Ever since becoming Hokage, the Third had never felt as powerless as he did now.
He couldn't understand where Carl had suddenly appeared from, or why he possessed power so far beyond the shinobi world's understanding.
And why would someone like that descend upon Konoha of all places?
Thinking this, the Third's expression darkened. At that moment, a deep, powerful voice sounded:
"Hokage-sama, since ninjutsu isn't working, allow me!"
The Third froze, then turned toward a bowl-cut man in the crowd. Dressed in a green jumpsuit, standing ramrod straight, his appearance and aura made him stand out like a "crane among chickens" among the shinobi.
He was Konoha's proud Blue Beast—Might Guy!
From a distance, Lily noticed Guy and frowned.
"Who's that bowl-cut guy? He's so ugly."
Carl, of course, recognized Guy. He looked him over with interest and said,
"Ugly? I actually think he's… a little handsome."
"...Are you serious?"
Carl nodded seriously toward Lily.
Meanwhile, Guy had already reached the Third's side. The Third was one of the few in Konoha who truly understood Guy's strength. In pure taijutsu, even he, the Hokage, was no match for Guy.
Now that Carl's ability to nullify ninjutsu had essentially crippled almost everyone present, they still had taijutsu—but the Third doubted anyone here besides Guy could even touch Carl.
He still remembered the first time he saw Carl: the shockwave from Carl simply flapping his wings had left him, the Hokage, completely disheveled. That alone proved just how monstrous Carl's physical power was.
If they truly had to fight with taijutsu, Guy was absolutely Konoha's strongest option.
The Third looked at Guy deeply and nodded.
"Go. If something feels wrong, pull back immediately."
Guy took a step forward, eyes blazing as he stared at Carl ahead.
"I am—!"
Guy's self-introduction didn't even get halfway before Carl cut him off.
"Konoha's Blue Beast, Might Guy. I know you."
"Uh..."
Guy blinked, thrown off. Carl smiled.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Saint Figarland Carl . You may call me Saint Carl."
(The "Saint" is the Celestial Dragon's formal name.)
Guy blinked again. Danzo and the Third were both completely stunned. This was actually the first time they'd ever heard Carl's full name.
Why was Carl treating Guy so much better than he treated them??
Were Konoha's top two not worthy??
Carl's polite and gentle attitude also made Guy feel a faint warmth, though he didn't forget Carl was still the enemy. He nodded solemnly.
"Saint Figarland Carl. I'll remember it."
With that, Guy drew his arms inward, veins bulging on his forehead. With a roar, blue steam erupted from his body. The powerful gust of wind even made several ANBU present lose their footing.
"Seventh Gate—Gate of Shock—OPEN!!!"
Guy's shout shook the entire area. Many were seeing the Seventh Gate of the Eight Gates for the first time, completely stunned by the overwhelming aura. Even Danzo—still held by the throat—showed a look of shock.
Through all these years, hardly any opponent had ever forced Guy to open the Seventh Gate. But against Carl, he activated it without hesitation.
Carl tilted his head and said casually,
"Only the Gate of Shock? I thought you'd open the Gate of Death and throw a Night Guy at me."
"Nani?? How did you—"
Guy, in the middle of his heightened state, suddenly lost all momentum, staggered, and almost fell.
After regaining balance, he stared at Carl in disbelief.
"Impossible! Night Guy is only something I imagined! How could you know!?"
The Third Hokage's expression changed dramatically. Even Kakashi in the crowd was shocked. He stared at Guy's back and murmured:
"Guy… you really thought about opening the Gate of Death? What kind of taijutsu is Night Guy?"
Danzo's eyes burned with feverish greed.
The Gate of Death! Guy had trained the Eight Gates to such a level that he could open the death gate!
That was said to be dozens of times stronger than a Kage! He refused to believe anything could survive such power.
However, Carl's next words chilled Danzo to the bone.
Carl simply shrugged, speaking lightly,
"I don't think even the Gate of Death would threaten me, but I suggest you don't waste your life opening it. There's no need."
Guy absolutely wasn't reckless enough to open the Gate of Death, but Carl's calmness still made his heart sink.
If the Gate of Death couldn't do anything to him… what was the Seventh Gate worth?
There was no longer time for Guy to think. The Eight Gates consumed massive stamina the moment they opened—especially the Gate of Shock.
Guy steadied himself, lowering into a stance. He was ready.
Compared to the tense, battle-ready Guy, Carl appeared utterly relaxed. He casually rotated his wrist and smiled.
"Guy, I actually admire you quite a bit. So I'll fight you using only taijutsu."
Guy exhaled two jets of hot air from his nostrils and said in a deep voice,
"That's… really something. Thank you!!"
BOOM!!
With a massive sonic burst, Guy shot forward like a cannonball. Most shinobi couldn't even track his movement. By the time his form reappeared, he had already collided with Carl.
But the result stunned everyone.
Guy's powerful straight punch was caught cleanly by Carl's raised hand. If not for the crater forming beneath their feet, one might think Guy's punch lacked force.
Lily appeared in midair at some unknown moment, pinching her nose as she looked down.
"It smells terrible..."
Guy gritted his teeth, bending his knee sharply to strike Carl's abdomen. This time Carl didn't react—he didn't dodge or block.
Guy's iron knee slammed directly into Carl's stomach.
CLANG!!
Carl didn't budge. His expression remained calm.
Guy's eyes widened as pain shot through his knee—it felt like he'd struck an indestructible slab of steel.
He couldn't help saying:
"Are you… really human??"
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+140 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg