AN: Note that I do not own Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, or any of the characters from either Anime. This work is a fanfiction written out of my love for the series and not in any attempt to make a profit.
Proofread by: Author
Right, so before you read this chapter, I would like to apologize for the delay in uploading it. I know a whole bunch of people don't quite care, as long as I upload it roughly within the same time-frame as always, but I feel like I should try and keep my schedule either way. In addition to this, I will state that in this chapter, a technique from canon is discussed in-depth, and I have taken some extreme liberties with the lore concerning this technique while leaving the technique itself, and how it functions and acts, mostly intact. I happened to draw a few parallels between the technique and something else that greatly interests me, and it brought me to consider this technique a great lot, leading me to introduce this kind of plausible explanation for how and why the technique exists as it does, as well as how it can be improved, and why no one has done so already. Therefore, I hope you all enjoy.
Chapter 116: The Inner path of 361 gates
Leaving the Hokage tower and Shizune behind, Sakura contemplated the disappointment over still not having enough chakra for using Shadow clones. The idea of learning to open the Eight Gates instead was… something to consider. It was obvious the technique had flaws, despite its supposed power, and thinking about it, Sakura and Heikō had begun theorizing as to what might be a reasonable way to counteract the issues with it.
One of the more obvious ones was the idea that beyond the eight tenketsu known as the Eight Inner gates, there was a total of three hundred and sixty-one tenketsu in the body total, meaning there was an additional three hundred and fifty-three tenketsu not accounted for in the technique. Opening the gates the technique was named after definitely had a documented effect, but Sakura and Heikō wondered if perhaps, the damaging effect could be regulated using the remaining tenketsu in the body. They didn't see any reason to neglect those after all, not to mention that unlike most, their body actually contained twice the regular tenketsu.
It was a mystery, and had Tsunade not runoff, to who knows where Sakura and Heikō would have taken the opportunity to run the idea by her. However, as it was, they would have to settle for the third-best, or perhaps, the best option available to them, as their second choice had decided a drink was in order, and Sakura and Heikō decided that Shizune deserved it, for putting up with their new Hokage as much as she did. Meaning, their next option was Maito Gai.
With Kakashi as Gai's proclaimed eternal rival, it had been inevitable that team seven got to see team nine often enough. Albeit, they hadn't really been introduced properly until the Chūnin Exams. Either way, they knew where to find team nine if needed. Looking for a set of green jumpsuits and loud voices wasn't too hard, and if they weren't running around the village, they were either on a mission or training on their preferred training ground. Considering the results of the Chūnin Exams, they suspected training would be in high demand for team nine.
However, as they were making their way towards training ground five, where they suspected they'd be able to find team nine, Sakura spotted Maito Gai leaving a weapon store as she had decided to go through the commercial district.
Glad to see luck was on their side today, Sakura walked up to greet Maito Gai. "Hey, Gai Sensei!" Sakura called out, making Gai look up from the pouch likely containing his purchase, before smiling brightly at Sakura.
"Ah, Sakura. The youthful pink blossom of my eternal rival Kakashi! It is good to see you after your sudden departure, I trust your mission went well?" Gai greeted her back, before asking about her mission, which by all means was beginning to get old.
"Yes, it's done and over with. Could have gone better, but at least I was successful." Sakura explained, eager to get past the topic, while Gai continued to smile while nodding as if he had expected nothing less.
"Of course, as expected. With your youthful energy, there is no obstacle you can't face!" Gai proclaimed, making a few bystanders wince at his loud voice, which had Heikō chuckling at the scene slightly.
"Right, anyway, I was wondering if you had some time? The Hokage Tsunade suggested you could help me with a technique she thought I would benefit from. She has promised to inform you and prepare a request and permission for me to present you, but last I saw her, she kissed Shizune and ran off." Sakura told him, smirking inwardly as Heikō laughed. Spreading a little gossip never hurt anyone, especially if it was true.
Gai chuckled, and Sakura was unable to tell if he believed her, either way, it didn't matter. "Well, if I can help you, then I'd be more than happy to. Let's go somewhere more private and we'll discuss what you need me for. I'm afraid that most of my techniques revolve around Taijutsu, and while you've proven just how youthful you are since the Academy with your improvements, you still don't strike me as a Taijutsu type." Gai pointed out, to which Sakura nodded in agreement.
"You're right. I'm still more suited for Genjutsu and Ninjutsu, due to my chakra control and now decent reserves, but I wish to cover my weaknesses. While Tsunade has taught me the secret to her strength, it has turned out not to be what I had been looking for exactly. She suggested an alternative she said you could help me with." Sakura explained, following after Gai as he led them to an out of the way park where they sat down on a bench.
"I see. Well, as long as she believes I'm the man for the job, I would be glad to help stoke your flames of youth!" Gai assured her, smiling at her with his blinding smile. "What was it you wished to learn?" He asked her, curious while trying to figure it out himself.
"She called it the Eight Inner Gates. She doesn't know it herself, but-" Sakura began, only for Gai to interrupt her by suddenly standing up.
"The Eight Inner Gates? What is she thinking? Opening the gates requires years of training, physical conditioning and can only be used in dire circumstances, following rules enforced by a pledge! I am sorry, Sakura, but I can not agree with this. I can tell already that your body simply isn't ready for it." Gai told her, making Sakura frown.
"I understand, but Tsunade said there is a chance that I might be able to learn a lot from just opening one gate. My chakra control is unprecedented according to Tsunade, and she speculated that I should be able to control the extra chakra and might even figure out a way to improve on the technique. I already have some theories from what I know of it." Sakura tried to convince him. It unnerved her slightly to see Gai look so disapproving, frowning instead of smiling.
