"(òwó?)! What the hell?!"
Chiba's bold declaration left Hiruko stunned speechless.
He thought he was daring—researching forbidden jutsu right under Hiruzen Sarutobi's nose, hunting down Anbu squads and kekkei genkai users after defecting. But compared to his junior? He was way too conservative!
"Uncle, you'll understand when you reach my age."
Chiba was in a good mood, teasing him. "You either lie down completely, or you go all in. Third-generation rich kid! Sleep on the floor today, sleep with old… ahem, no, that one's not necessary."
"Ch-Chiba, since you still want to return to Konoha, I won't try to stop you. Just pin all the blame on me."
Hiruko grabbed Chiba's hand, his tone serious. "If anyone suspects you back in the village, or if you're in danger, come find me. And… tell the other three I'm okay."
"Uncle, you're such a good person. Having you is my blessing!"
Chiba was genuinely moved, tears welling up in his eyes. To have such a willing tool… what more could he ask for? Even Danzō Shimura wasn't this proactive about taking the fall!
"If I ever become Hokage, I'll make you my right-hand advisor!" Chiba declared, gripping Hiruko's hand with conviction.
The Iwa squad could arrive any minute. They couldn't stay.
Before parting, Chiba instructed Hiruko to absorb as much of the Five-Tails' power as possible—suppress its chakra to an extremely low level and restrict its recovery. Until Chiba could fully control Kokuō, he wanted it kept weak and emaciated.
This way, I can gradually master the tailed beast's power. And it minimizes the risk of anyone noticing a sudden surge in my chakra.
Following Chiba's suggestion, Hiruko decided to head for the Land of Rice Paddies (the future Otogakure). Chiba, meanwhile, activated his Paper Dance jutsu, gliding through the air to search for Pakura.
"She passed out on the road? Did she hit her head or something?"
He found her at the base of the mountain. A layer of frost coated her body. Her breaths were shallow, weak. If not for her strong constitution, she'd have frozen to death.
"Sorry about that. Didn't expect the fight to drag on. Almost forgot about you."
Chiba muttered an apology, unbuttoning her clothes. He used his hands to wipe away the frost, then began channeling chakra into her.
The "mission" had "failed." The Five-Tails Jinchūriki had "mysteriously disappeared." Offending Iwa was unavoidable.
But if he could save Pakura—a crucial witness—to prove Hiruko was a rogue ninja, and that Konoha (specifically, him, Chiba) had been sent to pursue him… then he could give both Suna and that old monkey Hiruzen a satisfactory report.
And of course, more importantly… this was Pakura.
*[Ding! Treatment successful. Host has obtained "Any Wind Release Jutsu Enhancement" usage right 1!]
Chiba poured pure chakra into Pakura, pulling her back from death's door. The system prompt followed immediately.
"Holy crap, this is good!"
Chiba's eyes lit up. Without a second thought, he used the enhancement on the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.
He'd just been lamenting how his opponents were getting stronger, how even the main character's ultimate move was losing its edge. This gift from Pakura was perfect. This feeling…
[Ding! Enhancement successful. Host has obtained "Super Wind Release: Rasenshuriken"!]
[Enhancement Note: Scale upgraded. Power doubled. A parting gift!]
"Damn, the boost is this insane? Damage literally doubled?!"
Chiba was impressed. If he'd had this move earlier, he could have shown Han the "finisher screen" right then and there.
"Crime pays. The ancients didn't lie."
He was very satisfied. Storm Release, a tailed beast, an upgraded ultimate move… any one of these was cause for celebration.
"Mmm…"
A soft moan came from Pakura in his arms. Chiba quickly straightened her clothes and adopted a proper posture. "You're awake?"
"I… It's you! How could you just throw me like that earlier? Were you trying to kill me? Do you have any idea what it feels like to have your body flying through the air while your soul tries to catch up?!"
The moment Pakura regained consciousness and saw Chiba's face, anger flared. She grabbed his shirt and shook him violently.
"It was an emergency! That guy wanted to eat you. Staying put was dangerous," Chiba explained.
"Right… that guy! Is he dead? Did you kill him?!" Pakura demanded urgently.
"Sigh. He was too strong. I was no match. Almost got killed myself."
Chiba shook his head. "Thankfully, at the last second, some shinobi from Iwagakure tracked him here. One of them… suited his… tastes. They fought and chased each other away from here."
"A battle on that level? I couldn't intervene. And I was worried about you, so I stayed to help."
His story held up. Pakura had seen Chiba trying to kill Hiruko with her own eyes. She believed him.
