Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

Konoha Training Ground No. 44

Because of the New Year, the training ground, which had not been cleaned, was blanketed with snow.

Chiba and Orochimaru stood ten meters apart, their gazes locked in silent determination.

On the sidelines, Jiraiya and Tsunade observed the scene, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

Orochimaru broke the silence with a sly smile. "Chiba-kun, while I am curious about the power of the taijutsu you mentioned, I won't hold back just because you're a child."

Chiba replied with a faint smile, his tone steady. "That's exactly what I'm hoping for. I want to give Lord Orochimaru a battle worth remembering."

As if the heavens sensed the impending clash, the cold wind howled across the training ground, amplifying the already tense atmosphere.

Watching from the sidelines, Tsunade spoke up. "Jiraiya, who do you think will win this match?"

Jiraiya hesitated for a moment, then frowned. "While I've heard Chiba is a prodigious talent, his opponent is Orochimaru. The gap in their experience and strength is just too vast."

Before Jiraiya could elaborate further, Nawaki, brimming with confidence in Orochimaru, chimed in. "The answer is obvious. Orochimaru-sensei will win. How can a mere academy student stand a chance?"

Despite agreeing with Jiraiya's analysis, Tsunade couldn't shake a glimmer of hope for Chiba. She knew the odds were slim, yet she yearned to see him pull off the impossible.

The icy wind continued to sweep across the training ground, but Chiba remained unfazed. Without hesitation, he opened the Sixth Gate of View.

Boom!

The intense heat generated by his boiling chakra melted the snow beneath his feet, creating a steaming circle around him.

"Lord Orochimaru, prepare yourself!" Chiba declared, his voice resolute.

Without waiting for a response, he launched himself forward. The sheer force of his movement stirred up snow from the ground, creating a swirling flurry that engulfed the training ground.

In the blink of an eye, Chiba closed the distance between them, aiming a devastating punch—his "black fist"—directly at Orochimaru.

Bang!

Orochimaru, caught off guard by the overwhelming power of the punch, raised his arm to block. The force shattered his forearm bones and sent him flying over ten meters.

"Latent Shadow Snake Hand!" Orochimaru retaliated the moment he landed. From his arms emerged several large snakes, striking toward Chiba with alarming speed.

Chiba, undeterred, advanced. With his fists clad in his black, armored power, he smashed through the attacking snakes with ease. Anticipating a follow-up attack, he leaped several meters into the air to evade the remaining serpents.

Orochimaru seized the opportunity to summon an overwhelming force.

"The Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!" he called out, lying flat on the ground as an endless stream of snakes poured from his mouth. At the same time, the hilt of the Kusanagi Sword emerged from his throat.

Grasping the blade, Orochimaru lunged at Chiba amidst the chaos of writhing snakes.

Chiba, now surrounded, chose not to waste time fighting the summoned serpents one by one. Instead, he unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, stunning the entire swarm in an instant.

The snakes, paralyzed and motionless, lay scattered across the training ground.

Outside the field, Nawaki cursed in his heart as he succumbed to the effects of the Haki. That b*****d Chiba lied to me...

Meanwhile, Jiraiya and Tsunade, though dizzy from the overwhelming aura, managed to stay conscious. Despite their disorientation, they exchanged glances, their curiosity about Chiba's mysterious power growing.

Back on the field, Orochimaru, who had previously encountered Chiba's Haki, was momentarily dazed but quickly regained his composure. With the Kusanagi Sword in hand, he struck at Chiba with precision, aiming for his neck.

However, Chiba, forewarned by his Haki, didn't dodge. Instead, he raised his "blackened" palm to meet the blade head-on.

Clang!

Sparks flew as the sword clashed with Chiba's palm. Orochimaru's eyes widened in shock.

What is this black armor? he thought. It's strong enough to withstand the Kusanagi Sword?

Before Orochimaru could process his thoughts, Chiba countered with a powerful kick, sending Orochimaru flying once more. The Kusanagi Sword slipped from his grasp, landing in Chiba's hands.

Chiba examined the blade briefly before tossing it back to Orochimaru. "This weapon is useless against me," he stated dismissively.

Catching the sword, Orochimaru wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and chuckled. "Impressive, Chiba-kun. You've yet to use a single Ninjutsu, and your strength is extraordinary. But tell me, what exactly is this 'black' power of yours?"

Chiba shook his head. "That's my secret. I hope Lord Orochimaru can understand."

Orochimaru's smile widened. "Very well, Chiba-kun. But let's see how you handle this."

Biting his thumb, Orochimaru pressed his hand to the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"

Bang!

In a cloud of smoke, a massive snake, dozens of meters long, appeared on the training ground. This was Orochimaru's infamous summoning beast: Manda.

The giant snake glared down at Chiba, its presence exuding menace. "Orochimaru, who's the enemy?" it asked.

"Look below," Orochimaru replied.

Manda's gaze shifted to Chiba. Almost immediately, a wave of unease washed over the serpent. It could sense the danger emanating from the young Uchiha.

"You'd better prepare a hundred sacrifices this time, Orochimaru," Manda hissed. "Otherwise, you'll be handling this one yourself."