Asuma smiled. "Aoba, your sensory ability was truly astounding. You predicted everything accurately and reported it precisely throughout the entire battle. You helped us avoid every risk and restrained all of the enemy's tactics. The greatest credit for this victory unquestionably goes to you."
Rin nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with approval. "Exactly, Aoba, you were incredible! With you here, we felt especially secure throughout the entire battle."
Aoba spoke calmly. "In team combat, everyone simply performs their own duties."
"Kakashi-sensei coordinated the overall situation, Asuma-senpai broke through from the front, and Rin provided steady defense. Everyone played a crucial role. This was not my achievement alone."
The leading Kirigakure Jonin lying on the ground looked at the calm and composed Aoba and could not help asking, "You are clearly just a Genin. Why do you possess such powerful sensory, predictive, and combat abilities? Your Byakugan is even more precise and formidable than the Byakugan spoken of in Konoha's legends."
Aoba swept his gaze over him and replied evenly, "A ninja's strength has never been determined by rank, only by their own training and state of mind."
"You relied too heavily on your ranks and numerical advantage. You underestimated your opponents. Arrogant soldiers are bound to lose—that was the fundamental reason for your defeat."
The leading Kirigakure Jonin fell silent for a moment before slowly nodding, his tone carrying a hint of relief. "So that was it... From the very beginning, our mindset was unbalanced. We were overconfident and underestimated you. Even if our strength had been equal, we still would have lost in the end."
"Losing to you was not unjust."
The second Kirigakure Jonin asked, "What do you plan to do with us? Kill us, or take us back to Konoha and imprison us?"
Kakashi answered flatly, "You