I LOVE YOU GUY'S - ONE MILLION OF VIEWS BONUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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The moment Chiba noticed Jiraiya's presence, he understood one thing clearly,Hiruzen Sarutobi had never truly given up on Konoha.
After weathering countless storms, under what was often praised as Hiruzen's benevolent leadership, Konoha had instead descended into one of the darkest periods in its history. Its decline was slow, subtle, and relentless. In such an era, the legendary Sannin were no longer symbols of past glory, but the last remaining pillars struggling to keep the village from collapsing entirely.
Yet those pillars were already fractured.
Orochimaru had long since defected, abandoning the village and even aligning himself with the Akatsuki. Tsunade, while not a traitor, had chosen exile of her own will, wandering the world and severing her connection to Konoha so completely that even locating her had become a daunting task.
In the end, only Jiraiya remained.
Though he too drifted across the shinobi world, chasing prophecies and destiny, he had never truly let go of Konoha. From the shadows, he continued to shoulder responsibilities no one else could,covert missions, intelligence gathering, and the quiet protection of the village from threats it could not even perceive. The Akatsuki's existence itself had been uncovered through information Jiraiya risked his life to obtain.
Danzo Shimura often believed that Hiruzen upheld Konoha in the light, while he himself bore the burden in darkness. But if one spoke honestly, the one truly supporting Konoha from the shadows was neither of them.
It was Jiraiya.
Chiba respected him for that.
Still, respect did not erase reality. They stood on opposing sides of history.
With a calm smile that revealed little, Chiba spoke first. "Hiruzen Sarutobi calling you back… it seems he's trying to breathe life into Konoha once more."
Jiraiya shrugged, his posture loose, but his eyes sharp. "I won't be staying here long."
"I'm not the type who can settle down. The road suits me better than any village ever could."
After a brief pause, his tone softened, carrying a quiet weight. "But no matter how far I wander… I'm still a shinobi of Konoha."
It wasn't a declaration made for pride. It was simply a truth he had long accepted.
Chiba nodded slowly. "It's difficult for anyone to sever ties with the place they grew up."
"Even when that place is filled with rot and shadows."
Jiraiya laughed, though the sound held a trace of bitterness. "Mizukage-sama, that almost sounds like an accusation."
"But darkness exists everywhere. And more importantly… it's not something you can erase completely."
"I've spent my entire life searching for a path to peace," he continued, gaze drifting into the distance. "But with my brain, I doubt I'll ever find a perfect answer."
"Someone like you, though," he said, looking back at Chiba, "a man whose name shakes the entire shinobi world… perhaps you can."
Chiba's expression remained composed. "There are many answers. Peace isn't a single truth,it's a choice."
"In my eyes, it's a process. One that moves from small to great."
Jiraiya frowned slightly. "And what does that mean, exactly?"
Chiba spoke evenly, each word deliberate. "First, you survive. Then you learn how to live a little better."
"Next, while gaining strength, you ensure that your family, your loved ones, your friends, your clan can also survive,and live better."
"After that, with both strength and authority, you protect your village… and then your nation… allowing them to survive and improve."
Understanding slowly settled into Jiraiya's eyes. "That's exactly how you rose, step by step."
"So the final stage," he said thoughtfully, "would be possessing power and authority on a scale large enough to influence the entire shinobi world,so that everyone can live better?"
"That's my goal," Chiba answered without hesitation.
Jiraiya smiled, this time with genuine admiration. "Straightforward. Brutally practical."
"Come to think of it, the Shodaime Hokage likely shared the same vision."
"He protected his clan, then founded Konoha. After that, he gathered other clans, ensuring the village's survival."
"The next step was uniting villages and bringing peace to the shinobi world."
"But whether it was him… or you… the final step is always the most difficult."
Chiba nodded. "Because conflict is inevitable."
"Where there are clans, there is unity,and strife. Where there are villages, there is order,and war."