"Hoshino… she… she was eaten…"
Pakura's eyes reddened. She slumped weakly against Chiba's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.
"I know. Anyone who practices such a forbidden jutsu deserves death. That's why Konoha branded him a rogue ninja. I just wish I could have killed him myself!"
Chiba echoed her fury, offering comfort. As he comforted her, their bodies pressed closer. Pakura desperately needed solace, needed an outlet for the pent-up emotions crushing her heart.
…
Two hours later, with the help of a messenger monkey, Chiba and Pakura rendezvoused with Nawaki and the others.
"Chiba, Chiba… what am I supposed to say? We're out here working hard on a mission, and you? You're off picking up girls!"
The moment they met, Nawaki's eyes went green with envy. He pulled Chiba aside, grumbling.
"Nawaki. I'm getting stronger and stronger. You're not feeling inadequate because of that, are you? Thinking you're not good enough for me? Letting it affect our brotherhood?"
Chiba ignored the complaint, turning the question back on him.
"I, of course I'm not…"
Nawaki tried to retort loudly, but under Chiba's serious gaze, his voice trailed off. He lowered his head, unable to meet Chiba's eyes.
"B-but… I can't keep up with you anymore. Sooner or later, you'll see me as expendable," Nawaki mumbled, staring at the ground.
For a moment, Chiba saw a shadow of Hiruko in Nawaki. A jolt of alarm shot through him.
"Hey, idiot. Look at me!"
Nawaki was still sulking. Chiba forced his head up. "Listen to me, Nawaki. Without you, there would be no me as I am today."
"So no matter the difference in strength, no matter what happens, you, Nawaki, will always be my brother. That will never change. Understood?"
Nonō and Kosuke watched this scene, utterly dumbfounded.
You two were apart for, what, a few hours? Since when did it get this sentimental? What happened while we weren't looking?
"Wahh, Chiba…"
Faced with this heartfelt declaration, Nawaki's nose tingled. He rubbed his eyes. "So, what if I told my sister about you getting cozy with two different girls? How are you gonna handle that, huh?"
"You motherf— You want to see how sharp my sword is?"
"My blade is plenty sharp itself!"
After the scuffle, the slight awkwardness in Nawaki's heart vanished. They were back to normal.
"Chiba, who is that woman?"
Nonō approached, whispering in Chiba's ear. Her gaze toward Pakura was distinctly unfriendly.
"Let me introduce everyone. This is Pakura of Sunagakure. We both nearly died at Hiruko's hands. That's how we met."
Chiba's tone grew grave. "Hiruko is too powerful. This mission is beyond our team's capabilities now. I plan to take Pakura back to Konoha to report directly to the Third Hokage. We can discuss the details on the move."
…
One week later. The Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had specifically called in Homura Mitokado. After hearing the accounts from Chiba and Pakura, both their faces were dark with fury.
"So, after mastering that forbidden jutsu, Hiruko's power is on par with Iwagakure's Five-Tails Jinchūriki?"
"That is correct, Hokage-sama," Chiba replied without a flicker of guilt.
"I see. Take Pakura and get some rest. She is our guest from afar. See to her… every need. Understood?"
After instructing Chiba, Hiruzen turned to Pakura, forcing a smile. "Pakura, don't worry. In a few days, I will dispatch Konoha's elite and an envoy to accompany you back to Suna."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Chiba and Pakura left the office. He could barely contain the glee bubbling inside him. We pulled it off! Hah!
"Chiba. Your Kage just said… to see to my every need?" Pakura repeated, biting her lip.
"Huh?!" Chiba instantly went on alert, subtly putting distance between them. "What do you want?"
"I do."
Chiba: "???"
…
"Homura. Your thoughts?"
Hiruzen's old face was as dark as Zetsu's. He looked at his companion.
"Suna is manageable. Their losses are minimal, and this Pakura proves Hiruko was indeed our rogue ninja. Some concessions will satisfy them."
Homura adjusted his glasses. "The problem is Iwa. According to intelligence, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki is likely dead. Ōnoki will not let this go."
"Fortunately, Chiba secured a witness. They have no grounds for full-scale war. But a retaliatory strike… that's almost certain."
Hiruzen nodded, sighing. "A small mercy in this disaster, I suppose. That boy Chiba is quite reliable. He perfectly embodies my Will of Fire."
Homura glanced at him but said nothing. If you're happy, old man.
"Oh, Homura."
Hiruzen suddenly spoke, pensive. "This powerful forbidden jutsu Hiruko developed… do you think it could be used… for Konoha's benefit?"
A chill ran down Homura's spine. He pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Yes."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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