Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

The Clash in the Forest

Bang!

The two figures swiftly separated before charging at each other again.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The sound of clashing blades echoed through the dense forest.

After a while, the two fighters once again broke apart.

Hatake Sakumo raised his hand to halt Chiba, who was preparing to continue his attack. "Chiba, that's enough."

"What's wrong, Brother Sakumo?" Chiba asked curiously.

"It's sufficient. Your swordsmanship is already flawless. There is nothing more I can teach you."

Hearing this, Chiba nodded slightly. "Thank you, Brother Sakumo, for taking the time to train me this past month."

Hatake Sakumo, however, felt differently. This past month had been grueling for him.

Not only did he have to repair his White Fang sword daily, but what started as a minor inconvenience turned into a serious burden. If it were only once or twice, it would have been manageable. However, repairing it every day had become an unbearable expense.

To cover the costs, he had to apply for a special fund from the Hokage. His Anbu salary alone simply wasn't enough. Now, finally, he could report back to Anbu and return to his duties.

"You're welcome. It was my responsibility," Hatake Sakumo waved dismissively.

Chiba, understanding his mentor's sentiment, refrained from further words of gratitude. He simply made a mental note to remember this kindness.

Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. "Brother Sakumo, can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead," Sakumo replied, feeling relieved that he would soon be free from this exhausting training routine.

"Brother Sakumo, do you know how to improve swordsmanship to the point where one can cut through steel?"

Concerned that Sakumo might misunderstand, Chiba quickly clarified, "I mean achieving this purely through swordsmanship, without using chakra."

This question had troubled Chiba for an entire month. He had even attempted the training methods described in One Piece—sensing the breathing of all things and mastering its rhythm. However, after a month of effort, he had made little progress.

To test this theory, he had started training with a stone, hoping to hear its "breath." Yet, after hours of sitting before the stone, the only things he could hear were the wind and the chirping of birds.

Even when he used his Haki of Observation to heighten his perception, his progress remained minimal. However, the month of training had not been entirely fruitless—his Haki had improved significantly.

Hatake Sakumo chuckled bitterly at the question. "Cutting through steel? Chiba, you really are giving me a tough one."

He hadn't expected such an unusual inquiry.

If the weapon were sharp enough and combined with chakra—especially wind chakra—it wouldn't be difficult. But Chiba specifically wanted to achieve it with swordsmanship alone.

Sakumo sighed, his expression serious. "I'm sorry, Chiba, but I don't know the answer. Why do you ask?"

"There are records in my Uchiha clan's ancient texts that speak of sword masters who could cut through seas and split mountains. But before reaching that level, they first had to learn to cut through steel," Chiba explained with a nostalgic look.

Hatake Sakumo listened, but he remained skeptical. If such swordsmanship truly existed, surely his own family, which had a long tradition of swordsmanship, would have recorded it.

Still, he chose to be honest. "I don't know how to achieve what you're describing, Chiba. I'm sorry."

Chiba wasn't surprised. He had only asked out of curiosity, and while a positive response would have been great, he wasn't disappointed by the lack of one.

"I see. I suppose I'll have to figure it out on my own," he said, pretending to be slightly disappointed.

Seeing this, Sakumo decided to offer some encouragement. "Don't be discouraged. Although I don't know how to reach that level, I believe that as long as you continue progressing on the path of the sword, you'll eventually achieve it."

"Mastering swordsmanship isn't something that happens overnight—it requires perseverance."

Chiba nodded. "I understand, Brother Sakumo. Don't worry, I won't abandon my training."

"Good. If there's nothing else, I'll be going. Anbu is expecting my report."

"Wait! Let me at least treat you to a meal. I feel bad for breaking your sword so many times," Chiba said with an embarrassed smile.

He couldn't help but recall Sakumo's devastated expressions after every sparring session. Seeing that look daily had made him feel guilty.

Though Chiba had tried offering compensation, Sakumo had always refused.

"There's no need. The Hokage covered the repair costs, so you don't have to worry about it," Sakumo said with a forced smile.

Though he appreciated the offer, the sheer number of times he had needed to repair White Fang—more than thirty—still stung.

"Alright, I really must go now. Goodbye!" Hatake Sakumo vanished in a flash, not giving Chiba any chance to insist.

The Hokage's Office

"Sakumo, what brings you here?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked in surprise.

Hatake Sakumo knelt on one knee. "Hokage-sama, I have completed the task you assigned me. I am now reporting back."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was momentarily stunned. He had only sent Sakumo to train Uchiha Chiba for a month.

Had he really mastered it so quickly?

Chiba was already as strong as a Jōnin, and now he had learned the Hatake clan's swordsmanship as well.

Wouldn't that mean…?

A cold sweat formed on Hiruzen's forehead. He had hoped to nurture a top-tier fighter within the Uchiha clan, but now the potential consequences loomed over him.

However, he reminded himself of Chiba's dovish nature and their past conversations. Unlike the hawkish members of the Uchiha clan, Chiba seemed more open to Konoha's leadership.

Looking at Sakumo, Hiruzen's curiosity grew.

"Sakumo, you've spent an entire month with Chiba. What do you think of him?"

Hatake Sakumo was momentarily puzzled but responded honestly. "Chiba is different from other Uchihas."

"Oh? How so?"

"He isn't as arrogant as the others. In fact, we got along quite well during training."

Hiruzen nodded slightly, contemplating this response.

After a moment, he said, "Alright, that will be all. You may report back to Anbu."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Without further questions, Hatake Sakumo bowed and left.

The Next Day

Chiba planned to take the day off to rest and fully recover before seeking out Tsunade.

Once he was in peak condition, he would finally begin his Sage Mode training.