The Eight-Year-Old Me Became Hokage

Uchiha Kagami immediately activated his Sharingan, focusing on Kazekaze's chakra flow. As Kazekaze entered the The Eight Inner Gates state, his entire presence shifted— Even Kagami, watching from the sidelines, felt an overwhelming pressure.

"Who do you think… will win?" Koharu asked blankly, staring at Kazekaze.

Although Kazekaze had courage and confidence, she knew Danzo much better. Danzo was exceptional in both taijutsu and ninjutsu. And Kazekaze's monstrous Senju strength had been sealed away by Lord Tobirama. Before this match, she couldn't see any scenario where Kazekaze could defeat Danzo. But now? After seeing Kazekaze in his The Eight Inner Gates form… She wasn't so sure anymore. Still, Koharu didn't believe Kazekaze had learned The Eight Inner Gates in just one day. Even if he was a monstrous genius, mastering a forbidden technique overnight was ridiculous! The only explanation— Kazekaze had been secretly training in The Eight Inner Gates long before today!

"...Danzo, probably," Homura said in a hesitant voice.

Even he didn't notice that his answer wasn't as certain as before. Because Kazekaze's performance had completely shattered their expectations.

"The winner will be Danzo," Sarutobi declared firmly.

"Kazekaze-sama being able to activate The Eight Inner Gates is surprising, but this isn't an ordinary jutsu," he explained.

"The Eight Inner Gates not only requires immense natural talent but also a physically conditioned body to handle the strain. Otherwise, the damage to muscles and tenketsu points will be devastating!"

Even though Sarutobi had never trained in The Eight Inner Gates himself, He understood it very well. To use The Eight Inner Gates, one needed to endure inhuman training, pushing the body far beyond its limits. Only through constant, extreme conditioning could the bodily strain from The Eight Inner Gates be minimized. And even then— It only minimized the damage. Forcing the gates open too soon could cause lifelong injuries, or even render a ninja completely crippled.

"I won't deny it—Kazekaze-sama, at just seven years old, is a one-in-a-million taijutsu genius! But to push himself into such extreme danger just to beat Danzo… That's beyond reckless—it's pure madness! He won't even last long enough to defeat Danzo! His own muscles will fail him first!" Sarutobi spoke with unwavering conviction.

Though he was once again stunned by Kazekaze's talent, He still didn't believe Kazekaze could win. Unlike Might Bai, who had trained his body to absurd levels, Kazekaze's physical endurance wasn't ready for The Eight Inner Gates. And yet— Kazekaze himself knew this better than anyone. He understood the consequences of using The Eight Inner Gates far more than anyone else here. That's exactly why— He didn't immediately activate Gate of Pain or Gate of Closing. Kazekaze knew his body's limits. That's why he stopped at the Third Gate. The final safe limit. This way, his body would only consume energy at an accelerated rate, Without suffering muscle or tenketsu damage. And as long as he could keep replenishing the lost energy using Hashirama's chakra, He could sustain this state. However… Not for long. He had to end this fight quickly.

"I'm coming, Danzo!" Kazekaze shouted, bending his knees slightly.

Then— With explosive force, he launched himself forward. Danzo's eyes widened in shock. Kazekaze's speed and strength had completely shattered his understanding of reality.

'He's only seven… and he mastered The Eight Inner Gates?! Didn't they say he never trained in taijutsu before?! How the hell is his body even handling this?!"

No— It wasn't just unbelievable. It was outrageous! But there was no denying it— Kazekaze had done it.

WHOOSH—

Danzo took a deep breath, moving with flawless efficiency. From his ninja pouch, he drew a kunai and immediately threw it at Kazekaze, While simultaneously forming hand seals to unleash a Wind Release technique. Danzo's strategy was simple. He knew The Eight Inner Gates would rapidly drain Kazekaze's energy. All he had to do was keep Kazekaze at a distance, Denying him close combat opportunities. Once Kazekaze's body hit its limit, He would be forced out of The Eight Inner Gates. At that point, Danzo could end the fight however he wanted.

But what Danzo never expected, What he never even considered possible— Was that Kazekaze… vanished. Yes— He disappeared!

'Where—where is he?!' Danzo's entire body tensed, His breathing halted— Losing sight of his opponent meant he couldn't even defend himself. Sweat dripped from his forehead. Kazekaze's pressure felt like a mountain crashing down on him. Without even realizing it, Danzo's hands and legs were trembling. Then— A voice.

"I'm right behind you."

Kazekaze's voice whispered from behind Danzo's back. For a ninja, exposing your back to the enemy meant— You had already given them your life. Your fate— Life or death— Was now in their hands. A cold fear surged through Danzo. His mouth opened wide, His voice cracking in sheer panic—

"I won't lose to you!"

He swung his fist as he spun around— But then— Kazekaze was gone again. No— The moment Danzo turned, Kazekaze had already moved faster, Circling behind him again. This was the same Danzo who would one day establish Root, Who orchestrated the annihilation of the Uchiha Clan, Who exploited Pain's invasion to eliminate political enemies— And now, here he was— Being toyed with.

"Danzo, you're too slow."

Kazekaze's voice echoed beside his ear again. But this time— Kazekaze wasn't just taunting him. The moment he finished speaking— His fist clenched tightly. Then— He slammed it into Danzo's gut.

BOOM!

Danzo's feet lifted off the ground, his back arched, A sharp pain surged from his stomach, And everything he had eaten that morning— Came violently out of his mouth. Kazekaze's attack chain had just begun. After delivering the straight punch, Kazekaze planted his hands on the ground, Shifting his center of gravity. Then— He swung his right leg upward— Smashing Danzo's stomach again! Immediately— Kazekaze bent his elbow, Using it to generate even more power, Propelling himself off the ground— Left kick. Right kick. A continuous whirlwind of kicks sent Danzo higher and higher into the air!