"And when the entire shinobi world becomes one… it will eventually fracture again,unless,"
"Unless there's a greater enemy," Jiraiya finished quietly, his eyes sharpening. "One that forces the world to unite."
Chiba smiled faintly. "Exactly."
Jiraiya exhaled slowly. "That sounds dangerously close to Uchiha Madara's philosophy."
"He wanted to become that enemy himself. A ruler who suppressed the world through absolute power."
Chiba shook his head. "That's one method,but not the one I'm referring to."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed. "Are you saying… that such an enemy truly exists? Something real, tangible, beyond the shinobi world itself?"
"That sounds almost… unreal."
Chiba's smile deepened, calm yet unsettling. "If you truly know my story, then you already understand."
"There are things I see before they happen. Truths hidden from others."
"I know more than I should."
The words were spoken lightly,but the weight behind them silenced even Jiraiya.
"Perhaps… this is one of those moments," Jiraiya murmured, his tone thoughtful as he fell into a brief silence.
Chiba's gaze remained steady, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of experience. "Indeed. Though I do not know the full extent of your sources, your intelligence work is… impressive."
Jiraiya gave a modest shrug. "I don't mean to boast. Reconnaissance, exploration, gathering intelligence,that's always been my specialty. But compared to someone like you, Mizukage-sama, my accomplishments seem trivial."
Chiba's eyes flickered with a hint of amusement. "Speaking of foresight, I know of someone else with a similar ability."
"Ah," Jiraiya said, leaning forward slightly, interest piqued. "You mean the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, yes?"
"Correct. That toad has made predictions to me as well. Ever since, I've been chasing the legend of the prophesied child."
Chiba shook his head slowly. "I don't believe the Great Toad Sage's prophecies are absolute. If you wish, you could inquire about me directly from him."
"Of course," Jiraiya chuckled warmly. "If the chance arises, I'd gladly accompany you. The Toad Sage's foresight is remarkable, yet even prophecies are not immutable. Circumstances can always shift."
He paused, his tone softening. "I am not a stubborn relic of the past. Flexibility is as essential as power. And as for visiting Mount Myoboku, Mizukage-sama, you would be most welcome."
Their conversation stretched long into the afternoon. Naruto, meanwhile, sat nearby, utterly baffled by the depth and nuance of their discussion. He shifted impatiently, frowning.
"Hey! Hey, pervy sage! When are you going to train me?!" he demanded, a mixture of exasperation and youthful urgency in his voice. "Didn't we agree that in one year I'd defeat Uchiha Sasuke?!"
Jiraiya laughed heartily, the sound echoing through the streets. "Very well, Mizukage-sama. I shall take my leave for now. One year from today, we meet at the Valley of the End."
Chiba inclined his head, serene yet determined. "Agreed."
As Jiraiya and Naruto departed, their silhouettes fading into the distance, Mei Terumi's gaze followed them with a quiet sense of reverence. "Konoha is fortunate to have such a shinobi watching over it," she murmured softly.
Chiba smiled faintly, a trace of solemnity beneath his calm demeanor. "Indeed. But for other villages… having him around may not be as fortunate."
"The legendary Sannin, Jiraiya… he will inevitably become a formidable adversary for us one day."
Mei's voice carried acknowledgment and concern. "Undoubtedly."
"One year from now… you truly intend to lead Sasuke to fulfill that wager?"
"Of course," Chiba replied, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. "It is… a fascinating experiment."
"A… experiment?" Mei tilted her head, curious.
"Yes," Chiba said, his tone measured. "And when the time comes, you will understand fully."
…
Ten days later.
The shinobi world's younger generation of elite, including the Five Kage, had all gathered in Konoha. Never before had such a spectacle occurred, and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. Among them, ninja from different villages interacted, forming alliances, friendships,and, naturally, rivalries. Beneath the apparent festivity, currents of tension and intrigue flowed quietly.
In a hidden corner of Konoha, Kabuto Yakushi approached a woman with meticulous courtesy. "All intelligence has been collected, my lord," he reported.
