On the road back to Konoha, Chiba tried piecing the two Four Symbols Seals together, forming what he understood to be an Eight Trigrams Seal. And wouldn't you know it—it actually worked.
The Eight-Tails' chakra inside him was now completely contained, perfectly hidden within the seal space, ready to be unleashed like a power bank during battle.
The group returned to Konoha and headed straight for the Hokage's office to report the mission details to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"…Four Cloud Anbu in total. Three killed, one escaped. This is the scroll containing Squad Captain Kazekaze's remains. How would you like to proceed?"
Chiba reported the mission truthfully, omitting only the part where he clashed with the Eight-Tails.
Whether Kumo spread rumors about it wasn't his problem. Don't believe rumors. Don't spread them. How could he, Chiba, possibly be a match for the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki?
This was clearly a Cloud plot to set him up for a fall!
"You handled this mission well. You lived up to my expectations for your squad."
Hiruzen took the scroll from Chiba, his voice full of emotion. "I would have lost sleep if one of Konoha's heroes was left to 'wander' in a foreign land."
Right. And the three Anbu you sent? Not a word about them, huh? Chiba thought silently.
"Alright. If that's all, you're dismissed. Rest up for a couple of days before reporting back to Anbu."
Hiruzen stored the scroll and waved them off.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
The four responded in unison and left the office.
Outside, Kōsuke was the first to excuse himself. His back injury was acting up again, and he needed proper rest.
"It's not because of me, is it…?" Nawaki muttered under his breath.
"You think?" Chiba shot back, annoyed. "If it weren't for you being a walking liability, would Kōsuke have had to sprint those extra hundred miles?"
"If I hadn't treated him on the spot, he'd probably be in the hospital right now!"
"Heh, hey, Chiba…"
Nawaki forced a smile, about to ask Chiba to hang out, but Nonō Yakushi beat him to it.
"Chiba, do you have plans later? If you're willing… would you come with me to see the children?" Nonō asked softly.
"Sure, no problem. Let me go clean up first. We'll meet right at the orphanage gate."
He'd promised Nonō before, and now he had time. Chiba agreed with a smile.
"Mhm, okay!"
Nonō nodded firmly, a flash of joy flickering in her beautiful eyes.
"Oh, right, Nawaki."
After finalizing plans with Nonō, Chiba finally turned to Nawaki, looking puzzled. "What were you going to say?"
"N-nothing. You guys talk. I'm heading out."
Under Chiba's bewildered gaze, Nawaki quickly distanced himself from the pair, turned down a side street, and trudged home, feeling glum.
Back when it was just the three of them, he and Chiba were the best of friends. Whenever they weren't training, they were hanging out.
But now there was this Nonō Yakushi… So annoying!
A ten-minute walk took Nawaki half an hour. He climbed in through the window and slumped into the house. "Sis, you home? I'm back."
Tsunade walked out of a room holding a stack of papers. She glanced at her brother, confirmed he was fine, then asked as casually as she could, "Is Chiba okay too?"
"Him? Hmph, of course he's okay. He's doing great!"
Thinking of that jerk who ditched his bro for a girl, Nawaki spoke through gritted teeth.
Phew. He's alive, at least. Tsunade sighed inwardly, brushing off Nawaki's attitude. They were probably just having another spat.
"By the way, isn't that Nonō Yakushi in your squad now too? Is she back? I need to discuss some things with her."
Tsunade looked at the documents. Konoha had just been through a major war, and the orphanage had many new war orphans. She wanted to select some talented children to train as "seeds" for her new medical reforms.
But to do it all by the book, she needed the director, Nonō, to agree and provide written approval.
"She's back. Probably on a date with Chiba right now, at the Konoha Orphanage. If you go now, you might even catch them locking lips."
Nawaki's tone was sour. Partly because his friend wasn't with him. Partly because his friend was with a girl instead of him.
"WHAT?!"
Tsunade's roar made Nawaki, who'd just collapsed on the sofa, and the neighbor's dog jump straight up.
KABOOM!
A deafening crash. A Tsunade-shaped hole appeared in the wall. Tsunade herself was already gone, charging full-speed toward the Konoha Orphanage. Only a few fluttering papers remained.
"Sis! Are you going to find Chiba? I'm coming too!" Nawaki howled.
His pride had been wounded. He'd decided if Chiba didn't ask him first, he'd never speak to him again.
But now he had a legitimate reason to go find Chiba. Pride could take a hike. Chiba was more important!
"Hmm…"
Nawaki rushed to the door. Looked at the door. Looked at the hole in the wall. Chose the hole.
"Sis! Wait for me! Why are you running so fast? It's like you're catching someone in the act!"
Konoha Orphanage.
Watching Chiba, surrounded by a swarm of children, laughing and playing with them, Nonō's gaze grew increasingly soft.
Maybe it was the suspension bridge effect. For this boy who had changed her fate twice, there was a feeling she couldn't quite name, warm and fluttering in her chest.
Seeing Chiba not just tolerate the orphanage children, but genuinely connect with them, that feeling grew stronger.
Back in Root, a single glance at the children was a luxury. But now, seeing this scene before her, Nonō finally understood the word "happiness."
If I could freeze this moment forever… I'd pay any price. The thought stole her breath.
"Chiba, come have some water."
She hated to interrupt this perfect scene, but hearing Chiba's voice grow hoarse from all the yelling, Nonō's heart ached a little. She called him over.
"Alright."
Seeing Nonō raise a water cup, Chiba smiled, extricated himself from the kids with a promise to play later, and walked over to her.
"Chiba… do you like children?" Nonō fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, biting her lip.
"Yeah. Being with them is carefree. Makes me feel like a kid again too." Chiba took a drink and smiled.
You are still a kid!
Stealing a glance at Chiba's perfect profile, Nonō quickly looked away, her cheeks flushed. "Then… have you ever thought about having… one? Or many? Children of your own?"
Why does everyone keep bringing this up?
Chiba sighed inwardly. "I haven't thought that far ahead. I haven't even had a girlfriend yet."
Silence followed his words. Puzzled, Chiba turned his head.
Their eyes met.
Thump. Thump.
For a moment, time seemed to slow. Nonō could hear her own heartbeat.
"Then… would you like to have a girlf—"
KABOOM!
Just as Nonō mustered all her courage, face burning, the orphanage gate was kicked in with tremendous force. Both of them jumped.
Chiba looked toward the entrance.
A woman with twin ponytails streaming behind her stormed in, each step leaving an imprint, her face a mask of fury.
"L-Lady Tsunade? What brings you here?"
Chiba stared at the newcomer, shocked.
If I hadn't come, my home would've been stolen right out from under me!
Tsunade's eyes swept from Chiba to Nonō beside him. Her face darkened.
Nonō seemed to sense it too. Her beautiful eyes behind her glasses narrowed to slits. All the earlier gentleness vanished, replaced by an icy glare that met Tsunade's head-on.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (100+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/BingeInk
Happy reading, everyone!