Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

"Huff, huff."

Having instantly unleashed a full combo of damage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, panting heavily, stared at the center of the explosion, where thick smoke billowed. This five-shot barrage was the strongest trump card he had ever mastered.

If hope doesn't fall, he'll have to prepare for a quiet exit.

"With such terrifying destructive power, I'm afraid it's all over."

Jinjiao frowned. Being equally proficient in the five elements, he could immediately tell that the Five-Shot Combo possessed considerable destructive power.

Even in my transformed state, I might not be able to escape unscathed from this attack.

"We won."

Madara Uchiha, who had been silently observing the battle for a long time, suddenly spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it reached the ears of everyone in the arena, causing them to look at him in surprise and doubt.

Upon seeing those eyes that gleamed with a subtle red light, all my doubts vanished instantly.

"Yay!"

Xiaochun, who was switching dorms, was the first to raise her hand, shouting excitedly. Jing, standing beside her, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's alright, it's alright."

If Hiruzen also loses, he will become the last hope of the entire village. If he loses control and seriously injures the other party, who knows how much compensation he will have to pay for medicine.

"I won?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was on edge in the arena, heard Madara Uchiha's decisive words, and his eyes instantly lit up with a strange light.

He actually defeated the number one genius of Kumogakure. If this achievement were recorded on his resume, wouldn't it help him climb the ranks?

The Hokage position is just around the corner!

wow——

As the thick smoke finally dissipated, everyone could clearly see the horrific scene inside the training field: a crater over ten meters deep had been blasted into the solid ground.

In the center of the charred crater lay hope, unconscious. Surprisingly, even though he was unconscious, his body was still enveloped in dense plasma, demonstrating his deep-seated fighting spirit.

"What are you standing there for? Medical team, get to work!"

Knowing the outcome, Kinkaku's face darkened. His sinister gaze swept over the Cloud Village ninjas standing behind him. Their terrifying aura made them break out in a cold sweat, and they hurriedly flew into the arena to treat the unconscious hope.

"Crackling sound~"

"what!"

However, the Cloud Village members responsible for the treatment soon encountered difficulties. They were at a loss when faced with hope, who was clad in lightning armor. As soon as they got a little closer, they would be injured by the merciless lightning.

Golden Horn curled his lip in disdain, his burly figure vanishing instantly. He reappeared standing before hope, who was enveloped in lightning. The Cloud Hidden Medical Team immediately and tactfully made way for him.

"Lord Raikage."

"What a bunch of useless trash."

Raising his only remaining hand, Golden Horn slapped hope's disfigured face hard.

"Snapped!"

Even the most violent lightning couldn't stop Golden Horn's slap from descending.

"Huh?"

Having taken a fatal blow from his senior brother, hope slowly awoke amidst the familiar, excruciating pain. Only after his vision returned did he belatedly clutch his swollen cheek.

"Senior Brother, what brings you here?"

"Hmph! When we get back, the training will be doubled."

Jinjiao placed his slightly numb hand behind his back, gave a displeased rebuke, then gestured to the medical team to take over, before flashing back to his original position.

"As expected of the number one genius of Kumogakure, he has mastered the Lightning Release to such a level. He is probably unmatched in the entire ninja world. Unlike my disciples, who are very stupid and have only learned a little bit before showing off."

After the victory, Tobirama Senju finally had the chance to show his true colors. He seemed to be praising Nozomi's strength, but in reality, he was showing off his disciple.

"What kind of skill is a 'relay race'?"

However, how could Kinkaku not understand Tobirama Senju's implied meaning? His face immediately showed resentment.

His junior brother fought several rounds in a war of attrition and won, yet he still had the nerve to show off in front of him. The Senju clan truly deserves to die.

On the other side, Hiruzen Sarutobi, drained of all his energy by the Five-Bullet Technique, jumped off the stage. Koharu Utatane immediately stepped forward and placed her vibrant, life-giving hands on his back.

"Thank you, Xiaochun."

Feeling the life force slowly nourishing his parched meridians, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded gratefully.

"Thank you for your hard work, Hiruzen."

"I just did what I could."

Facing the smug look on Kagami's face, Hiruzen Sarutobi replied with a straight face, but inwardly he had a completely different expression.

I got MVP!

You're all lazy winners!

"No, it was you who defeated the enemy; we didn't help much."

Akimichi Torifu stood up, his face full of shame, and dragged his injured leg over. He had only exchanged a few blows with Nozomi before being defeated. Logically and emotionally, the victory in this match had nothing to do with him.

"I'm sorry, I..."

Mitokazuchi, whose inflammation had almost completely subsided, got up, wanting to join his teammates' conversation. However, they ignored his voice, as if they hadn't even seen him.

"Cough cough cough"

"Danzo! You're awake~"

Just then, Danzo, who was the most seriously injured, slowly woke up, and everyone's attention was instantly drawn to him, leaving Mitokado Homura, who was trying to make his presence known, out of the way.

"Did I...win?"

The first thing Danzo did after waking up was to ask about his performance. He was eager to know if he deserved to be named MVP of the match.

"You've done your best."

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and finally, the kind-hearted Jingzai announced the news that left Danzo heartbroken.

"Is that so? I've lost after all."

Danzo, his face ashen, hung his head, his eyes filled with humiliation and resentment.

"You've done a fantastic job. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to defeat the enemy."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, like a victorious general, patted Danzo on the shoulder and boasted of his victory in a very emotional tone.

"Monkey, you won?"

Danzo looked up in disbelief at his best friend, whose face held a faint air of arrogance. He felt as if a jar of vinegar had been spilled in his heart, so sour it was almost steaming.

"That's right, Hiruzen defeated that terrifying Black Prison Master, he's our MVP!"

The adoration in Koharu's eyes was particularly irritating to Danzo. Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was being fawned over by everyone, he felt a mix of emotions.

He had clearly given it his all, but in the end, it was the monkey who came from behind and won the MVP award.

"Why are you so concerned about who defeated the enemy in the end? He will only alienate the efforts of everyone in the group."

Just as Danzo was about to develop resentment, Tobirama Senju approached with a smile. Noticing the impending crisis of disunity among his disciples, he immediately offered words of comfort, nipping the internal conflict in the bud.

"Teacher! Yan Ta."

Upon seeing Tobirama Senju, the F6 members' faces simultaneously revealed a deep sorrow. Koharu Utatane held a broken pair of glasses in her hands, large tears welling in her eyes. The remaining members also hung their heads, and the overall atmosphere was extremely somber.

Today, they lost a dear friend.

"I'm still here! Teacher, look at me, I can still jog and jump!"

Having lost its original form, Yan excitedly jumped around in front of the sorrowful Tobirama Senju, trying to increase its presence, but to little avail.

"Yan is my most valued disciple, I never expected him to..."

"No, I... Oh right! I also have emergency glasses."

With her own memorial service about to begin, and Koharu Utatane even starting to collect the monetary gifts, Homura Mitokado suddenly slapped his forehead and began rummaging through his ninja tool pouch.

"Found it!"

Holding his spare glasses, Mitokado Homura felt as if he had found his lost soul. Overwhelmed with excitement, he immediately put the glasses on his nose.

"Hey big guy, I'm here!"

The somber atmosphere suddenly froze. The remaining F6 members quickly retreated several meters, their eyes wide and mouths agape, staring in terror at Mitokado Homura who had appeared out of nowhere.

"Who are you? What an amazing transformation technique."

Uchiha Kagami mustered his courage and asked, his scarlet eyes scanning his resurrected friend up and down with a look of wariness.

"Yan is dead, his body is completely cold."

"I am Yan, you poets, hold me!"

Mitokado was immediately furious; these guys were the ones who most needed glasses.

"Wait, if you really are Yan, then show us what that is."

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, Koharu Utatane suddenly spoke, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on the furious Homura Mitokado.

"Yes, yes, that's the secret technique that makes fakes never catch fire!"

"Show yourself, you imposter!"

The others nodded in agreement.

(^～^)ゞ

"I can't do anything with you guys. Watch closely, I'll only perform once."

With a solemn expression, Mitokado Homura raised his right hand, gently pinched the temple of his glasses, and slowly removed them as everyone held their breath.

"Ah! It's really gone!"

The latest novel is first published here!

"This is indeed Yan's secret technique."

"A concealment technique comparable to the Moonlight Clan's bloodline limit... Could he really be Yan?"

The astonished group had various opinions, but their doubts gradually dissipated. Such a bizarre secret technique was probably unique in the entire ninja world.

"Now you believe me, right?"

Yan, now wearing his glasses again, reappeared in everyone's sight. His expression seemed resentful, but it also carried a hint of barely perceptible smugness.

"Yan! You're still alive? Did you use some kind of secret technique to substitute one thing for another?"

After confirming that everything was correct, the group excitedly gathered around.

What could be more joyful than a friend coming back to life at their funeral?

"Ahem. It's still under development. This was just an experiment. I'll share the results with you when we have them."

Not knowing how to explain his situation, Mitokado Homura had no choice but to make up a fabricated reason, which successfully fooled everyone, including Senju Tobirama.

"Hokage, are these the strongest rookies of Konoha?"

Just as the F6 were celebrating joyfully, Onoki squinted and asked Madara Uchiha, whose face was cold and indifferent, a question.

