Eight Gates Formation vs. Jinchuriki!

"Young Master Ryo, are you okay?"

The Umino couple hurried over, their faces showing concern.

They looked at Sarutobi Ryo with a newfound respect.

To be able to call upon and control Lady Katsuyu...

To possess the rare Ice Release ability...

And to defeat Black Lightning Sarui, a powerful ninja from Kumogakure, given his title by the Third Raikage himself, someone who could use both Black Lightning and Storm Release...

All of these achievements filled them with awe. They no longer looked down on this young man.

Despite his youth, Sarutobi Ryo had proven his strength. He had earned their respect.

The position of Anbu Squad Six Division leader--Young Master Ryo was absolutely capable of handling it!

"Yes, I'm fine. Sarui's body is important for research. I'll take care of it..." Sarutobi Ryo nodded and spoke calmly.

"Then we'll gather the bodies of the other enemies," the Umino couple said, already acting like the professional Anbu they were, beginning to collect the dead.

Sarutobi Ryo glanced at Nonou, and he saw a flicker of emotion in her eyes, as if she wanted to say something.

He noticed the growing spark of the Will of Fire within the seemingly emotionless Byakugan girl.

"It's at [2%]..."

Hyuga Ruri, born into the Branch Family and marked with the Caged Bird Seal, had little hope for her future.

Her fate, dim and hopeless, had left her heart cold and empty.

But...

Hearts are made of flesh and blood.

Sarutobi Ryo believed he could slowly change her, change everything.

One day, he would resolve the conflict between the Branch and Head families.

After storing Sarui's body, Sarutobi Ryo didn't ask Nonou what was on her mind.

Instead, he ordered everyone to check on Hatake Sakumo.

"Katsuyu, thank you for your help..."

Poof!

A puff of smoke appeared, and the huge slug vanished.

Then, a tiny slug fell from the sky and landed gently on Sarutobi Ryo's shoulder.

"What's wrong with Sakumo sama?" Katsuyu asked.

All of Katsuyu's divisions shared the same mind.

Even though she had withdrawn from the battle, she wanted to know what was happening with Hatake Sakumo.

She had watched Nawaki and Kato Dan die.

She couldn't bear to see another tragedy unfold.

"I'll explain on the way..."

Sarutobi Ryo took off, moving like an arrow released from a bow, cutting through the wind and snow.

Soon, Sarutobi Ryo disappeared into the distance as dawn approached.

Yamanaka Hui chimed in, "Then you can explain your side of things too."

A mischievous smile spread across her face.

Yamanaka Hui looked at Nonou, waiting for her to explain the details of their mission.

Meanwhile, the Umino couple continued to collect the bodies...

"..."

Nonou adjusted her glasses.

She looked at Yamanaka Hui, then at the Byakugan girl standing silently.

And at Ringo Ameyuri, who watched with eager curiosity.

She knew that if she didn't speak, Senior Inoichi's cousin would use the Yamanaka clan's secret technique. It seemed like Hui might actually try to read her mind.

Even though her mind was protected, like a locked vault, safeguarding all information.

In other words, Nonou was willing to share.

Because she saw a possibility in Sarutobi Ryo... a new hope.

"No problem," she said, her face changing from sadness to determination.

"But first, you have to tell me everything about Young Master Ryo's rescue of Senior Sakumo..."

----

"That's what happened."

Sarutobi Ryo continued his journey on the icy road.

Dawn was breaking.

As they traveled, Sarutobi Ryo told Katsuyu about the plot against Hatake Sakumo.

He didn't mention Senju Nawaki from the past.

This kind of thing can't be rushed. Telling Katsuyu now would only make her shut down and refuse to listen.

"Is this true?"

Katsuyu asked hesitantly, finding it hard to believe Sarutobi Ryo's words.

"..."

Sarutobi Ryo didn't reply, continuing his swift journey.

Katsuyu thought deeply, realizing the truth of the matter.

If someone within Konoha's leadership could kill Nawaki and Kato Dan, then they could easily plot against Hatake Sakumo.

"Such is human society..."

As a Sage of the Shikkotsu Forest, one of the Three Great Sage Lands, Katsuyu had lived for over a thousand years.

She had witnessed countless tragedies and the long history of humanity.

She knew... that some people were capable of such things.

"I want to see this through to the end," she said, clinging tightly to Sarutobi Ryo.

"No problem."

Sarutobi Ryo nodded.

Saving Hatake Sakumo, I will definitely do it!

Thump!

Suddenly, a deep sound, like a shockwave, shook the earth.

A bright red beam of Chakra shot into the sky just before dawn, like a laser piercing the clouds.

Sarutobi Ryo: "!"

Katsuyu: "!"

Even from far away, they could clearly feel the immense power of this Chakra.

"This is... Tailed Beast power?"

Katsuyu immediately recognized the nature of the light.

The color was a sinister red, filling her with dread.

"It's the Eight Tails." Then, Katsuyu identified the source of the Chakra.

"That's Ai's sworn brother... Killer Bee of the A-B Combo."

Sarutobi Ryo nodded, quickening his pace. He moved as fast as lightning, using the No Sign Body Flicker Technique taught to him by Hatake Sakumo.

With his mastery of Ice Release, Sarutobi Ryo's Chakra control had improved significantly.

He had progressed from the basic Body Flicker Technique to the advanced No Sign Body Flicker Technique.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Blurs of speed flashed by, and the wind roared in his ears.

Thanks to his enhanced eyesight, Sarutobi Ryo could avoid obstacles with ease.

Smaller obstacles were simply smashed through using his Steel Release.

With a series of loud crashes, Sarutobi Ryo finally reached the base of a mountain.

A fierce battle was taking place in the snowy mountain range.

The White Fang blade, wielded by Hatake Sakumo, flashed constantly. He was fighting the young and energetic Ai.

The future Raikage, surrounded by lightning, barely dodged Hatake Sakumo's attacks, using his speed to his advantage.

Although it seemed like Ai had the upper hand, anyone could see that Hatake Sakumo, on the defensive, was actually in control.

Sarutobi Ryo looked to the other side.

A ninja lay on the ground, covered in red Chakra, roaring.

It was Killer Bee, partially transformed into the Eight Tails.

He clearly didn't have full control over the Eight Tails' power yet.

After all, the title of "Perfect Jinchuriki" was still years away.

People... need time to grow.

Killer Bee was no different.

Might Duy, fighting Killer Bee, was engulfed in flames.

His skin was red, his veins bulged, and his eyes had turned white.

This was the result of opening the Eight Gates Formation.

The frost around him had melted, and the ground was cracked.

Might Duy had at least reached the "Eight Gates Formation, Sixth Gate: Gate of View!" He was using the Sixth Gate!