"Fourth Gate—Gate of Pain, open!"
A violent burst of steam erupted from Guts's body, curling around him like flames from the depths of hell.
The pressure distorted the air around him. His figure, cloaked in Armament Haki and sheer rage, gave off an aura far beyond his years.
Even Guy would only reach this level upon opening the Sixth Gate, but for Guts, the Fourth Gate was enough.
His body reeked of heat and scorched leather as the Haki shimmered over his arms.
The battlefield stilled for a moment, as though a demon god had descended among mortals.
Across from him, the Third Raikage stood tall, his right hand extended with only one finger remaining.
This was the infamous Hell Stab—One-Fingered Thrust (Pause), known as the strongest spear in the shinobi world.
From the back lines of the Cloud forces, a voice rang out across the field, amplified by chakra:
"Lord Raikage! We've taken heavy losses—please, let's retreat for now!"
The message reached the Third Raikage clearly.
Guts's earlier Meteor Barrage had already decimated their ranks, and the toll of prolonged combat was beginning to show.
Yet, the Raikage's pride didn't waver.
"Hell Stab—Consistent Hand!"
Lightning surged violently around him as he launched forward with his deadliest thrust.
He had no objection to retreat, but he wouldn't leave without attempting to take this brat down.
"Iron Fist—Break Them Bones!"
Guts's muscles bulged as his right arm flared with veins and obsidian-colored Haki.
The moment their attacks collided, fist against fingertip, the entire world seemed to freeze.
A devastating shockwave ripped through the air. Stones launched like shrapnel, cutting into anyone too slow to brace themselves.
Wind howled, dust flew, and for a moment, the battlefield vanished in smoke and chaos.
When the dust settled, the two warriors stood back-to-back.
Five seconds passed. Then...
Blood gushed from Guts's right hand, a ten-centimeter gash cracking open over his knuckles.
Cheers broke out among the Cloud Shinobi. Though Guts still stood, their leader had landed a blow. Morale surged.
Guts sneered, wiping blood from his hand.
Suddenly, the Third Raikage staggered back.
Gasps rang out. A fist-sized dent marked his chest, right where his old scar from the Eight-Tails battle was.
Guts had aimed for the weak spot.
He hadn't gone head-to-head.
He had sidestepped the clash at the last second, angled his fist perfectly, and struck the wound.
The cost: a slashing blow to the hand. But the reward? A critical hit.
Coughing blood, the Third Raikage narrowed his eyes.
"You damn brat… That was underhanded."
"Muscle over brains. You Cloud Shinobi fit that stereotype far too well. If you want to curse me, do it in the afterlife. I'll send you there now."
Guts took a step forward, steam hissing off him.
A blur—Ai rushed forward, panic flashing in his eyes.
But before he could reach, a slash of white lightning stopped him in his tracks.
White Fang stood before him, blade humming with chakra.
"You're not going anywhere."
"Don't underestimate me, kid!"
With a roar, the Third Raikage slammed his fist into the ground. The earth cracked. The shockwave knocked Guts off balance.
The Fourth Gate gave immense power, but fatigue came with it. Even now, exhaustion crept in.
The Third Raikage called out the name loudly.
From the shadows, the unassuming Dodai finally made his move.
"Lava Release: Rubber Wall!"
A thick, elastic wall of chakra-infused rubber burst from his mouth like molten gum, encasing Guts in a squishy prison.
Guts raised a brow. "What the hell is this? Bubblegum jutsu?"
He punched it—nothing. It absorbed the blow entirely.
"Tch… so it's like a Rubber-Rubber Fruit… Normal strikes won't cut it."
His hand lit up with Armament Haki again. He raised one finger.
The technique pierced through the rubber like a drill, finally creating an opening.
A system notification rang in his mind:
[Achievement Unlocked: Top-Level Taijutsu Duel – Template Character: Monkey D. Garp. Completion Rate: 44.76%]
Hearing the message, Guts finally let out a breath. His muscles screamed in protest.
He closed his eyes. "Time for a nap."
White Fang approached with a smirk. "Need me to carry you?"
One eye cracked open. "Got any cute female medics nearby? I'd prefer that."
White Fang laughed softly. "I'll let Yuhi Shinku know what you just said."
Guts groaned. "Ugh… then fine, you do it."
He let himself slump into White Fang's arms. No strength left to argue.
Some battles were fought with fists. Others… with brains. And today, Guts had used both.
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