After a fierce battle, Kitsuchi was spent, but Chiba was still brimming with energy. He landed a solid punch on the Iwa jonin, who could no longer maintain his Added-Weight Rock Technique.
CRUNCH!
With a dull thud, Kitsuchi was sent flying backward. He slammed into the ground, pain twisting his features, his body drained of strength and unable to rise.
"Tsk, what a shame." Chiba strode toward the fallen man, a look of genuine regret on his face. My Earth Grudge Fear can only carry one heart.
Kitsuchi's heart would have been incredibly powerful. A pity. The Wood Release heart he already possessed was likely more compatible with Hashirama's cells. Otherwise, he'd have swapped it out right then.
Strong Strike!
Chiba had intended to finish Kitsuchi. But a sudden mental image of a certain kunoichi's long legs flashed in his mind… Ahem. For the potential reward, he held back. Instead of a killing blow, he drove his fist into Kitsuchi's temple, knocking him out cold.
"Lord Shikaku! We're back with reinforcements!"
"Brothers, with me! Let's finish these Iwa—… huh? You guys already cleaned up most of them?"
Just as Chiba was about to assist Shikaku and the others, the Leaf shinobi who had retreated earlier returned, bringing several fresh squads with them.
Clearly, these elite Iwa-nin hadn't expected a handful of Leaf "stragglers" to fight them to a standstill despite their numbers, buying just enough time for reinforcements to arrive.
"Shikaku-senpai, what should we do with this guy?"
With victory firmly in the Leaf's grasp, Chiba hoisted the two-meter-plus Kitsuchi over his shoulder like a sack of rice and walked over to Shikaku.
"Holy… holy…!" Shikaku was a cultured man; he didn't swear. But the sheer shock in his eyes was impossible to hide.
This was Kitsuchi of the Earth-Shattering Iron Fist! A veteran powerhouse with a reputation spanning years. Honestly, Shikaku had been impressed enough that Chiba could merely hold the man off. In his mind, Chiba was a highly mobile, agile-type fighter.
But seeing the lean Chiba casually carrying someone two or three times his own bulk… the sight was jarring.
Once we get back, I must have my parents bring gifts and formally strengthen our ties with Chiba, Shikaku thought silently.
"Haa… Chiba, my recommendation is to take him back to Konoha," Shikaku exhaled, his voice calm and analytical. "He's far more valuable alive than dead. Besides, Iwa can't handle any more shocks right now."
"Alright. I'll follow your lead, senpai," Chiba nodded. Truthfully, he'd already planned to keep Kitsuchi alive. Asking was just to score some goodwill.
"Hey, Chiba! Am I invisible? Not even a greeting?"
A voice cut through. A figure flicked blood from his blade, sheathed it with a click, and swaggered toward Chiba, casually shouldering past Karin who was trying to approach.
Shikaku gave Karin another brief, unreadable glance before walking off to handle the post-battle arrangements.
"Oh? Uchiha Rō?!" Chiba's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you doing here? Aren't you a captain in the Military Police Force? Since when did you start doing border patrol?"
"Tch. Stuck in the village arresting our own people every day? Boring. Hunting down shinobi from other villages? Now that's real skill," Uchiha Rō declared, puffing out his chest. "We Uchiha are born for battle. Maybe a few more real fights on the frontlines, and I'll awaken the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan."
"Hmm…"
Looking at Rō's brimming confidence, Chiba thought of his own recently acquired [Uchiha Bloodline (Weak)]. He didn't have the heart to tell him the brutal truth.
Sometimes, he mused, maybe it wasn't so bad for everyone to live in their own personal Infinite Tsukuyomi.
"Different fields, different challenges. Hard for me to judge. Well, I wish you success," Chiba said diplomatically.
"Oh, right, Chiba. Since you're here…"
Under Chiba's puzzled gaze, Rō seemed to remember something. He fished out an exquisitely carved wooden figurine from his vest and handed it to Chiba.
"I made this in my spare time here. Could you take it back to the village and give it to Mikoto for me?"
