"No, compared to Kirabi, this mere secret technique isn't even worth mentioning." Raikage A pulled out a scroll from his robes and tossed it casually.
"Besides, this secret technique isn't something just anyone can learn. If you're not careful, you might lose control of your chakra and explode on the spot."
As he said this, A turned to Uchiha Kenji and added,
"I hope you don't mind me saying that."
Kenji hadn't expected A to carry such a scroll with him. Without even glancing at it, he took it with a calm smile.
"Thanks for the warning. I hope you won't be too surprised when we meet again."
"I'll release the illusion now."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the Nine-Tomoe Sharingan in Kenji's eyes stopped spinning.
The Eight-Tails, previously trapped in the illusion, let out a thunderous roar.
"I broke free, damn brat! I'm going to kill you!"
"Kirabi! Why are you unconscious?! I still want to fight!"
Just as the illusion broke, Kirabi barely opened his eyes before collapsing into unconsciousness.
Kenji wasn't surprised in the slightest.
In fact, if things had dragged on any longer, the Eight-Tails would've broken free from Tsukuyomi, and Kirabi would have escaped.
After all, Kenji had instantly activated Susanoo, Amaterasu, and Tsukuyomi.
Maintaining Susanoo alone consumed a massive amount of ocular power.
Not to mention, Tsukuyomi mainly targeted Kirabi.
"Kid, I hope Kirabi's alright," A muttered, trying several methods to wake Kirabi, but to no avail.
It was a deep state of mental exhaustion.
If Kirabi hadn't been in perfect sync with the Eight-Tails, the tailed beast might have gone on a rampage the moment he lost consciousness.
"It's just mental fatigue. He'll recover with rest," Kenji said, raising the scroll in his hand.
"Thanks again. You can go now."
"Kenji, this is a golden opportunity—" Inoue Kaze began anxiously, but was silenced by a single glance from Maoyue Kankuro.
A scoffed in disdain.
"You're all cowards. If the Uchiha clan hadn't produced another genius, I would've killed you all by now."
"Damn ANBU... They didn't even gather such crucial intel."
In A's mind, had they known about Uchiha Kenji earlier, the battle wouldn't have ended in such a disaster for Kumogakure.
"But if you can't stay in Konoha," A continued, "you're welcome in Kumogakure anytime."
He tossed another scroll.
"This contains your betrayal record. I hope you make it back to Konoha safely."
"They say Namikaze Minato has the best chance of becoming the Fourth Hokage, but in my eyes, you're just as qualified... Bloody Asura."
With those words, A picked up Kirabi and turned away.
"Next time we meet, I hope it's as fellow shadows. I'll punch straight through that turtle shell of yours."
The remaining five Cloud Ninjas, though reluctant, quickly followed their Raikage.
In moments, the devastated ruins were empty.
"We won. We actually held off the entire Cloud Ninja squad... even the AB combo!"
"Held off? Don't be ridiculous! Kenji took them all out in a second and beat the AB team on his own!"
"I didn't expect that, besides Shisui with his instantaneous body flicker, the Uchiha had another genius like Kenji. That Qilin move just now... it gave me chills."
The Konoha ninjas, previously hiding in the cave, burst into relieved smiles—as if reborn after a brush with death.
Facing Kumo's full assault, they had already lost all hope.
Especially after learning of Yamanaka Fubuki and Aburame Tokuma's betrayal—death had felt inevitable.
But now, everything they believed was shattered.
That Qilin technique that wiped out hundreds in an instant.
The unbreakable Susanoo.
The jet-black, inextinguishable flames of Amaterasu.
The devastating power of his illusions.
It was far beyond the level of any jōnin.
Judging by A's words, Kenji had already reached the level of a Kage candidate—commonly referred to as a Penumbra.
"Did you hear what A said? He wants to fight Kenji again after they become Kage—and he even gave him a nickname, the Bloody Asura!"
"It's Bloody Asura, idiot, not Bloody Actress!"
As the Konoha ninjas chattered excitedly, Kenji let out a long breath.
The moment his Nine-Tomoe Sharingan faded, his Susanoo vanished into thin air.
"Kenji, are you hurt?! I'll heal you right now!" cried Yuki Jingyin, rushing toward him, concern written all over her face.
"Silly girl, he couldn't even scratch my defense. How could I be hurt?" Kenji chuckled and gently tapped her nose.
"Don't blame Jingyin—those who care, worry," Maoyue Kankuro added with a soft smile, though his expression carried more admiration than amusement.
"Good job, kid. You really had us fooled. Without you, we wouldn't be standing here right now."
"As for what happens next, you'll have our full support back in Konoha."
In the village, the Uchiha's position was precarious, caught between the ANBU, the Root, and the Konoha Police Force.
According to Maoyue Kankuro, Kenji had likely kept his power hidden to avoid unnecessary entanglements.
Of course, Kenji didn't bother correcting Kankuro's assumptions—if anything, it worked in his favor.
He glanced over at the blushing Jingyin, then opened another scroll.
It detailed troop deployments and the precise positions of hidden sentries.
"Bastards! Our deployment and sentry shifts change daily. Only Fubuki and Tokuma would've known this level of detail!" exclaimed Inuzuka Ranmaru, who had rushed over with his team.
As they read the contents of the scroll, their faces turned pale.
"If Kenji hadn't acted... we'd all be dead by now."
"We need to report this directly to Lord Hokage when we return. The village needs to know."
"Those Root bastards... Even if Danzō himself shows up, we won't back down!"
"Kenji, don't worry. We've got your back!"
Kenji didn't say much in response.
In this world, strength rules. The weak are nothing but pawns for the powerful.
Sure, Danzō held sway in Konoha and stirred the pot behind the scenes.
But Kenji had a one-click max level system. All he needed was time.
He didn't even consider Uchiha Madara, one of the true masterminds, a threat.
So why would he fear a mere Danzō?
If needed, he wouldn't hesitate to shed more blood.
"Alright, enough. