Time Flies, the First Shinobi World War Ends

Smack.

With a soft sound, Chishima Chiba's palm landed on Tsunade's shoulder.

"Could you move over a little?"

Tsunade stubbornly nuzzled her head against him, rolling her body cooperatively. "No. Your stomach is the only soft part of you. It's comfortable lying here."

She wasn't stupid, at least.

Chishima Chiba felt rather uncomfortable under Tsunade's weight, but he did not protest again. Instead, he diligently massaged her lotus-root-like arms.

A gentle breeze brushed across their faces. Tsunade hummed contentedly and closed her eyes, murmuring softly.

"Chiba, do you think we can stay together like this for the rest of our lives?"

Chishima Chiba paused, then smiled warmly. "Of course we can."

"But what if something happens to me in the future and I die...?"

Tsunade's words were somewhat despondent, but she now understood the meaning of death. She had understood it when Senju Tobirama returned from the front lines to the Senju Compound.

She had seen the unbearable grief on the faces of the clan members who had remained behind in the compound, and she had felt that heartrending pain.

The feeling was like a nightmare, lingering in Tsunade's heart until she finally voiced it today.

"I'll go with you." Chishima Chiba sounded serious, yet not serious at all. "After all, you're so stupid. Without me, you'd get bullied even in the Pure Land. Having someone with you would be good. I could protect you, too."

When Tsunade heard the first half of Chishima Chiba's words, an indescribable feeling rose in her heart. She opened her eyes and tilted her head up, staring earnestly into his. A mixture of emotions crossed her face, and her heart began to beat a little faster.

But after hearing the latter half of his words, Tsunade exploded. She abruptly rolled off Chishima Chiba and glared fiercely at him with both eyes.

"You're the stupid one! You're the idiot, Chishima Chiba!"

Still not satisfied, Tsunade raised her hands and repeatedly smacked Chishima Chiba. The slaps were loud, but they did not hurt.

Even if they did not hurt, Chishima Chiba would not let Tsunade keep hitting him. He grabbed her hand and, with a slight tug, pulled her back into his arms.

"Since you're so smart, don't think about meaningless things like that. Just live well."

"But what if..."

"Then prevent that what-if." Chishima Chiba pinched Tsunade's chin and lifted it, looking into her eyes. "I'll work hard to grow stronger, and you'll work hard to become a medical sage capable of reviving the dead and restoring flesh to bone. Then we won't have to worry about accidents happening."

"That's true."

Tsunade suddenly came to her senses, but forgot to pull her chin free from Chishima Chiba's hand.

Resting her chin on his palm, Tsunade turned over onto her stomach. Her little feet lifted into the air and swayed happily.

However, Tsunade soon noticed something wrong. Tilting her head, she looked at Chishima Chiba. "Why shouldn't I become stronger while you train in Medical Ninjutsu?"

"Because your talent for Medical Ninjutsu is greater than mine. Besides, girls should get involved in fighting and killing as little as possible. You just need to be as beautiful as a flower."

"No, I want to fight alongside you. I'm not weak!"

Chishima Chiba did not argue. Instead, he patiently explained, "Then you need to train even harder in Medical Ninjutsu. On offense, you can take the field and kill enemies; on defense, you can save lives and heal the wounded. Your role is much greater than mine."

"Tsunade, you need to know that many shinobi who die on the battlefield do not die in battle. They simply fail to pull through because their injuries are too severe."

"If Medical Ninja were by their side, many severely wounded shinobi could escape death. Even if some still could not be saved, the number of people brought back would never be small."

Tsunade considered it briefly, then nodded heavily. When she looked at Chishima Chiba, little stars seemed to sparkle in her eyes.

"Chiba, you know so much." Tsunade's words carried a hint of admiration.

"Ha, thanks for the compliment."

Chishima Chiba thoroughly enjoyed Tsunade's gaze and praise, practically wagging his tail in the sky. "There's so much I know. The more time passes, the more you'll discover that I'm a treasure boy. You'll never dig out all the good stuff."