Rō looked uncharacteristically sheepish, shifting his weight.
Chiba: "???"
He couldn't quite follow the Uchiha's logic. "Given our… relationship, aren't you afraid I'll toss it on the way? Or just take credit for it myself?"
Rō waved a dismissive hand. "Ah, you're crazier than I am—I mean! You're so upright and honorable! You'd never do something like that!"
"You're the crazy one. Asking a love rival to deliver your gift? Only you could come up with that," Chiba muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes. Then, he held out his other hand.
"Chiba, what's that for?"
"The fee. No fee, no delivery service."
Rō gritted his teeth, pulled a 100,000-ryō banknote from his vest, and slapped it into Chiba's palm with a pained expression.
"Here! That's enough for half a year of drinks! Happy now?"
"That's more like it." Chiba nodded, satisfied. He'd been wanting an excuse to check on his fiancée whom he'd only met once anyway. Talk about perfect timing.
"Alright, let's move out!"
After cleaning the battlefield, the group swiftly withdrew, finally crossing safely into the Land of Fire.
The two parties split. Uchiha Rō and his team returned to their border post, while Chiba's group began the journey back to Konoha.
En route, Chiba tended to Kitsuchi's injuries. As they neared the village outskirts, a system prompt chimed in his mind.
[Ding! Treatment successful. Congratulations, Host, on obtaining [Earth Release: Super Light-Weight Rock Technique]!]
"Holy crap! This is amazing!"
Chiba was so excited he instinctively smacked Karin's thigh. Remembering they were in public, he quickly withdrew his hand, trying to look nonchalant.
Super Light-Weight Rock Technique. Developed by the Second Tsuchikage. It could drastically reduce the weight of objects… or the user themselves. Boost speed. Grant true, unaided flight.
In the original story, Ōnoki had used this technique to hold up an entire Tengai Shinsei meteor. (Too bad the second one smashed him into the ground. Iconic scene.)
"If I combine this with the Eight Gates to push speed even further… Or use it to accelerate slow-but-powerful techniques like Scorch Release: Flowing Lava River…"
"Holy hell, that's an instant win condition!"
Chiba's mind raced with possibilities. Dozens of combos played out. Like making Pakura's body weightless first, then using the Earth Grudge Fear threads to… Ahem.
He felt like finding Kitsuchi's future daughter and giving her two big kisses of gratitude. Pity she wasn't born yet. A little problematic.
…
Back in Konoha, Chiba left the mission debrief to Shikaku and the others. Citing "severe internal injuries requiring rest," he took Karin straight to Root.
"You'll live here from now on. How is it? Food and supplies will be delivered regularly."
Using his Vice-Commander authority, Chiba had a new, two-to-three-hundred-square-meter structure built within the Root base. His personal office and lounge. Soundproofed. Multiple embedded sealing barriers. Perfect for housing Karin.
He'd brought this Uzumaki back himself. The Third Hokage wouldn't object. Kushina was stable enough for now; no replacement was needed.
"It's good! Much bigger than my old place. All the furniture is new, too. Not like my old, broken-down stuff…" Karin trailed off, her small hand clutching the hem of Chiba's jacket tightly as she looked around. "…What about you?"
"I'm here most of the time. I'll come see you whenever I have a spare moment, okay?" Chiba ruffled her hair.
"Okay!" Karin nodded vigorously, then burrowed into his chest. Her big eyes shone with hope.
Hehe, a good start! Karin, oh Karin, you're getting a new life!
Someone as amazing as Chiba-sama can't possibly focus all his attention on just me. But as long as he thinks of me sometimes, comes to see me when he's free… that's more than enough!
Staring at Chiba's perfect profile, Karin broke into a blissful, slightly dazed smile.
Compared to the hell that was Kusagakure, this was paradise.
A place this nice? A guy this handsome? She wouldn't have dared dream this big before!
"Thank you for the meal! I'm digging in! Awooo!"
"Karin, wait, let me just… mmph!… turn on the… the soundproofing… barrier… first!"
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