Kazuku swung his fists, ignoring the Gate of View's damage.
The flames from his punches lit the sky, bright as a sunrise, dazzling as peacock feathers!
This vivid display earned the move its name, Morning Peacock!
Everyone gasped, eyes filled with shock and awe.
If Kazuku had only mastered Tobirama's Eight Gates before…
Now…
He'd created a new technique!
At least…
Sarutobi thought so.
He didn't know a future ninja, Might Guy, would conceive this move.
Guy's idea—ultra-fast, ultra-strong punches—birthed Morning Peacock.
"Seven-year-old Kazuku, opening the sixth gate, and building a new technique on it…"
"This…"
Sarutobi's eyes bulged, heart roiling.
He couldn't comprehend or believe it.
Even the greatest prodigies had limits, right?
How long had Kazuku studied the Eight Gates?
How long had he mastered the Gate of View?
Going from zero to one was infinitely harder than one to ten!
Many spent lifetimes using others' techniques!
"Morning Peacock…"
Sarutobi muttered the name.
If he hadn't seen it, he'd never believe a seven-year-old genin created such a terrifying technique!
In truth…
Morning Peacock's creation had nothing to do with Kazuku.
He just borrowed it.
But undeniably, Morning Peacock was an impressive taijutsu move.
In the original story, it shone twice.
First, it instantly defeated a 30% chakra Kisame clone!
Second, it wiped out most of Kisame's Thousand Feeding Sharks!
Against Cloud's Chikusho, it was more than enough.
BOOM!
With roaring blasts, Chikusho's shuriken barrier was peeled away.
Morning Peacock, built for extreme speed, left Chikusho's body unable to dodge despite seeing the fireballs.
Crucially, his shuriken barrier became his prison.
No escape!
"Is this… Konoha's genin?"
In the end, Chikusho gave up fighting.
Kazuku's power defied his understanding.
He couldn't fathom how Konoha produced Kazuku.
This guy…
Was a monster!
Before facing him, Kazuku soloed five Cloud ninja.
He could wipe out a ninja squad!
In less than half an hour!
Too shocking!
Kazuku's Morning Peacock slammed Chikusho, striking his body repeatedly.
"Aaah!"
Searing flames and fierce impacts drew screams from Chikusho before he collapsed.
His shurikens, without his control, clattered to the ground.
Under Sarutobi, Ashina, Sakumo, and Yuna's stunned gazes, Kazuku defeated Chikusho!
But…
Kazuku's condition worsened.
The Gate of View's normal state buffered the body, minimizing strain and damage.
This allowed peak power bursts!
Every technique had risks.
This immense power heavily damaged Kazuku's body!
Critically, he'd only trained physically for a week.
His body couldn't fully support Morning Peacock.
His punches were driven by sheer will, forcing his body to complete the move.
His muscles, tendons, and even bones were severely damaged.
Sweat beaded on Kazuku's forehead from pain. When the Gate of View closed, worse agony surged, paralyzing him.
His body plummeted.
"Crap." Sarutobi reacted, sprinting and leaping, catching Kazuku before he hit the ground.
But even this touch caused Kazuku intense pain!
Seeing this, Sarutobi gently set him down.
Kazuku tried to speak, but the pain silenced him!
"Is this Morning Peacock's damage?"
"Even Seal-less Healing can't fix my body quickly."
"No, it's not Seal-less Healing's fault."
"My body's too weak."
Fighting Chikusho made Kazuku see his limits.
A chasm of physical strength separated him from Might Guy!
Morning Peacock caused such backlash. Daytime Tiger? He'd likely pass out from pain instantly.
And his Seal-less Healing paled compared to Hashirama's.
Though inherited, it was low-level.
If Hashirama's was level 10, Kazuku's was level 1.
For the first time, Kazuku realized how frail his body was!
"Back in the village, I need to train my body harder."
Kazuku vowed inwardly.
Check-in rewards gave him skills.
But maximizing them required relentless training.
Like a gifted student failing an exam without effort.
Success demanded hard work.
"Kazuku!"
As Kazuku endured the pain, Yuna shouted his name, waving, running to him.
Initially, she disliked Kazuku.
Hated him calling her scaredy-cat.
Thought he was a nepotism genin.
But…
Seeing him fight to protect her, injuring himself so badly…
Yuna's perspective shifted.
She no longer disliked him—she worried, tears falling.
Kazuku, though, was exasperated.
I protected you for the mission!
You were just indirectly saved!
I'm hurt because I had to take out Chikusho, or he'd have killed me!
Don't make me sound like I'd die for a girl!
But he could only rant inwardly, too weak to speak.
Then…
Yuna's next move shocked him.
She rolled up her sleeve, revealing fair skin, and extended her arm to Kazuku.
"Bite me."
Sakumo, witnessing this: "???"
(End of Chapter)