"So this is the headquarters of you Sky Ninja?"
Kiyosuke glanced around. Hearing footsteps behind him, he casually flicked his hand, and flames filled the entire passage, swallowing the intruder whole.
"Hahaha, that's right. As expected of you. This is the ultimate fortress the Sky Ninja have spent decades constructing—Ancor Vantian. You could also call it the Royal Capital Fortress. Disguised as ancient ruins, today it is finally complete."
"Te–Teacher…"
Amaru stared at Shinnō in disbelief. That gentle, kind teacher… how could he possibly be the leader of the Sky Ninja?
Then everything before this—what was it all for?
"Still playing these meaningless games?"
Shinnō sneered coldly, explaining,
"Fourteen years ago, in order to obtain the technique to control the Zero-Tails, I disguised myself as a wandering doctor. I infiltrated various nations and shinobi villages. After thirteen years, I finally found the scroll in Konoha that could resurrect the Zero-Tails. And then, I brought it back."
"So you came to Konoha a year ago? How come I never heard about this?"
"Because Orochimaru helped me. At that time, you weren't in Konoha, so it was easy to get what I wanted with his assistance."
"I see… Orochimaru never fails to create trouble for me."
"Trouble? Not really. As a collaborator, he was more than qualified. We simply took what we each needed. Besides, isn't he already dead now?"
Shinnō smirked with disdain. "I've already obtained the power of the Zero-Tails—the power of Dark Chakra."
He clenched his fist, feeling the weight of prestige swelling within him.
"Oh?"
Kiyosuke raised his hand, but Amaru grabbed his arm.
"Please don't attack Teacher! He… he must be sick. I'll heal him!"
"Don't be ridiculous. That's just another disguise."
Kiyosuke pushed Amaru aside.
"Exactly. All of it was just a disguise, Amaru."
Shinnō's voice was calm yet cutting.
"There's nothing wrong with me. If anything, it was pretending to be your kind teacher that disgusted me. Keeping up that facade… made me sick."
He laughed with relief, as though he had finally thrown off his chains.
"When darkness is born in the human heart, the Zero-Tails attaches itself, drawing out Dark Chakra from that darkness and manifesting it physically. Simple to understand, yes—but incredibly difficult to execute. It cost me fourteen years of my life."
"The darkness… of the human heart…"
Naruto frowned, confused.
Shinnō explained, "When the heart is wounded, darkness is easily born. And to ensure the Zero-Tails would cling to you, Amaru, I specifically ordered the Sky Ninja to attack your village! Hahahahaha!"
One moment he was laughing smugly, the next he was sent flying.
Kiyosuke stood where Shinnō had been, his fist still extended.
"Sorry, my hand slipped. I'll be sure to discipline it properly next time."
"Lies! All lies! It's all lies!"
Amaru clutched her head, trembling, unable to believe it. Her faith crumbled before her eyes.
A black aura seeped from her body—that Dark Chakra Shinnō had described.
"Hahahaha!"
Shinnō climbed out from the rubble, brushing the dust off himself. His wounds healed in an instant as he sneered.
"It's all fake. Every bit of it. The bond between teacher and student is utterly meaningless! You were such a fool, Amaru. I never once acknowledged you as my disciple. You were only ever a tool—a tool for me to gain the Zero-Tails' power!"
"Lies! Lies! Aaaahhh!!!"
Amaru screamed as her faith shattered completely.
Shinnō clenched his fist, trembling with excitement.
"Yes! That's it! That's it! Such incredible power! Such overwhelming Dark Chakra!"
"Unforgivable!"
Naruto charged forward, but Shinnō raised a hand and released an invisible force that blasted him back.
"Dammit!"
Kiyosuke caught Naruto midair and smirked.
"Now this… is an interesting power."
"Indeed. And it can grow even stronger!"
Shinnō's muscles suddenly swelled. Pitch-black chakra erupted from his body. His powerful frame tore through his clothing, and the white hair at his temples surged upward before turning into thick black locks. His face grew youthful, vibrant again.
He grinned.
"The power of Dark Chakra doesn't just revive the Zero-Tails. Used properly, it can even do this."
The rejuvenated Shinnō spread his arms wide.
"This is the technique Orochimaru longed for! As long as Dark Chakra doesn't fade, I can remain at my peak forever! Ageless, immortal! The power of Dark Chakra is mine! Hahahaha! This body is perfect for Dark Chakra—it feels amazing!"
"With Dark Chakra combined with my Body Revival Technique, I can instantly open all Eight Gates—including the Gate of Death!"
His arrogance was boundless.
Kiyosuke said nothing, but with his sensory ability, he confirmed Shinnō's chakra had spiked drastically. Still, the raw strength didn't even come close to Guy when he opened the Seventh Gate.
The Eight Gates' true power depends entirely on the user. Just opening them doesn't mean you can go head-to-head with Madara and nearly kick the story to an early ending.
But one thing was notable: with the Zero-Tails' support, even opening the Gate of Death wouldn't kill him.
"Tch. Trash."
"Then let me test this power on you!"
Shinnō snorted, his speed suddenly spiking. He swung a powerful punch—yet Kiyosuke caught it with ease.
"Pathetic. You have no idea how to use the Eight Gates. A friend of mine at Seventh Gate was already stronger than you. Garbage."
"Impossible! How can your body be this strong?!"
"This is the power of Sage Arts!"
Kiyosuke unleashed his taijutsu, colliding with Shinnō head-on. With Sage Mode enhancing him, his physical abilities, sensory perception, and sheer strength were amplified severalfold.
In his normal state, his body might not have matched Shinnō. After all, the Eight Gates are a life-burning technique.
Techniques that trade life for power are usually overwhelming—but deadly.
Shinnō, however, was cheating, relying on the Zero-Tails to keep himself alive.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
At first, Kiyosuke had the upper hand. But soon, something felt off.
Shinnō's muscles bulged and pulsed, swelling further. The wounds Kiyosuke inflicted healed rapidly.
Wiping blood from his mouth, Shinnō grinned.
"Once you understand the principles of medical ninjutsu, the body can regenerate stronger muscles after being damaged. Your attacks only make me more powerful!"
He laughed, vanishing in a blur. Reappearing behind Kiyosuke, he condensed Dark Chakra in his hand and unleashed it in an instant.
Boom!
Dust and smoke filled the air. A body went flying—it was Shinnō.
From the smoke, only Kiyosuke's lower half stepped out. His upper body was gone.
Yet his eerie voice echoed from nowhere.
"Weak… far too weak!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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