Out of the Senju Land
Senju Nawaki looked grateful. "Chiba, thank you for today."
Uchiha Chiba waved his hand dismissively. "It's nothing. Just doing what I should."
"Still, you helped me a lot today. If you ever need my help in the future, don't hesitate to ask."
I want to be your brother-in-law, can you help me with that?
Chiba chuckled inwardly at the thought but decided against saying it. No point ruining things now.
Instead, he nodded with a polite smile. "Alright, I'll make sure to reach out if I need anything."
Nawaki patted his chest confidently. "No problem! Just let me know."
"Alright, you can head back now. I'll see you later."
Uchiha Chiba watched Senju Nawaki walk away towards the Senju clan's compound. He was quite satisfied with Nawaki's warm attitude. Although there wasn't an immediate use for it, that connection could prove valuable in the future.
When the Second Shinobi War starts in a few years and I save this reckless guy, Tsunade's favorability toward me will skyrocket! he mused.
As for Kato Dan and the possibility of him winning Tsunade's heart? Chiba dismissed it entirely. If Nawaki doesn't die, Tsunade won't push for every team to have a medical ninja, and Kato Dan won't get a chance to stand out.
By then, Chiba would be older, stronger, and ready to seize the opportunity. Nawaki would owe him his life, and asking for his help as an excuse to get closer to Tsunade would be a piece of cake.
"Well, I'll head back then," Nawaki said, waving before disappearing into the clan compound.
After leaving the Senju clan, Uchiha Chiba didn't go straight home. Instead, he wandered into the vegetable market.
He found himself at the fresh seafood stalls, scanning the offerings. All the vendors seemed to have similar fish, so he chose the one closest to him.
"Boss, I'd like a fish. A big one. Oh, and make sure it's half-dead."
The stall owner was initially happy to see a customer, but he paused when he heard the strange request. "Wait, did you say… half-dead?"
Chiba nodded. "That's right. A half-dead fish. Don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble."
The stall owner gave him a puzzled look but eventually shrugged. A customer's a customer, he thought, rummaging through his fish tank.
After a moment, he pulled out a sluggish fish. "How about this one? It's almost done for."
Chiba examined the fish and nodded in approval.
Just as the transaction was about to be completed, a cold voice interrupted.
"Uchiha brat, that fish might not even make it home. You sure you still want to buy it?"
Chiba turned toward the voice and immediately recognized the speaker. A man with long black hair, a green ninja vest, and unmistakable snake-like vertical pupils stood before him—none other than Orochimaru, one of the future Sannin.
What's he doing here? Chiba wondered. Then it struck him: Orochimaru was likely buying groceries for himself. With his parents gone and the Second War yet to begin, Orochimaru was still a lone, relatively unknown Jōnin.
Though he recognized him, Chiba decided to feign ignorance. After all, it would be strange for a mere academy student to know him.
"Thank you for the warning," Chiba replied politely. "But this half-dead fish is exactly what I need."
Orochimaru licked his lips with a faint, unsettling smile. "Suit yourself. I was just meddling."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, his cold aura lingering even after he left.
Chiba exhaled quietly. He wasn't sure whether Orochimaru's unnerving presence was natural or influenced by Ryuchi Cave's teachings, but it left him uneasy.
Despite his discomfort, Chiba didn't harbor much dislike for Orochimaru. Compared to traitorous figures like Itachi or Obito, Orochimaru is actually tolerable.
The stall owner's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Here's your fish, kid."
Chiba inspected the bag and nodded approvingly. The fish was still in water, just as he'd requested. After paying, he headed home.
At home, Chiba noticed his mother, Uchiha Genka, wasn't around. Left to his own devices, he began practicing Medical Jutsu.
He placed the half-dead fish on a chopping board and let chakra flow from his palm. Carefully, he attempted to transfer it into the fish to keep it alive.
Unfortunately, the fish still died in the end. Sighing in frustration, Chiba cleaned and gutted it, storing it in the refrigerator.
"If I'd known I'd fail, I would've bought more," he muttered.
The next day, Chiba decided to avoid buying fish and went to a nearby river instead. Armed with a wooden harpoon, he stood on the riverbank, waiting for fish to swim by.
Each time he caught one, he tried again to heal it with Medical Jutsu. If the fish died, he gutted and grilled it over a fire, eating it immediately.
However, after going through twenty fish, Chiba still hadn't succeeded. By then, the pile of fish bones next to him made him feel nauseated, and he nearly vomited.
I need a break. I'll try again in a few days.
On Monday, Senju Nawaki noticed that Chiba looked downcast during class.
"Hey, Chiba," he teased. "Why the long face? What happened? Cheer me up with a story!"
Chiba glanced at him, sighing dramatically. "You wouldn't understand, Nawaki. It's too tragic."