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"Whew. That was a satisfying fight."
Back in the shinobi world, Chiba stepped out of a spacetime portal, appearing before Tobirama and the others. He tidied his robe, which had become disheveled from the battle, a look of lingering enjoyment on his face.
"Chiba! You're alright! And that woman just now…?"
"Maa, you can all rest easy," Chiba said with a smile to the anxiously approaching Rasa and the others. He knew what they were worried about. "I've sealed Kaguya Ōtsutsuki away in a different dimension. She won't be causing trouble for the shinobi world anymore."
"Excellent! Chiba, you actually did it!"
"Chiba, my man! I knew you could do it! Quick, tell your big brother, what was that alien woman like?"
Rasa and the others were ecstatic. Just then, Tobirama walked out from behind them, his expression blank. His red eyes fixed on Chiba as he spoke, his voice cold.
"Chiba. Now, you will explain to me exactly what has been happening here."
Tobirama was genuinely furious. From the moment of his reanimation to the end of this battle, he'd been used by Chiba at every step. The word 'pawn' might as well have been written on his forehead.
If Chiba didn't give him a satisfactory answer, he swore he'd make the boy understand the price of toying with the dead.
"About that…" Chiba thought for a long moment, but nothing good came to mind. His usual lines and excuses might work on others, but they'd never fool someone like Tobirama, whose IQ was off the charts.
So, he decided to go with the most primitive method. If you can't solve the problem, solve the one presenting it.
"Edo Tensei: Release!"
"Hmph. Useless," Tobirama said, crossing his arms and standing there with a cold smirk, striking a pose. "I am, ultimately, the creator of Edo Tensei. I participated in its refinement from start to finish. Your little trick is nothing… What the fuck?!"
The next instant, his expression shifted to one of shock. His reanimated body was dissolving, turning into fluttering white paper shards that drifted into the air.
"Lord Tobirama, thank you for your assistance to the shinobi world during this time," Chiba said, waving with an impish grin. "So long, old timer!"
Tobirama had overlooked one thing. No matter how deep his understanding of Edo Tensei was, he couldn't break a summoning contract established by a Sage of Six Paths-level being.
"Chiba, you—@&$hr#a@!&#xs!"
Tobirama's body crumbled to dust. His soul shot out as a beam of white light. Just before returning to the Pure Land, he unleashed a verbal torrent at Chiba. His lips moved so fast they could have started a fire. What a waste he didn't become a rapper.
"Lord Tobirama, love you too!"
"You damn, evil little brat! You'd better not let me see you in the Pure Land, or I'll personally—!"
"Don't worry, Lord Tobirama," Chiba interrupted, his smile widening. "I'm practically immortal now. You won't be seeing me again."
"GAAAAAAAAH, CHIBAAAAA!!"
Under the stunned gazes of Rasa and the others, Chiba "cordially" saw Tobirama off.
Sigh. Lord Tobirama is just too emotional right now. I'll call him back up in a few years to explain then.
Chiba shook his head and turned his gaze to Hashirama, who was still… interacting with Madara nearby. "Lord Hashirama, the battle is over now. Would you like to stay in this world a while longer?"
"Ah, no need," Hashirama said with a free and easy laugh. "Seeing Konoha so prosperous, knowing my dream is being carried on by the next generation… that's enough for me."
"Send me off, Chiba. I need to go calm Tobirama down—you really pissed him off just now. As for Konoha, little Tsunade, and this guy," he said, thumbing towards Madara, "I'll leave them in your care."
"Hmph. I don't need this bastard's care," Madara snorted from the side, a flicker of reluctance passing through his eyes. Was it already time to say goodbye?
Despite his unwillingness to part with Hashirama, someone as tsundere as Madara would never say anything to make him stay.
"Very well, Lord Hashirama. Safe travels."
Chiba formed the hand seals and sent Hashirama on his way. Then, he looked at Rasa and the others. "Jiraiya-sensei, Rasa. What about you two? What are your plans?"
"I'm returning to Nadeshiko Village," Jiraiya said, clapping Chiba on the shoulder. He looked at the kid who had, at some point, grown taller than him, a profound sense of relief in his expression. "With you around, I won't worry about the shinobi world anymore."
With a disciple who so perfectly inherited his will, what was there to worry about? The world no longer needed its great hero.
Maybe it was finally time to settle down. He could finally, for himself… and for Ayame… stop running.
"Chiba," Rasa said after a moment of thought, chuckling lightly. "Once I handle the post-war matters back home, I'll resign from my position as Kazekage Advisor. I'll come back to Konoha with you."
"After this battle, I understand. My true value can only be realized by your side."
"Sounds good, Rasa," Chiba agreed readily, a pleased smile on his face. "Konoha welcomes you anytime. If you're willing, you can be my Hokage Advisor."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "…"
So he'd been standing here all this time, and no one paid him any mind? No one asked for his opinion? He was just… ignored?
"Oh, right."
Chiba's gaze suddenly shifted over. Hiruzen thought Chiba had finally remembered him. A small spark of anticipation flickered in his heart. He subtly struck a pose, chest puffed out.
But Chiba's gaze passed right over him, landing on the somewhat forlorn figure of Madara Uchiha.
"Since Lord Hashirama personally requested it," Chiba said. "Come back to Konoha with me, Madara. I can arrange a new identity for you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "…"
"Hmph. Does today's Konoha even have a place for someone like me?" Madara retorted, though a hint of interest flashed in his eyes.
With his Eye of the Moon Plan gone and himself alone again, he truly didn't know where to go. If he could return to Konoha…
Chiba rolled his Rinnegan at Madara's dramatics. "You only caused trouble for other villages. You never harmed Konoha's interests. What's there to reject?"
In the original timeline, Orochimaru and Kabuto caused havoc for Konoha and still got redeemed back into the village. What was this little Madara getting all tsundere about?
"Besides," Chiba continued, "Now that you finally have a chance to start over, don't you want to try Hashirama's way?"
With his current power, Chiba had no worries about Madara trying any tricks. A Sage of Six Paths-level pawn wasn't something you could just pick up anywhere!
"Hmph. There is some logic to your words," Madara said after pretending to think it over, his agreement deliberately reluctant. "Fine. We'll do it your way."
…
"Everyone! Though we paid a heavy price, we have ultimately emerged victorious from this war!"
Leaving Madara aside for the moment, Chiba returned with Rasa and the others to the main battlefield. Under the expectant gazes of the assembled shinobi, he declared the result.
"Long live the Fourth Hokage!"
"I love you, Fourth! You didn't let us down! You led us to victory!"
A moment of silence, then the air erupted with deafening cheers. Tears streamed down many faces, their eyes filled with pure adoration as they looked at Chiba.
"Listen to me, everyone!" Chiba's voice carried over the din as his figure slowly rose into the air, his white robe flapping in the wind. "My role in this battle was limited. You, my friends… you are the true heroes!"
He pressed a palm down in a calming gesture, delivering his speech in a tone reminiscent of a certain caped hero. The cheers from the shinobi below grew even louder.
"The immediate crisis is resolved… so why don't I feel even the slightest bit happy?" the Raikage muttered to himself.
"Raikage-sama, the Mizukage and I feel the same," Shiore said with a bitter smile.
The three Kage exchanged glances, their expressions complex. There was joy and relief at surviving the calamity, but also worry and helplessness about the future.
Many of the fervent shinobi around them were their own subordinates. And now, they were completely devoted to Chiba and his white robes.
The current threat was gone, yes. But with a supreme powerhouse like Chiba in Konoha, someone who could crush any enemy in the world… would there even be a place for their villages in the shinobi world of tomorrow?
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