"Seishin, you're a Konoha Ninja?"
Izumitani Yoju's eyes widened, his expression one of surprise and delight.
He was surprised that Uchiha Chen was a Konoha Ninja, and delighted that Chen's strength far surpassed his expectations.
"Sorry for keeping it from you. I didn't mean to hide it while traveling. My name is Uchiha Chen."
Uchiha Chen turned to the old village chief and explained.
Then he took out his Konoha Ninja Forehead Protector and tied it on. Since things had come to this, there was no need to hide anything anymore.
Just then, the Hot Spring Village Ninjas and villagers who couldn't bear to abandon the old village chief returned. They stared in disbelief at the Sunagakure Ninjas, who had been cowed by Uchiha Chen.
"So Seishin was a Konoha Ninja all along—and a member of the Uchiha Clan, no less. His name is Uchiha Chen?"
"I've heard the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan is incredibly powerful. I never thought I'd actually see one today."
"Does this mean our Hot Spring Village can be saved?"
"Do you think Seishin... no, Uchiha Chen can really hold off the Sunagakure Ninjas?"
"No, we can't let Chen face the enemy alone. We have to go help him..."
Someone in the crowd shouted, and the people immediately grew excited, eager to rush over and support Uchiha Chen.
"Everyone, stay where you are! Nobody move!"
Seeing this, the old village chief, Izumitani Yoju, finally let out a furious roar.
"Chief?"
The Hot Spring Village Ninjas looked at Izumitani Yoju in confusion. Was the old village chief telling them to stand by and do nothing?
"With your level of strength, would you only get in Chen's way?"
At the old village chief's words, the people who had been fired up moments earlier lowered their heads in dejection.
That was true. With their meager strength, they'd only be throwing themselves to the enemy...
"All we need to do is stay here and watch closely, ready to support Chen. If even Chen..." The old man stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at Uchiha Chen's retreating figure. His words rang out with conviction. "Then I won't live on, either!"
"Yes!"
The Hot Spring Village Ninjas who had lowered their heads straightened up, their expressions solemn.
Whew, good thing you didn't rush over. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know what to do.
Uchiha Chen let out a long breath. Honestly, he'd been afraid the Hot Spring Village Ninjas would come and get in his way. He didn't need their support; all they had to do was stay behind him and cheer him on.
If he really couldn't withstand the Iwagakure Ninjas' assault, he wouldn't be foolish enough to stand here and fight to the bitter end. When it came to speed, Uchiha Chen was confident in himself.
As for the Hot Spring Village Ninjas... He'd just have to avenge them later!
"What are you all standing around for? He's just a Konoha Jonin! Attack!"
Jaki roared furiously, snapping the stunned Sunagakure Ninjas back to their senses.
"Earth Release: Rock Iron Cannon Technique!"
"Water Release: Water Shockwave!"
"Wind Release: Sickle Weasel Technique!"
Fifty or sixty Sunagakure Ninjas unleashed their techniques at once. Like fireworks bursting into bloom, a dazzling array of colorful attacks surged toward Uchiha Chen.
"Hahaha, let's see what you choose to do now!"
Jaki's expression was crazed. Faced with such a massive group attack, he didn't believe Uchiha Chen would simply take it head-on. But if he didn't, the people of Hot Spring Village behind him would suffer instead.
"Everyone, be careful! Get ready to defend!"
Even the Hot Spring Village Ninjas frowned at the sight and prepared to defend against the incoming attacks.
After all, this was an assault by dozens of elite Iwagakure Ninjas. They didn't think Uchiha Chen could withstand it. At a time like this, they could only rely on themselves.
But just then, the people of Hot Spring Village stared ahead in astonishment, their jaws dropping.
What were they seeing?
A ball. A huge ball. No, an enormous ball!
And the one carrying that gigantic ball was none other than Uchiha Chen!
"Ultra Big Ball Rasengan!"
Uchiha Chen leaped into the air and slammed the enormous sphere in his hand down toward the ground ahead.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!
A deafening roar shook the land, and dazzling light turned the night into day.
The violent energy split the ground again and again, while the resulting gales swept in every direction. Even the Hot Spring Village Ninjas watching from dozens of meters away couldn't see what was happening on the battlefield. They could barely even keep their eyes open!
At the village entrance, Fuki and Pakura were also startled by the sight ahead. Even they could feel the shock waves from the battle.
"Weren't we told that the Hot Spring Village Ninjas had no real fighting ability? What's going on?"
Fuki frowned as he looked ahead, stroking his chin as he pondered.
"Second Brother, should we go help Third Brother?"
The tall, burly Yuki walked up beside Fuki and asked in a rumbling voice.
"We can't afford to let this plan fail. Let's go help Third Brother!"
After giving the order, Fuki turned to Pakura.
"Pakura, hurry ahead and support Jaki!"
"Yes!"
Without another word, Pakura used the Body Flicker Technique and raced toward the source of the shock waves. She disliked Fuki and the others, but she had no choice but to obey orders.
Pakura shot off like a falling star and reached the battlefield in just a few minutes.
But the moment she arrived, she was stunned. What was this?
The bodies sprawled across the ground were all Sunagakure Ninjas!
The only ones still standing were the Jonin Jaki and his three bodyguards. They were still alive, but in terrible shape, their clothes in tatters and wounds covering their bodies. They looked ready to collapse at any moment.
In front of them, a young Ninja wearing a Konoha Forehead Protector was walking toward them with a mocking smile, muttering,
"Since the old man agreed to credit me with an S-rank mission and a bounty, I should at least do something to earn it, shouldn't I?"
"Stop right there!"
Seeing this, Pakura had no choice but to let out a sharp cry. She sprang forward, charging toward Uchiha Chen like a falling star.
Four orange fireballs appeared around her. With a wave of Pakura's hand, they howled toward Uchiha Chen.
"Hm? Another strong opponent?"
Uchiha Chen frowned. He could feel Pakura's presence, along with the four orange fireballs.
Her chakra was far stronger than that of the Sunagakure Jonin from before.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Uchiha Chen stretched out a hand. A water dragon burst from the ground and coiled upward around his body. With a roar, it opened its jaws and plunged down, swallowing all four fireballs.
As the fireballs vanished, the water dragon also disappeared, and the entire battlefield was shrouded in steam.
Pakura took the opportunity to reach Jaki and the others. When she saw the Sharingan in Uchiha Chen's eyes, she froze for a moment, then exclaimed in shock,
"I never thought the Uchiha Clan had a Ninja like you, one who's skilled in Water Release."
To think he could counter her Scorch Release with Water Release alone! This man was not to be underestimated...