"Basically, that was the whole process."
By then, Chiba was already seated to the Third Hokage's left, recounting the detailed events from Kannabi Bridge to his return to the village half a year later—the same version he had told Minato Namikaze.
Although he had been surprised that the Third Hokage had questioned him so quickly, Chiba had still explained the entire course of events to him on the way over.
Of course, he had still omitted what needed to be omitted. It was basically the same as what he had told Minato Namikaze.
He had anticipated that the Third Hokage would ask before he came. He would have found it strange if the man had not asked. After all, everyone in the village was dear to the Third Hokage's heart. How could he not ask after Chiba had nearly died and survived?
"Is that so..."
As he listened to Chiba's account, the Third Hokage held his pipe for quite a while before finally bringing it to his lips.
This child... He actually survived something like that. Truly...
Truly...
At that moment, he took a deep drag. This old man, battle-hardened and possessed of countless experiences in combat, who had sat in the Hokage's seat for decades, was so stunned that he did not know how to describe Chiba's ordeal.
The Third Raikage, an army of ten thousand, five thousand Iwa shinobi... In battle after battle, facing enemies more difficult than the last and desperate situations that had nearly guaranteed death, Chiba had still survived. The Third Hokage did not know whether to call it good fortune, formidable strength, or simply say that Chiba was immortal.
Clatter!
At that moment, the sound of chopsticks falling rang out from across the table.
*W-What kind of joke was this? Chiba had survived under