Time changes everything.
As for whether Chiba and Kiyone would actually end up together, Uchiha Shali decided not to meddle, leaving the decision to Kiyone in the future.
He wasn’t some old fossil who would force an arranged marriage on his child.
If Kiyone liked him, he would support it; if she didn’t, that kid Chiba shouldn’t even dream of getting a piece of her.
Besides, Chiba was a genius, and strength decided everything.
Uchiha Shali could tell that the kid was very likely to reach Kage-level combat strength in the future.
With him around, Kiyone could live a safe and peaceful life.
…
Dressed in a black and red kimono, Kiyone looked somewhat gentle and soft, contrasting with her usual cold and proud style.
Her slightly damp black hair draped over her shoulders, gently rising and falling with the light breeze.
Unfortunately, the beautiful girl was not in a good mood.
Her brow was slightly furrowed, and her bright, pitch-black eyes were filled with discontent.
Chiba was very happy because he was wearing a seemingly ordinary black outfit, but on his back was a pattern resembling a ping-pong paddle, perfectly matching Kiyone’s kimono from afar.
Hehehe, matching couple outfits.
“Let’s go, Kiyone, I’ll treat you to a great meal.”
Chiba tugged at the corner of Kiyone’s sleeve.
Kiyone didn’t refuse and let him lead her.
Since she was already wearing her father’s childhood clothes, how much worse could it get?
“What did you say?”
Chiba was furious.
His private room had actually been occupied!
This was his shop!
Was there no law and order anymore?
“I’m sorry, Boss!
We couldn’t refuse them.”
The waiter spoke in a low, apologetic voice.
“And Boss, whatever you do, don’t act impulsively!
You can’t beat them!”
Hearing this made Chiba even angrier.
Sure, he might not be much on his own, but who stood behind him?
Tsunade, the granddaughter of the First Hokage!
Even if they didn’t respect him, wouldn’t they respect Tsunade?
Chiba decided to immediately call people over to beat up the guy who took his private room.
Kiyone tugged at Chiba.
“Let’s just wait in line, stop making a scene.”
Visibly, Chiba’s face flushed red.
Guys, who can relate?
Coming to my own shop and having my friend wait in line.
Chiba took a deep breath, relaxed his body slightly, and then rushed toward his private room at top speed, letting out a furious roar!
“Which little brat dares to steal my private room?!”
The three drunken Sannin looked toward the door, and the immense pressure of three Kage-level powerhouses instantly crashed down on Chiba.
“Haha, so it’s Aunt Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Uncle Snake!
My bad for intruding, please enjoy your meal.”
Chiba said with an apologetic smile, turning around immediately.
If they had just said so earlier—it was his own backers using the private room!
Tsunade glanced at Chiba with hazy, drunken eyes, feeling not a single shred of shame for usurping his privilege; in fact, she felt entirely entitled—whatever she took was hers!
“Wait, hold it right there!”
It took Tsunade only a split second to go from a drunken haze to soberness, and then to pure rage.
“Is there something wrong?”
Chiba asked meekly.
He hadn’t shouted at her on purpose; surely she wouldn’t be petty enough to beat him up again, right?
“Turn around.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Chiba turned around.
“Haha, Chiba, why are you wearing Uchiha clothes?”
After seeing the ping-pong paddle pattern on Chiba’s back clearly, Jiraiya didn’t hesitate to immediately come over and mock him.
“Chiba-kun certainly knows how to enjoy life.”
Orochimaru remarked politely.
“You brat, you’ve really gone too far!
A descendant of the Senju wearing Uchiha clothes, I’m going to…”
I’m going to what?
Chiba had already instinctively squatted down with his hands covering his head, completely unaware of what was happening.
“Little Uchiha girl, are you trying to make an enemy out of me?”
Tsunade looked at Kiyone with a displeased expression.
Kiyone said calmly.
“Is the grand Princess Tsunade really so petty?
She won’t even allow freedom of clothing?”
Kiyone felt that if Chiba was taught a lesson for wearing her father’s clothes, it would embarrass her deeply, so she had to stop it!
Besides, she didn’t believe Princess Tsunade would be shameless enough to discipline her.
