"Ok?"
Might guyi is a master of individualism
Although he doesn't think so himself; he just believes he's a stubborn person.
At the moment when Jingyi's breath shifted, he sensed something. This feeling...
It was very similar to the Eight Gates Released Formation!
Does he also have access to the Eight Gates?
Dai was curious and couldn't help but take a few more glances.
No!
Different.
This isn't the Eight Gates Technique.
"Kanda-sensei, what kind of taijutsu is that...?"
Guyi was a little surprised.
He had studied the Eight Gates (Hachimon) for 20 years, digging through old texts, and eventually half by groping, half by deduction he'd developed the technique himself. Yet here was Jingyi, only fifteen, seemingly having mastered something similar.
"This is a taijutsu I developed myself The Seven-Day Breath."
Jingyi didn't hide it.
He'd "practiced" the technique hoping to attract gut's attention.
"Seven-Day Breath?"
Guy was surprised.
It really was different from his!
The Eight Gates are based on the eight chakra limiters in the human body. No matter how you change or modify the technique, the foundation lies in those eight gates. But the name of Jingyi's art mentioned breath, so...
Was it related to breathing?
Although Might Dai had spent 20 years focused on the Eight Gates, he had picked up considerable knowledge of taijutsu along the way.
Just hearing the name, he guessed the core principle.
But—
How exactly it worked, Dai didn't know.
"Lightning Release Chakra can stimulate cell activity, and breathing in large amounts of oxygen can do the same," Keiichi explained.
This was the core of the Seven-Day Breath.
Compared to Lightning Release stimulation, the Seven-Day Breath was more brute-force. Its effects on speed and strength were greater—but so was the cost.
"In that case... it really does have fewer side effects than mine."
Dai may have lacked formal knowledge, but after 20 years of personal experimentation, his understanding of the body was profound. He immediately understood the benefit of the Seven-Day Breath:
It was less taxing on the body.
"Yours?"
"Kanda-sensei, to be honest... I've also created a taijutsu that unlocks the limits of the human body, based on past materials—The Eight Gates Technique!"
Dai nodded, then began to explain the principles.
The more he talked, the more he admired Jingyi.
The eight chakra gates of the human body serve to protect it. In a way, they limit the flow of chakra to prevent self-destruction.
These are the body's internal safeguards.
Opening them grants immense power, but at the cost of immense damage. Muscle tears and physical breakdown are only the beginning.
Though the maximum potential of the Seven-Day Breath might fall short of the Eight Gates, it was more practical and safer for wider use. Even if it led to cellular overexertion...
In battle, such explosive power could mean the difference between life and death.
And
Since it stimulated physical activity without disrupting chakra flow too much, it was even more practical.
That alone made it better than the Eight Gates
Once the Gates are open, chakra floods the body at dangerous levels far beyond normal control.
In contrast, the side effects of the Seven-Day Breath cell strain were negligible in comparison.
Thinking this through, Dai couldn't help but put aside his pride and ask, "Kanda-sensei, my Eight Gates is based on the body's eight chakra limiters so I named them as such. Your Seven-Day Breath?"
"I envisioned it as having seven stages of activation. So far, I've only developed the third."
Keiichi replied.
Might Guy, standing nearby, was already lost.
Though he had started practicing the Eight Gates, he didn't yet understand the human body or taijutsu deeply. He couldn't follow the conversation at all so instead, he went off to train his physical techniques.
"The third activation..."
Guy was awed.
The concept of stimulating cells in that way was novel. He had never considered enhancing taijutsu from that angle.
"Currently, the standard is the amount of oxygen inhaled. Right now, I can inhale four times the normal intake but I don't believe that's the limit."
"Wait! These are your own inventions and discoveries. I can't just benefit for free. I'll share my knowledge too, but... hmm, no need. With your character, Kanda-sensei, I know you'll use the Eight Gates only when truly needed."
Guy originally wanted to treat it as a teaching moment for his son.
But...
When he thought about it carefully, was there really any reason to worry about Keiichi's character?
With Kanda-sensei's moral compass, he would never misuse the Eight Gates.
"Thank you, senior. To be honest, I'm also deeply interested in unlocking the chakra gates of the body but the Eight Gates should be considered a kinjutsu (forbidden technique), and shouldn't be used lightly."
"As expected of you, Kanda-sensei. I don't need to say another word."
Guyi chuckled, then began quietly discussing their methods.
Jingyi also taught him the Seven-Day Breath.
But
After the third activation, there was no more reference material. Unless the system could somehow invent the rest from scratch, everything would have to be researched and discovered on his own.
So, while the Eight Gates was a complete system, the Seven-Day Breath was still in development.
Still
Guy didn't feel shortchanged.
The Seven-Day Breath opened his eyes to a new path. Though it couldn't be combined with the Eight Gates directly, he found it fascinating.
If it could be refined and improved, it might lead to a new method of proactive body enhancement.
"Kanda-sensei, if we reduced the intensity and threshold of the first activation, could it become a basic taijutsu for general use?"
"I've had the same thought. I'm still researching it."
"I may be a fool, and I'm only a genin, but I can still try to help..."
"That would be amazing!"
Jingyi was both excited and a little ashamed.
He had hoped to get the Eight Gates in trade but guy wanted to take the Seven-Day Breath and develop a simplified, teachable version for the sake of average ninja.
And more than that
In guy's eyes, he viewed Jingyi as someone noble and trustworthy.
After his talk with guy, Jingyi couldn't help but think
Wasn't it a huge waste for someone like Might guy to remain a genin?
So...
Did Konoha lack talent?
Not at all. It was just that the Third Hokage and Danzo refused to nurture and protect them.
Compared to Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi was clearly inferior in this regard.
That day
Jingyi and guy discussed and experimented for hours.
Eight Gates. Seven-Day Breath.
Completely different systems but both were explosive taijutsu. Guy, with his deep understanding, quickly mastered the first activation.
"I've got an idea, but... I don't know how to explain it."
Guy blushed, frustrated.
He had trained in taijutsu purely through grit and determination, with no theory to back it up. He could explain the Eight Gates well enough, but when it came to analyzing and summarizing the Seven-Day Breath, he couldn't find the words.
His path was entirely instinctual.
Jingyi understood perfectly.
After a moment, he said, "Senior guy, don't worry about it too much. If we can't figure it out, we can just publish the first activation as a standalone taijutsu. It's already broadly useful. As for the Eight Gates I think we can design new moves that pair with each Gate."
"New techniques to go with each Gate? Why?"