In the livestream, a fiery red collar appeared, accompanied by a line of text:
[Beast Collar: Can control any beast, suppressing their wild nature and perfectly regulating their behavior. Suitable for summoned beasts and tailed beasts!]
The appearance of this item caused significant unrest among various beasts.
Figures like the White Snake Sage and the Great Toad Sage, who were technically among such creatures and had even served as summoned beasts for the Sage of Six Paths, were particularly concerned. Although their relationship with the Sage had been one of equality, the thought of being restrained by such a collar was unsettling.
[Manda: This thing should not exist!]
[Fourth Hokage: Guy, once the rewards from the Taijutsu leaderboard are distributed, could you trade with me for the least valuable item and retrieve the Beast Collar to give to Naruto?]
[Might Guy: Fourth Lord Hokage, please don't worry. I'll handle it.]
[Nine Tails: Damn it, Minato, what are you planning? I'm not wearing that thing! If you dare to put that collar on me, I'll fight your son to the death!]
[Fourth Hokage: Oh, Kurama, you're here!]
[Nine Tails: I've always been here!]
[Eight Tails: Kurama, this time, I'm on your side. We're not wearing that ridiculous collar!]
[Naruto: @Kurama, hey, you must be the Nine Tails inside me, right? Can't we just get along?]
[Nine Tails: Get along with you? Who wants to be stuck inside you? If you put that Beast Collar on me, you'll regret it!]
As time passed, item after item appeared in the livestream, each claimed by various shinobi. Although the rewards became less impressive as the ranking descended, they still incited desire.
Meanwhile, a group had arrived at Might Guy's residence.
"Lord Danzo!" Might Guy greeted respectfully.
Though he didn't approve of Danzo's character, Danzo was a high-ranking official in Konoha, second only to the Third Hokage, so Might Guy maintained a respectful front.
"Guy, I want to trade for your Water of Life," Danzo stated bluntly.
"Lord Danzo, I'm afraid I must disappoint you. I won't be trading the Water of Life," Might Guy replied, turning down the offer.
Danzo's expression grew cold. "Guy, I'm not asking for myself but for the sake of Konoha, and for you as well. The Water of Life is a unique item, but if I bring it to the Root division for research, we might be able to produce more of it. Besides, I don't need all of it, just half."
"No!" Might Guy refused again.
The Water of Life was his lifeline, especially if he ever activated the Eighth Gate. Losing half of it could mean the difference between life and death. Moreover, he didn't trust Danzo's intentions; he suspected Danzo was driven by personal gain rather than a genuine interest in research.
Just then, more people arrived—led by the Third Hokage, accompanied by Kakashi and other high-ranking shinobi.
"Danzo, what are you trying to do?" Hiruzen Sarutobi demanded.
Danzo quickly explained, "I was proposing to trade for the Water of Life. If I could study it, I might be able to replicate it."
Kakashi interjected, "Lord Danzo, the Water of Life is Guy's safety net. If he ever activates the Eight Gates, it's his only hope of survival. Without it, he might not make it."
Hiruzen also supported Might Guy, saying, "Danzo, the Water of Life belongs to Guy. You should drop this idea."
From Hiruzen's perspective, Guy was now more valuable to Konoha than Danzo. Guy, with his ability to open the Eight Gates, was a crucial asset, while Danzo, though influential, couldn't match Guy's power or potential.
"I understand," Danzo said, leaving the matter.
"Guy, rest assured, no one will pressure you to give up your Water of Life. Also, it's time we establish a Taijutsu Department in Konoha, and you'll have a central role in it," Hiruzen assured.
Guy immediately responded, "Yes, Lord Third Hokage!"
As Hiruzen left, Kakashi remained behind, eager to see Guy's rewards.
"Guy, let me see those rewards," Kakashi said, his curiosity piqued.
Might Guy, who shared a close, brotherly bond with Kakashi, had no reservations. He showed him the Water of Life, the Gravity Wristband, and the Dragon-Tiger Pills.
"These are all amazing items!" Kakashi said, clearly envious.
Suddenly, Might Guy handed one of the Dragon-Tiger Pills to Kakashi. "Take this pill and see if it helps you. Your chakra reserves are quite low, and this pill is said to enhance strength. According to its description, it might even increase your total chakra."
"I can't accept that; it's yours," Kakashi refused.
Might Guy opened the bottle containing the pills. "There are twenty pills in here. Giving you one isn't a big deal. If your chakra increases, your strength will skyrocket. Otherwise, you might struggle to keep up with me."
"You…" Kakashi hesitated but then accepted the pill, swallowing it in one gulp.
The energy of the Dragon-Tiger Pill surged through Kakashi's body, refining his muscles, bones, and internal organs.
Kakashi's low chakra reserves were due to his body's natural limits, which restricted the amount of chakra he could extract from his cells. But the Dragon-Tiger Pill fundamentally altered his physique, enhancing his body and modifying his chakra pathways.
As the pill's energy dissipated, Kakashi could feel a marked increase in his chakra reserves and physical strength. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel·fire.net
"How do you feel?" Guy asked eagerly.
Kakashi, visibly excited, replied, "Guy, my chakra reserves have tripled, and my physical condition has improved significantly."
"That effective?!" Might Guy was astonished.
Then, he gave Kakashi five more Dragon-Tiger Pills. While Guy wanted to give more, Kakashi firmly declined, feeling that six pills were more than enough. With these, Kakashi's strength would likely undergo a dramatic transformation.
Soon, all the rewards from the Taijutsu leaderboard were distributed. Might Guy honored his agreement with Minato Namikaze and exchanged his least valuable item for the Beast Collar.
Although he took a loss in the trade, he didn't mind. After all, he had gained many valuable rewards, and losing one wasn't a significant setback. Moreover, resolving the issue of the Nine Tails within Naruto would be a major benefit for Konoha.