Without saying anything, Gai sat down again, looking intently at Sakura with serious eyes. "Sakura, the Eight Inner Gates are not to be taken lightly. The technique is incredibly dangerous, and there are a lot of misconceptions about the technique. No matter if it is just one time, opening even the first gate can have severe adverse effects on the user. And that is if one is successful in learning the technique, to begin with. What Tsunade is suggesting, while theoretically possible, is even worse than the risk normally undertaken when deciding to learn this technique. As I mentioned, before learning to open the Eight Inner Gates, one needs to condition their body in preparation to deal with the side effects or risk of death. Even after doing so, there are risks of permanent injury, or even death, if one does things incorrectly. What Tsunade proposes will be much more serious. If you succeed, there is no guarantee that the technique will work as intended, and if you fail, you will most likely lose control. Without the proper conditioning and training, this would most likely result in your death. That's why I refuse to teach you how to open the Eight Inner Gates." Gai explained, opening Sakura's and Heikō's eyes to how scary a serious Gai could be.
"I see," Sakura responded, a little downcast and disappointed before Heikō decides they aren't done just yet. Flipping their braid to the left shoulder, Heikō takes over.
"In that case, would you at least entertain me and listen to the ideas I had about improving the technique? Nothing you've said so far contradicts my theory so far." Heikō tells him. Gai looks conflicted for a moment before he leans back with a sigh.
"Fine, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to hear you out." He accepts, and Heikō smiles at him, before sharing their idea.
"Well, Tsunade explained that the Eight Inner Gates are actually all different tenketsu points of great importance. Is there a reason only eight of them are opened, rather than all of them?" She asks, making Gai's expression soften before he looks amused.
"I see, I think I understand where you're going. You may be right, but there's a problem with what you're thinking. Let me explain. It is indeed possible to open all three hundred and sixty-one tenketsu points in the body. However, doing so is a dangerous endeavor, and takes time. It is said that a person who unlocks all of their tenketsu will achieve godhood, but it is nothing but a myth or unachievable dream. You see, the Eight Inner Gates is a technique that takes advantage of this very principle, but focuses on the eight most powerful Tenketsu. Unlocking any other tenketsu might net you some small semblance of improvement in other areas, but they're nothing compared to the Eight Inner Gates, and with the effort and conditioning required for each tenketsu to be opened, it makes next to no sense to focus on anything but the Eight Inner Gates. At least, that is the conclusion that Shinobi have come to. As it turns out, things are a lot trickier than that." Gai explained, before becoming serious again, losing his smile.
"The Eight Inner Gates is an imperfect method from start to finish. It's a forceful method that goes against the natural method for opening the gates. You might have heard of the Hyūga clan and their fighting style, how they can target a person's tenketsu, forcing them closed, or open as they please. Well, having seen it myself, I can confirm that it is different from opening a tenketsu using the Eight Inner Gates, or the natural method. Physically opening, or closing a tenketsu will enhance or block the flow of chakra, physically at least. Spiritually, the connection to the tenketsu remains. When opening a tenketsu point using either the Eight Inner Gates or the natural method, the tenketsu is also opened spiritually as well, meaning a Hyūga could never truly block a properly opened tenketsu point." Gai revealed, smiling again before he continued.
"Ideally, a person would gain the most out of opening all of their tenketsu if they wished to become stronger, but there are several things that make this idea unfeasible. First and foremost, it takes time. As I mentioned, it isn't just a physical journey, but a spiritual one as well, and to mature the spirit, is far more complicated than maturing the body. Next, comes the order of opening up your tenketsu. Using the method of the Eight Inner Gates means that after opening the eight gates, death is certain. However, in the strictest sense, this is false." Gai revealed, looking at Sakura to gauge her reaction, easily reading the shock, surprise, and confusion, which made him chuckle again.
"You see, there is actually a natural order to opening the tenketsu. The reason the method of the Eight Inner Gates shows such drawbacks is because it is an improper method of opening the tenketsu. Using this method is almost guaranteed to go against the correct order unique to all individuals. After each tenketsu that is opened incorrectly, the difficulty and dangers of opening the next rise exponentially. Opening one's tenketsu up in the right order, will not increase the difficulty of opening the next, so on the off chance that a person is born with two, or more of the Eight Inner Gates as sequential tenketsu, means the strain on their body when using them will be lessened, allowing them to potentially surviving opening the eight gate, or perhaps go even further if they can figure out what would be the ninth most beneficial tenketsu. The Eight Inner Gates technique is in short a way to abuse the limits of opening a person's tenketsu, getting the most out of doing it the absolutely wrong way. However, there is a reason for this." Gai explains, before smacking his lips together a few times, trying to get his mouth from drying out completely.
"Naturally, it would be far more advantageous in attempting to do it the natural way, unlocking all of the three hundred sixty-one tenketsu in the right order, being able to reap the benefits of the Eight Inner Gates and more, without any risk. Sadly, this is unfeasible, as opening just one tenketsu can take years, and figuring out which one is the sequential next can take a few more. By the time you get to the tenth one, you could find yourself with most of your life behind you, with almost nothing to show for it. That is why my father, Maito Dai developed the technique Eight Inner Gates, and even this shortcut took him twenty years." Gai finished his explanation, leaving Sakura and Heikō to digest all the information.
AN: Also, I realized after coming up with the name for the chapter, how fitting it is for Sakura and Heikō, formerly known as Inner, to learn a technique with the word "Inner" in its name.
Does Gai's explanation of the Eight Inner Gates make sense? Have further questions? Feel free to leave a review or DM me. I'd love to hear your opinions.
