- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 394
“I disagree! As the Fifth Hokage, how can you recklessly put yourself in danger by personally going to the battlefield? Especially since we haven’t even begun fighting against the Cloud and Mist ninjas!”
In the strategy room of the Hokage building, the Third Hokage puffed on his long pipe, his face stern.
The Hokage, being the highest leader of the village, typically stays in the rear to command the battlefield, unless it’s an absolute last resort. If something were to happen to the Hokage, the morale of the entire village would plummet.
At the moment, Konoha’s forces had only just made contact with the invading Cloud and Mist ninja, and the real battle hadn’t even begun. There were no casualties yet, and now Leo, the Fifth Hokage, wanted to head to the battlefield himself.
Of course, the Third Hokage couldn’t agree to that.
Even though Leo was indeed powerful, the battlefield was unpredictable, and who could foresee what unexpected dangers might arise?
His master, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had been incredibly strong—the fastest shinobi of his time, creator of powerful forbidden techniques, and unrivaled in Water Release techniques.
But even with all that power, he still fell in battle.
There was also the Raikage from the Third Great Ninja War, known as “The Strongest Shield” and “The Strongest Spear,” yet he too was worn down and killed by ten thousand ninja.
Likewise, Koharu, Homura, and even Shikaku, the senior jonin present, all disagreed with Leo risking himself.
Only Danzo and the small clans he had allied with sided with Leo:
“I agree with the Fifth’s proposal. According to the intel, just yesterday, the Rain ninja forces decisively defeated all of the Sand ninja’s units and have now occupied the Sand Village, gaining control over the Land of Wind.
Their next target could very well be us.
If we can’t repel the Mist ninja with overwhelming force now, we may soon face a three-pronged assault from the Rain, Cloud, and Mist ninja. And remember, the Cloud Village has two jinchuriki. One of them can even perfectly control the Eight-Tails!”
Danzo’s motive was simple—he hoped that Leo would perish along with the Mist ninja, which would not only reduce the pressure on Konoha but also leave the Hokage seat vacant.
Otherwise, with Leo being so young, Danzo knew he might never get the chance to become Hokage, even until his old age.
In reality, Danzo harbored a deep resentment toward Leo. After becoming Hokage, Leo hadn’t fulfilled their prior agreement of passing the position to Danzo and instead warned him several times in secret.
“Danzo, now is not the time for scheming!”
Hearing Danzo’s words, the Third Hokage couldn’t help but slam his hand on the table. He knew all too well what Danzo was plotting.
At that moment, Leo, dressed in the Fifth Hokage’s robes, simply smiled and waved his hand:
“Teacher, I understand you’re all worried about my safety, but there’s something I forgot to mention. Since the last time the Akatsuki attacked our village, my strength has improved significantly.”
“My strength has improved significantly again?”
The Third Hokage and all the senior officials of Konoha were stunned.
Leo’s power when he repelled the Akatsuki members was already overwhelming, and now he claimed he had grown even stronger? Was he joking?
“In fact, you may not believe it, but my current strength might already be on par with the First Hokage’s level, though I don’t possess Wood Release.”
Leo dropped another bombshell.
“That’s impossible!”
The Third Hokage, Danzo, Homura, and Koharu—all four Konoha advisors—stood up immediately.
To most people, the First Hokage had become a mythical figure. Many knew he was powerful, but they had no real concept of just how powerful.
However, as disciples of the Second Hokage, these four had personally witnessed the strength of the First Hokage. His power was truly godlike, even more so than Nagato when he attacked Konoha or Leo when he fought back Nagato.
In their minds, there was still a significant gap between Leo’s strength and that of the First Hokage.
So even Danzo, despite his ulterior motives, couldn’t bring himself to agree with Leo’s claim.
“I knew you wouldn’t believe me, so let me show you!”
Without further ado, Leo stood up and shouted:
“Second form, activate!
Sage Mode, activate!
Eight Gates, Gate of Opening – Gate of Rest – Gate of Life – Gate of Pain – Gate of Limit – Gate of View – Gate of Wonder – Gate of Death, open!”
The immense power of Sage Mode combined with the Eight Gates Technique exploded, the overwhelming aura pressing down on everyone in the room, making their hearts almost stop.
“It’s the Eight Gates technique of the Might family!”
Everyone gasped in unison.
The Eight Gates is a forbidden technique. It’s said that opening all eight gates grants the user strength tens of times greater than a Kage-level shinobi, but death is the inevitable result afterward.
In the past, Might Duy, a mere genin, opened all eight gates and turned the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist—some of the most powerful ninja in the Land of Water—into “the three lucky survivors,” with four of them being killed instantly, and three barely escaping with severe injuries.
The Konoha higher-ups were well aware of this intelligence.
Now, imagine if genin Might Duy could defeat the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist with all eight gates open. What kind of terrifying power would Leo, already beyond Kage-level and armed with Sage Mode, possess?
“Wait, Fifth, how could you open all eight gates?!”
Recalling the intelligence on the Eight Gates Technique, the Third Hokage’s expression drastically changed.
Opening all eight gates meant certain death. Leo, to prove that he had mastered the technique, had directly opened the Gate of Death.
If Konoha’s Fifth Hokage died from the backlash of his own jutsu during a demonstration, it would become the biggest joke in the entire ninja world.
“Don’t worry, teacher. I’ve already tested it. With my body and the boost from Sage Mode, even with all eight gates open, the backlash can be withstood. I won’t die.”
Leo lifted his leg, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared beside the Third Hokage and Danzo.
What was truly frightening was that no one in the room, not even the skilled Third Hokage or Danzo, could see Leo’s movement. Even Kakashi, with his Sharingan, was no exception.
“Oh, by the way, in this state, I can maintain it for about a day. Afterward, I’ll need some time to recover, but I think a day should be more than enough to settle everything.”
“A day?”
Everyone in the room couldn’t help but twitch.
According to the description of the Eight Gates, most people could only maintain it for ten to twenty seconds, which was already terrifying.
Not only was Leo able to open all eight gates without any severe side effects, but he could also maintain that state for an entire day. That was beyond extraordinary.
At that moment, everyone present had to admit that maybe, just maybe, Leo’s strength truly could rival the First Hokage’s. And if he went alone to deal with the Mist ninja, it would likely be no problem at all.
After all, Leo wasn’t just a master of taijutsu; he was also proficient in ninjutsu, including space-time techniques and medical ninjutsu.
(End of Chapter)