Chinya and Kushina Uzumaki followed Jiraiya and Tsunade to the Hokage Tower.
Jiraiya didn't even knock, just pushed the door open and shouted, "Old man, we're back!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly as he took a puff from his pipe. "Good, good. I'm glad you're back."
He looked at Chinya and Kushina Uzumaki standing behind Jiraiya and Tsunade and asked in surprise, "Chinya, Kushina Uzumaki, why are you here as well?"
Chinya glanced at the crystal ball on Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk.
Last time he came to the Hokage's office, there was no crystal ball. Now that it was here, it meant that Sarutobi had been using it to observe Konoha. Therefore, he must already know what happened.
Pretending now, huh?
Chinya stepped forward. "Lord Hokage, Master Jiraiya and Master Tsunade brought me here to be questioned."
As soon as he said "questioned," Kushina Uzumaki hurriedly interrupted. "Lord Hokage, Chinya didn't do anything wrong! He was only trying to help me!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a hand. "Calm down. First, tell me exactly what happened."
Chinya, Jiraiya, and Tsunade recounted the entire incident.
Hiruzen set his pipe aside. The kind look on his face disappeared, replaced by a serious expression as he stared at Chinya.
Just as Kushina Uzumaki opened her mouth to speak up for Chinya, Chinya gently pulled her hand, stopping her.
Chinya shook his head slightly at Kushina Uzumaki.
Kushina hesitated, looking conflicted. Her lips moved a few times but she finally stayed silent.
To Chinya's surprise, before he could say anything himself, Tsunade cut in, "Old man, Chinya already knows he messed up. Besides, those two brats were at fault first, and nothing major came out of this anyway. Just let it drop."
Hiruzen fixed his gaze on Chinya and asked sternly, "Chinya, do you admit your mistake?"
Chinya stepped forward firmly. "Lord Hokage, I don't think I did anything wrong!"
Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged stunned looks.
They handed him an easy way out, and he just walked away? You've got guts, I'll give you that.
Kushina also panicked inwardly. In that moment, if Chinya had just apologized, things might have gone smoothly!
Hiruzen's presence grew heavy with authority, his voice dropping low. "You don't think you made a mistake?"
Chinya stood firm under Hiruzen's oppressive aura. "No. I don't believe I've done anything wrong. Back then, I told you, Lord Hokage, that I wanted to protect Konoha…"
Before Chinya could finish, Hiruzen cut in, "But what you did has already gone against protecting Konoha!"
Chinya argued fiercely, "I want to protect Konoha by safeguarding the people and values worth protecting—not turning against our own comrades!
Konoha has a strict rule—we must never raise our hands against our comrades! But that person broke that rule! So no, I don't think I did anything wrong!
A Genin who dared to use real kunai against Kushina, a fresh student at the Academy—you really don't think such a bully deserves any protection!"
"This kind of person is a cancer to Konoha in my eyes! If he could attack Kushina today, he might attack others tomorrow. No one would want to turn their back to someone like him.
Everyone calls me a traitor, but no matter how much abuse or humiliation I've received, I never considered attacking them, because in my heart, they are comrades. I will absolutely never raise my hand against my comrades.
I will prove myself through actions, earn their trust and recognition. Therefore, my approach has never deviated from my original vow to protect Konoha!
No, it's people like that—those who break others' trust and hurt their own comrades—who are the most despicable of all!"
Jiraiya and Tsunade were deeply astonished by Chinya's words.
For a nine-year-old child to possess such insight was truly remarkable.
Hiruzen's imposing aura gradually faded away.
Chinya's explanation had carried tremendous weight.
Throughout his years in Konoha, Chinya had endured constant verbal abuse and cruel treatment, yet he had never once retaliated.
Most importantly, Hiruzen had seen through his crystal ball that Chinya had awakened his Sharingan.
Not only did Chinya show talent in Nin-Taijutsu, he had also activated the Sharingan.
From Hiruzen's memory, not even a single member of the Uchiha Clan had ever awakened the Sharingan at such a young age.
Mastering a complete set of A-rank Nin-Taijutsu and awakening the Sharingan at just nine years old despite having only half-Uchiha heritage—this level of talent was truly monstrous.
With such ability, his future as a top-tier ninja in Konoha and pillar of the village was almost guaranteed.
Moreover, Chinya appeared equally impressive in terms of character.
Based on current performance, he could be considered unwaveringly loyal.
After some contemplation, Hiruzen said, "Even if they commit wrongdoings, it is the Konoha Military Police Force's duty to enforce justice. You have no right to take matters into your own hands.
However, they were indeed in the wrong first. Also, you were attempting to help Kushina when she was being bullied. Very well then, go home and reflect for three days. Let this matter rest."
Kushina Uzumaki's face brightened instantly as she chimed in with her thanks, "Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Chinya also bowed, saying, "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
In Chinya's mind, admitting guilt and letting things go was only ever a last resort.
It would be best to use this incident as proof of his loyalty to Konoha.
Even if Hiruzen could read his true motives—so what? Everyone has their own interests. As long as he didn't cross the Hokage's red lines, everything would be fine.
Hiruzen waved his hand slightly, "Alright, you both may return now."
Chinya and Kushina Uzumaki walked hand-in-hand out of the Hokage's office.
Watching them leave, Jiraiya sighed, "These kids these days… One after another like freakin' prodigies. Mastering incredibly fast Nin-Taijutsu and awakening the Sharingan too."
Tsunade nodded, "I heard activating the Sharingan requires intense emotional stimulation. Since Kushina was bullied, Chinya awakened his Sharingan. It seems Kushina means quite a lot to him."
Hiruzen sulkily took a puff from his pipe.
He had intended for Jiraiya's future disciple, Minato Namikaze, to be the emotional connection that Kushina Uzumaki needed in order to accept Konoha. Yet now, seeing how close Chinya had become with Kushina Uzumaki, it seemed like Minato might not even get a chance.
After leaving Hokage Tower, Chinya took Kushina Uzumaki back to his own house.
Kushina let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness, Chinya! If I can just stay in this house for three days, everything will be okay."
Chinya motioned for Kushina to sit down on the couch, then spoke solemnly. "Kushina, I don't want to lie to you..."
Kushina tilted her head in confusion. What could Chinya possibly have lied to her about?
At that moment, Jiraiya and Tsunade—longtime absentees from Konoha—were inside the Hokage's office. Hiruzen Sarutobi was no doubt catching up with the two old friends, so he wouldn't be watching them through his crystal ball.
Seizing the opportunity, Chinya finally confessed to Kushina. "Kushina, everything I said back in the Hokage's office... it was all a lie."
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~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!