"Hmph..." Tsunade curled her lips. "But treasure boy, you're most lovable when you don't talk. Once you open your mouth... tsk tsk, it's all ruined."

Tsunade had learned to be sharp-tongued as well. Naturally, Chishima Chiba would not back down. He had never feared anyone in a war of words, and immediately fired back.

Amid their bickering, the atmosphere between them became lively again. Yet something had taken deep root in Tsunade's heart.

She would study Medical Ninjutsu in depth and become a master healer of the Shinobi World, ready to give everything she had when Chishima Chiba needed her.

Though Tsunade subconsciously did not want to use Medical Ninjutsu on Chishima Chiba, just as she had said herself, it was better to be prepared for anything.

Time passed quickly, especially when one had goals, a direction to strive toward, and companions. Those days truly flew by.

Senju Tobirama once again led a large force of Senju clansmen, shinobi from Konoha's various clans, and civilian shinobi to the battlefield. Konoha grew quiet, and countless people clasped their hands in prayer as they waited anxiously.

The battlefield between Konoha and the Cloud Ninja remained deadlocked. Both sides suffered enormous casualties, yet Senju Tobirama stubbornly refrained from using the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, which Senju Hashirama had explicitly forbidden.

Perhaps it was because of the massive casualties on the front lines, or perhaps because the Second Raikage and Senju Tobirama had found common ground.

In any case, after the war between them had continued for two years, Kumogakure unilaterally called for a halt and proposed an alliance with Konoha.

Senju Tobirama naturally agreed gladly. Both sides ceased hostilities and negotiated preliminary ceasefire and alliance terms at the front lines, planning to formally conclude the alliance once they returned to their villages, settled everything there, and selected an auspicious day.

The shinobi of both sides rejoiced at finally no longer having to fight. They returned to their villages in high spirits, leaving only a small number of shinobi behind to guard the front lines.

However, Kinkaku and Ginkaku of Kumogakure harbored deep hatred toward Konoha because of this war, and adamantly opposed the Second Raikage's decision to make peace.

The Second Raikage did not indulge the brothers. He directly used his prestige within the village to suppress Kinkaku and Ginkaku's opposition.

But such suppression could only backfire, planting the seeds for certain future events.

Konohagakure.

Senju Tobirama, returning victorious, saw his prestige in Konohagakure rise once more. Likewise, the Senju Clan, which had contributed greatly in this war, enjoyed unparalleled prominence.

Even though the Senju Compound was nearly empty, the Senju Clan was still hailed as Konoha's foremost clan. Whenever a Senju clansman walked the streets, no one dared show them disrespect.

At the same time, rather than causing trouble, the Uchiha Clan was jubilant from top to bottom.

They rejoiced because Kagami Uchiha had distinguished himself in this war. Whether Konoha's civilians or shinobi from the various clans, all of them were thoroughly convinced by him.

The Uchiha Clan also discovered that, because they had contributed greatly during this war, the negative impact caused by Uchiha Madara's defection was gradually fading away.

At the same time, Senju Tobirama, Konoha's various Ninja Clans, and the civilians were also trying to accept the Uchiha Clan.

Furthermore, the Uchiha Clan had come to understand that as long as they relied on Kagami Uchiha as a bridge and steadily maintained this momentum, they would not be far from truly integrating into Konoha.

But unfortunately, fate was best at making jokes and stabbing people in the back.

"Grandpa Tobirama, you could send a delegation to sign the alliance treaty. Or we could hold the signing ceremony in our village."

"Chiba, I have my own considerations."

Senju Tobirama raised a hand and patted Chishima Chiba's shoulder. Without another word, he turned and left.

Watching Senju Tobirama's retreating back, Chishima Chiba's eyes shifted slightly before he turned and departed as well.

He would have to carve out the future himself.