Chishima Chiba's Ambition

Although Jiraiya had issues with his personality, he was proud to the core. Otherwise, he could not have risen from behind to become the most well-rounded of Konoha's Three Sannin.

Of course, that was also related to Jiraiya's cultivation of Sage Jutsu. But judging by the requirements for cultivating Sage Jutsu, his perseverance, talent, and temperament had naturally passed muster.

Otherwise, the future Jiraiya would never have written Tale of the Gutsy Ninja.

But it was precisely because of that tenacity and pride in Jiraiya's character that once he said something aloud, it became an unchangeable fact.

Especially when he said the word "give up" in front of Tsunade, it was enough to prove that Jiraiya had already given up on his improper thoughts.

Chishima Chiba, who understood this perfectly well, naturally had no intention of continuing to make things difficult for Jiraiya. As long as his mistaken thinking had been corrected and he stopped setting his sights on his sister-in-law, Chiba would still take him in as a little brother.

After lowering the Jiraiya who had been tied up like a rice dumpling, Chishima Chiba immediately put on a different expression.

Jiraiya saw it, and the heart he had just calmed felt like it leaped back into his throat.

Was Chishima Chiba still going to mess with him?

"Y-You... what are you going to do now?" Jiraiya was truly frightened of Chishima Chiba, and his voice trembled.

"Nothing much, just..." He rummaged through his pocket. "Here. Consider it a reward for turning over a new leaf."

"..."

Jiraiya looked at the candy swaying before his eyes, feeling both aggrieved and helpless. Was Chishima Chiba treating him like a child to be coaxed?

But he could not refuse it either. After hesitating for appearance's sake, Jiraiya still reached out and accepted it. In front of Chishima Chiba, he unwrapped the candy and tossed it into his mouth.

Still, after being so rattled, having a piece of candy in his mouth inexplicably made him feel a little better.

Chishima Chiba was likewise quite satisfied with Jiraiya's reaction. Give him a tickle, then hand him some candy—it was a variation of the stick-and-carrot approach.

Though he could not simply unleash an overwhelming aura and make Jiraiya bow his head in submission, this was still the beginning of balancing kindness and authority, laying thorough groundwork for the future.

Chishima Chiba also understood that too much was as bad as too little. After soothing Jiraiya and giving him a few more reminders, he turned and left while holding Tsunade's hand.

Watching Chishima Chiba and Tsunade's backs as they departed, Jiraiya wore a bitter smile. The hazy feelings that had just begun to stir in his heart two or three days ago had already been declared over...

"Tch, what's so good about a flat little girl? Older women suit my tastes better."

Jiraiya comforted himself, but he truly convinced himself as well, because the expanse of pale flesh in the women's bathhouse involuntarily surfaced in his mind again.

With candy in his mouth, Jiraiya was fully revived. After confirming that Chishima Chiba and Tsunade had truly left, he quietly snuck back near the bathhouse.

Having dealt with Jiraiya, that potential rival, the only one left was Dan Katō. But Chishima Chiba was not worried.

Tsunade and Dan Katō would only spark something during the Second Great Ninja War. By then, Chishima Chiba was confident he could make Tsunade take maternity leave.

That was just how domineering and confident he was!

After returning to the Senju Compound and going back to their respective rooms to sleep, a new day arrived as expected in the time it took to close and open their eyes.

The first thing Chishima Chiba saw upon opening the door was not only the morning sun, but also Senju Tobirama standing beneath its rays.

Unable to resist rubbing his eyes, Chishima Chiba hurried forward. "Grandpa Tobirama, you're back!"

"Mm. The fighting at the front has eased somewhat, so I came back to take a look."

A rare smile appeared on Senju Tobirama's face. Though it looked rather unpleasant, it was still a rare sight to behold.

"Chiba, I heard from your Grandma Mito that you compiled a book called Will of Fire?"

"Yes. I'll bring it to you right away."

Chishima Chiba swiftly returned to his room, then came back out with the original manuscript of Will of Fire in hand and raised it to Senju Tobirama.

