The Eight Gates Released Formation a forbidden jutsu that temporarily grants immense power by unlocking the chakra limiters within the human body.
Its power depends entirely on the user. It exponentially amplifies the user's own strength, which means its effects vary depending on who uses it.
When all eight gates are opened, the technique is known as the Eight Gates Formation, bestowing power dozens of times greater than that of a Kage. However, the price for such strength is death — the user burns through all of their life force and dies.
"Training is divided into eight stages!"
After carefully studying the training method for the Eight Gates, Uchiha Fugaku began his practice.
Training in the Eight Gates is divided into eight stages, or rather, eight distinct phases.
Each stage corresponds to opening one of the Eight Gates.
The reason this technique is classified as forbidden lies primarily in the damage it inflicts on the body.
Aside from the guaranteed death upon opening the Eighth Gate, even the first three gates rapidly consume physical energy. Opening the Fourth through Seventh Gates not only accelerates energy depletion but also inflicts direct damage to the body.
The severity of the damage varies depending on the user's physical condition — the stronger the body, the lesser the injury.
"The first step is training to open the First Gate the Gate of Opening."
The Gate of Opening is located in the left hemisphere of the brain and serves as a limiter of chakra. The first step in training the Eight Gates is to unlock this gate.
Even high-level shinobi like Uchiha Fugaku typically find it difficult to unleash 100% of their body's physical capability.
Unlocking this gate removes mental restraints and allows the user to utilize their body's full potential.
Following the method outlined for opening the First Gate, Fugaku began his training.
An hour later—
Crack—
In the midst of training, he suddenly heard a faint sound in his head.
It was as if a limiter had been released — his mind felt abnormally clear, and his body felt astonishingly light.
Swish—
With a flicker of movement, he appeared on one side of the training chamber.
Swish—
Another flicker — and he appeared on the opposite side.
Swish, swish, swish!
His figure darted rapidly through the chamber, moving so fast that afterimages trailed behind him.
His speed was noticeably greater than before.
His body felt lighter than ever — as if a long-worn burden had finally been lifted.
He had succeeded. He had opened the First Gate — the Gate of Opening.
After a moment, he halted and closed the gate.
"The First Gate may be the easiest to open, but to succeed in just one hour… I must have a natural talent for the Eight Gates."
A slight smile crept onto his face, satisfied with his progress.
Unlike the Flying Thunder God Technique, the Eight Gates technique was well-suited to him.
If he continued training, he believed he could one day reach the level of Might Guy, who had opened the Eighth Gate.
"The only drawback is the enormous energy drain."
He took a deep breath. Even just that brief moment had taken a significant toll on his stamina.
As expected, the Eight Gates was a technique that traded rapid stamina consumption for overwhelming power far beyond normal limits.
A winding road stretched forward, flanked by dense forest on both sides.
This was a merchant road, occasionally traversed by caravans and horse-drawn wagons.
At this moment, a man in a black cloak with red clouds and a spiral-patterned mask walked calmly along the path.
It was none other than Uchiha Obito, who had appeared in the Land of Rivers.
Suddenly—
Two figures erupted from the ground, each wielding a long blade, slashing at Obito from both sides.
Buzz—
The two attackers passed through Obito's body, their blades slicing cleanly through — powerful strikes capable of cutting a man in half.
Yet their blades met no resistance, as if they had slashed through a phantom.
Though the two had anticipated this possibility, they were still visibly shaken. They immediately spun around, blades at the ready, eyes locked onto Obito.
At the same time, more figures leapt from the trees on either side, surrounding Obito in an instant.
A total of twelve elite jōnin from Konoha — the village's top special operations squad.
"So you've come."
Obito stopped walking, a cold smile curling beneath his mask.
Even surrounded by twelve elite jōnin, he showed no sign of fear.
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
"Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!"
"Lightning Style: False Darkness!"
Without a word, the group launched their coordinated assault the moment the encirclement was complete.
Powerful ninjutsu rained down on Obito in a relentless storm.
Dust and debris exploded skyward, enveloping the area in a haze.
When the dust finally settled, a massive crater marked the site of the explosion.
At its center, Uchiha Obito stood unharmed — not even a tear on his cloak.
"Is that all?"
Obito sneered. His body slowly sank into the ground, vanishing from sight.
When he reappeared, it was right beside one of the jōnin.
"Wood Style: Cutting Sprigs Technique."
A sharp wooden spike sprouted from his hand and stabbed toward the ninja.
The jōnin reacted swiftly, twisting his body to dodge—
Splurt—
But Obito was faster. The spike shifted mid-strike and pierced the target's body.
Blood spurted as a gaping hole opened in the man's torso — a grievous wound.
Even worse, the spike embedded in his body began to grow, preparing to sprout multiple branches.
Soon, his body would be riddled with holes like a shredded sack — certain death.
Swish—
At that moment, a figure with trailing afterimages appeared beside them, slashing at the spike with a short sword.
It was Uchiha Shisui — only someone as skilled in Body Flicker as he was could move so fast.
Crack—
The wooden spike was severed, halting its transformation.
The wounded jōnin had narrowly escaped death, though a piece of the spike remained lodged in his body. Cold sweat dripped from his brow as he stumbled back, leaving a trail of blood on the ground.
Swish—
Without pause, Shisui turned his blade and struck at Obito — but it passed through him harmlessly, as though cutting air.
"No need to rush. Once they're dealt with, your turn will come."
Obito glanced at Shisui and then disappeared beneath the earth once more.
"Byakugan."
"Sensory Technique!"
A Hyūga elite activated the Byakugan, and a Yamanaka elite deployed sensory techniques — both searching for Obito.
But both failed.
Neither the Byakugan nor sensory perception could detect him.
Splurt—
Obito silently reemerged behind another jōnin, driving a wooden spike straight through him.
This time, Shisui was too late.
The victim's body was riddled with holes, his expression frozen as he collapsed to the ground dead.