And then…
Kiyone rubbed her head gently, muttering in her heart.
“Damned woman, that hurts!”
Meanwhile, Chiba, sporting a large bump on his head, maintained a normal expression—a mere trifle, nothing more.
He was usually following the Jiraiya template anyway, so Tsunade frequently found excuses to beat him up.
After hearing Chiba explain the cause of the whole thing, Jiraiya looked at Chiba with envy and hatred, thinking how this fellow was just like him, yet making progress so fast.
He then glanced at Tsunade, whose face was flushed red from the alcohol, looking so captivating.
He wondered when he would ever win Tsunade over.
Tsunade sized up Kiyone.
Paying close attention to Chiba, she naturally knew about Kiyone’s existence, though in the past she had merely regarded it as a joke.
Meeting Kiyone under these circumstances today, she inevitably started taking her seriously.
“Damn brat, how old is he even?”
Tsunade muttered under her breath.
A union between Senju and Uchiha?
Although it sounded ridiculous, wasn’t that actually a dream of her grandfather’s?
Chiba, will you realize Grandfather’s dream?
Thinking up to this point, Tsunade gave Chiba a deep, meaningful look.
Then Chiba collapsed to the side as if struck by lightning!
Kiyone blinked as she looked at Chiba, who had fallen right into her arms.
So…
what just happened?
Jiraiya paled in shock.
“Chiba, is this your true power?
Horrifying indeed!”
“Idiot, something went wrong with the kid’s training!”
Orochimaru, who possessed extensive research experience, instantly reached a conclusion.
“Troublesome brat!”
Hearing Orochimaru’s words, Tsunade sobered up again.
How long had it been since she last treated someone personally?
This kid was sent by heaven just to torment her!
Meanwhile.
In Chiba’s small courtyard.
Ever since Chiba had grown up a bit and further developed his Sage Body, the number of Shadow Clones in this courtyard had grown from just 1 at the start to 5 now!
Among the five Shadow Clones, one was developing the Mud Release Bloodline Limit, two were studying Sealing Jutsu, and the remaining two were developing new Chakra natures: Wind and Lightning!
The apex of Bloodline Limits was the Bloodline Encompassing, a product of fusing nature transformations of Wind, Lightning, Fire, Water, Earth, Yin, and Yang Chakra.
If Chiba wanted to reach the end, possessing all Chakra natures was the very first step!
Suddenly, between the palms of the Chiba clone on the far right, Water and Earth Chakra actually began to merge slowly, forming a brown, muddy substance between his hands!
Chiba’s face erupted with visible, ecstatic joy!
This was none other than Mud Release Chakra!
“Ooh, awesome, bro!”
“As expected of me!”
“Now that I have Mud Release, victory is practically guaranteed!”
“Developing a Bloodline Limit so quickly…
this is truly destiny.”
The four Shadow Clones naturally noticed and called out their congratulations one after another.
“Oh no, I’m disappearing!”
The Chiba clone suddenly exclaimed.
The newly appeared Mud Release Chakra rapidly spread across his whole body like cancer cells!
Bloodline optimization and physical restructuring were not something a Shadow Clone could withstand.
Right as he finished speaking, the Shadow Clone vanished.
“Mud Release?
Creating a Bloodline Limit and…”
The real Chiba who was reading nearby vanished before he could finish his sentence, alongside the remaining three Shadow Clones!
In an instant, total silence fell over the courtyard.
“A sudden disruption in his Chakra caused all the Shadow Clones to dissipate at once.
The accumulation of massive mental fatigue, combined with his already poor physical state, triggered the faint.”
Tsunade reached this conclusion after a thorough examination.
“Shadow Clone training really is a dangerous method!”
Jiraiya shook his head.
Massive mental exhaustion was no joke—it was an immensely painful experience that only a Sage Body could withstand and recover from normally after proper rest.
Even Jiraiya himself couldn’t train like this for long periods; forgetting progress, he’d be lucky if he didn’t regress.
“Is Chiba’s usual goofy behavior just a way to relieve mental stress?”
Jiraiya suddenly pondered this question, and the more he thought about it, the more correct it felt.
What an extraordinary child…
So, could you be the Child of Prophecy?