Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

Seeing the boy finally stop using his chopsticks, Jiraiya was almost moved to tears.

But for the sake of his writing career, he pretended to be nonchalant and asked, "Chiba, are you full?"

"I'm full," Chiba replied. Then, pretending to be embarrassed, he added, "Brother Jiraiya, I've eaten so much… Should I pay for this meal?"

Of course, Jiraiya would never let a child pay. Although he was heartbroken over the bill, he pretended not to care and said, "Hey, I said I'd treat you. How could I ask you to pay? Your brother Jiraiya's savings are still plentiful. Don't worry about it."

Hearing this, Chiba first pretended to be puzzled, then smiled gratefully. "As expected of Brother Jiraiya! In that case, I won't argue with you."

He gave Jiraiya a thumbs-up as he spoke.

Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively, acting as if it was no big deal, then called the waiter to pay.

After reluctantly parting with 30,000 ryo, Jiraiya couldn't wait to take Chiba back home.

As soon as they entered the house, Jiraiya asked Chiba to wait, then immediately ran to his bedroom. When he returned, he held a notebook in his hand.

After sitting down, Jiraiya looked at Chiba and said eagerly, "Chiba, you said the climax of my novel was too brief. So, how do you think I should rewrite it?"

As he spoke, Jiraiya held a pen in his right hand, ready to jot down notes like a studious pupil attending a lecture.

Chiba, seeing Jiraiya's enthusiasm, decided to stop teasing him. "It has to be like this. First…"

Over the next half an hour, Chiba explained the storytelling techniques he had learned from a certain source in his past life. He shared everything, from plot twists to pacing, even referencing ideas like character-driven tension.

By the time he finished, Jiraiya had scribbled pages of notes. His expression reflected pure admiration as if he were in the presence of an unparalleled master.

Yet, a question began to form in Jiraiya's mind: how could a ten-year-old boy know so much about professional storytelling? Just as he was about to ask, Chiba seemed to read his thoughts.

"Brother Jiraiya," Chiba said with a smile, "I know you're curious about how I know all this. But I promised someone not to reveal their name."

"Hmm?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. Was there a mysterious mentor behind Chiba?

Jiraiya's imagination conjured a scene: Chiba, by chance, encountered a wise elder who passed down their treasured storytelling secrets. However, this mysterious master wanted their identity kept a secret, asking Chiba to never mention them.

The thought filled Jiraiya with reverence for this "senior."

Chiba noticed Jiraiya's thoughtful expression but didn't interrupt, waiting quietly. After a moment, Jiraiya snapped back to reality and solemnly promised, "Don't worry, Chiba. I'll keep this a secret."

Although Chiba didn't know what Jiraiya was imagining, he continued to act the part. "Thank you, Brother Jiraiya. Since I've shared everything I know, I should head back now."

"Alright, Chiba. Go ahead. I won't see you off this time," Jiraiya replied, his mind still brimming with ideas from the lecture.

Chiba nodded, got up, and walked to the door. Before leaving, he turned back and said, "Brother Jiraiya, when your book is finished, show it to me first so I can help you revise it."

Jiraiya waved without looking up, engrossed in his notes. "Don't worry. You'll be the first to read it."

Satisfied, Chiba smiled and left Jiraiya's house.

When Chiba returned home, he was surprised to find someone unexpected: his grandfather, Uchiha Inada.

Though curious about his grandfather's visit, Chiba greeted him politely, "Grandpa."

Uchiha Inada nodded at the boy and waved him over. "Chiba, come sit down. I have something to discuss with you."

At this, Chiba's mother, Uchiha Genka, explained, "Chiba, your grandfather is here today to talk about what happened at the last clan meeting."

During Chiba's brief absence from Konoha, Uchiha Genka had learned the details of the clan meeting from her friend, Uchiha Mikoto, who had heard them from Uchiha Fugaku. When Genka asked her father why things had unfolded as they did, he explained the reasoning behind his actions. Though she eventually understood, it left her uneasy until Inada expressed his intention to apologize to Chiba.

Now, here they were.

Although Chiba didn't fully understand the situation, he sat down obediently.

Uchiha Inada sighed deeply, then said, "Chiba, I came here today to apologize for my actions during the last clan meeting. I'm sorry."

After his apology, Inada watched Chiba closely, waiting for his response. Uchiha Genka, meanwhile, glanced anxiously between the two.

Chiba noticed his mother's unease and decided to ease the tension. Smiling, he said, "Grandpa, I stopped being angry a long time ago."

Hearing this, both Inada and Genka let out sighs of relief.

Inada then turned to Genka and said, "Genka, your eldest brother and sister-in-law will return the day after tomorrow. Bring Chiba to have dinner with us. It's been a long time since our family had a proper meal together."

Genka's face lit up with surprise and delight. "Big brother is coming back? That's wonderful! I haven't seen him in so long."

As she spoke, memories of her childhood flooded back—memories of her older brother, Uchiha Shuichi, who always looked out for her and brought her treats and toys.

Chiba, meanwhile, listened quietly, a faint smile on his face as he thought about meeting his uncle for the first time.