Establishing a Persona

Drip, drip, drip...

A group of Konoha Ninja ran across the river, converging on their location.

Seeing them approach, Gekko Yoru finally realized his childish behavior. He quickly let go of Umino Sasuke, putting on a cool facade to save face, instantly becoming a different person.

If not for the hint of shame in the eyeholes of his cat mask, one might have thought it was just an illusion.

Umino Sasuke scanned the area and discovered that among the reinforcements were not only the Mobile Patrol Unit led by Akimichi Toribo, but also Sarutobi Kagejiro.

Clearly, Sarutobi Kagejiro had encountered this Mobile Patrol Unit after attempting to flee midway. Compared to the danger of delivering intelligence alone, Sarutobi Kagejiro evidently felt safer accompanying his young master, Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

Upon seeing the five approaching, especially Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Umino Sasuke felt a pang of envy.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke was truly fortunate. Even on the front lines, he was guarded by an Elite Jonin, Akimichi Toribo, and his temporary teammates were the eternally Genin Maruboshi Kosuke and the young master of the Aburame Clan, Aburame Shibi. Unlike them, who were penniless and mere cannon fodder.

With such a terrifying lineup, they were practically invincible below Kage-level.

Not to mention the peak combat power of the strongest Genin, Maruboshi Kosuke, but even Akimichi Toribo, if an accident occurred and he consumed a Three-Colored Pill, could likely hold off even a Kage-level opponent for a while.

"Good job, kid."

Akimichi Toribo, holding a Hedgehog-Haired Jonin in one hand, patted Umino Sasuke's shoulder with the other. He was clearly very satisfied with Umino Sasuke, his nominal subordinate.

In addition to highly affirming Umino Sasuke's Will of Fire, he was also very pleased with the combat power Umino Sasuke had displayed.

As the captain of the Mobile Patrol Unit, Akimichi Toribo was responsible for the defense of this area. Nominally, the nine sentry patrol squads in this area were all his subordinates.

Now, among the cannon fodder sentry patrol squads, there was such a capable subordinate. As a superior, it brought him honor. Moreover, gaining a subordinate with considerable strength for free, how could he not be happy?

Under the sensory perception of Aburame Shibi's Kikaichū, Akimichi Toribo had already grasped the general situation on his way to reinforce them.

Although it was due to Aburame Shibi's relay, he didn't know the specific details yet, but the general direction was certainly correct, especially Umino Sasuke's stunning performances.

Judging solely by his Tool Manipulation, Umino Sasuke's combat power was already infinitely close to Jonin-level. Coupled with the Will of Fire, such a high-quality talent should be a priority for the village to cultivate. Assigning him to an outer sentry patrol team was truly a waste of his potential.

Now, it was their Mobile Patrol Unit that benefited, as he had unexpectedly gained a capable subordinate. Such talent must be recruited.

"Thank you for your timely support, Toribo-sama. Otherwise, we would have been annihilated."

Umino Sasuke quickly offered his sincere thanks to his superior, his words filled with praise.

This made Akimichi Toribo laugh heartily, lamenting that this subordinate knew how to handle things and was a satisfactory subordinate.

"Senior, you were also amazing. To hold out for so long against two Sand Ninja pursuit teams and even counter-attack so many Sand Ninja."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke was very happy to be thanked and praised, and also a little shy. He was even more in awe of Umino Sasuke's combat power and Will of Fire.

Clearly, Hiruzen Sarutobi had protected and educated his eldest son very well. He hadn't gone astray and lacked the arrogance and prejudice of a successor from a major ninja clan.

No matter how disgraceful Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi might be in the future, his family education was impeccable.

"Where the leaves dance, a fire will also burn endlessly."

Umino Sasuke made the [Might Guy's Youth] hand sign towards Sarutobi Shinnosuke and said loudly, "You are the hope of Konoha. I believe that when you grow up, you will definitely be even more powerful than us seniors!"

Umino Sasuke's declaration and encouragement highlighted his profound understanding of the Will of Fire.

"Mhm!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded vigorously like a pecking chick, clearly deeply influenced and encouraged by the Will of Fire.

"Hmph!" A cold snort sounded, coming from Sarutobi Kagejiro beside them.

Sarutobi Kagejiro looked disdainful and whispered mockingly, "You're just a Chunin whose potential is exhausted cannon fodder. Of course, we will be stronger than you in the future."

"Huh? Kagejiro, didn't you tell us to cover your retreat and that you were going back to deliver intelligence? Why are you back?"

Umino Sasuke feigned confusion, but at the opportune moment, he reminded everyone present that someone had used the mission as an excuse to desert and then, contradicting himself, had not continued to deliver the intelligence and had run back, treating the mission almost as a game.

"Kagejiro, do you still have the intelligence on you? You didn't lose it, did you?"

Umino Sasuke said this as he walked over, appearing as if he wanted to inspect the intelligence.

"Don't come near me!"

Sarutobi Kagejiro was so startled that he retreated repeatedly, shouting, "You idiot, get away from me! Do you want to blow me up?"

Sarutobi Kagejiro quickly fled, pointing at Umino Sasuke, who was covered in Explosive Tags, his eyes filled with fear.

Clearly.

Sarutobi Kagejiro wasn't afraid of Umino Sasuke himself, but of the Explosive Tags on Umino Sasuke, fearing that he would be caught in an explosion if they accidentally detonated.

"Ah? I forgot to take off these Explosive Tags. I was just thinking of taking that Sand Ninja with me, and I forgot I still had Explosive Tags on me. I'll take them off now, I'll take them off now."

Umino Sasuke finally stopped, appearing as if he had just realized he was covered in Explosive Tags.

Umino Sasuke apologized sincerely to everyone, seemingly without any intention of reminding them how heroic he had been just now, nor of implying how someone had deserted.

Amidst his sincere apologies, the Konoha Ninja present couldn't help but recall the scene of Umino Sasuke's suicidal attempt to take an enemy with him. His performance in terms of the Will of Fire was undeniable.

At the same time, it made them realize that Umino Sasuke, who could cover his entire body with Explosive Tags, was a ruthless individual.

"Senior, let me help you take them off."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke volunteered, unafraid, and ran over.

"No, no, I'll do it myself, I'll do it myself."

Umino Sasuke quickly moved away from the Crown Prince of Konoha. If the Third Hokage found out that he had let the Hokage's precious son help him disarm Explosive Tags, he would surely make things difficult for him.

Even though these explosive tags weren't triggered and couldn't possibly explode on their own, putting the Crown Prince of Konoha in even the slightest bit of danger would be an unforgivable crime.

Umino Sasuke quickly dismantled all the explosive tags on his person and put them back into his tool bag.

"Hmph! Serves you right for not getting blown up."

Seeing that the dismantling was complete and safe, Sarutobi Kagejiro couldn't help but curse. But they were all ninja with incredibly sharp hearing, so who didn't hear him?

Sarutobi Shinnosuke immediately became unhappy, glaring at Sarutobi Kagejiro and scolding him, "Kagejiro, you've gone too far. Apologize right now."