Unbelievable

As a Commoner Ninja,

he did not care much about the scheming within the village. He only cared about matters directly related to himself. Shōji was his companion, his captain, and someone who had shown him and the others kindness. He had to do everything he could to help. Staying behind before would only have held Shōji back, but now was the time to turn around and immediately support his captain.

That was how things should have unfolded.

But when Hirahiro arrived with seven or eight companions,

he saw that his captain merely looked somewhat disheveled, his body clearly stained with someone else's blood, and the utter mess around them. He froze instinctively.

The several Konoha Ninjas who had followed him also wore shocked expressions. Before coming here, Hirahiro had already told them about the enemy, yet there was no brutal battle as they had expected. Everything looked completely over, leaving them unsure of what to say.

"Oh, Hirahiro, looks like the reinforcements arrived safely. How was it? You took care of those Kumo Ninjas on your side, right?"

Shōji stepped forward with a faint smile.

"Eh? Uh? Yes, Captain. Thanks to Fukashi and Satō's support, we nearly wiped out that squad of Kumo Ninjas. Only one escaped. On our side, Ōwada was accidentally caught in the enemy's jutsu and died in battle. Of the rest, only Sasaki and two others were injured."

Hearing Shōji's question, Hirahiro seemed to snap back to his senses and replied instinctively.

"Ōwada died in battle? Properly collect his body. We need to bring him back. Today's mission ends here for now. Let's return to the outpost first. I have information to report to Suzaku as well."

Shōji nodded lightly.

"Yes!"

After answering again, Hirahiro seemed to remember something. With a probing tone, he asked, "Um, Captain? What about the three Kumogakure Jōnin? Especially Toroi, the Magnet Release Ninja? Did you defeat them and force them to flee?"

Before coming here, he had believed his captain would surely be locked in a difficult battle. But looking at things now, Shōji had clearly won. Hirahiro did not quite dare believe that Shōji had killed all three. In his eyes, the most likely possibility was that his captain had suppressed them, and the three Kumo Ninjas had chosen to retreat after judging the situation unfavorable.

That was the "most reasonable" outcome in Hirahiro's mind.

Or rather, the seven or eight Konoha Ninjas who had come with him all had similar guesses. After all, those were three Jōnin, one of whom was an elite of Kumogakure who far surpassed ordinary Jōnin and possessed the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai.

"Oh? Those three? I killed them separately. The other two were ordinary people, so I directly cremated their bodies with a Fire Release ninjutsu. That Kumo Ninja called Toroi possessed the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai, and his body has considerable research value to the village. I stored him in a sealing scroll. Once we return, I'll hand him over to Senior Suzaku to handle."

Shōji nodded as though it were nothing, speaking in an offhanded tone. Every word dripped with an utterly casual humblebrag.

Hirahiro and the others before him all stared wide-eyed, shock appearing on their faces. It was not as though they had never considered that possibility, but when they truly heard it from Shōji himself, they still could not suppress the upheaval in their hearts. Those were not Genin or Chūnin.

They were three living Kumogakure Jōnin!

And one of them was even an Elite Jōnin like Toroi, who possessed a Kekkei Genkai. Their captain had killed all three and looked as though he had suffered only minor injuries. Did that not mean their captain possessed strength comparable to a Kage? At that thought, Hirahiro and the others could not help swallowing.

"You mean... all three Kumogakure Jōnin, including Toroi, the Magnet Release Ninja, died at your hands alone?"

Overwhelmed by shock, Hirahiro's tone became even more respectful without him realizing it. His eyes were filled with disbelief.

"What? You doubt me? Want me to take out Toroi's corpse so you can have a look?"

Shōji naturally understood Hirahiro and the others' feelings. A rare hint of amusement appeared at the corner of his lips as he smiled.

"No, no! You must be joking. Of course we believe you, Captain!"

Only then did Hirahiro fully come to his senses. He hurriedly replied, a faint look of panic appearing on his face. After all, the ninja world also had a strict hierarchy. The four most basic ranks—Kage, Jōnin, Chūnin, and Genin—were separated by extremely clear and harsh divisions.

Not to mention a Jōnin as overwhelmingly powerful as Shōji.

"Haha, enough. Let's return immediately. Kumogakure sending a Magnet Release Ninja to the front lines this time is probably not good news. We need to head back and report this information at once!"

Shōji laughed, then waved his hand and said in a very serious tone.

"Yes!"

The replies came in unison.

Almost as soon as Shōji finished speaking, the seven or eight Konoha Chūnin led by Hirahiro all lowered their heads sharply and answered. At that moment, not only in name but in substance, they regarded Uchiha Shōji as their superior.

Shortly afterward,

under Shōji's lead, the group left the area directly. After joining up with the injured group farther away, they headed straight back toward the Hot Springs Mountain Outpost. Just over ten minutes after Shōji and his group departed,

two other figures quietly arrived at the place where Shōji had killed Toroi and the others. Looking at the devastated scene before them, sensing the traces of Chakra lingering in the air, as well as the remnants left behind by Fire Release, both of their expressions became extremely grim.

"Lord Toroi and the others have most likely died in battle!"

After carefully sensing the area, the blue-haired young man on the left said with a dark expression.

"Judging by the residual traces here, Lord Toroi was not surrounded by Konoha. That means Uchiha Shōji killed him alone!"