"Yeah, that's right."
Jiraiya stepped forward and clapped Chiba on the shoulder. "You've all worked hard these past months. The war with Iwagakure is over. You can return to Konoha."
Huff… Finally!
He heard Jiraiya's words. A weight lifted from Chiba's shoulders as he let out a heavy sigh of relief.
With the conflict between Iwa and Konoha concluded, the Second Great Ninja War could truly be called over. The shinobi world would enjoy several years of peace. And he… he could finally focus on laying low and building his strength.
But then Jiraiya's tone shifted. "Don't celebrate just yet. I've got some bad news for you three."
"Huh? What bad news, Jiraiya-nii?" Nawaki moved closer, his expression suddenly anxious.
"Ōnoki has placed bounties on all three of you at the exchange. You and old man Kousuke are worth five million ryō each." He paused, glancing at Chiba. "Chiba… yours is half of that."
"Pfft—HAHAHA!"
Nawaki's worry evaporated instantly, replaced by loud, unrestrained laughter. "Chiba! You cheap bastard! Two-fifty! Hahaha!"
"Damn it, Nawaki!"
Chiba scowled, unable to argue. He really wasn't worth much. His bounty wasn't even 0.1 Asuma…
Whatever. Look on the bright side. This was just the first step on his journey to becoming a legend.
"Huh? Is Big Brother Chiba leaving?"
The three kids returned from fishing with Kousuke. Upon hearing the news, their faces fell, etched with reluctance and attachment.
After all this time living together, bonds had formed. Especially with Chiba, their "psychiatrist." The kids' feelings for him were particularly deep and unique.
Chiba mused that if Nagato ever went down the path of crime in the future, he'd definitely earn a spot among the Six Paths of Pain. Probably the Animal Path or the Human Path.
Not bad. An upgrade from a background character who never appeared in the original plot to a minor character with actual screen time.
"Big Brother Chiba… will we see you again?" Konan tugged at Chiba's sleeve, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Of course we will. Don't cry, little Konan." Chiba crouched down, wiping the corner of her eye. "When you're all a bit older, you'll become amazing, important people in this world. We'll have plenty of chances to meet then."
"You have to keep your promise, Big Brother Chiba! When I grow up, I'll come find you!"
The tears finally spilled over. Konan couldn't hold back anymore, throwing herself into Chiba's arms and sobbing.
"Damn. When you get older, dust just flies right into your eyes!" Nawaki rubbed at his own eyes, his voice thick.
Kousuke: "…"
Are you even listening to yourself?
"Nawaki-nii! I'll cherish the memory of your face and voice! May your journey be peaceful! I'll miss you!" Yahiko joined in, wailing dramatically.
Nagato walked quietly up to Kousuke. "Kousuke-senpai… please take care of yourself when you go back. Stay warm. Don't strain your back again."
"Goodbye!"
Under the tearful, blurry gazes of the three children, Chiba and the others walked further and further away.
Guided by Jiraiya, they found the nearest Konoha squad and joined the main force on the road back to the Land of Fire.
…
One month later.
Konoha. Chiba's home.
"Haaah~~ After resting this long, I'm finally starting to feel human again!"
Letting out a long breath, Chiba, who had spent a solid week lying in bed, finally decided it was time to get some fresh air.
Click.
He opened a hidden compartment under the floorboards, retrieving a small box. Inside, ten crisp 500,000 ryō banknotes lay neatly stacked.
Five million ryō. The "consultation fee" Mitokado Tsuki had sent him earlier.
"Hmm, how much is appropriate…"
He pulled out two notes, hesitated, then put one back. In the end, he left the house with 500,000 ryō.
His destination was the Nohara residence. With the war over, he planned to visit and check on the late Team Leader Nohara's family.
The streets of Konoha weren't lively so soon after the war. They were almost desolate. Villagers hurried about, heads down, rarely lingering.
"Sir, please! Give me one more chance! I swear I won't mess up the mission again!"
"Forget it! Don't beg me. I'm begging you. Just get lost. You're not welcome in my squad. Go ruin someone else's team!"
Walking down the road, Chiba's attention was caught by a heated argument from a street corner.
As someone who appreciated good drama, Chiba immediately inched closer, quiet as a ghost.
In the corner, a middle-aged man with black hair, wearing a vibrant green bodysuit and a yellow scarf, was bowing repeatedly to a much younger ninja.
That outfit… that sheer intensity… Might Dai! Might Guy's father!
Chiba, watching from the shadows, felt a jolt of surprise. A simple stroll, and he'd stumbled upon someone truly formidable.
"Sir, please, I beg you. I really need this mission. My son is about to start school, I need—"
Might Dai clasped his hands together, ignoring his own dignity, pleading desperately with a ninja over a decade his junior.
"Get lost. What you need has nothing to do with me!" The young ninja in front of him had lost all patience, his voice sharp with contempt.
"I was a complete idiot to let a screw-loose guy like you join my team last time! Not only did we not earn a commission, I had to dig into my own pockets to compensate the merchant caravan for their losses!"
"If you don't scram right now, I don't care if you're broke or not, I'll drag you straight to the Konoha Military Police Force. You can explain yourself to those damned Uchiha bastards."
Faced with the merciless scolding, Might Dai's face paled. He bowed, he pleaded, but the other man wasn't having it. Impatiently, the young ninja shoved him away.
"Shut up and get lost! Don't ever bother me again, or I'll make sure you can't scrape a living in this village!"
With that final threat, the young ninja stalked off, leaving Might Dai standing alone, utterly dejected.
Might Dai was a civilian who had joined Konoha during the turbulent war years.
He wasn't well-educated. He couldn't use ninjutsu. All he had was brute strength. He could never pass the Chūnin Exams, earning him the scornful title of "the permanent Genin," a laughingstock.
As an unwanted Genin who couldn't get decent missions, Might Dai was stuck with menial labor. Finding lost cats and dogs. Hauling heavy loads. Just barely scraping by.
But now… his son, Might Guy, was about to start school. If he couldn't come up with the exorbitant fees, his son would have to sign a "contract of servitude" with the village.
Might Dai would never allow that!
But how could a penniless, talentless Genin like him possibly gather such a huge sum…
"Guy… what should I do?"
Even with a will as strong as iron, Might Dai felt lost. He grabbed at his hair in anguish.
"Huff… Dai, get it together! Youth does not allow for slacking!"
After a long moment, Might Dai took a deep breath. He forced his spirits to rise, ready to try again.
"Yosh! Time to try my luck somewhere else!"
Even though he knew no one would want him on their team. Even though he knew the other ninja would mock him relentlessly. Even though his dignity would be trampled on, over and over.
But a father grows strong for his child. For Guy's sake, no hardship was too great. To protect the ones you love—that was the true meaning of youth!
"YOSH! MY YOUTH IS BURNING BRIGHT! SET OFF, DAI!"
Just as Might Dai flipped into a handstand, preparing to move to the next location on his hands, a young, somewhat tentative voice called out from behind him.
"Mr. Might Dai? Please, wait… on your hands?"
Chiba wasn't entirely sure how to phrase it, given the man was upside down.
To be honest, he was extremely interested in the Eight Gates on Might Dai. He planned to make contact. To see if he could… acquire it.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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