The unpleasant smile vanished from Senju Tobirama's face. He carefully held the Will of Fire Chishima Chiba had written and began reading it slowly.

After quite some time, Senju Tobirama raised his head. The unpleasant smile he had hidden reappeared on his face, its curve even broader than before.

"Very good. Very good!"

Senju Tobirama raised a hand and patted Chishima Chiba's shoulder. "You did the right thing. I intend to have it printed into booklets. Not only will the ninja study it, but it will also be added to the Ninja Academy's required curriculum."

Clearly, as a qualified politician and a relatively mature, pragmatic thinker, Senju Tobirama had already recognized the value of Will of Fire and made a decisive decision.

Naturally, Chishima Chiba would not object. He would even raise both hands and feet in agreement. That way, if Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to tamper with ideology again, he would have to think carefully about it.

"Chiba, you have rendered great service this time. Is there anything you want? As long as it does not violate my own principles, I can agree to it."

Immediately afterward, Senju Tobirama offered an enormous reward, leaving Chishima Chiba stunned.

It was not that the reward had shocked him. He was simply considering whether he should mention Tsunade to Senju Tobirama.

But as Chishima Chiba looked up while pondering, he happened to meet Senju Tobirama's warning gaze.

The meaning was obvious: he was warning Chishima Chiba not to go too far!

Chishima Chiba secretly curled his lips and settled for something less. "Grandpa Tobirama, I want to see your research manuscripts."

"Research manuscripts?" Senju Tobirama pondered slightly, then asked, "All of them, or..."

"All of them, whether the research succeeded or not."

"Chiba, your ambition is rather great." Senju Tobirama's face darkened. "The more jutsu you have, the better it is not. Only what suits you is truly good."

"Grandpa Tobirama, I understand that, but I just want to study them." Chishima Chiba spoke with utmost sincerity. "This can strengthen the village's foundation. What do you think?"

Senju Tobirama fell silent. He did not want to show Chishima Chiba his darker side, nor did he want Chishima Chiba to come into contact with too many Forbidden Jutsu too early.

When Senju Tobirama had researched those Forbidden Jutsu, he had inevitably conducted certain human experiments in secret. If Chishima Chiba encountered such things too early, it would inevitably affect his psychological development.

Senju Tobirama's concerns were not wrong, but he did not know that an adult soul resided within Chishima Chiba's small body.

"I agree, but I cannot give them to you now." Senju Tobirama ultimately made a compromise. "I will entrust all my research manuscripts to your Grandma Mito. When she believes the time is right, she will naturally give them to you."

Chishima Chiba was somewhat unwilling, but he could not say so directly. He could only nod in frustration and agree.

At the same time, Chishima Chiba brought up another topic.

"Grandpa Tobirama, if the pressure at the front becomes too great, the many Forbidden Jutsu you developed earlier can be put to use."

"Mm, I know."

Although Senju Tobirama agreed, Chishima Chiba could see from his eyes that he had his own plans. Senju Tobirama still did not intend to use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu on the battlefield.

Aside from the fact that this jutsu defied the natural order, it was likely also related to Senju Hashirama's warning. Senju Tobirama might not have cared in the past, but after Senju Hashirama's death, he had changed greatly.

Perhaps he had taken part of the responsibility for his older brother's early death upon himself.

"Ah...!"

With a sigh in his heart, Chishima Chiba did not try to persuade him further. After chatting with Senju Tobirama for a few more moments, he turned and knocked on Tsunade's door right in front of him.

Senju Tobirama's face darkened. The satisfaction he had just felt at having a worthy successor instantly shattered. With a sharp swing of one hand, he clasped it behind his back and stormed off in a huff.

Out of sight, out of mind!

Besides, he had important matters to handle.

Just as Chishima Chiba had said, the pressure at the front was immense. Senju Tobirama had returned to the village this time because he wanted to continue mobilizing Konoha Ninja for the battlefield.

Without question, the Senju Clan's ninja remained the main force in this war, but the other ninja clans of Konoha were under no small amount of pressure as well.

Konoha's war potential was about to reach its limit. If the war continued to remain deadlocked, sending children onto the battlefield might become unavoidable in the future.