Eight Inner Gates Day Tiger! (5/5)

"Ding! Congratulations, Host! Reward: Eight Inner Gates!"

Finn felt a sharp sting in his palm, but as soon as the system's notification echoed in his mind, the pain vanished instantly.

A surge of knowledge flooded his brain—body techniques, muscle memory, every move of the Eight Inner Gates became crystal clear.

"666!" Finn grinned, his mind racing as he absorbed the essence of the Eight Inner Gates. He now understood how to use them.

The dangerous nature of the technique—capable of defeating a thousand enemies but harming the user—crossed his mind. Given his current strength, he could easily open the Seventh Gate without worry. As for the Eighth Gate? He could open that too... but best to take it slow.

"If I get a reward that boosts my physique, opening the Eighth Gate would be a breeze," Finn mused.

Meanwhile, Kaido, standing next to Finn, finally registered what had happened. The slap to his face wasn't just a shock; it was a humiliation. For someone as powerful as Kaido, an Emperor of the Sea, face was everything. To be struck like that in front of his subordinates? Unforgivable.

"Damn brat!" Kaido roared, his anger boiling over as he hurled his wine bowl aside and lunged at Finn.

But Finn was quicker. He used advanced Shave to flash out of Kaido's reach, leaving the furious Emperor grabbing at thin air. The sudden action caused the pirates around them to snap out of their shock.

"Kill him!" one pirate yelled.

"Dare to attack Kaido? He's dead meat!" another bellowed, as the hall erupted in chaos.

Guns were drawn, but Finn's speed was unmatched, making it impossible for the pirates to target him. Peggy Wan looked at Ulti, confused. "Sister, is this the 'surprise' you mentioned? Because it's definitely a surprise!"

He chuckled nervously. "You might want to let Kaido know about that 'surprise' before he thinks you're in on it."

Sure enough, the pirates began shouting accusations.

"Ulti's a traitor!"

"She was working with that guy!"

"Grab her!"

Ulti's heart dropped as she realized the situation was spiraling out of control. She glared at Finn, furious. How had things turned so badly for her?

"Damn you!" Ulti yelled, rushing at Finn with her fists covered in jet-black Armament Haki. Though her small hands seemed delicate, they packed enormous power.

Finn could see the anger in her eyes, and it amused him. She had tried to warn Kaido, but now she was the one who looked foolish.

"Good job, Ulti!" Finn shouted with mock joy. "You distracted Kaido perfectly, giving me the chance to slap him!"

Ulti's face twisted with rage and disbelief. The crowd, however, believed every word Finn said. The accusations against her grew louder, turning into an uproar.

"You traitor!"

"Ulti's working with him!"

"Kill her too!"

Ulti's face flushed with frustration as she lunged at Finn. But her strength, though impressive, was no match for Finn. He dodged her easily, and with a quick movement, placed a hand on her back.

"Medical Ninjutsu: Anesthesia Palm!" Finn whispered, sending Ulti into a deep sleep.

He caught her before she fell, and with a smirk, pulled out a teleportation rod. Pressing it into her hand, he helped her press the button.

"Ulti, you go first! I'll hold them off!" Finn shouted dramatically.

In an instant, Ulti's body dissolved into particles and vanished. The pirates gasped as Finn turned back to face Kaido, who was now fully enraged.

Kaido roared from the high platform, his drunken haze lifting as he grabbed his massive weapon, a spiked mace, and swung it with terrifying force.

"Thunder Bagua!" Lightning crackled along the mace as Kaido's attack hurtled toward Finn like a hurricane.

But Finn was ready. He recognized the attack—it was the same move that had once defeated Luffy. Barely avoiding the blow, Finn smirked. "I heard you're supposed to be immune to death. Well, let's test that."

Without hesitation, Finn activated the Eight Inner Gates.

"First Gate, open! Second Gate, open! Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth…"

In seconds, Finn had unlocked the power of the Seventh Gate. Energy surged through him, overwhelming his senses. The blue steam that formed from his body's sweat rose, encasing him in a fearsome aura.

"This feels amazing!" he exhaled, feeling invincible.

Kaido, seething with rage, charged again. His mind still focused on the slap, he swung his mace at Finn with all his might.

But Finn, now enveloped in the power of the Seventh Gate, was not the same opponent. With arms crossed in front of him, he faced Kaido head-on. Blue steam exploded around him like a nuclear blast, his roar echoing through the hall.

"Daytime Tiger!"

Behind Finn, the image of a colossal tiger materialized, roaring with primal fury as it solidified into a powerful, glowing form.