Hokage: Immortal, I Open Unlimited Eight Gates

"If you're expecting some secret technique, you might be disappointed. When I learned Sage Mode I followed a step-by-step process. Mount Myōboku has toad oil and a staff that can extract natural energy from the human body," Jiraiya explained.

After a brief pause, he added, "Besides, Chiba, you're learning the Sage Mode of the Shikkotsu Forest. I have no idea how it differs from the one taught at Mount Myōboku."

"Brother Jiraiya, how long did it take you to sense natural energy? Tell me, so I can use it as a reference," Chiba asked, realizing that he might have been too hasty.

Jiraiya hesitated. How should he respond? If he gave a short time frame, even if Chiba believed him, he'd feel embarrassed. But if he told the truth, admitting how long it actually took him to learn, it would be even more humiliating as a Hokage's disciple.

After some deliberation, he decided.

"It took me ten days," he finally said, his face slightly reddening. He was genuinely worried that Chiba might see through his lie.

However, Chiba didn't notice Jiraiya's unease. Instead, he began calculating.

Jiraiya took ten days? Then he shouldn't take longer than that.

Yet, after two days of training, he hadn't made any progress at all.

It seemed he needed to put in even more effort.

Looking up, he said, "Got it. Thanks a lot, Brother Jiraiya."

Jiraiya waved him off. "No need to be so formal. Besides, I didn't really help you."

Seeing that Chiba didn't question him further, Jiraiya secretly breathed a sigh of relief. To shift the topic, he suddenly asked, "By the way, Chiba, do you know how many copies of Icha Icha Paradise have been sold?"

Chiba was momentarily confused by the sudden change in subject. But seeing the eager look on Jiraiya's face, he decided to play along.

"Oh? How many?" he asked.

Jiraiya grinned and held up two fingers.

"Two thousand? Twenty thousand?" Chiba guessed.

"Two hundred thousand!" Jiraiya declared proudly. However, his excitement was short-lived as he added with a hint of regret, "But that's the total sales across the entire ninja world. It's a bit disappointing."

Chiba's jaw slightly dropped.

To be honest, he expected Icha Icha Paradise to be successful, but this number still surprised him. Considering the state of the ninja world, where many struggled just to survive, selling that many copies was an incredible feat.

As for Jiraiya's disappointment, Chiba thought he was being ridiculous.

If this wasn't good enough, what would other authors say?

Running a quick calculation in his head, Chiba recalled that a copy of Icha Icha Paradise sold for 100 ryo, and Jiraiya's royalty share was 20%, given that he was a new author.

That meant Jiraiya had earned 4 million ryo.

Looking at it this way, Chiba realized Jiraiya's earnings weren't that impressive. Asuma's bounty alone was 35 million ryo.

Jiraiya, still in high spirits, said, "It's all thanks to your advice, Chiba. If not for you, I wouldn't have achieved these results."

Realizing he owed Chiba a favor, Jiraiya suddenly offered, "Chiba, are you free tonight? Let me treat you to dinner as a thank-you for supporting my writing career."

Jiraiya fully expected Chiba to accept. After all, opportunities like this didn't come often.

However, Chiba shook his head. "Brother Jiraiya, I appreciate the offer, but there's no need. I'm heading to Tsunade's house tonight."

Jiraiya was about to say it was fine, but then he noticed something odd.

Chiba had been visiting Tsunade's place quite frequently.

Thinking back, he realized that since last month, Tsunade had been treating him more politely. Before, she would beat him up whenever he annoyed her. But now, she simply dismissed him like an ordinary friend—just as she did with Orochimaru.

Jiraiya had initially thought his years of effort had finally touched Tsunade's heart, making her more considerate toward him.

But now, he began to suspect otherwise.

Could it be that Tsunade was interested in someone younger?

This idea didn't come out of nowhere. After careful analysis, he realized Tsunade hardly interacted with other men aside from himself, Orochimaru, and Uchiha Chiba.

Of course, her younger brother, Nawaki, didn't count.

A hint of loneliness flashed in Jiraiya's eyes.

"Alright then," he said calmly. "But next time, Chiba, you better not refuse."

Chiba chuckled. "Sure thing, Brother Jiraiya. Just don't worry about your wallet."

...

After chatting for a while longer, Chiba finally took his leave.

As he stepped out of Jiraiya's house, he glanced at the sky. The sun was already setting.

After checking in on Uchiha at the hospital, he headed straight for the Senju compound.

Tsunade's House

After having dinner with Senju Sousuke and the others, Tsunade invited Uchiha Chiba for a walk in the courtyard.

Under the bright moonlight, they walked side by side in silence.

Breaking the quiet, Tsunade suddenly said, "Chiba, thank you."

"Thank me? For what?" Chiba asked with a smile.

"What do you think?" Tsunade rolled her eyes, though Chiba couldn't see it in the dim light.

"This is what I should do. Besides, isn't Sister Tsunade's grandmother also my grandmother? There's no need for thanks when it comes to family, right?"

Tsunade muttered under her breath, "Family? We're not actually related."

Smiling mischievously, Chiba replied, "Well, what if I want us to become family, Tsunade-san?"

Tsunade's face flushed. "Idiot! Who'd want to be family with a little brat like you?"

Hearing that, Chiba sighed. Why was he always reminded of his age? He couldn't help it—he was born ten years too late.

Otherwise, after saving Uzumaki Mito, wouldn't Tsunade be all over him by now?

Of course, that was just his fantasy.

"That doesn't matter. I've already decided—it has to be you, Tsunade-san," Chiba said firmly.

Tsunade's blush deepened. This brat is too straightforward! Doesn't he consider the situation at all?