After Chinya left Orochimaru's hideout, he happened to run into Raiga Kurosuki.
Raiga Kurosuki had a child strapped to his back.
"Yo, Raiga, taking care of a kid now?"
Chinya approached Raiga Kurosuki and looked at the child clinging onto his back.
The child felt somewhat shy under Chinya's gaze and buried his face against Raiga's back.
Curious, Chinya asked, "Where'd you steal this kid from?"
Raiga Kurosuki glared, "What do you mean 'steal'?!"
Chinya gave Raiga an up-and-down glance, "So he's your kid? What woman would actually end up with you?"
Raiga's temple throbbed as he gritted his teeth, "Why didn't I notice before how irritating you can be? What's wrong with me that no girl could ever like me? Let me tell you, I'm actually really popular back in the village!
Anyway, this kid's name is Ranmaru. He was driven out by the villagers because of [Red Eye]. I just happened to meet him, felt a kind of connection, so I decided to take him in."
Frowning slightly, Chinya stared at Ranmaru, sensing the name sounded familiar.
Suddenly slapping his head, he finally remembered.
This was the boy from the original timeline who had been inseparable from Raiga — the boy possessing the [Red Eye].
The [Red Eye] was the natural enemy of the Byakugan. It could see through objects, sense power, detect danger, and even manipulate chakra to create illusions to interfere with the Byakugan, making it even stronger than the Byakugan in terms of perceiving chakra.
Normally, Raiga served as Ranmaru's legs since the boy had weak physical strength; during battles, Ranmaru acted as Raiga's eyes.
Over time, many of Chinya's memories had slipped through the cracks, nearly forgotten entirely, which was why he hadn't recalled sooner.
Smiling, Chinya said, "Ah, so his name is Ranmaru. That's a pretty good name. Normally, you look so fierce, but now carrying Ranmaru on your back, you seem much gentler. Although… you'd better watch out — someone might mistake you for a child smuggler."
Raiga rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the heads-up!"
Then turning serious, Raiga spoke to Chinya, "Leader, there's something I'd like to ask you."
Chinya waved his hand dismissively, "Just call me Chinya normally — no need for formalities like 'leader'; it feels too distant. If there's anything you need help with, feel free to ask. As comrades, if I can assist, I definitely will."
Raiga glanced at Ranmaru on his back before replying, "Ranmaru has a very frail constitution. Even walking a couple steps tires him out. I originally thought he was ill, so I asked Nonou to examine him. She told me Ranmaru was born with a frail constitution. As a medical ninja, she couldn't change it.
However, Nonou mentioned that maybe Orochimaru could improve Ranmaru's constitution, so I was wondering..."
Chinya finished Raiga's sentence, "You want me to talk to Master Orochimaru about checking Ranmaru's body condition and improving his physical state, right?"
Raiga nodded solemnly, "Yes, exactly."
Chinya clapped Raiga Kurosuki on the shoulder. "That's all? Just go directly to Teacher Orochimaru. He definitely won't refuse."
Raiga Kurosuki gave a nervous chuckle. "Ah, n-no... better you talk to him, Chinya."
Raiga truly wanted Orochimaru's help, but he feared that asking directly might put Ranmaru at risk.
He had seen some of Orochimaru's experiments before and couldn't shake the fear that Ranmaru might end up as one of his test subjects.
So Raiga felt safer if Chinya made the request.
Chinya understood Raiga's concern. To most people, Orochimaru would always be that unpredictable mad scientist—no amount of reassurance could erase that image.
Chinya sighed. "Don't treat Teacher Orochimaru like some monster lurking in the shadows. As long as the request isn't excessive, he won't refuse. Fine, I'll speak for you later."
Hearing Chinya agree, Raiga gladly thanked him, "Thanks, Chinya."
Suddenly, Chinya noticed two figures approaching—one tall and one small—in the distance. Raising his eyebrows, he said, "But you guys from Mist sure do like bringing kids along."
Following Chinya's gaze, Raiga saw Zabuza and Haku.
Raiga muttered, "Zabuza's all bark and no bite—he acts cold, but you can tell he really cares about Haku. Honestly, can't he be more straightforward?"
Chinya speculated, "Everyone has different experiences and personalities. Maybe Haku actually enjoys being treated as a tool by Zabuza."
Raiga scoffed, "Who would enjoy being treated like that?"
At this time, Zabuza and Haku spotted Chinya and Raiga as well.
Zabuza approached with Haku by his side and greeted Chinya, "Leader."
Chinya nodded with a cheerful expression. "Yes, are you getting used to Otogakure already?"
Looking at the bustling street filled with pedestrians, Zabuza replied, "It's fine."
Back in Kiri during the Blood Mist reign, the streets had been nearly empty, shrouded in fear.
Compared to Kiri, although Otogakure wasn't fully built yet and couldn't compete with Kiri as a major village, everyone here carried hope in their eyes, which created a much better atmosphere than Kiri.
Chinya smiled faintly. "If it's already this good, it will surely get even better in the future. When that time comes, both you, Zabuza, and Haku can join Otogakure anytime you want."
Though they were currently part of the Xiao organization, Zabuza and Haku hadn't officially joined Otogakure yet. Hearing Chinya's invitation, Zabuza responded, "I'll think about it."
"Well then, have fun exploring. I need to leave first."
After saying goodbye to Raiga and the others, Chinya returned to the leader's headquarters.
Kushina Uzumaki and Miyuki Uzumaki were still chatting non-stop, while Sōnagi Uzumaki sat between them looking helpless.
As soon as they got together, Kushina and Miyuki just wouldn't stop talking.
While Uzomaki Sōnagi occasionally had his head ruffled by Kushina Uzumaki, and sometimes also by Uzomaki Miyuki, Uzomaki Sōnagi felt like his scalp was about to get rubbed right down to the bone.
When he saw Chinya return, Uzomaki Sōnagi instantly felt like he'd spotted a savior.
"Dad, Chinya!"
Unfortunately, the very next moment, this so-called savior abandoned Uzomaki Sōnagi.
Chinya said to Uzomaki Sōnagi, "You keep staying with your mom and Aunt Uzomaki Miyuki. I'll ask Uzomaki Miyuki which room is free here."
After Uzomaki Miyuki pointed out a location, Chinya left.
Seeing Chinya just walk away? Uzomaki Sōnagi felt totally crushed.
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