In the sky above the collapsing Tenchi Bridge, a swirling black vortex opened without warning. From within it, Chiga stepped out.
The moment he emerged, Chiga sensed the dense, hate-filled Chakra of the Nine-Tails below. His eyes scanned the battlefield just in time to witness Sai flying past Sakura on his summoned bird.
Ultimately, it was Yamato who saved Sakura using his Wood Release techniques.
With a quick glance, Chiga understood the timeline. This was the early phase of Naruto Shippuden—the Battle of Tenchi Bridge.
All eyes were locked on Naruto, who was completely consumed by the Nine-Tails' Chakra. No one noticed Chiga's silent arrival above.
Naruto had fully transformed into his Four-Tails state—a crimson, humanoid demon fox. He let out a thunderous roar that sent violent shockwaves throughout the area. Yamato quickly erected Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall to protect his comrades.
Chiga observed calmly from above, then vanished in a flash of movement, reappearing directly in front of Naruto.
The sudden appearance of a figure between Naruto and his opponents startled everyone. From their position, only Chiga's back was visible.
Before returning to this world, Chiga had made a few adjustments to his appearance. He switched from his Rinnegan back to the normal pupil and reduced his towering height to a more inconspicuous 1.8 meters. His striking long white hair remained unchanged, and he wore a black robe bearing the Uchiha Clan's crest—the one he had favored in the past.
Orochimaru squinted at the figure before him. That back… it was oddly familiar. But Yamato was the first to react.
"Danger! Everyone, back away from Naruto!"
This was Naruto's first time in Four-Tails form. His mind had completely snapped. All he could think about now was tearing apart everything in his sight.
With a roar, Naruto swung his massive claw toward Chiga.
With a loud slap, the claw was effortlessly caught in Chiga's hand.
The others froze.
They had seen Naruto's devastating power firsthand. Orochimaru had barely managed to avoid serious damage, choosing to dodge rather than block. A direct hit from Naruto in this state could shatter mountains.
Yet this mysterious man had blocked it effortlessly—with no visible Chakra flow, no jutsu, just raw physical strength.
Even Orochimaru, hardened by years of experiments, was shaken.
Naruto snarled, trying to pull free. But no matter how hard he struggled, Chiga's grip didn't budge.
Chiga gazed at the rampaging boy with pity in his eyes. Then his gaze shifted.
His eyes turned a deep, vivid red. Mangekyō Sharingan.
As soon as Naruto saw the pattern, a deep sense of unease struck him. He struggled harder. Then, with a guttural growl, he opened his mouth—and began forming a Tailed Beast Ball.
Chiga didn't flinch.
He whispered gently, "Calm down, Naruto."
The red glow of the Mangekyō intensified. Deep within Naruto's mind, the Nine-Tails snarled.
"That cursed Sharingan again!"
But it was powerless. The Mangekyō's light overwhelmed it. The rampaging Chakra rapidly receded. Naruto's transformation vanished, and he collapsed unconscious into Chiga's arms.
At that moment, Orochimaru's twisted grin faded.
"Who… are you?!" he demanded.
Still holding Naruto, Chiga slowly turned.
When Orochimaru saw the face and the crimson Mangekyō Sharingan, his eyes widened in disbelief. It was as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Y-You… You're Uchiha Chiga!?"
Yamato flinched at the name. Beside him, Sakura had regained consciousness. She glanced at Yamato with a puzzled look.
"Captain Yamato, who is Uchiha Chiga? I thought Sasuke was the last one from the Uchiha Clan?"
Yamato's face turned grim. "Kakashi-senpai mentioned him once. He lived during the Fourth Hokage's time… but he supposedly died during a mission."
"Died? Then how is he…"
Yamato shook his head. He didn't have answers. But the intensity of Chiga's Mangekyō Sharingan sent chills down his spine.
As a former member of Root, Yamato recognized what few ever saw—the legendary Mangekyō. So rare, it was thought to be nearly extinct.
But Orochimaru knew better.
He remembered everything—how he had once helped Chiga awaken the Rinnegan, and how greed had led him to betray him.
Back then, Orochimaru had launched a sneak attack, forcing Chiga to forcibly awaken his Rinnegan and accidentally tear open space itself. The collapse of that unstable space had consumed Chiga, destroying all of Orochimaru's experimental data.
Orochimaru had narrowly escaped using one of his many forbidden life-saving techniques.
Now, seeing Chiga alive, Orochimaru was more than just shocked—he was horrified.
Chiga looked at him, still smiling faintly.
"Orochimaru. Long time no see. You don't look happy to see me."
"Hehe… I didn't expect to see you again, Chiga-sama. I thought you—"
"Thought I was dead?"
Orochimaru hesitated, then nodded slowly.
Still cradling Naruto, Chiga stepped closer, calm and composed.
Orochimaru stood frozen, watching Chiga approach.
Chiga stopped a few feet away, gaze locked on him. "Not going to ask where my Rinnegan went?"
Orochimaru managed a forced smile. "That's… your business, Chiga-sama. I wouldn't dare inquire."
"Since when were you so respectful? You helped create these eyes, remember?"
As he spoke, ripples spread from Chiga's eyes—revealing the Twelve Tomoe Rinnegan.
The sheer pressure of the ocular power nearly crushed Orochimaru's soul. He swayed where he stood, almost fainting from the overwhelming presence.
He staggered back several steps, trying to maintain distance.
Chiga didn't pursue.
Beside him, a floating Truth-Seeking Orb hovered quietly.
The moment Orochimaru noticed the black sphere, his pupils shrank. Every fiber of his being screamed danger.
That orb could erase him from existence.
Even a hundred lives wouldn't be enough if that sphere touched him.
---
Damn, bro's cooked.