Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

"Do you really think you can defeat me so easily?" A strange smile appeared on Chiba's lips.

"Hmph, if I can't take down a mere brat like you, then my years as a ninja would have been wasted," Kakuzu scoffed.

Although he couldn't quite understand the source of Chiba's confidence, Kakuzu didn't believe for a second that this young Uchiha could stand against him.

Chiba shook his head. It seemed Kakuzu had become overly self-assured, likely due to his experience and unique abilities.

To be fair, facing Kakuzu without knowledge of his abilities could be fatal. But Chiba was different—he was immortal in his own way.

Without wasting another word, Chiba activated the Sixth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates Formation. A powerful surge of energy erupted from him, drawing Kakuzu's attention.

Kakuzu narrowed his eyes. He wasn't entirely sure what Chiba had done, so he decided to test the waters first. Without hesitation, he launched an attack—his entire forearm detached from his body and flew straight toward Chiba, connected by thick black tendrils.

Chiba had no intention of dodging. Initially, he planned to counter with a punch, but an idea flashed through his mind. Instead, he shifted his attack and struck Kakuzu's detached arm with his open palm, a black leaf insignia appearing as he made contact.

In the next instant, Chiba bent his legs slightly before launching himself forward with immense speed, leaving behind a crater where he had stood. He closed the distance in a flash and swung a powerful punch directly at Kakuzu's face.

Despite his confidence, Kakuzu was no ordinary opponent. As someone who had once battled Senju Hashirama, he reacted swiftly, stepping back just in time to evade the punch. At the same moment, he controlled his detached arm to attack Chiba from behind.

But Chiba had anticipated this. Under the keen perception of his Haki, every move Kakuzu made was laid bare.

Rather than dodging, he simply allowed the attack to land while reinforcing his back with Armament Haki.

Kakuzu smirked. "You're still just a kid. You didn't even notice my attack from behind."

However, the moment his punch connected, his expression changed. Instead of feeling flesh and bone, it was as if he had struck solid steel.

"Tch… Did you put a metal plate inside your clothes?" Kakuzu muttered, stepping back cautiously.

Chiba chuckled. "Metal plate? Please. If anything, your punch was as weak as a mosquito bite. At least a mosquito can make me bleed."

Kakuzu wasn't angered by the taunt, but he now realized that this Uchiha was no ordinary opponent. If he wanted to win, he would have to take things more seriously.

Seeing Kakuzu hesitate for a moment, Chiba seized the opportunity. With explosive force, he landed a devastating punch directly into Kakuzu's abdomen, sending him crashing into the sea below.

Kakuzu coughed up blood but quickly stood back up. "Alright, kid. I underestimated you before, but now... I hope you're ready."

He reached up and tore off his mask, revealing a grotesque face stitched together by black tendrils, with his mouth extending unnaturally wide.

Chiba watched with interest. He knew exactly what was coming next.

Kakuzu shed his cloak, exposing his bizarre upper body. His form shifted, and five shadowy figures emerged from his back. These figures took on monstrous forms, each adorned with a distinctively colored mask.

To Chiba, the sight was reminiscent of a stitched-together Frankenstein's monster.

Without warning, the red-masked creature released a massive fireball toward Chiba.

Not willing to test his durability against the flames, Chiba swiftly dodged, closing the distance toward Kakuzu, who was now standing on the water.

But Kakuzu had no intention of allowing close combat.

"Lightning Style: False Darkness."

"Fire Style: Searing Migraine."

"Wind Style: Pressure Damage."

Three elemental jutsu were unleashed simultaneously, all converging toward Chiba.

He sighed. "Enough with the Fire Style already."

With that, his fists were enveloped in blackened energy as he activated the Flying Thunder God technique.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished, reappearing behind Kakuzu.

"Fist Bone: Five-Star Kidney Strike."

Boom!

Kakuzu was sent flying back to shore, crashing hard into the ground and coughing up more blood. He clutched his waist, groaning in pain.

"Damn… how is he this fast?" Kakuzu muttered.

Seeing his enemy weakened, Chiba wasted no time. He charged again.

"Fire Style: Searing Migraine."

"…"

"…"

Kakuzu repeated the fire attack, but just like before, Chiba teleported behind him in an instant and delivered another brutal strike, this time targeting the other side of his waist.

Kakuzu's injuries worsened, blood pouring from his mouth. He realized something troubling—his arm now bore a strange leaf-shaped mark.

His eyes narrowed. "So that's your trick…"

Without hesitation, he tore off his own arm and discarded it.

Chiba smirked. "Now, now. Things are just getting interesting."