"Start? Start what?"
Ash's words filled Emiya Shirō's head with question marks. He had no idea what Ash was talking about.
"Nazi, let's camp here tonight," Ash said to Sabrina beside him, completely ignoring Shirō's confusion.
"If we keep moving, we won't make it to the next city before dark. Besides, I also want to train Totodile properly."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ash raised his hand.
"Mokuton!"
Wood suddenly surged from the ground, weaving together into a sturdy wooden cabin. In the blink of an eye, a small house had appeared in the clearing.
No matter how many times Shirō saw it, Ash's Mokuton ninjutsu still looked unbelievably cool to him.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Ash then formed another hand seal.
In an instant, several shadow clones appeared around him. Each clone took one Pokémon and headed off to begin training in different directions.
Meanwhile, the real Ash sat down cross-legged on the grass behind the cabin with Shirō.
As for Sabrina, she had already begun preparing dinner.
Ever since she started traveling with Ash, she had not only prepared enough supplies but had also begun learning how to cook.
After all, if she wanted to become Ash's wife in the future, improving her cooking skills was something she took very seriously.
"Shirō, listen carefully."
Ash's expression became serious.
"I'm about to teach you a very powerful combat technique. Once you master it, it will become your ultimate trump card."
"But remember this—unless there is absolutely no other option, you must never use it."
Sitting across from Ash, Shirō straightened immediately.
Ash planned to teach him the Eight Gates.
Since Shirō specialized in Fighting-type Pokémon, Ash believed the Eight Gates technique could be developed extremely well under his training.
In fact, Ash's own main Pokémon also relied on the Eight Gates as a core technique.
Normally, because of biological limitations, most Pokémon could only open the first three gates at most. Their body structures simply couldn't handle more.
Fortunately, thanks to the skill-disc system Ash possessed, his main Pokémon had all learned the Eight Gates perfectly.
It had been an unexpected but welcome surprise.
However, even though Ash later tried teaching the technique to other Pokémon, the results weren't nearly as good. In the end, the limits of their bodies still held them back.
"Oh!!! It's finally here—my trump card!"
Hearing Ash say he was about to teach him a powerful secret technique, Shirō couldn't help shouting excitedly.
Ash gave him a calm look.
"Listen carefully."
"This technique is called the Eight Gates."
"Simply put, inside the body of every Pokémon—and every human—there are eight special points that restrict the amount of power the body can release."
"According to research, humans are actually capable of incredible strength. However, because of subconscious self-protection, people can only use power within the limits their bodies can safely handle."
"These limits are controlled by those eight points."
Shirō listened intently.
From time to time, he even took out the notebook he had bought earlier in Ecruteak City and wrote down everything Ash said.
"Restrictions?" Shirō asked after finishing his notes.
"Master, why would the body limit its own strength? Wouldn't it be better if we could always use our full power?"
Ash shook his head slightly.
"The purpose of those restrictions is to protect the body."
"From now on, we'll refer to those eight points as the Eight Gates."
"Once a gate is opened, the restriction is lifted and you gain a massive surge of power."
"But that power doesn't appear out of thin air."
"You already possess that power—it's just normally suppressed by your body."
"The reason it's suppressed is because releasing it causes extreme damage to the body."
"Without a strong enough physique, you simply cannot withstand the strain caused by opening the gates."
"That's why the Eight Gates in all living beings remain closed."
"Each time you open a gate, your strength increases… but the side effects also become more severe."
Ash looked directly at Shirō.
"You must remember this."
"Unless absolutely necessary, you must never use it."
"In official battles it's still manageable, since medical treatment is available nearby."
"But when fighting enemies in the wild…"
"You must never open the gates unless your life is in danger."
"That's the warning I'm giving you."
"If you forcibly open the Eight Gates without proper medical support nearby, you'll most likely die," Ash said seriously.
"Especially the eighth gate. Opening it means certain death."
"Even if I use Mokuton to treat you afterward, the chance of saving you would only be about ten percent."
Ash's explanation made Emiya Shirō choke slightly in shock.
The way Ash described it made the technique sound less like a training method and more like some terrifying forbidden curse.
"Then… Master," Shirō said hesitantly, "if someone strengthens their physical condition to a certain level, can the side effects be reduced?"
Although the technique sounded frightening, the sheer power Ash hinted at made Shirō extremely curious about it.
"Yes," Ash replied with a nod.
"Improving physical strength can indeed reduce the side effects."
"But after using the Eight Gates, you still need a period of rest to recover."
"And during that recovery period, you'll need heavy nutritional replenishment."
Ash paused briefly before continuing.
"My main Pokémon can now open all eight gates."
"Even so, if they open seven gates, they still need to rest for more than two weeks before their bodies fully recover."
"As for the eighth gate…"
Ash's expression became even more serious.
"Without my direct order, they are absolutely forbidden from opening it."
Hearing this made Shirō even more astonished.
Even Ash's strongest Pokémon—who were far stronger than ordinary Pokémon—needed more than two weeks of recovery after opening seven gates.
That alone showed just how terrifying the side effects of the technique were.
Ash continued explaining calmly.
"The power released by the Eight Gates already exists inside the body."
"It's normally sealed away by the body's natural limits to prevent self-destruction."
"When you open the gates, you're essentially borrowing power that the body sealed away to protect itself."
"In other words, you're using strength that damages your own body."
"So even if your physical strength becomes extremely powerful…"
"You can never completely eliminate the side effects of the Eight Gates."
(End of Chapter)
⚡ Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin
😊 Thank you for your support!