Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

"By the way, Chiba-kun, do you know Senju Sousuke?" Uchiha Tanaka recalled his visit to Sarutobi Hiruzen yesterday.

He had also encountered the long-awaited Senju Sousuke.

As the heads of two major clans in Konoha, they knew of each other. However, their relationship was vastly different from that of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara or Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna.

They were neither close friends nor sworn enemies. Simply put, they were just acquaintances.

It was precisely because Uchiha Tanaka had learned that Senju Sousuke shared similar intentions that he wanted to gather more information from Uchiha Chiba.

"Uncle Sousuke? We met yesterday, but it was the first time we'd ever spoken," Uchiha Chiba said.

Caught between the Uchiha and Senju clans, Uchiha Chiba often felt like a child walking a tightrope.

If this had been during the Warring States Period, his actions would have led to his death countless times.

Well, that is, if death were truly an option.

But it wasn't Chiba's fault he wasn't born a member of the Senju clan.

Uchiha Tanaka frowned slightly. If what Uchiha Chiba said was true, then there was no way Senju Sousuke would go against Sarutobi Hiruzen for an Uchiha.

There had to be a hidden reason he didn't yet know. But judging by Chiba's demeanor, it was clear he didn't want to divulge any more information.

Forcing a smile, Uchiha Tanaka said, "Is that so? It seems, Chiba, that you're quite popular in Konoha. Even the leader of the Senju clan went to the Hokage to demand justice for you."

Chiba's expression remained calm, unshaken by Uchiha Tanaka's attempt at flattery.

"Uncle Tanaka, you're exaggerating. How could I have such a great reputation? Uncle Sousuke and the others only stood up for me because they saw how I was being unfairly targeted as a child. That's all."

Hearing this, Uchiha Tanaka realized that Chiba was still guarded and unwilling to disclose any key information.

Even though Tanaka had apologized before, it was clear that Chiba had not completely forgiven him.

He sighed inwardly. Although Chiba wasn't a traditional Uchiha genius, his strength couldn't be ignored. Forcing him to talk would only backfire.

"Is that so? Oh, by the way, Chiba, I have something for you," Uchiha Tanaka said, pulling a scroll from inside his robes and handing it to the young man.

"What's this?" Chiba asked, his eyes shifting between Uchiha Tanaka and the black-patterned scroll.

Tanaka chuckled. "This is compensation from the Hokage. It's a catalog of ninjutsu from the Sealed Scroll. You can choose one technique to learn, and the training method will be given to you later."

Chiba's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected this pleasant surprise.

Initially, his only goal was to create trouble for Danzo. He hadn't anticipated that he'd be given the opportunity to learn a technique from the Sealed Scroll.

Though he wasn't particularly interested in the Sealed Scroll, he certainly wasn't going to turn down a free gift.

After all, who could say no to something free?

Taking the scroll, Chiba opened it and began reading.

It listed many well-known ninjutsu techniques, including the Shadow Clone Jutsu and the Flying Thunder God Technique.

However, as Chiba scanned through the scroll, he noticed that certain powerful techniques, like the Reanimation Jutsu and Eight Inner Gates Formation, were absent.

But he didn't mind. He knew the Reanimation Jutsu required a living sacrifice, making it too dangerous to release easily. The Eight Gates Formation was likely not recorded yet.

Among the techniques listed, Chiba found that the Flying Thunder God Technique was the most suitable for him.

With his decision made, Chiba closed the scroll.

"Have you made your choice?" Uchiha Tanaka asked, taking a sip of tea.

"Yes," Chiba replied with a nod.

"Tell me which one you've chosen, Chiba, so I can report it to the Hokage," Tanaka said.

"Flying Thunder God," Chiba answered with a slight smile.

Hearing this, Tanaka frowned and gently advised, "Chiba, why not choose something else? Although this jutsu is incredibly powerful, it's extremely difficult to learn. Without an innate talent for space-time ninjutsu, you won't be able to master it, no matter how much time you spend on it."

Tanaka was well aware of the Flying Thunder God Technique and its origins.

It was developed by the Senju clan specifically to counter the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan.

Uchiha Izuna, Madara's younger brother, had died at the hands of this very technique.

Despite its power, countless ninja in Konoha who tried to learn it had failed.

"No," Chiba said confidently. "I believe the Flying Thunder God suits my combat style perfectly."

Chiba appreciated Tanaka's concern but wasn't worried. Even if he couldn't learn the technique, it wouldn't matter to him.

But if he could master it, he would become an unmatched force—a combination of a warrior, an assassin, and a tank.

High attack, high defense, high speed, and immunity to death.

Just imagining such power made Chiba feel thrilled.

Seeing Chiba's resolve, Tanaka didn't press further.

"Alright, I'll inform the Hokage of your choice. Just wait for further instructions," Tanaka said calmly.

"Thank you, Uncle Tanaka. By the way, is there anything else? If not, I'll take my leave. It's getting late."

"That's all, Chiba. You may go."

The next afternoon.

While Uchiha Chiba was out for a walk, an Anbu wearing a gray combat uniform and an animal mask appeared before him.

The Anbu tossed him a scroll and said, "Uchiha Chiba, this is from Hokage-sama. It contains the training method for the Flying Thunder God Technique. Train well and don't let Hokage-sama's expectations down."

Huh?

So fast? Is Uncle Tanaka always this efficient?

Chiba was about to thank the Anbu, but then he noticed the man's pure white hair.

Wait, is this Hatake Sakumo?

In Chiba's memory, there were only three people in Konoha with white hair: Jiraiya, Hatake Sakumo, and Hatake Kakashi.

Since it was only the 34th year after Konoha's founding, Hatake Kakashi hadn't even been conceived yet.

That left only Hatake Sakumo.

Although Chiba recognized the man in front of him as the future Konoha White Fang, he maintained his composure.

"I understand. I'll train hard," Chiba said calmly.

Hatake Sakumo nodded silently and disappeared in an instant.

Holding the scroll tightly, Chiba abandoned his walk and headed home, eager to begin studying the Flying Thunder God Technique.