Gate of Youth

The Gate of Youth is a special ability that young shinobi can use, able to gain the powers of opening the Eight Gates without actually having to.

Description
In young shinobi, especially those who have not undergone puberty, the chakra pathway system is still in development, and the Eight Gates are not entirely formed. With training, a user can directly access much more of their body's chakra with the Gate of Youth, able to have power equivalent to the 3rd Gate (Gate of Life).

Using the Gate of Youth comes at the price of bodily harm like using the Eight Gates, though because of its limited boost of power, it at most induces exhaustion, soreness, and at worse strained muscles.

The Gate of Youth allows a shinobi to greatly increase their speed, able to dash through forests with ease and can increase their strength, able to knock down large trees and walls.

A user will lose their ability to use the Gate of Youth often as soon as puberty begins in the body, as the Eight Gates are able to mature and properly restrict the body's flow of chakra to 20%. Many believe that frequent use of the Gate of Youth will negatively impact their tenketsu in the future and possibly lead to health problems, or even the inability to ever use the Eight Gates again.

Usage
Many young Academy students and genin are encouraged to learn to activate the Gate of Youth, due to its rewarding boost in strength, as well as practice to use the Eight Gates in the future. It is incredibly common for young shinobi to use the Gate of Youth - those who don't are either falling behind or skilled enough that they don't need the ability.

Protracters in Forest of Death exams are expected to pay close attention to the students regardless of their young age, as the Gate of Youth can lead to unexpected results.