Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

"It's just freezing cold out here. I really want to kill that damn captain."

"Alright, stop complaining. We'll be relieved in half an hour."

Although they were 10 meters apart, Chiba could still hear the conversation clearly.

He found nothing unusual about the complaints of the three bandits. After all, human nature is complex. As the saying goes, wherever there are people, there is conflict. Sticking together for survival while targeting each other isn't uncommon.

However, he wasn't planning to wait until they left. Even if they were to leave in half an hour, it was unlikely that anyone else would replace them as guards in this freezing weather.

Wasting time on a few bandits didn't seem worthwhile.

To deal with them quietly, Chiba knew physical combat wasn't the best option—it would be too noisy. This made him appreciate his earlier decision to reject Sarutobi Hiruzen's offer to join the Anbu even more.

He recalled the story of Might Guy in the anime from his previous life. After Kakashi joined the Anbu, Guy also wanted to join. But the Anbu, an organization specializing in assassinations and covert operations, required stealth and discretion. The idea of someone shouting out moves like "Konoha Whirlwind" while assassinating targets was ridiculous.

Naturally, Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected him. Frustrated, Guy approached Danzo Shimura to join "Root," only to be turned down again. Danzo deemed Guy's heart "too pure" for such a dark organization. Eventually, Guy gave up and continued as an ordinary ninja.

While Chiba wouldn't shout his moves like Guy, the commotion caused by opening the Eight Gates was still substantial. Assassination just wasn't his style. He much preferred direct combat.

Still, he wasn't helpless in this situation. His Conqueror's Haki was perfect for dealing with the bandits silently.

With a low buzz, the Haki surged forth. The three bandits collapsed to the ground before they could react.

From a distance, Orochimaru observed the scene and felt even more satisfied with Chiba. He was already considering asking Chiba if he'd be interested in becoming his disciple after the mission.

Once the bandits were down, Chiba quickly approached the well. Peering inside, he was relieved to see the water surface hadn't frozen yet.

He poured the entire bottle of poison into the well before glancing at the unconscious bandits. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face.

Should he kill them?

Though he had slaughtered countless animals in his previous life as a chef, he had never killed a person.

But after a moment, his resolve hardened. Picking up one of the bandits' weapons, he calmly slit their throats one by one.

There were no screams, only the soft gurgles of life leaving their bodies.

To his surprise, Chiba didn't feel nauseated or shaken. Killing a person didn't feel much different from butchering an animal—just a swift cut to the neck.

However, a small pang of guilt arose within him. This was his "first blood." The first time always leaves a mark on a man.

But as he recalled their earlier conversation about looting, killing, and other atrocities, his guilt evaporated. These men were far from innocent.

To avoid their bodies being discovered, he buried them in the snow and carefully concealed the bloodstains.

Once satisfied that there were no visible traces, he returned to the rendezvous point, where Orochimaru and Nawaki were already waiting.

"You're back, Chiba. Did anything happen?" Nawaki asked with concern.

"No," Chiba replied curtly. He wasn't interested in Nawaki's concern—it wasn't like she was his sister. Turning to Orochimaru, he asked, "Master Orochimaru, when will we move?"

"Tomorrow morning," Orochimaru said after some thought.

Hearing this, Chiba didn't argue. After all, it would take time for the poison to work. The bandits likely wouldn't drink from the well until the morning.

"What should we do now, teacher? Go back or stay here?" Nawaki asked.

"We'll stay here. Find a spot to light a fire. Spending the night here won't be an issue."

"Alright," Nawaki replied reluctantly. He would've preferred returning to the hotel, but he understood that ninjas often had to endure harsh environments. The cold was uncomfortable, but manageable.

The three of them found a snow-free spot and quickly built a fire. With no prey to hunt in the frigid weather, they made do with soldier pills to satisfy their hunger.

Afterward, Chiba sat cross-legged by the fire and drifted off to sleep, leaving the crackling of the flames as the only sound in the still winter night.

The next morning, as the first light of dawn broke, Orochimaru woke the other two.

Thanks to his robust physique and the warmth of the fire, Chiba felt no discomfort. Orochimaru seemed unaffected as well, but Nawaki was clearly struggling. He kept pacing around the fire, trying to warm up.

After taking another soldier pill, the trio made their way back to the bandit camp.

The scene they found was one of chaos. Screams and wails filled the air as the poison began to take effect.

Suddenly—BOOM!

An explosion erupted near the camp's main gate. It seemed some bandits had tried to escape, only to trigger the explosive tags Nawaki had planted the night before.

"Move out," Orochimaru commanded without hesitation.

The three leapt over the fence and into the camp.

Chiba immediately opened the sixth gate of the Eight Gates, the Gate of View. Though it might've seemed excessive for a group of bandits, he wanted to finish the mission quickly and return to the hotel for a hot bath.

Nawaki was of a similar mindset, summoning a Water Dragon Jutsu in his hands.

Chiba dashed toward the largest house in the village at full speed, his movements so swift they were imperceptible to the naked eye.

The first bandit in his path barely had time to register the sudden gust of wind before he was struck. His body flew dozens of meters before landing lifelessly on the ground.