ALL NOVEL Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Because there was an appointment today, Uchiha Chiba walked towards the woods above the Hokage Rock after leaving the hospital.
Half an hour later, just as he was nearing his destination, Uchiha Chiba spotted Might Dai from a distance, doing one-handed push-ups by the tree.
"Dai!" Uchiha Chiba called out, his excitement bubbling over as he waved from a few dozen meters away.
The Eight Gates of Ninjutsu—finally in his grasp.
"Hey, Chiba, you're still so energetic!" Might Dai responded with a grin. With a sudden burst of strength, he supported the weight of his whole body on his right hand, completing a perfect backflip in the air before landing gracefully on the ground. He flashed a thumbs-up, revealing a row of bright white front teeth.
Approaching Might Dai, Uchiha Chiba couldn't help but recall the time when they first met. Back then, he had been determined to learn the Eight Gates from Might Dai. Now, after all these years, he had finally reached this moment.
Having an immortal body and immense talent for growth, Uchiha Chiba had been thinking for a long time about how to master the Eight Gates. Initially, the Sealing Book seemed like the logical option, but Uchiha Chiba quickly ruled it out. He didn't believe the current Sealing Book even recorded the Eight Gates. And even if it did, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other Konoha elders likely wouldn't allow an Uchiha to access it.
Uchiha Chiba had also considered the historical background of the Eight Gates. Various theories had circulated in his previous life, and some believed that the famed Senju Tobirama had invented the technique. However, that theory didn't make sense, considering how Might Dai—a low-ranked Genin—could access it. Another theory suggested that the Eight Gates came from Might Dai's ancestors, but that seemed contradictory given that no one had known about the technique before Might Dai's time.
Ultimately, Uchiha Chiba had come to the conclusion that the true inventor of the Eight Gates was Might Dai's father. This seemed to make the most sense, given the family's legacy.
"Chiba, are you really sure about learning this forbidden technique?" Might Dai asked, puzzled. Given Uchiha Chiba's potential, with his Uchiha bloodline and the Sharingan, Dai couldn't understand why Chiba would want to pursue such a dangerous path.
"Yes, Dai, you promised you'd teach me the Eight Gates when I was ten, and I've been training tirelessly for this day."
Looking into Uchiha Chiba's determined eyes, Might Dai was momentarily taken aback. It reminded him of his younger self, so firm in his beliefs without any doubt.
"Alright, I'll teach you the Eight Gates," Might Dai said, nodding. "The Eight Gates is a forbidden technique developed by my father over ten years. The first gate opens the mind's chakra restriction, allowing the user to unleash more power."
Might Dai continued explaining, opening each gate one by one to demonstrate their effects. With each gate, his body changed, and as he opened the Sixth Gate, his body radiated with an overwhelming power. His hair defied gravity and stood on end, and the air around him shifted, like the wind of a powerful storm.
"The last gate, the Death Gate, grants unimaginable strength—far beyond the Five Kage—but at the cost of life," Might Dai said somberly.
After explaining, Dai turned to Uchiha Chiba, who had been taking everything in with wide eyes. The mysteries of the Eight Gates were becoming clear to him, and he finally understood the truth behind its creation.
However, one question still lingered in his mind.
"Dai, your strength is already comparable to a Jonin's. Why are you still a Genin?"
Might Dai grew serious. "Chiba, the core of the Eight Gates is self-discipline and restraint. It's not about showing off or satisfying personal desires. It's about using this power to protect what's important."
After a brief pause, Might Dai's expression softened. "Now, let me teach you how to practice."
The night had fallen, and as Uchiha Chiba began his training, the moon was high in the sky. The air around him shifted as the power from the Fourth Gate—The Gate of Pain—flooded into his body. Uchiha Chiba clenched his fist, feeling the surge of energy. For a moment, he felt invincible, as if he could defeat ten of his previous selves.
Might Dai looked on, momentarily stunned by the ease with which Chiba had unlocked the technique. "A genius…" he murmured. "To learn the Eight Gates so quickly..."
He hesitated, then warned, "Chiba, don't overdo it. It's your first time opening a gate. Prolonged use can damage your body."
Uchiha Chiba was undeterred, but he understood the need to be cautious. "Okay, Dai," he replied, not revealing the extent of his immortality.
"Alright, Chiba," Might Dai said, looking up at the sky. "It's getting late. Go home and rest. The real training begins tomorrow."
Uchiha Chiba nodded and bowed respectfully to Might Dai. "Thank you, Dai. I'll go home now."
As he walked away, Uchiha Chiba reflected on Might Dai's life—how he had been a Genin for so long, and how, despite his struggles, he had never lost his drive or determination. Uchiha Chiba was filled with resolve to help Might Dai in return, and he began forming a plan in his mind. One day, he would show Konoha the true power of the Eight Gates.