Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

Dean's Office

After finishing her lunch, Tsunade wiped her mouth and looked at Chiba. "Chiba, did this mission go well? Did you encounter any danger?"

Chiba thought back to the time from when he left Konoha until now. "Fortunately, we didn't encounter any danger, and the mission was successfully completed. It's just that sleeping in the wild during this weather was a bit uncomfortable. It's too cold."

He still vividly remembered those nights sleeping in the wild.

"Ah? Are you okay? Do you have a cold or a fever?" Tsunade's face filled with concern. She stood up, walked around the desk, and placed the back of her hand on his forehead.

After carefully feeling the temperature, she breathed a sigh of relief upon finding nothing abnormal. "Phew, everything is normal."

However, what Tsunade didn't notice was Chiba's subtle expression.

The smooth touch of her hand on his forehead made his heart skip a beat. He instinctively held her hand and said, "I'm fine, Sister Tsunade. My body is strong, and this kind of weather won't make me sick."

Taking advantage of the moment, he felt the softness of her hand. Though tempted to squeeze it, he held back, knowing it might make her angry. Then, before Tsunade could react, he let go just in time.

Tsunade, still concerned about his condition, didn't think much about it. "As long as you're okay. Remember to bring warm clothes when you go out next time."

Returning to her seat, Tsunade glanced at the time and then at the stack of files on her desk. Her face unconsciously fell. It was going to be tough processing all the paperwork within the remaining half-hour.

Noticing her unhappy expression, Chiba asked curiously, "Sister Tsunade, is something wrong?"

"It's nothing," Tsunade replied. Then, glancing at the clock again, she said, "Chiba, if you don't have anything else to do, you should head back. It's almost time for me to get off work, and I still need to finish these files."

Ah, so that's the reason. Chiba quickly pieced together the situation. Not wanting to linger and risk being roped into helping, he decided it was best to leave immediately.

"Alright, Sister Tsunade, I'll leave now. See you later!"

Before Tsunade could say anything, Chiba dashed out of the office in an instant.

Once outside, he patted his chest in relief. Dodging another potential punishment from Tsunade was a win in his book.

Since Uchiha Minaoka was working overtime at the hospital, Chiba didn't linger and headed straight home.

At Home

Back in his room, Chiba eagerly took out the manuscript he had been carrying.

He began reading it alone.

Less than an hour later, he had finished it.

Closing the manuscript, Chiba shook his head in disappointment.

For all of Jiraiya's boasting about how amazing the work was, Chiba found it underwhelming.

Though the manuscript had only half the story, the plot lacked excitement. While Jiraiya's books focused more on storytelling rather than intricate plotlines, the key moments felt rushed and underdeveloped to Chiba.

Perhaps it was because Jiraiya lacked real-life experience or was merely a theoretical writer? Whatever the case, the boy was left disappointed.

"Forget it," he muttered to himself. "Let's practice instead."

Placing the manuscript in the drawer of his bedside table, Chiba sat cross-legged on the bed and began refining his chakra.

He wasn't worried about Uchiha Minaoka finding the manuscript. His family had never casually gone through his belongings.

The Next Day

With the new year approaching, Konoha was abuzz with activity.

Walking through the streets with Nawaki, Uchiha Chiba noticed that most businesses had put up signs advertising New Year's discounts. Pedestrians around them wore cheerful expressions as they prepared for the festivities.

"Chiba," Nawaki grumbled, "do you know how sad I was last night? My sister came home completely drunk! Doesn't she know her dear brother is back?"

"That's so sad," Nawaki added dramatically. "Don't you think so, Chiba?"

Chiba glanced at him, his tone nonchalant. "Isn't that normal? When has Tsunade-sama ever cared about your feelings?"

He smirked and added teasingly, "By the way, Nawaki, you haven't been beaten by Tsunade-san in a few days. Are you starting to miss it?"

Nawaki's expression stiffened, his voice rising defensively. "What are you talking about? I'm not some kind of pervert! Why would I miss being beaten?"

Pausing, he hesitated before muttering, "I just think that after being gone for a few days, she should at least miss me."

Chiba chuckled knowingly. "Really? So I misunderstood you?"

"That's right!" Nawaki exclaimed, trying to sound convincing. "Who would enjoy being beaten? Only a pervert would, right?"

Chiba's smirk widened. "If you say so."

Feeling the conversation slipping into dangerous territory, Nawaki quickly changed the subject as they approached a nearby apartment building. Pointing to it, he said, "Chiba, look! That's Orochimaru-sensei's house. Let's go!"

Without waiting for a response, Nawaki sprinted toward the building.

Watching Nawaki's retreating figure, Chiba smiled and shook his head before following.

Orochimaru's Residence

Arriving at Orochimaru's home, Chiba noticed it was a unit in an apartment building rather than a standalone house.

Nawaki, seemingly eager to forget the earlier teasing, enthusiastically knocked on the door.

"Sensei Orochimaru, are you home? Chiba and I are here to see you!"