy in a flash with a finger before drawing your blade; speed surpasses that of Instant Body Movement.]
Obuya's gaze sharpened.
He had personally faced Uchiha Shisui's Shunshin no Jutsu. That kind of speed—so fast it bordered on instantaneous displacement—was already terrifying.
And this ability…
Exceeded it.
Even so, its limitation was just as clear. As expected of a Stage 1 skill, it could only be executed as a single instantaneous strike. Unlike Shunshin no Jutsu, it could not be chained repeatedly or used for continuous movement.
Still, a killing move delivered at a speed beyond perception was more than enough to turn the tide of battle.
"And just like the others… it will evolve."
This sudden increase in strength gave Obuya a new sense of confidence toward the impending Third Great Ninja War.
To him, the war itself held no particular meaning.
But he could not avoid it.
Because the conflict would inevitably draw in those around him—Rin, Obito, and countless others. Their fates would be decided on that battlefield.
And that alone was enough.
While Obuya remained deep in thought, the individual tournament continued without pause.
"Next match: Uchiha Obito versus Might Guy!"
The announcement echoed across the arena.
Obito's expression lit up instantly, his blood surging with excitement.
"Yes! Perfect! This is exactly the opponent I wanted!"
Without waiting for Rin or the others to react, he leapt directly into the arena, landing firmly with a determined look on his face.
This was his chance.
In the previous team match, he had been effortlessly knocked away by Might Guy's Konoha Strong Whirlwind, reduced to little more than a joke in the eyes of the spectators.
Now, facing him again, he could finally reclaim his dignity.
"Obito, go!!"
Rin waved her small flag enthusiastically from the stands, her voice filled with encouragement.
Hearing her, Obito's confidence grew even stronger.
However, from the sidelines, Obuya watched in silence.
A faint worry lingered in his eyes.
Might Guy's strength was no exaggeration—even Kakashi would hesitate to claim a certain victory against him. The true reason lay in his most dangerous technique:
The Eight Gates.
A forbidden method that pushed the body beyond its natural limits, granting explosive power at the cost of severe physical strain. It was a technique that bordered on self-destruction.
"We have some unfinished business to settle."
Obito fixed his gaze on Guy and assumed a fighting stance.
"Unfinished business?" Might Guy tilted his head slightly, looking genuinely puzzled.
Obito's expression darkened. "What you did to me in the previous team match… don't tell me you've forgotten."
"Team match…?" Guy blinked, still confused.
During that battle, his attention had been entirely focused on Kakashi—the opponent he acknowledged as his rival. As for Obito, the memory had long since faded.
"Damn it! You're looking down on me!"
Obito's anger flared instantly.
"Start the match!"
The examiner's voice had barely fallen—
When Guy moved.
His body burst forward with explosive speed, closing the distance in an instant. His taijutsu, already honed to a high level, allowed him to strike with overwhelming force.
Before Obito could fully react—
A kick landed.
Boom!
Obito was sent flying backward, his body crashing heavily onto the ground.
"Ah—?"
Rin froze mid-cheer, her flag still raised in the air.
Even Kakashi's expression tightened slightly.
"Hahaha! The disgrace of the Uchiha! Losing this badly—it's completely one-sided!"
"I thought last time was just carelessness. Looks like I was wrong."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
On the ground, Obito struggled to his feet, his body swaying unsteadily.
"Obito…?" Rin's voice softened, concern creeping in.
The examiner glanced at him. "Uchiha Obito, are you sure you want to continue?"
"…Of course," Obito replied, slowly straightening his posture. "The match has only just begun."
As he lifted his head, his left eye changed.
A single tomoe appeared within it.
The Sharingan.
Seeing this, Might Guy's expression brightened with excitement. "I've heard that even a single tomoe Sharingan can read movements. Today, I'll experience it myself!"
He dashed forward once more, his body spinning into a powerful kick.
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
But this time—
Obito moved.
With the Sharingan active, Guy's movements were no longer impossible to track. The trajectory, timing, and angle of the attack were all visible in advance.
He dodged cleanly.
"He dodged it!!"
Rin's face lit up with relief.
The battle shifted instantly.
Guy pressed forward with relentless taijutsu, his strikes flowing seamlessly one after another. Obito, relying on the predictive ability of the Sharingan, evaded most of the attacks, occasionally attempting to counter.
Though he remained largely on the defensive, the fight was no longer one-sided. Moments of balance began to appear, and tension filled the arena.
"As expected of the Sharingan," Guy said while continuing his assault. "Even before I complete my movements, you can already see through them."
Then his tone changed slightly.
"Now… I'll get serious."
Those words ignited Obito's anger.
"I've been serious this whole time! Don't underestimate me—I'll defeat you today!"
He leapt backward, creating distance, his hands already forming seals.
Guy did not pursue.
Instead, his body lowered slightly, as if gathering power deep within.
Then—
A sudden surge erupted.
An invisible pressure spread outward, distorting the air around him.
Obito's face turned pale.
"Oh no…! He's activating the Eight Gates!"
Guy's previous attacks had already been difficult to handle. Now, by unlocking the Eight Gates, he would push his body beyond its natural limits, gaining overwhelming speed and strength that even the Sharingan might struggle to keep up with.