Chiga returned home and first reported his safe arrival to Grandma Risa. He then handed over the eighty million Berries he had saved in his room to her.
The money was bounty Chiga had earned over the years by casually dealing with small pirate groups during his voyages. Since there were no formidable pirate groups around, he had only managed to save this much over the years, but it was enough for the seventy-year-old grandma to live comfortably for the rest of her life.
The grandma looked at the huge sum of money in surprise and didn't accept it.
Chiga quickly explained,
"Don't worry, I promise this money is legitimate. I'm going to join the Marines, and I'm worried about you being home alone. Please take this money and use it."
Only then did the grandma relax. She knew Chiga was a good kid with a cold exterior but a warm heart. He had always been honest and never lied to her over the years. She put the money away in a box behind her.
Turning to look at the child she had lived with for ten years, Grandma Risa had no children of her own, and Senka had long been regarded as her own grandson. Now that he was leaving, her heart was naturally filled with reluctance.
However, she also knew that young people needed to go out and explore, especially Chiga. He was so different. She reached out and patted Chiga's waist, revealing a kind smile as she said,
"Go, my good child. Grandma believes you will definitely achieve great things. You don't have to worry about me here. Everyone in the village is very kind, and with them around, Grandma will be fine. Go out and explore with peace of mind!"
Chiga also felt a little sad. He stepped forward and hugged the grandma.
"Mhm, I won't disappoint you. It won't be long before I make this sea know my name, and I'll come back to visit you often."
After saying goodbye to Grandma Risa, Chiga simply packed his belongings and then went to visit Bell-mère's family. Both Bell-mère and Nojiko were people he had grown close to over the years.
Arriving at Bell-mère's doorstep, Chiga knocked on the door. Soon, the door opened, and a small blue head poked out. It was Nojiko.
Seeing that it was Chiga, Nojiko was very happy, but when she saw the small bag of luggage in Chiga's hand, she seemed to realize something. Her expression dimmed a little, but she still showed her brightest smile and called out sweetly,
"Brother Chiga!"
Chiga smiled and patted her head, responding before explaining his purpose.
Although she had already sensed it, when she truly heard the news, Nojiko couldn't help but her eyes turn red. She forced a smile and said,
"Then, Brother Chiga, I'll go tell Bell-mère and Nami. We'll see you off."
"No need, I'm leaving now. Just go tell them, I won't go inside…"
Suddenly,
"How can that be? You've lived in the village for ten years. How can you leave so perfunctorily?"
Bell-mère walked out of the house with Nami, pretending to be angry as she said,
"Let's go! We'll see you off together!"
Nojiko also turned to look at Chiga expectantly.
"Truly… troublesome bonds!" Chiga's words conveyed annoyance, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve upwards.
"Hmph! Tsundere!" Nami had already seen through everything with her insight that surpassed the Rinnegan!
Chiga glared at Nami, then walked forward and picked up the red-eyed, low-spirited Nojiko.
"Hey, hey, Brother Chiga…" Nojiko was clearly a little embarrassed and struggled slightly.
"What's wrong? I'm leaving, can't I hug you?" Chiga said with a straight face.
"Of… of course you can." Nojiko immediately quieted down, though her clenched fists betrayed her nervousness.
"Hmph! A biased man!" How could Nami, the little complainer, be absent at a time like this?
This time, Chiga ignored her and prepared to set off.
"Let's go."
Arriving at the shore, Chiga said to everyone,
"Alright, this is as far as we go. Thank you all, let's say goodbye here."
"Right here?" Bell-mère looked at the empty surroundings and suspiciously at Chiga.
"Yes, right here." Then, Chiga's body floated into the air in front of everyone's disbelieving eyes.
"So, are you really human?" After a long pause, Bell-mère took a deep breath and asked steadily. Nami and Nojiko beside her nodded in agreement.
Chiga didn't answer that question. After all, his body had evolved towards the Otsutsuki bloodline, so it wasn't wrong to say he wasn't human anymore.
After thinking for a moment, Senka took out a strangely shaped kunai from his pocket and handed it to Nojiko, instructing her: "If any danger occurs in the village while I'm gone, just hold this and call my name in your heart, got it?"
Nojiko carefully put away the kunai and nodded seriously, indicating that she remembered.
Chiga smiled and patted her head. The kunai was naturally the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Kunai from Naruto. With his vast chakra and Rinnegan, he could instantly arrive near the kunai no matter how far away as long as he sensed the signal.
He had also left a kunai with Grandma Risa, but just in case, he had made extra preparations, as Arlong pirates would still pose a threat in a few years.
With his mind at ease, Chiga's body began to float upwards.
"Well then, goodbye everyone. Nojiko, Nami, you two must eat well and not still be two little sprouts when we meet next time."
"Mhm, I got it, Brother Chiga, you must remember to come back!" Nojiko's face was already covered in tears as she shouted loudly at Chiga in the air.
"Hmph, I won't listen to you, hurry up and go! Anyway, no matter what I become, you won't care, right! Biased Chiga!" Nami secretly wiped away a tear and said stubbornly with her neck stiff.
"Go for it, Chiga! I look forward to the day you become a Marine Admiral… no, a Fleet Admiral!" Bell-mère shouted towards the sky.
Taking one last look at the people on the ground and Cocoyasi Village, Chiga's gaze was firm. Then, with a burst of repulsive force, he instantly vanished from everyone's sight.
"Marines, here I come!"