What Help Can a Mere Veteran Genin Offer?

He truly could not believe it.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were not some random small-fry one could crush by the roadside.

Even for a Jonin of the Uchiha Clan, it would take a significant number of people to defeat these seven.

And that was merely to defeat them; to surround and kill them all would not only require paying a heavy price, but there was no guarantee they could even be contained.

Yet, Aragaki Yasushi had actually wiped out the entire Seven Ninja Swordsmen by himself?

The more Uchiha Yashiro thought about it, the more bewildered he became.

Since when did a Chunin in the village become this formidable?

This made no sense!

Uchiha Yashiro knew that Aragaki Yasushi had a decent reputation on the battlefield and that his strength was likely at the Jonin level.

He had even tested him personally; Aragaki Yasushi's resistance to genjutsu was extremely high, capable of instantly breaking even his own Sharingan genjutsu.

But even so, he had at most assumed Aragaki Yasushi's strength was on par with the clan's genius, Uchiha Shisui.

But to have Shisui go and take down the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?

Uchiha Yashiro shook his head, certain in his heart.

Absolutely impossible!

If Shisui could survive and return right now, that would already be a victory!

Facing Uchiha Yashiro's disbelief, Aragaki Yasushi waved his hand, his tone casual: "Don't just praise me; Duy-sensei and Guy and the others helped as well."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Yashiro sneered, asking with a face full of disdain: "A veteran Genin and three Chunin who just promoted not long ago—what kind of help could they possibly provide?"

It wasn't that he didn't know Might Duy and Might Guy had participated in this battle.

It was just that in his eyes, these four were completely useless.

Especially that Might Duy, who was now half-dead, couldn't even stand, and had to be sent to the rear to recover; he was purely a burden.

Aragaki Yasushi muttered to himself in annoyance.

Give me a break. If it weren't for Duy-sensei kicking the Seven Ninja Swordsmen one by one, I would have probably turned tail and run the moment I faced them.

Aragaki Yasushi straightened his expression and said to Uchiha Yashiro: "Duy-sensei put in a massive effort. He held back five of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, which gave me the time to pick off the rest."

"And let me tell you, four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were kicked to death by Duy-sensei, one by one."

"Even without me, Duy-sensei could have taken down these seven guys with his own strength!"

Uchiha Yashiro was stunned at first, then nearly couldn't hold back a laugh.

"You're saying that a veteran Genin from the village actually has the strength to take down the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"

"That is the most ridiculous joke I have ever heard!"

Aragaki Yasushi said calmly: "It is true, because Duy-sensei practices the Eight Inner Gates."

"The Eight Inner Gates?"

The smile on Uchiha Yashiro's face froze instantly, and his tone turned grave.

As a Jonin of the Uchiha Clan, he was quite learned and had indeed heard of this forbidden technique.

It seemed to be a forbidden technique with immense power that had existed since the Warring States period, though very few had ever succeeded in mastering it.

Even so, Uchiha Yashiro said with a face full of shock: "He... he actually possesses such terrifying power?"

He had completely discarded his disdain, his heart filled with awe. A Genin possessing such immense power completely subverted his understanding.

After a moment of silence, Uchiha Yashiro steadied himself: "I will report this to the village immediately. Such significant news must be known to the higher-ups."

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon the seven ninja swords nearby, and he paused to ask: "As for these swords..."

Before he could finish, Aragaki Yasushi immediately stepped in front of them, his tone resolute: "These are the spoils of war for me and Duy-sensei; they naturally belong to us."

Uchiha Yashiro glanced at him and said nothing more.

In the village, it was standard practice for spoils of war to be kept by the victors; there was nothing to argue about.

Just like in the original story, when Tenten picked up the Sage of Six Paths' ninja tools, she didn't hand them over to the village either.

Though that likely had something to do with her good friend being Uzumaki Naruto.

But even without that connection, keeping spoils of war for oneself was an unspoken rule among ninjas.

However, these seven ninja swords held great political significance; the village higher-ups might find an excuse to force him to hand them over.

Leaving the tent, Aragaki Yasushi arrived at the Wounded Soldiers Camp.

As soon as he entered, he saw Kakashi still lying obediently on his bed, lost in his own world.

Might Duy was also on another bed in the camp, having actually woken up.

However, his injuries were so severe that he couldn't even speak. Seeing Aragaki Yasushi enter, he could only shakily give him a thumbs-up.

Might Guy stood guard by his father's bedside, tending to him with a look of nervous tension.

Aragaki Yasushi stepped forward and asked Might Guy, "How is Teacher Duy? Nothing too serious, I hope?"

Might Guy turned around, saying, "The medical ninja have already checked him. Father is severely injured and will require long-term recuperation, but his life is not in danger. He will be returning to the rear soon to recover."

Aragaki Yasushi nodded, his tone casual as he said, "Then in a while, you should take Teacher Duy back to the rear."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Might Duy suddenly began to thrash about violently, waving his arms and legs wildly while emitting vague whimpers, as if he had something urgent to say.

Aragaki Yasushi frowned, looking puzzled. "What's going on? What is Teacher Duy trying to say?"

Might Guy hurriedly pinned down his restless father, his eyes reddening as he wore an expression of complete understanding. "Father, I understand what you mean!"

Aragaki Yasushi was left completely bewildered and quickly pressed for an answer. "What do you mean?"

Might Guy stood bolt upright, raised a fist high into the air, and shouted through tears, "Father wants me to remain on the battlefield and protect the village alongside everyone else! This is youth!"

Upon hearing this, Might Duy immediately stopped moving and struggled to give a thumbs-up with his other hand, his eyes filled with gratification, as if to say: That's my boy.

Aragaki Yasushi stood to the side, his mouth twitching uncontrollably.

This father and son duo were far too dramatic!

He reckoned that if Might Duy were able to get out of bed, the two of them would be hugging and sobbing right now, putting on a heart-wrenching performance of youth.

Just then, a figure walked into the Wounded Soldiers Camp—it was Nohara Rin.

Ever since Obito's fate had become unknown and Kakashi had been severely wounded, Nohara Rin had practically taken up residence in the Wounded Soldiers Camp.

As a medical ninja, staying in the camp to care for the injured was well within her professional duties.

As soon as Nohara Rin entered, she spotted the heavily wounded Might Duy and hurried over, offering soft, concerned greetings.

After chatting for a few moments, Aragaki Yasushi pulled Nohara Rin out of the medical tent.

Once outside, Aragaki Yasushi asked impatiently, "Rin, has Teacher Minato been by?"

Nohara Rin nodded and replied softly, "Teacher Minato has already been here; he came to check on Kakashi."

Aragaki Yasushi pressed further, "And what did Teacher Minato say about Kakashi's Sharingan?"

Nohara Rin smiled. "Teacher Minato said not to worry about it; the gift Obito gave to Kakashi is something no one will be able to take away."

Aragaki Yasushi's eyes lit up.

So domineering!

He was truly worthy of being the man who would soon become the Fourth Hokage.

In the original story, it was likely thanks to Minato's protection that Kakashi was able to safely keep the Sharingan; otherwise, it would have been confiscated long ago.