Chapter 42: Chapter 42: It Really Is My First Time Encountering Taijutsu
Tobirama looked at Hashirama and felt something was off. The more Tobirama watched Kazekaze, the more something felt off. Seeing Kazekaze's performance, his jaw nearly hit the floor in shock. The astonishment in his eyes was naturally evident.
If all of this was an act by Hashirama, then his acting skills were simply too exquisite. The key issue was that Tobirama couldn't figure it out no matter how he thought about it. What was the purpose of his brother Hashirama putting on such a performance?
Even if he wanted to train Kazekaze to be the future Hokage, it wasn't necessary to go this far. Moreover… His brother Hashirama was never one for acting.
An unprecedented thought arose in Tobirama's mind. Could it be... that from the very beginning, Brother Hashirama never taught Kazekaze at all? That Kazekaze had been telling the truth the entire time? Was Kazekaze actually telling the truth? Did he really discover the super strength on his own and successfully master it?
And then… After seeing Might Bai demonstrate the Eight Gates, did he easily learn it? And then successfully deduced it, consecutively opening the Gate of Healing, Gate of Life… Following that, did he explore deeper realms in just over a week of training? And learned the Gate of View! But is such a thing possible?
Tobirama widened his eyes, focusing his gaze on Kazekaze. He tried to recall Kazekaze's performance during this period. He still found it difficult to convince himself to believe such a fact.
"Brother." After a moment of silence, Tobirama couldn't help but confront Hashirama, "Are you really not the one who taught Kazekaze how to use super strength and the Eight Gates?"
"Hmm?" Hashirama turned to look at Tobirama, their eyes meeting, and he was the one with a puzzled expression.
Why would Tobirama have such an idea? Huh.He seemed to have asked this before. Whether he secretly left the village to teach Kazekaze. Although he said at the time that he hadn't done such a thing, Tobirama just wouldn't believe it.
"How could I possibly do such a thing?" Hashirama couldn't help but retort, "I thought it was you who taught Kazekaze the Eight Gates technique. After all, the person who developed this technique is you, Tobirama. I was even thinking, even if Kazekaze really inherited my unmarked healing, teaching him such a technique is still too reckless. He should..."
Just as Hashirama was about to lay out his thoughts, he suddenly realized a problem. A very serious and incredibly shocking problem!
"Wait a minute..." Hashirama clutched his forehead, his expression twisted in disbelief, as if struggling to accept reality.
Since Tobirama believed that Kazekaze's Eight Gates technique was taught by him. That also meant that Tobirama never taught him the Eight Gates technique! Although Tobirama had a strong personality and was very shrewd, he was still a very straightforward person in front of him. If he really had taught Kazekaze the Eight Gates, there was no need for him to act.
"If it wasn't you, and it wasn't me, then how did Kazekaze learn the Eight Gates?" Hashirama's eyes bulged so wide, they looked like they might pop out of his skull. His gaze snapped from Tobirama to Might Bai in disbelief.
Currently, there are only three ninjas in the village who know the Eight Gates technique. Tobirama, himself, and Might Bai. If it wasn't the two of them, then it must have been Might Bai. But who knew, facing his question, Might Bai shook his head without even thinking.
He indicated that he had never taught Kazekaze the Eight Gates. The training he set for Kazekaze only included physical and combat training.
"Kazekaze, come here." Hashirama beckoned to Kazekaze, based on his understanding of Might Bai.
This guy was like a single-celled organism, let alone acting. He probably didn't even have a concept of what lying was. Since he said so, it must be true.
In fact, the confrontation between Tobirama and Hashirama wasn't some kind of conspiracy. It was an open discussion. Not only could Kazekaze hear their conversation clearly, But so could Sarutobi and the others.
And now, they all had strange expressions on their faces. If Kazekaze's super strength and Eight Gates technique were taught by either Hashirama or Tobirama, they could still accept it in their hearts.
But now… You're telling us that no one taught Kazekaze, and he figured it out himself? What a joke! Are you kidding me?! Even the most outrageous novels wouldn't dare write something this absurd!
Among everyone present, only Kazekaze remained calm. He looked around at everyone's expressions, feeling a bit helpless inside.
'I've been telling the truth from the very start... Why won't anyone believe me?'
"Kazekaze, what exactly is going on?" Hashirama asked, half-squatting, now very eager to know the truth.
Otherwise, he might toss and turn in bed tonight, unable to sleep. Although… He's been tossing and turning in bed lately.
"Sigh." Kazekaze sighed helplessly, the corners of his mouth lifting into a slight bitter smile.
"I never intended to hide anything from the start, but Grandpa Tobirama and Might Bai-sensei didn't believe me. I really just watched Might Bai-sensei's demonstration once, and then I learned the Eight Gates."
Of course, details like the reward package were things Kazekaze naturally wouldn't mention.
"However, at that time, I only learned the first five gates of the Eight Gates. Relying on the advantage of speed, I defeated Danzo."
When Kazekaze mentioned defeating Danzo, everyone's gaze couldn't help but glance at Danzo. Danzo's face darkened, his expression twisted in frustration—like a man who had suffered a humiliating defeat but had no way to complain about it.
Was losing to Kazekaze something he couldn't get over?
"However, I also discovered a drawback, which is that the Gate of Limit causes severe damage to the muscles. Even with my Regeneration Ability, it takes about two seconds to eliminate the damage caused by the Gate of Limit! To reduce the damage, I started physical training with Might Bai-sensei. Once my physical strength improved further, I learned the Gate of View!"
Kazekaze recounted his experiences during this period with a serious expression. As he expected, after Hashirama and Tobirama listened to the whole story, they once again showed expressions of astonishment!
Then. Hashirama and Tobirama exchanged glances, their pupils dilated, seeing the shock and dazed look in each other's eyes. Moreover, their minds felt blank.
So… Kazekaze really was encountering taijutsu for the first time?
"He never lied, he really just watched Might Bai's demonstration once and learned the first five gates of the Eight Gates! I've been overthinking it all along, thinking it was Brother Hashirama secretly teaching Kazekaze for two years? In reality, Kazekaze became a taijutsu expert in less than half a month!"
You're kidding. Now Tobirama finally understood the truth of the whole matter.
Then… He became even more bewildered. This kid Kazekaze, did he activate some kind of cheat? He only took half a month to force Might Bai to fight with all his strength!
Fake. This must be fake. There must be some other secret hidden within Kazekaze. Tobirama found it hard to believe, to the point where his thoughts became somewhat chaotic.