Protecting his teammates and escaping while surrounded by a squad of Elite Jonin was already a feat that pushed the limits, one worth telling far and wide.
Defeating or even capturing them was simply out of the question.
The Third was more inclined to believe that another major nation was responsible.
Perhaps Kumogakure, which was always stirring up trouble, or Iwagakure, which had a generations-long feud with Sunagakure, had pulled some strings behind the scenes to weaken Sunagakure.
"All right, I understand the situation."
Hiruzen Sarutobi put out his pipe. "The three of you should go home and rest. Remain on standby. The situation at the border is unstable, and the village may need to mobilize more forces. Remember, do not disclose anything you reported today."
"Yes!" the three answered in unison.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Uchiha Makoto stretched luxuriously. Even the air felt fresher. Pulled the wool over their eyes. Perfect.
However, he had underestimated how quickly rumors spread through Konoha, as well as people's fanatical enthusiasm for a prodigy's exploits.
Although the three had returned quietly, some people had seen or heard something about the ambush at the border and their clash with a squad of Sunagakure Jonin.
Harada Yuichi, in particular, might have gotten carried away on the journey home and mentioned a few words to close friends about Makoto's heroic deed of "holding the rear alone against three Sunagakure Jonin."
That was like throwing a huge rock into a pond.
At first, the story only circulated among a small group:
"Did you hear? Uchiha Makoto held off Sunagakure's ninja all by himself at the border!"
As it spread, it became: "Uchiha Makoto drove off an entire Sunagakure squad by himself!"
Then: "Uchiha Makoto defeated three Sunagakure Jonin!"
Finally, at gossip hubs such as the Mission