Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

Since Hatake Sakumo had already mentioned it, Chiba found it difficult to say anything more.

Besides, he was quite curious about Hatake Sakumo's strength.

How powerful would Konoha's White Fang's swordsmanship become in the future?

"Alright, I'll be counting on you, Brother Sakumo."

"Just call me Sakumo, no need for 'big brother,'" Hatake Sakumo waved his hand.

"Alright then, Brother Sakumo."

"..."

Hatake Sakumo sighed helplessly. "Forget it, do as you like."

"Okay, let's begin." With that, Hatake Sakumo unsheathed his short sword from his back.

Knowing about Chiba's battle with Orochimaru, he didn't underestimate the boy. Instead, he took him seriously and was prepared to give it his all.

Chiba noticed that as soon as Sakumo drew his sword, his gaze sharpened, and his entire demeanor changed. He radiated an intense and chilling aura, entirely different from his usual self.

Seeing this, Chiba also unsheathed the Thunder God Sword.

Immediately, the armed Haki within his body surged toward the blade.

In an instant, the originally gleaming cold blade turned pitch black like Yoruichi.

Buzz!

Hatake Sakumo frowned at the sight. This was the first time he had ever seen anything like it.

He was curious about how Uchiha Chiba managed to darken the blade, but as an Anbu, he had been trained not to pry into other people's secrets.

"Brother Sakumo, I'm coming!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Chiba dashed forward, instantly closing the gap between them and bringing his sword down in a powerful strike.

Clang!

Sakumo blocked the attack effortlessly and pointed out, "Your movements are too obvious. Don't make unnecessary actions."

Chiba nodded in acknowledgment and quickly redirected his Thunder God Sword, slashing toward Hatake Sakumo's neck.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

In just a few seconds, the two exchanged dozens of blows.

Chiba soon realized that Sakumo was only defending, never launching any attacks of his own.

"Brother Sakumo, don't hold back. I won't improve if you keep going easy on me."

After deflecting another strike from Chiba, Sakumo nodded. "Understood."

His stance shifted immediately, no longer defensive. Instead, he launched a fierce counterattack.

With a flash of movement, his short sword cut through the air like lightning, moving so fast it was almost impossible to follow.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Now on the defensive, Chiba found himself struggling.

Sakumo's swordsmanship was too fast—without opening the Eight Gates, he could barely keep up.

"Don't just defend. Attack me!" Sakumo instructed while pressing his assault.

"I know!" Chiba shouted back, frustrated by the overwhelming pressure.

Half an hour later

As the two finally paused to rest, Sakumo inspected his White Fang short sword with concern.

The once-pristine blade was now covered in dense chips and cracks.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Chiba's Thunder God Sword remained completely unscathed.

Recalling how Uchiha Chiba had turned his blade black before the battle, Sakumo suspected it was some kind of special technique—some kind of "armor" that protected the weapon while maintaining its sharpness.

With a resentful look, he turned to Chiba.

Couldn't you have warned me beforehand?

Feeling guilty under Sakumo's gaze, Chiba hesitated before offering, "Brother Sakumo, I'll pay for the repairs."

Hatake Sakumo sighed. "No need. I can afford this much."

Even though he brushed it off, Chiba still felt bad. Sakumo had taken the time to teach him, and now he had nearly destroyed his sword in return.

Wanting to make amends, he thought for a while but realized—he had nothing to offer in compensation.

Money? Hatake Sakumo didn't want it.

Haki?

Yeah, right. I only learned it because of the system.

"That's enough for today. I need to visit the blacksmith," Sakumo said with a hint of resentment.

"Brother Sakumo, see you tomorrow!" Uchiha Chiba quickly responded.

"See you tomorrow."

As Hatake Sakumo left, Chiba glanced at the sky. It was still early.

He initially planned to continue training alone, but then he remembered his thoughts about Sage Mode.

Without wasting time, he got up and left.

Konoha Hospital

Chiba casually walked into Tsunade's office without knocking.

"Remember to knock before coming in," Tsunade said without looking up from her work.

"Sis Tsunade, it's me."

Hearing the familiar voice, Tsunade stiffened.

"What are you doing here?"

Realizing the door was still open, she quickly added, "Shut the door!"

Chiba smirked mischievously. "Tsunade-nee, are you expecting something since you want me to close the door?"

"Go away! Who's expecting anything?!"

Despite her words, Tsunade's face flushed red for some unknown reason.

Seeing her reaction, Chiba's smirk deepened as he took a step closer.

Tsunade's expression tensed as she instinctively backed away from her desk. "D-Don't come any closer! I'll call for help!"

Seeing her stress response, Chiba stopped teasing her and pretended to be confused.

"Tsunade-nee, what's wrong? I came here for something serious."

"..."

Tsunade was speechless.

She had already prepared herself for something outrageous, and this was the result?

"Hmph! Fine, what do you want?" She huffed, regaining her composure.

"I want to learn Sage Mode. Can you teach me?"

Worried she might think he was just being reckless, Chiba quickly explained, "Uncle Sousuke tasked me with dealing with the Nine Tails, so I need to strengthen myself."

Tsunade frowned.

She didn't mind Chiba wanting to learn Sage Mode, but the Sage techniques of the Three Great Holy Lands weren't something one could learn just because they wanted to.

Sage Mode required exceptional talent, and even then, learning it was incredibly dangerous.

If a person failed to balance their chakra with natural energy, they would slowly turn to stone.

Tsunade looked at Chiba seriously. "Chiba, Sage Mode is extremely dangerous. If you lose control, you'll die. Do you understand that?"

Of course, Chiba understood, but that wasn't a problem for him.

With his Overgrowth background, he could simply absorb natural energy, extract chakra, fuse them, and stop before exhausting himself.

He smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Tsunade-nee. I already researched Sage Mode before coming to you. I know the risks."