Naruto: The Shadow of Uchiha

In the training forest where Ryosuke and Might Guy often sparred, Ryosuke found Guy deep in solo training. He was striking wooden posts repeatedly, each blow thunderous and powerful.

From the looks of it, Might Guy had been growing stronger himself.

Guy, sensing someone behind him, turned with a sharp pivot—and his face lit up.

"Ryosuke!"

It had been a while since Ryosuke came to spar. Guy had started to wonder if Ryosuke was avoiding him because of his lower strength.

But before he could bring that up, he remembered something exciting.

"Ryosuke! Did you hear the news? The village is about to sign a peace treaty with Kumogakure!"

Ryosuke raised an eyebrow.

"No, I hadn't heard."

Of course, he hadn't—he wasn't even involved in the Police Force or any official Konoha duties. But he had overheard some troubling rumors: Kumogakure wasn't just coming to negotiate—they were planning to abduct Hinata Hyuga and steal her Byakugan.

He clenched his fists lightly at the thought. His father had died in battle against Kumogakure shinobi. This so-called treaty? It was a perfect chance to collect some interest.

Noticing the shift in his expression, Guy asked cautiously,

"Ryosuke, is something wrong? You don't seem very happy about the news."

Ryosuke laughed.

"Nothing like that. I was just wondering why the negotiations are taking place in Konoha, instead of at the border of the Land of Fire."

Guy paused, scratching his head.

"Now that you mention it… I never thought of that."

Ryosuke shook his head, seeing that Guy clearly wasn't the political type.

"It's fine. Let's not dwell on it. I actually came to ask you to teach me how to open the Fifth Gate."

Guy blinked in surprise.

"You mean… the Gate of Limit?"

"Yeah. I've already mastered the first four gates."

Ryosuke said it casually, but Guy was stunned.

Training the Eight Gates wasn't just painful—it was agonizing. Learning to open each one took most shinobi years. For Ryosuke to already be at the Fifth Gate after just a few months?

That was… insane.

Guy took a breath. If Ryosuke was serious, then he had to teach him. As always, Guy demonstrated the technique first, and Ryosuke activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to copy his chakra flow and muscle control precisely.

Still, every person's chakra pathways were slightly different. Ryosuke made small adjustments based on his own body.

As he pushed his chakra toward the Fifth Gate—The Gate of Limit—the familiar searing pain tore through him. It was a sensation that felt like his muscles were being ripped apart.

And yet—Ryosuke's reaction was:

"This feels amazing."

He wasn't joking.

The pain of the Fifth Gate was stimulating in its own way. It meant progress. Strength. Power.

After getting a feel for it, Ryosuke quickly shut the gate and ended the training session.

He didn't want to risk anything while being on Konoha's radar.

After all, he had already refused the Hokage's offer to join the Anbu—and had even interacted with Naruto. The village elders were surely watching him now. If anything went wrong during training, it might be used as a reason to act against him.

Especially if he fainted and his eyes were exposed…

Might Guy was dumbfounded.

He still remembered the first time he opened the Fifth Gate. It felt like his nerves were on fire—like they were being severed from the inside.

But Ryosuke had not only endured it—he had enjoyed it.

Is that why he's growing so fast? Guy wondered. Because pain is just fuel for him?

Ryosuke brushed the dust from his clothes and turned to leave.

"I'll head home and continue training there."

But Guy stopped him.

"Ryosuke… how about a quick spar?"

It had been a while since they fought. And truthfully, Guy wanted to see how far Ryosuke had come.

Ryosuke paused mid-step, grinning over his shoulder.

"Of course."

Without hesitation, he activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and charged.

His leg snapped upward with explosive power—a Leaf Whirlwind Kick.

Caught off guard by Ryosuke's speed, Guy instinctively matched the move with a kick of his own.

Their legs collided with a heavy thud, and Guy's expression changed immediately.

Ryosuke's legs felt like they were carved from steel. The sheer density and power behind the strike shocked him.

Before Guy could react, Ryosuke spun on one hand and delivered a double-stage kick. Guy tried to respond—but he was a beat too slow.

The second kick landed solidly on his torso, launching him across the clearing.

Though Ryosuke hadn't gone all-out, he hadn't pulled back much either. After all, a spar without effort was meaningless.

Guy groaned but pulled himself up again.

He'd underestimated Ryosuke's progress.

Still, he wasn't going to give up.

He remembered how hard he'd worked in the past—starting from nothing, no ninjutsu talent, and even his taijutsu was once inferior to Kakashi's.

But sheer effort had let him catch up.

He believed it would work again.

He rushed at Ryosuke, fists flying.

But Ryosuke blocked the first punch—then the second—with just one hand.

Guy knew instantly: the difference in their strength was too large.

Still, he launched a kick—only to be counter-kicked mid-move and sent tumbling again.

Despite that, he stood back up, more determined than ever.

Fighting someone stronger—that was the path to true growth.

The spar continued, Ryosuke knocking Guy down over and over.

Ryosuke had improved tremendously—but even Guy had gotten stronger, albeit by a smaller margin.

His grit was undeniable.

Eventually, Ryosuke stopped and said,

"Let's stop here, Guy."

Guy lay on the ground, breathing heavily. Even if he could get up again, continuing would only lead to real injuries.

In just a few short months, Ryosuke had far surpassed him.

Even if Guy kept training, Ryosuke would only widen the gap.

This guy might become the strongest taijutsu user in history, Guy thought.

Still, there was no bitterness.

Just admiration.

Fighting someone like Ryosuke was an honor—and a shortcut to his own growth.

Looking up at Ryosuke, Guy chuckled and said,

"Ryosuke… you won't mind if I keep asking you to spar, right?"