The next day, around nine in the morning.
In Chiba's office and medical room at the Ninja Engineering Corps camp.
"Have you learned it?"
Watching Itachi form the same hand seal in front of him, Chiba drew a quiet breath, forcefully suppressing the worry in his heart before asking.
"Yes, Teacher Chiba."
Hearing Chiba's question, Itachi formed that same hand seal once more. Only after confirming that he had mastered it did he nod seriously.
Then, lifting those large, dark eyes, he looked at Chiba with utmost seriousness and answered honestly.
"Good. Then take all of these with you. They can save you quite a bit of Chakra in critical moments."
Sensing the seriousness in Itachi's eyes, as well as the affection and respect hidden deep within them, Chiba pushed all the scrolls piled on the desk—nearly as high as a forearm—toward Itachi, until the boy's little head was completely hidden behind them.
"Yes, Teacher Chiba."
Itachi first expressed his complete agreement.
"But... my pockets can't hold them."
Then, without trying to hide anything, he honestly stated his difficulty. As he spoke, he set the little cloth pouch he carried with him on the desk.
"It's fine. Yukina made this for you at my request. You can use this to carry them."
Chiba seemed to have anticipated this. He took a combat backpack and an exquisitely crafted Ninja Tool Pouch from beneath his desk.
"Yes, I understand, Teacher Chiba."
Seeing the backpack and Ninja Tool Pouch on the desk, Itachi quickly nodded.
"Remember, these sealing scrolls use code words to indicate which ninjutsu is sealed inside. When you return, make sure to memorize them properly, and remember where each one is stored. Since they're ninjutsu you won't be using through hand seals, you must remember them clearly. Understand?"
Chiba still