Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

Outside the Hokage Building

After bidding farewell to Senju and Orochimaru, Chiba began walking home. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a Nawaki crashing behind him.

"Chiba, wait up!" called a familiar voice.

Chiba stopped and turned around, watching as a breathless Nawaki approached him. "What's the matter? Nawaki?" he asked curiously.

After reaching Chiba, Nawaki gasped for air before saying, "Chiba, are you free today?"

"Why do you ask?" replied Chiba, a little puzzled.

"My parents would like to invite you over—they want to thank you in person for the method you provided."

"That's fine. I'm free when I can be, though I need to inform my mother that I'm safe. I'll come over this evening."

"Great, then be sure to come early," Nawaki replied with a nod. "Alright, now go back and let your family know you're alright."

"Okay, I'll see you tonight." With that, Nawaki turned and hurried back the way he came. Chiba shook his head at Nawaki's eager departure.

Nightfall – Senju Clan Residence

Bang, bang, bang!

Soon after Chiba knocked on the door, he heard rapid footsteps approaching from behind. When the door opened, Tsunade's gentle face appeared.

Seeing that it was indeed Chiba, Tsunade broke into a bright smile. "Chiba, you're here at last! Come on in; we've been waiting for you."

She took his hand and led him inside. However, after just a couple of steps, Tsunade suddenly paused and turned to stare at him with a serious expression.

"Chiba, I heard Nawaki mention that your mission this time requires you to handle the enemy on your own, is that true?" she asked.

"Yes, that's right. What's the problem?" Chiba replied, confused.

"Hmph. Do you really think you're so powerful that you can take on a rogue ninja by yourself? Do you realize that those who rebel are ruthless? What if you're overmatched?" Tsunade chided, her tone laced with concern.

Although Tsunade's words had a frosty edge, Chiba couldn't help but feel a bit proud—clearly, he had earned a certain respect in her eyes.

Immediately, he grinned and said, "Isn't it true that in emergencies you have to act? I don't want to alert the snake, but with my less-than-stellar tracking skills, I'd better risk it rather than being discovered."

Chiba's playful smile only seemed to irk Tsunade further. "You must always obey authority. If you spot any suspicious individuals, do you not know to go and seek Orochimaru's help?"

"And the same goes for Orochimaru. If I'm sent out as a Genin for reconnaissance, I'll report back. Just wait until the next time we meet, and I'll show you that I can handle it," he retorted with a teasing glint in his eyes.

Tsunade lightly tapped Chiba's forehead with a jade finger. "Sister Tsunade, how could I possibly go looking for Mr. Orochimaru? If he vanishes before I even get there, wouldn't that be a wasted trip?" he added with a helpless chuckle.

"Besides, it's not as if you don't know my strength, Tsunade-sama. Even if I'm not a match for him, I certainly know how to run," he continued.

Hearing this, Tsunade recalled the battle between Chiba and Orochimaru. Although Chiba was a newly graduated Genin, his strength was already greater than that of most Jōnin. He could also perform Sage Jutsu—few in the ninja world could stand against him.

Still troubled, Tsunade felt compelled to warn him. "Hmph, what's the point of being strong if you're caught off guard? What if there are multiple opponents, or what if they've set a trap waiting for you to fall in? What if…"

"Woo..."

Before Tsunade could continue, Chiba playfully sealed her lips with his hand. One minute later, Tsunade recovered from the shock, gritting her teeth.

"Hey, Sister Tsunade, why are you still mouthing off? You're acting like a stubborn dog!" Chiba teased, a hint of sweetness in his tone as he spoke.

Tsunade, however, remained silent. She didn't bother responding to Chiba's teasing; instead, she turned and hurried out.

At the Restaurant

Inside the restaurant, Nawaki noticed Tsunade's flushed face and asked, "Sister, why are you blushing? And what's with the blood on your lips?"

Quickly, Tsunade wiped away the blood and replied coldly, "Don't mind my business. By the way, Chiba is in the yard—go fetch him."

"Wait, weren't you outside just now? Why didn't you bring Chiba in with you?" Nawaki found Tsunade's behavior odd.

"Don't talk nonsense. Just go as you're told," Tsunade snapped.

"Hmph, if a decent man doesn't stand up for a woman, then just do as you're told," Nawaki muttered, conceding under Tsunade's authoritative tone.

After Nawaki left to pick up Chiba, Tsunade's thoughts turned to his earlier audacity. Her heart was in turmoil, so she quickly left the restaurant and retreated to her room.

Chiba watched Tsunade flee with a smile on his face. Although she had bitten him earlier, she had not struck him down—and that, to him, was a significant step forward in their relationship.

"Chiba, why are you still standing here? Come with me; dinner's about to start," Nawaki called out.

Nawaki then remarked humorously, "My sister is something else—leaving you out here and then expecting me to fetch you!"

Dining Room

Inside the dining room, Chiba found that everyone except Tsunade was present. Senju Sousuke looked across the table and said with a smile, "Chiba-kun, make yourself at home."

Senju Edda Snow nodded in agreement, adding, "Yes, come try my cooking and see if it suits your taste."

"Alright, I'll join you," Chiba replied.

At that moment, Uzumaki Mito glanced at Senju Nawaki and asked, "Nawaki, where's Tsuna? Why isn't she here to eat?"

Nawaki, who had been enjoying his meal, quickly swallowed and replied, "I'm not sure. Weren't she here just a moment ago?"

"I just saw Tsunade returning to her room. She also seemed a bit off," said Uzumaki Kushina.

"This child! Chiba didn't see any guests when he arrived—it's all your husband's fault for spoiling Tsunade like this," Senju Edda Snow complained, glaring at Senju Sousuke.

Senju Sousuke appeared slightly innocent, as if to suggest that Tsunade's grandfather should be the one to blame—after all, what kind of grandfather would take his two- or three-year-old granddaughter to a gambling house every day?

"Sister Tsunade must be feeling unwell. I'll go bring her some food later," Chiba declared, eager to help. After all, he knew he was the root of much of the day's commotion.