That night, at the Senju Clan residence:
After a satisfying meal, it was time for the usual Q&A session.
For the past few days, Tsunade had been unusually diligent, which puzzled Kagetsu. Normally, during this time, she would get irritated if asked too many questions, often snapping at him. Her explanations would sometimes come with a few personal insults as well.
Although Kagetsu usually ignored her words, treating them like background noise, Tsunade's sudden change in attitude and her thorough, no-nonsense explanations caught him off guard.
Still, while it was a bit uncomfortable, the increase in the quality of her teaching was something to celebrate.
In fact, even when Kagetsu asked deeper, more advanced questions or brought up random side topics, Tsunade patiently answered them. She no longer gave him the cold look and said, "Kid, that's not something you need to know right now."
"Lady Tsunade, do you know about the Eight Gates technique?" Nara Kagetsu asked at the end of the lesson.
"The Eight Gates?" Tsunade frowned.
"It's a taijutsu technique! Since it involves unlocking hidden power within the body, I find it really interesting and wanted to ask for your advice." Kagetsu took out a scroll of the Eight Gates and spread it open in front of Tsunade.
Tsunade glanced at the scroll briefly before tossing it aside.
"This technique isn't suitable for you. You wouldn't be able to learn it. Even if you forced yourself, you'd never open all eight gates. With the Nara clan's physical constitution, it's hard for you to even open the first gate!" Tsunade said bluntly.
"I don't intend to practice it. I'm just fascinated by the idea of tapping into one's potential and releasing a power greater than one's usual strength at crucial moments," Kagetsu explained, shaking his head.
"There are plenty of ways to boost your strength at critical times. Take the Akimichi clan from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, for example. They have a technique that allows them to enhance their abilities by drawing on their hidden strength," Tsunade said, resting her chin on her hand. "But these kinds of techniques all drain your life force, the energy of your cells."
"So, these bursts of power are short-lived. The longer you push it, the faster your body will start to break down. This is a last-ditch technique for desperate situations."
"The Eight Gates put a lot of stress on the body, but what if a medical ninja like you used it?" Kagetsu suggested.
"I'm not sure," Tsunade admitted, surprised by the question but then thought for a moment. "In general, the power of a technique is directly proportional to the amount of chakra you use and the toll it takes on your body.
"With each gate you open, the power increases, but so does the strain on your body. When you reach a point where your body can't handle it anymore, it'll start to collapse and break down.
"Because of the danger, this technique is classified as a forbidden jutsu. It not only harms your enemies, but also damages your own body.
"I don't have the same powerful healing abilities as my grandfather, but my medical ninjutsu and Yang-release chakra grant me a strong healing factor.
"If you're talking about opening the Eight Gates while simultaneously using medical ninjutsu to heal the damage and try to balance the two, I think it's almost impossible."
"Is it because the Eight Gates are just too intense?" Kagetsu asked thoughtfully.
Tsunade glanced at Kagetsu. Over time, she had come to understand that Kagetsu truly possessed the Nara clan's sharp intellect, and his talent in ninjutsu and research was exceptional.
This kind of insightful observation no longer surprised her like it once did. Now, she was used to it.
"Yes," Tsunade nodded. "The Eight Gates technique unleashes all the hidden power in your body. Once activated, all of your strength and chakra are drained at once.
"And this overwhelming power, beyond your control, can only be released through sheer force, using punches and kicks.
"During the gate-opening stages, the chakra inside you erupts like a volcano, becoming wild and uncontrollable. On the other hand, medical ninjutsu requires delicate and precise control.
"One is chaotic, the other requires control. They're naturally in conflict, almost impossible to coexist."
"Almost possible? So, there's still a chance?" Kagetsu keenly picked up on a subtle detail in Tsunade's words.
"If one's control over medical ninjutsu can reach my level, then balancing the Eight Gates and medical ninjutsu might be slightly possible.
But this is only possible for the first three gates. The more gates you open, the harder it becomes to maintain balance, and the chakra control required increases exponentially.
If you can't release that power fully, it will backfire inside your body, damaging it. And if you use medical ninjutsu to heal, you're essentially wearing yourself down without thinking.
This forbidden jutsu is meant for risking everything in a battle, not for long, drawn-out fights," Tsunade replied after thinking for a moment.
"That's a pity. I thought this technique would pair well with medical ninjutsu. If it worked, it might improve a medical ninja's ability to defend themselves," Kagetsu said with regret in his voice.
"That's not something for you to worry about. You're not exactly a pure medical ninja," Tsunade bluntly pointed out.
"Medical ninjas' lack of self-defense only applies to those who focus solely on healing. Training in this forbidden technique is too extreme, and it takes too long. Only a few people, those with special bodies and determination, can train to the point of opening the Eight Gates."
"Tsunade-sama's strength is already incredible, so she doesn't need this jutsu," Shizune, who had been quietly listening, chimed in.
"Superhuman strength, huh?" Kagetsu immediately thought of Tsunade's frequent displays of raw power, like when she angrily demolished things. A single punch from her could rival a B-rank jutsu in both damage and destruction.
"Medical ninjas have their own combat style, but it requires exceptional talent. Medical ninjutsu already demands fine chakra control, and its forbidden techniques are even stricter," Tsunade sighed.
"Are you also researching combat styles suitable for medical ninjas?" Kagetsu asked softly.
"I'm just trying to find a path that suits my own power," Tsunade said, frustrated as she scratched her head.
If only she had her grandfather's Wood Release, she wouldn't have to struggle so much. The path and the power limit would already be set before her; all she'd need to do is master Wood Release. There'd be no need to explore other areas.
But perhaps forging your own path of power, or following one that others have tread before, is something a ninja must experience to become a Kage.
Look at the strong and unique ninjas, and those who carry the title of Kage. They don't rely on flashy, complicated techniques, but instead push their own strengths to the very limit!
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