A new week arrived.
News of the Konoha Sannin's crushing victory over the allied forces of Kirigakure and Kumogakure spread throughout the Shinobi World.
The Hokage's Office deliberately edited the details of the Land of Whirlpools campaign into more than a dozen different versions.
All of them were distributed to the major ninja villages through the Shinobi World's intelligence networks.
Each version emphasized something different.
Some played up Tsunade's terrifying strength as she tore through the enemy formation with a single punch. Others depicted the deadly deterrence of Orochimaru's Many Snakes Formation, while others embellished the spectacular sight of Jiraiya's Toad Oil Bullet burning the allied fleet.
Not a single word about Amamiya Maki appeared in any of them.
That was exactly the result he wanted.
Amamiya Maki walked along Konoha's bustling streets, hearing villagers eagerly discussing the Konoha Sannin everywhere he went.
Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru had already been renowned. After this battle, their names resounded throughout the Shinobi World, known to everyone.
Before this battle, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had been widely acknowledged as some of the Shinobi World's strongest fighters.
After this great battle, however, their reputation plummeted.
This time, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had performed like a trio of cheerful mascots.
And that was how fame in the Shinobi World had always worked.
Only by defeating an opponent with a sufficiently famous name could your own reputation rise.
"Did you hear? Lady Tsunade shattered a Kirigakure Jonin's Chakra Armor with one punch!"
"Lord Jiraiya's Toad Oil Bullet was unbelievable! The flames scorched the entire beach black!"
"And Orochimaru's snake formation covered the battlefield in a writhing mass. Just thinking about it makes my scalp crawl."
Maki silently passed two villagers talking at the top of their voices, with Yakushi Nonō