Each Era Needs Someone to Bear the Burden

Senju Tobirama was a very stubborn man. It was not that he was self-centered, but once he had made a decision, few people could stop him.

Senju Hashirama was the exception.

Yet even though Senju Hashirama could keep Senju Tobirama in check, while Hashirama was alive, Tobirama had often appeared to comply while secretly doing the opposite.

That improved considerably after Senju Hashirama passed away, but how could Chishima Chiba's words possibly carry the same weight as Senju Hashirama's?

Chishima Chiba had never been to the battlefield of the First Shinobi World War, nor did he publicly know the situation of the various sides during the war. In Senju Tobirama's eyes, his words were truly like children playing house, completely unconvincing.

But just as Senju Tobirama was about to lead his Shadow Guard Squad out of the village, Chishima Chiba followed him over again.

He wanted to make one more effort.

However, too many people had come to see Senju Tobirama off. Chishima Chiba had barely managed to squeeze through the crowd when Senju Tobirama interrupted him before he could speak.

"Chiba, I am the village's Second Hokage. There are many dangerous things that only I can accomplish. Have you forgotten the Will of Fire that you compiled?"

With just one sentence, he completely cut off Chishima Chiba's grounds for urging Senju Tobirama to send someone else to the Land of Lightning to sign the alliance treaty.

"Furthermore, the treaty with Kumogakure benefits us, which is why the location was set in the Land of Lightning. If it were the other way around, I might be safer, but the village would become the weaker side, harming its interests."

His second sentence simultaneously shut down Chishima Chiba's second proposal.

"Grandpa Tobirama, you could bring more people..." Chishima Chiba spoke softly. "If you encounter danger, they could at least cover your retreat."

"There are already plenty of people." Senju Tobirama crouched down, one large hand holding Chishima Chiba's small one while the other patted his shoulder.

"I know you are worried about me, but one Kage and six Jonin are already enough to wipe out a small or mid-sized ninja village. If I bring any more, Kumogakure will probably think I am planning to raid their home and panic terribly."

His eternally expressionless face suddenly curved at the corners of his mouth, forming a smile as ugly as ever.

"As for the danger you mentioned... I am the Kage of a village. I should be the one to uphold the Will of Fire even more. If I cannot lead from the front, would the convictions of our generation not become a joke?"

After giving Chishima Chiba's shoulder one final pat, Senju Tobirama stood. "Chiba, work hard and grow up quickly. Once you have grown up, you will understand that many things must be done without hesitation even when you know they are dangerous. That is both responsibility and will."

With that, Senju Tobirama rose to his feet and left without looking back, leaving Chishima Chiba standing there with bitterness in his eyes.

Clearly, Senju Tobirama had considered every possibility for this journey and had prepared for the worst as well.

After the group left the village and gradually vanished into the distance, Chishima Chiba also left amid the crowd seeing them off and returned alone to the Senju Compound.

"Chiba, where did you go?"

Tsunade, who had grown quite a bit taller, hurried over and looked Chishima Chiba up and down. "Why do you look unhappy?"

"I went to see Grandpa Tobirama and the others off at the village gate. And I am not unhappy." Chishima Chiba smiled, though it looked somewhat forced.

"Really?" Tsunade eyed him suspiciously, stepping closer and circling around him. "No, you are unhappy. And... why did you not call me when you went to see grandfather off?"

"Did Grandpa Tobirama not tell us not to go?" Chishima Chiba found an excuse.

"Then why did you go?"

"Because I do not listen." Chishima Chiba spread his hands, then took Tsunade's soft hand. "All right, do not be angry. I will definitely take you with me next time."

"Hmph!"

Tsunade pouted and turned her head away, but she did not pull her hand free. She let Chishima Chiba lead her into the Senju Compound.

"Chiba, you are back?"

Uzumaki Mito wore a kind smile. "Come quickly, we have been waiting for you. There is quite a lot to cover today, and time is tight."

"Yes, Grandma."

Chishima Chiba walked over and sat beside Tsunade, quietly listening as Uzumaki Mito explained various points of knowledge.

Now nine years old, Chishima Chiba and Tsunade had undergone two and a half years of arduous training. They had already mastered low- and mid-level Ninjutsu to the point where they could use it with ease.

However, Chishima Chiba and Tsunade focused on somewhat different areas.

