Asakujaku.
A move as dazzling as it was deadly.
When the user throws punches at extreme speed, friction against the air ignites visible flames. In a single instant, over a hundred punches can be unleashed—each strike blazing—until the burning afterimages bloom like a peacock spreading its tail.
What speed. What overwhelming force!
Uchiha Yuan sensed the storm of fists the moment they erupted, each one crashing toward him like a torrential downpour.
Iron Body.
Bang bang bang bang—
The fiery spectacle of Asakujaku completely swallowed Yuan's silhouette. The impacts rang out like countless thunderclaps detonating at once.
After several breaths—
The barrage ceased.
Guy stood there, breathing hard. Steam rose from his body; sweat evaporated instantly under the intense heat pouring off him.
Across from him, Yuan stood with arms crossed before his chest. A faint golden aura shimmered over his entire body.
Guy's pupils contracted sharply.
As a taijutsu specialist, he immediately recognized what that golden aura represented—
The manifestation of physical vitality.
In the clan's Eight Gates manual, it was recorded that when the Seventh Gate was opened, burning life-force would erupt outward as a fierce aura.
Which meant—
In Guy's judgment, Yuan's physical body had already reached a level comparable to someone capable of opening the Seventh Gate.
At that moment, sealing formulas surfaced across Yuan's wrists and torso—the chakra-suppressing techniques placed on him earlier by ANBU. Under the violent surge of blood and vitality within his body, the seals flickered visibly before gradually fading again as the golden aura receded.
Yuan lowered his arms and looked calmly at Guy.
"Guy… That was terrifying. The last time I felt that much pressure was against the Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure and Killer B. I'll acknowledge it—you are the strongest in taijutsu."
Guy's expression remained serious.
"Uchiha-san… Your taijutsu is stronger than mine."
He shifted into a combat stance.
The Sixth Gate—open.
A terrifying pressure exploded outward.
Battle intent burned in Guy's eyes like wildfire.
"Please… show me your full power!"
Gales roared around him. The surrounding ANBU couldn't help but pale at the oppressive force radiating from his body.
Behind his mask, Kakashi's expression turned complicated.
"Guy…"
So you were this strong all along…
Feeling the blazing challenge in Guy's gaze, Yuan's brows lifted. Then he burst into laughter, arrogant and unrestrained.
"Good!"
In the next instant, the air around Yuan trembled violently, visible ripples spreading outward in rings.
Sealing scripts flared again across his body, flickering under the violent pressure of his surging vitality.
The two auras collided—
Like two primeval beasts facing one another before a killing charge.
Boom—
The ground cracked beneath their feet.
And then—
They moved.
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