If Konoha's next generation is only at this level, he can put aside his concerns and start preparing some shady things early on.

"So what if it is?"

Although the F6 defeated the Cloud Village's number one genius through a series of attacks, ninjas are never a profession that involves fighting alone.

Close teamwork is also an essential tactical skill, and there's nothing shameful about using it in combat.

There's no need to talk about chivalry with the enemy; let's all fight side by side!

"In that case, we of Iwagakure will not participate in this sparring match."

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Onoki shook his head and used his eyes to suppress the eager red-haired boy behind him. He decided to let the single-minded Kurodo do the probing work; they couldn't afford to let their village's genius make any mistakes.

"We in Kirigakure are the same."

Katsura, with his squinty eyes, added a timely remark, glancing subtly at the strangely shaped Mist Ninja behind him, including several half-human, half-fish monsters.

These are the very foundation of Kirigakure; we must not allow them to fall in such a place.

Madara Uchiha's expression turned cold; he had the feeling of being made a fool of.

"What do you mean? You were the ones who wanted to fight, and now you're the ones who aren't. Do you think Konoha is easy to bully?"

"No, no, we are just marveling at the abundance of talented people in Konoha. Besides the Uchiha and Senju, there are so many other capable individuals."

Are you being sarcastic?

Upon hearing Onoki's explanation, Madara Uchiha turned his head, a dangerous glint in his eyes. He had a feeling that this little potato was deliberately causing trouble.

My hands are itching.

"Your Hokage is overthinking this. I'll go back and continue the meeting."

Under Madara Uchiha's cold gaze, Onoki felt like he was being watched by a venomous snake, and immediately stood up to announce the end of this farce.

The four parties returned to the conference table, but this time, Onoki and his two companions were much less aggressive, and their previously sharp tone had softened considerably.

As the strategist in the temporary alliance, Onoki pondered for a few seconds before speaking first.

"Although Konoha claims that the attack was unrelated to the First Hokage, our experience is absolutely true. At the very least, we can confirm that the attackers used Wood Release ninjutsu."

He planned to first confirm the attack, and as for the culprit, even if it wasn't from Konoha, it would definitely have some connection to Konoha.

That being said.

Tobirama Senju understood the meaning behind Onoki's words, and frowned.

If it is confirmed that the attacker was a user of Wood Release, then Konoha will forever be inextricably linked to the attack.

Thinking deeper, the attack might be used as a pretext by these people to cause trouble.

"I've lost a kidney. If I hadn't already had a child, I might have been childless."

Before Tobirama Senju could explain, Onoki revealed a heartbroken expression, his words filled with a bitterness that would resonate with any man.

"Forehead"

Unfortunately, if I had said it earlier, Tobirama Senju might have understood, but not now.

Sorry, Senju Hisami is truly unable to empathize.

"Do you know what a good arm means to a lonely single man?"

Jinjiao propped himself up with one hand, showing his severed arm to everyone. His face, full of fat, carried a hint of grief at losing his beloved.

"I understand!"

"ha?"

Everyone turned their heads in confusion, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi who had raised his hand high. Except for Koharu Utatane, who looked completely bewildered, they all revealed a knowing smile that only men could understand.

"Monkey, share your study materials when you get back."

"That's right, that's right~"

"Lord Mizukage, it's your turn!"

After their heartfelt performance, they noticed that Gui, with his eyes half-closed, remained unmoved, and immediately whispered a reminder.

"Oh, this."

Katsura was in a dilemma. He hadn't lost anything in the battle with the attackers; the cost of using Absolute Zero was only a few years of his lifespan, which wasn't a significant loss for a ninja who walked a tightrope.

"What have you lost this time?"

Under Madara Uchiha's piercing gaze, Katsura decided to swallow his pride and fulfill the alliance agreement.

Pain, as if it were real, instantly surfaced on his fair face. Now, his aloof persona, which he had maintained for many years in Wuyin, might collapse.

"I originally intended to keep this secret hidden forever."

He slowly lowered his head, placed his right hand on the top of his head—a head so thick and black that Madara Uchiha envied—and, to everyone's astonishment, gently lifted it.

"What was that? It's so flashy!"

"Ah!! My eyes!"

"It's the sun!?"

(Д`)(Д`)(Д`)

Gui, having publicly revealed his private matters, appeared serene and holy, as if nothing and no one in the world mattered to him anymore.

"I spent years and a lot of money to nurture my beautiful hair, and now all that's left is..."

"This one."

Under the bright lights of the conference room, a single stubborn hair on Katsura's bald head, beneath his wig, fluttered in the wind like a duckweed swaying precariously in the rain. (End of Chapter)