Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

As soon as the words fell, Nine Tails charged toward Chiba, disregarding its injuries and the people around him.

Despite the immense pressure from the colossal beast, Chiba stood firm, gripping his sword. Without hesitation, he swung it through the air.

In an instant, a nearly twenty-meter-long sword slash tore through the void like lightning, streaking toward Nine Tails at an astonishing speed.

This sword strike carried overwhelming power and deadly intent. Wherever it passed, the air was shredded apart, producing a sharp, ear-piercing whistle.

The dazzling blade light illuminated the entire battlefield, making it difficult for anyone to look directly at it.

Caught off guard, Nine Tails had no time to evade and could only brace itself for impact.

Boom!

"Roar…!"

The moment the sword strike made contact, a deep and gruesome wound appeared on Nine Tails' body. Blood poured out, staining the ground crimson.

Seeing Nine Tails wounded again, the others launched their own attacks.

"Fire Style: Toad Oil Flame Bomb!"

"Dynamic Entry!"

"Ape Demon, transform!"

...

Boom!

With a barrage of attacks raining down, Nine Tails' once-bright fur became dull and tattered.

"Mito-sama, seal it now!" Chiba called out urgently.

Uzumaki Mito nodded and turned to Uzumaki Kushina, who stood frozen in shock.

"Kushina, are you ready?"

Regaining her senses, Kushina responded firmly, "I'm ready, Grandma Mito! I can do this."

Uzumaki Mito smiled warmly before pressing her hands together.

"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"

Once again, several massive golden chains emerged from her back and wrapped tightly around Nine Tails.

"Damn old woman, you'd better not let me find a chance to escape, or I will make you regret it!" Nine Tails roared in fury before turning to Chiba.

"And you, you filthy insect—I will remember you!"

Chiba smirked in response. "Fine, I'll be waiting."

However, before Nine Tails could spew more threats, Uzumaki Mito had already completed the sealing process, sending the beast into Kushina's body.

"Eight Trigrams Sealing Style!"

Meanwhile, at the Fire Nation's Border—Underground Hideout

A strange, half-black, half-white humanoid creature emerged from the shadows.

Uchiha Madara, who had been resting with his eyes half-closed, slightly raised his gaze.

"Why have you returned? Do you bring good news, Black Zetsu?"

"Yes, Madara-sama, I do have news. However, it's neither entirely good nor bad," Black Zetsu rasped.

"Oh? Then let's hear it." Madara's interest was piqued.

"As strange as it sounds, Uzumaki Mito did not die after extracting Nine Tails. Do you wish to know why?"

Madara narrowed his eyes.

Jinchūriki surviving after losing a Tailed Beast? If anyone other than Black Zetsu had said this, he would have dismissed it as nonsense.

After all, he was well-versed in the only known method of resurrection—the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu, a forbidden technique of the Rinnegan.

That technique, however, required the caster's life in exchange for reviving the dead.

If there was another way to cheat death, could this change his entire plan? Could he afford to entrust his Rinnegan to someone else if such a method existed?

"Do you know how Uzumaki Mito was revived?" Madara asked, his expression darkening.

Black Zetsu sighed internally. This fool Madara misunderstood again. He never said that Uzumaki Mito was resurrected.

Before Black Zetsu could clarify, White Zetsu interrupted cheerfully.

"Heh, Madara-sama, you got it wrong. Uzumaki Mito wasn't resurrected—she never died! Konoha somehow figured out a way to cut off one of Nine Tails' tails and re-seal it back into her body."

What?

Madara's mind reeled. That's possible?

Why had he never heard of such a method before? The Uchiha clan had existed since the Sage of Six Paths' time, and he was once their leader. Surely, this should have been known to him.

"Where did Konoha learn this technique?" Madara asked, his brows furrowing.

Black Zetsu shook his head. "I don't know. But I have ordered Tobi to infiltrate Konoha—he should uncover the truth soon."

Madara nodded. "Good. Inform me immediately when you have an answer."

"Yes, Madara-sama."

Back in Konoha—Tsunade's Residence

At the entrance of the Senju compound, a young boy, Nawaki, stood anxiously, staring at the gate.

His mother, Senju Edda Snow, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Nawaki. Your grandmother will be fine."

But her words did little to calm him.

Still, not wanting to worry his mother, Nawaki forced a smile. "I know, Mom. You should go inside—I'll wait here for them."

In truth, if he had known the exact location of Chiba and the others, he would have sneaked off to find them. But without any leads, he had no choice but to wait anxiously.

Seeing her son's stubborn expression, Senju Edda Snow sighed in resignation.

Just then, Nawaki's eyes widened with excitement.

"Mom, look! They're back!"

Without waiting for a response, he sprinted toward the approaching figures.