Eight Gates Initiation, and Intelligence on Orochimaru

The wind in the valley swept past, carrying shattered stones with it.

Uchiha Mu looked at the spot where Obito's clone had turned into fragments and vanished, his eyes utterly calm.

Even with his current sensory abilities, he had only now discerned that it had been a materialized clone, not Obito's real body.

"He had some tricks up his sleeve. I really didn't notice when he left.

A Kamui clone can perfectly replicate Kamui's aura." A faint smile curled at Mu's lips, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

Obito's caution had long been within his expectations.

Given Obito's personality, he would never recklessly put himself in danger. That battle just now had merely been a pawn he used to test Mu's strength.

"But this is fine. The residual chakra from that clone is enough for me to lock onto his general location."

A wisp of chakra gathered at Mu's fingertips. With a light flick, it transformed into an invisible mark and chased after the direction in which Obito's real body had fled.

As long as Obito had not completely left the Land of Fire, this mark would not disappear.

If he ever came near Konoha again, finding him to settle the score would be no more than a simple matter.

After dealing with Obito, Mu flashed away and activated the Flying Thunder God Technique once more, instantly returning to Konoha.

Konoha had already returned to its usual calm, as though the disturbance caused by the theft of the Scroll of Sealing had never happened.

The ANBU had already taken Mizuki away, while the Third Hokage had brought the Scroll of Sealing back.

He returned to the Hokage's office, leaving Naruto alone in the small grove, still savoring the forbidden technique Mu had just taught him.

Mu did not disturb Naruto.

He had something more important to do now.

He would use the 20 skill points he had just obtained to unlock Eight Gates initiation.

Ever since seeing the introduction to Eight Gates in the Scroll of Sealing, Mu had not been able to stop thinking about the technique.

This ninjutsu burned one's own chakra to break through the body's limits.

With every Gate opened, one's strength surged drastically. Once the final Gate of Death was opened,

it could unleash power beyond the Kage level. Even at the cost of one's life, it would be worth it.

For Mu, who possessed the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and could control space and time, the side effects of Eight Gates were practically negligible.

His chakra reserves had already reached 8602.3—plus the 1,000 points rewarded for retrieving the Scroll of Sealing—and had long surpassed the mid-Kage level, advancing toward the late stage.

They were still rising continuously, more than enough to sustain the consumption of Eight Gates.

More importantly, his Domain of Time could slow time. Even if his body rapidly collapsed after opening the Gate of Death, he could use the Domain of Time to buy time, repair the damage to his body, and even reverse death.

Because time was the absolute king.

Although his current Domain of Time could at most revert his state to two seconds earlier. It seemed useless.

But if used well, it was Mu's greatest trump card.

At this moment,

back in the small house where he was temporarily staying, Mu sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and silently said in his heart:

"System, use 20 skill points to unlock Eight Gates initiation."

[Ding! 20 skill points consumed. Eight Gates: Initiation successfully unlocked!]

[Ding! Basic insights into Eight Gates obtained. The methods for opening the first three Gates have been mastered.

Base physical attributes increased (Strength +30%, Speed +30%, Constitution +30%).]

The moment the system notification ended, a powerful force flooded into Mu's body and spread through his meridians to every part of him.

He could clearly feel that his body had become stronger than before.

The explosive power of his muscles, the flexibility of his body, and even the speed at which his chakra flowed had all improved noticeably.

A warm current gathered in his dantian and surged through his meridians toward every part of his body. His already abundant chakra became even more condensed and violent.

"So this is the power of Eight Gates?

Just initiation alone brings such obvious improvements." Mu slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.

He slowly rose to his feet and lightly clenched his fist. A fierce gust burst from it, and even the ground was shaken into fine cracks.

"If I can raise Eight Gates to minor mastery and open the first six Gates, then even against a peak Kage-level expert, I could crush them with ease," Mu thought.

However, raising Eight Gates to minor mastery required another 50 skill points. With his current reserve, he was still far from enough.

"Looks like I can only place my hopes on the main quest for the Genin Exam." An anticipatory smile appeared on Mu's lips.

The main quest reward was 100 skill points, enough for him to raise Eight Gates to minor mastery.

There might even be some left over to improve other ninjutsu.

Just then, a black crow suddenly landed on Mu's shoulder. It carried a message from the Third Hokage.

"Mu, come to the Hokage's office immediately. I have an important mission for you."

The Third Hokage's voice came through the communicator, carrying a trace of gravity.

"Understood." Mu waved the crow away.

With a flash, he rushed toward the Hokage's office again.

He could sense an almost imperceptible tension in the Third Hokage's tone. It seemed that something major had happened.

A short while later,

Mu appeared outside the Hokage's office.

He pushed open the door and entered directly, finding the Third Hokage seated behind his desk, brow deeply furrowed. He held a document in his hand, his expression grim.

There was also an ANBU member in the office, kneeling on one knee with his head respectfully lowered.

Mu stepped forward and spoke in an even tone.

"You called for me, Lord Third?"

The Third Hokage looked up. Seeing Mu, his furrowed brow relaxed slightly. He pointed to the document on the desk. "Take a look yourself. This is intelligence we just received."

Mu stepped forward, picked up the document, and quickly read through it.

The contents of the document made Mu's gaze narrow slightly.

The intelligence stated

that Orochimaru

would infiltrate Konoha in the near future.

His target was the upcoming Genin Exam. He had also joined forces with Sunagakure and the Hidden Sound Village, preparing to launch a plot during the exam and overthrow Konoha.

What concerned Mu even more was that the intelligence mentioned several powerful subordinates accompanying Orochimaru during this infiltration. Among them were the Sound Ninja Five, who had been modified by Orochimaru. All of them possessed jonin-level strength.

"Orochimaru?" A cold smile appeared on Mu's lips. "Looks like the Genin Exam is going to get very interesting."

That mad scientist Orochimaru did have plenty of worthwhile qualities.

Of course, don't worry.

Snake Lady would not fall in love with Uchiha Mu.

Mu had enough self-awareness to know that.

Now that Orochimaru had come knocking on his door, it was the perfect opportunity to see whether this major villain could trigger a system quest.

The Third Hokage watched Mu's expression.

He understood at once and said:

"Mu, although your identity is sensitive, as an ANBU squad captain, this mission can only be entrusted to you."

"I want you to infiltrate the Genin Exam site under the identity of 'Shadow.'

Keep a close eye on Orochimaru, Sunagakure, and the Hidden Sound Village. The moment you discover them launching their plot, intervene immediately and stop them."

"Why not eliminate or drive them out beforehand?"

This...

Enough. I don't want to hear your reasons.

"I'll attend this Genin Exam."

As for whether he could protect them, that would depend on their fate.

"Of course, I'll personally keep an eye on Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura."

The Third Hokage's tone was grave. He knew that Orochimaru had come with great momentum this time. If they did not handle it properly, Konoha could suffer a devastating blow.

And the best candidate was none other than Uchiha Mu.

Whether in strength or temperament, this boy far surpassed ninjas of his age. He was even more dependable than some veteran jonin.

"Absolutely the most perfect candidate to inherit the Will of Fire."

"I only hope he does not choose the wrong path."

As he spoke, the Third Hokage took out a golden pass from a drawer and handed it to Mu.