Chishima Chiba still pursued all-round development. He was proficient in ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, and sealing techniques, with no obvious weaknesses and extremely strong overall ability.

Moreover, because Chishima Chiba possessed Chakra of four attributes, he was skilled in low- and mid-level Ninjutsu of all four attributes. Combined with the surging amount of Chakra in his body, he was practically a mobile Ninjutsu artillery platform.

Tsunade, on the other hand, still followed a path much like the original story. Her Monstrous Strength Punch had already begun to take shape, while her Medical Ninjutsu had progressed remarkably.

Furthermore, under Chishima Chiba's influence and with the help of Shadow Clone training, Tsunade had likewise mastered low- and mid-level Ninjutsu of all four attributes. However, she devoted less effort to Ninjutsu, so its power was a notch below Chishima Chiba's.

Once the two had built a solid foundation, Uzumaki Mito naturally began a new round of instruction, teaching them various high-level and even Forbidden Jutsu-level Ninjutsu, along with the knowledge that matched them.

High-level Ninjutsu was very different from low- and mid-level Ninjutsu. It demanded great Chakra control and mental strength. Even with Chishima Chiba and Tsunade's talent, learning a single high-level Ninjutsu would take years.

Uzumaki Mito taught earnestly afterward, while Chishima Chiba cast aside the distractions in his heart and listened with equal focus.

From now on, he would truly have to rely on himself!

Whether it was Senju Tobirama's will, the rise and fall of the Senju Clan, or even Konoha's future, Chishima Chiba was prepared to shoulder it all.

Moreover, he could foresee that he would inevitably clash fiercely with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and the others. If his own strength was insufficient, his voice would naturally carry little weight, much less allow him to shoulder everything alone.

After the day's lessons ended, Uzumaki Mito retired early due to her age, leaving Chishima Chiba and Tsunade with more time alone together.

On the rooftop, their shoulders leaned against each other as they looked up at the full moon. Neither of them spoke.

The wind was somewhat cool, but it was just right.

Tsunade's bangs drifted in the wind. Chishima Chiba noticed and raised a hand to smooth them aside, tucking them behind her ear.

"Chiba."

"What is it?"

Their eyes met, and Chishima Chiba saw the sadness in Tsunade's eyes. For no reason, his heart clenched.

"Sakumo's parents, and his uncle and aunt..." Tsunade lowered her eyes as she spoke, tears glimmering in them. "And the uncles in our compound, they too..."

Without speaking, Chishima Chiba silently put an arm around Tsunade's shoulders, his other hand gently brushing away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

"The dead are gone. As those they protected, we must look ahead and not let them down."

Chishima Chiba comforted Tsunade. "At the same time, we must make every preparation and not let them shed blood and tears."

"But what can we do...?"

"As long as we grow stronger, keep growing stronger, one day we will be able to do many things." Chishima Chiba looked up at the full moon. "The future is ours. The stronger we become, the stronger the village naturally becomes. Even if war comes again, we will no longer be the ones who need protection. We will be the ones who end this chaotic age with our own hands!"

"Tsunade, I still remember that you once said you wanted to become someone like grandfather. So... give it everything you have with me!"

"Mm!" Tsunade nodded heavily and held out her little finger. "But you have to promise me that you will stay with me. You cannot leave me behind alone."

Chishima Chiba understood what Tsunade meant. With a solemn expression, he extended his finger and hooked his little finger with hers.

"Pinky promise. No changing for a hundred years."

"Mm, no changing for a hundred years."

Their differently colored thumbs pressed together, sealing a simple yet weighty promise.

This seemed to put Tsunade at ease. She rested her head against Chishima Chiba's shoulder again and gave up on discussing that somewhat heavy topic.

The two gazed at the full moon and chatted aimlessly. Before long, however, the girl's faint snores reached his ears, making Chishima Chiba unable to resist looking at her a few more times.

After waiting a while longer, Chishima Chiba scooped Tsunade into his arms in a princess carry, leaped down from the roof, and carried her into the house.

Soon afterward, Chishima Chiba calmly closed Tsunade's door and returned to his own room.

This time, he did not go to sleep so early.

He formed Hand Seals with both hands and created a Shadow Clone. Together with his original body, he pondered the high-level Ninjutsu knowledge Uzumaki Mito had explained that day, practicing and using it.

Thus, the light in his room remained on until midnight...