The woman before him appeared at first glance to be a standard ninja from Grass Village, unassuming and inconspicuous. Yet she was none other than the legendary Sannin,Orochimaru.
A sly, unsettling smile curved her lips. "Is that so?" she murmured. "Impressive, Kabuto. Truly, a lifetime as a spy has honed your skills well."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, a faint smile on his lips. "Merely the result of practice, my lord."
"Orochimaru… you intend to strike Konoha and the Sandaime Hokage?"
She shook her head slowly, her expression calculating. "The Five Kage are all present. Even if I wished to act, it would not be so simple. As for Sarutobi… he will have his reckoning eventually. No need to rush."
Kabuto hesitated, glancing at the files he had gathered. "And the dossiers on the Chunin candidates from all major villages… they are for…?"
"For reincarnation," she said simply.
"You mean… the forbidden technique?"
"Yes. The three-year cycle approaches once more. This time, I will find the perfect vessel,unblemished, superior in every aspect,to host my rebirth."
"And there is no doubt," she continued, eyes glinting, "that the most promising vessels exist here, in this Chunin Exam."
"In truth, this is less a selection for the Chunin title and more a test… for choosing my reincarnation vessel."
Kabuto smiled faintly. "So the winner of the Chunin Exam… would be your preferred vessel?"
"Perhaps," she replied, curling her lips into a cold smile. "But perhaps not. The result will reveal itself in due course. I am most curious to see how this unfolds."
With that, Kabuto melted back into Konoha's shadows, leaving Orochimaru to glide toward the arena where the final battle was to be observed.
…
Finally.
Ten days later, the climactic Chunin Exam showdown commenced. The event, larger and more intense than any previous round, had drawn countless spectators.
Among them were the Five Kage and their elite bodyguards, renowned ninja from afar, small-nation shinobi, and ordinary civilians alike. Even those who had been defeated in earlier rounds watched, eager for the final outcome.
As Mizukage, Chiba took his place at the center, observing with calm precision. At Sarutobi's signal, the final battle officially began.
The top ten rising stars of the shinobi world stepped forward, one by one: Kaguya Kimimaro, Haku Yuki, Hozuki Suigetsu, Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuga Neji, Aburame Shino, Sai, Gaara, Kurotsuchi, and Atsui.
The match-ups were determined randomly. The first pair drawn were Haku Yuki and Kurotsuchi,two of the only female ninja in the top ten.
Excitement erupted throughout the arena, cheers echoing endlessly as everyone clamored to witness which of these prodigious young kunoichi would claim supremacy.
Chiba's lips curved into a faint smile. He had followed Haku's growth closely. She was already an elite, having awakened her Ice Release kekkei genkai years ago. Alongside her rigorous training and Konoha's top-tier guidance, she had become a force even more formidable than she had been in her original timeline.
One black, one white,two true masters facing each other on the battlefield.
Kurotsuchi, the future Yondaime Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, stood confidently, muscles taut and ready. Opposite her, Haku Yuki, with her ice-cold eyes and elegant posture, prepared to unleash her kekkei genkai to its fullest.
Haku inclined her head politely. "Please, take care of me."
Kurotsuchi grinned openly. "Likewise. You're of the same clan as the Mizukage, yes? But don't expect me to hold back!"
Haki's lips curved in a quiet smile. "Nor I."
At the signal, the battle erupted. Haku formed hand seals at lightning speed,single-handedly,leaving the arena spectators and the examiner, Shinobu Nohara, stunned into silence.
Then, in an instant:
"Suiton! Kirigakure no Jutsu!" ("Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique")
A dense fog rolled across the battlefield, swallowing both combatants in an impenetrable veil. Kurotsuchi's brow furrowed; her eyes could no longer discern Haku's location.
Before she could react:
"Suiton! Kirisugoshin no Jutsu!" ("Water Release: Mist Body Technique")
Haku emerged from the mist, moving with lethal precision, her assault striking at Kurotsuchi with uncanny swiftness.