Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template

Daruyin didn't feel great after taking that punch, but deep down, he was lazy and preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble. At this moment, he actually considered pretending to be knocked unconscious.

However, as a representative of Kumogakure, it would be humiliating if he lost so easily. But the opponent in front of him was pure brute force. Even if he managed to win, it would be exhausting, which didn't suit someone who avoided hassle.

"I get it. Let's just deal with him quickly," Daruyin thought to himself. Shaking off his daze, he quickly spoke up before Zixu, who was already swinging his kanabō (iron club), could strike again.

"Wait a moment! This isn't how things are supposed to go. If anyone could challenge someone of a higher rank like this, I'd be swamped with fights for the rest of my life!" Daruyin spoke rapidly, not giving Zixu a chance to continue his attack.

"Enter the village first. Many other outsiders have already passed the initial tests. Only those who prove themselves as the strongest among them will earn the right to challenge us." He paused before adding, "Also, when fighting us, only kenjutsu (sword techniques) and ninjutsu are allowed. After all, you're here to train, aren't you?"

After delivering his words, Daruyin swiftly slipped away.

A white-haired youth following behind Daruyin gave Zixu a despairing look, muttering in a gloomy tone, "It's over. Kumogakure is about to be humiliated by an outsider. I'm definitely going to die. Well, everyone meets death eventually. Has my time finally come?"

Before his pessimistic thoughts could spiral further, a red-haired woman with dark skin smacked him on the head, cutting off his rambling. She then dragged him away forcefully.

Zixu entered Kumogakure openly, glancing around at the village's architecture without any attempt to conceal his curiosity.

Every shinobi village had its own defining characteristics, and Kumogakure was no exception. Situated atop towering peaks, the village was shrouded in mist, giving it a distinct atmosphere. On this clear day, the white clouds surrounding the mountains and the village created a breathtaking view. The peaks were connected by thick suspension bridges, with Kumogakure standing at the heart of them all.

Due to its location, most buildings were constructed against the mountainside, making them short, thick, and incredibly durable. However, there were exceptions—the Raikage's office, for example, towered over the rest of the village like a throne, symbolizing the authority of the Raikage over his people.

In reality, this symbolism was entirely accurate. The Raikage's commands dictated the direction of the entire village. The people of Kumogakure followed his word without question, as the Raikage was the strongest in the village, carrying enough power and influence to inspire complete loyalty.

Yet, even such a strict, centralized system had its share of problems. The infamous Kinkaku and Ginkaku once rebelled, leading to the deaths of both the Second Raikage and the Second Hokage. Sarutobi Hiruzen had been chosen as Hokage in the aftermath of those events, something Zixu remembered well.

Before he could explore further, he was led into a dojo with a plaque bearing the kanji for "Martial Arts" (武, Bu).

"Kumogakure welcomes strong outsiders. You may spar here. If you're interested in joining our village, that isn't out of the question either," the middle-aged man who guided Zixu said with practiced ease. "For those skilled in Raiton (Lightning Release) and taijutsu, Kumogakure is a paradise."

"Oh? So Kumogakure does recruit outsiders?" Zixu raised an eyebrow. Given the village's nature, he doubted the process was simple. There was bound to be a price—perhaps betraying one's home village or proving absolute loyalty in some other way.

"Of course. You only need to prove your devotion by—"

Before the man could finish, Zixu interrupted. He already knew where this was going. They would demand a display of loyalty, likely requiring him to sever ties with his homeland. But he wasn't interested in that.

"No need to explain. I get it. Just hit me, and we'll talk later." Zixu cracked his knuckles, loosened his body, and twisted his neck.

"Alright, according to the rules, we start from—"

Before the man could finish explaining, the shinobi training in the dojo stopped what they were doing and gathered at the entrance, eager to watch the spectacle.

They knew what was coming. Whenever a newcomer arrived, it was tradition to give them a proper beating—just as they had received when they first joined. Young, arrogant shinobi often underestimated their own limits, and this was a lesson in humility.

"Who is that guy? Anyone know him?"

"Never seen him before. He must have arrived recently. He looks strong to have made it this far."

"How do you know how long he's been here?"

"I just joined the dojo two days ago, remember?"

The crowd speculated about Zixu's strength and debated how long he would last in the upcoming fight.

"I couldn't even last against my third opponent before I ran out of stamina. Let's see how far this guy gets," a one-eyed, scarred shinobi muttered with a twitch in his expression.

"Scarlett is already strong, and even he couldn't last. I couldn't even beat my first opponent," another agreed.

Many in the crowd thought the dojo's rules were unfair. Letting a newcomer fight experienced members from the start was nothing but torture. On top of that, the restrictions were absurd. Only basic ninjutsu and kenjutsu were allowed. Any high-level jutsu would lead to immediate disqualification.

For shinobi accustomed to using advanced techniques in battle, this rule felt suffocating. Even Kumogakure's elite relied on ninjutsu, and taking that away was like giving a warrior a sword and telling them not to use the sword. They were even forbidden from using medical ninjutsu, adding another layer of hardship.

"This kid looks confident. Maybe he really has some skill," a tall shinobi in the crowd crossed his arms, speaking in a serious tone.

"Seriously? I don't see it. Before I got beaten down, I was even cockier than he is now," another scoffed. "I bet he's just another fool who doesn't know his limits."

"Don't pick me as his opponent," someone shouted. "I'll teach him what it means to act tough in front of real experts. I didn't train for ten years in ninjutsu just to lose to some rookie."

The man raised a provocative middle finger at Zixu.

Zixu responded with a pleasant smile and, in the politest tone, delivered the most arrogant words possible.

"Excuse me for being blunt, but every single one of you here... is trash. Let's not waste time. I'm going to crush you all."

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