Seeing this, Naruto immediately wanted to step in and dissuade him, but Chiga caught his intention and shot him a sharp glare.
"Do you know what a simp is, Naruto?"
Naruto froze. Though it was his first time hearing the word, he had a vague sense of what it meant.
Chiga continued, arms crossed.
"It's not that being a simp is entirely shameful. Your dad was a bit of one when he chased after your mom."
Naruto's eyes lit up with curiosity.
"Really? My dad was too...?"
(Damn...)
"Hmph. I'm only telling you this so you understand something: it's okay to simp—but only for someone worthy of it. Otherwise, you'll end up with nothing."
Chiga's cold gaze flicked to Sakura.
In his view, Sakura was not someone worth Naruto's attention. Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage—once that was publicly known, he'd basically be the crown prince of Konoha. Sakura, by contrast, was a civilian-born shinobi.
Chiga didn't look down on her for that. What he couldn't tolerate was her past treatment of Naruto—mocking his orphan status, saying things like "Look, he doesn't even have parents." Or when she'd shift blame, "If there's trouble, it's Naruto; if there's peace, it's Sasuke."
Those moments had permanently soured Chiga's opinion of her.
Finishing his lecture, Chiga shook off Sakura's hand and spoke coldly.
"If I catch you pulling that nonsense again, you won't need this hand anymore."
Under the intense pressure of the Mangekyō Sharingan, Sakura could only nod frantically.
Yamato stepped forward to smooth things over.
"K-K Congratulations Senior, Sakura and Naruto have always had a good relationship. Please forgive her!"
Chiga exhaled through his nose, deactivated his Sharingan, and turned away without a word.
Naruto assumed he was leaving. Even though their time together had been short, Chiga had genuinely looked out for him—and as Minato's friend, Naruto didn't want him to go.
"Wait! Senior, where are you going?"
Chiga paused, not looking back.
"To check on Sasuke. What, you coming too?"
Naruto lit up instantly.
"You're going to see Sasuke? Can I come with you?"
A slight smirk tugged at the corner of Chiga's lips.
"Your legs work, don't they? Why ask me where you can go?"
Naruto grinned and rushed to Chiga's side.
"Then I'll tag along! Thanks, Chiga-san!"
Chiga rolled his eyes but continued walking forward.
Sakura and Yamato exchanged looks before following silently behind.
---
Meanwhile, Kabuto had already returned after Orochimaru's defeat. With him was Sai.
Sai's original mission had been to deliver a letter from Danzo to Orochimaru and gain his trust. But now that Orochimaru had been subdued by Chiga, his objective was gone. He had no choice but to proceed with the secondary mission—eliminate Sasuke Uchiha.
Danzo had always viewed the Uchiha Clan as a threat, branding them terrorists. Sasuke, in Danzo's eyes, needed to be eliminated before his powers fully matured.
Thus, Sai continued to Orochimaru's hideout to assassinate Sasuke.
---
Inside Orochimaru's hideout…
In a dim corridor, Sasuke stood coldly, eyes fixed on the newcomer.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
Sai stood calmly with his signature fake smile.
"My name is Sai. I've just joined Team Seven. You must be Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. The fact that this stranger had taken his place in Team Seven infuriated him. Without hesitation, he activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Sai was instantly caught in a Genjutsu and collapsed to the ground.
Sasuke, satisfied with the scare, released the technique and sneered.
"Hmph. So, what do you want from me? Don't tell me you're here to drag me back to Konoha."
Sai swallowed nervously.
"Naruto wants you to come back. He's always considered you his brother."
"Shut up."
Sasuke interrupted, now standing right beside him, voice icy.
"I only have one brother. His name is Itachi."
With that, Sasuke walked past Sai without another glance.
Sai remained on the ground, stunned by Sasuke's ruthlessness. His experiences with Naruto had softened him—Naruto reminded him of his late brother. The bond they had shared gave Sai a sense of humanity he hadn't felt in years.
But Danzo's mission loomed. Recalling his orders, Sai gritted his teeth and unsheathed his weapon. He lunged at Sasuke's back.
But Sasuke, hardened by Orochimaru's training, had grown exponentially. The current Sasuke was far beyond the capabilities of Team Seven.
Effortlessly, Sasuke sidestepped, landed a kick to Sai's ribs, and sent him crashing into the wall. He then drew his Kusanagi Sword, imbuing it with Lightning Release Chakra.
Electric energy surged along the blade, crackling with sharp intensity—his Chidori Katana.
With deadly precision, Sasuke charged forward, sword aimed for Sai's chest.
Just as the blade was about to pierce Sai, a shout rang out from the corridor's entrance.
"Sasuke! Stop!"
"Hm?"
The voice was unmistakable. Sasuke hesitated, then turned.
Standing there, breathless but determined, was Uzumaki Naruto.
Sasuke's gaze briefly passed over Chiga, who stood beside Naruto—but he paid him no mind.
It was the first time they'd seen each other since the battle at the Valley of the End. A complex mix of emotions surged within Sasuke.
Although he'd just claimed Itachi was his only brother, the truth was far more complicated. His words to Sai masked deeper feelings.
Sasuke had much to say—but when he opened his mouth, all that came out was a cold remark.
"Naruto? Are you here to kill me too?"
Naruto blinked, confused. He looked past Sasuke to Sai, still on the ground.
"Sai, what just happened?"
Sai remained silent. He'd been saved again by the one person who reminded him of his brother—he couldn't bring himself to admit what he'd done.
Sasuke scoffed and shifted his eyes to Chiga.
"So this is your backup? You really think the two of you can defeat me now?"
Chiga's brow lifted. He uncrossed his arms and stepped forward.
The small white snake coiled around his waist raised its head toward Sasuke—as if staring at a fool.
---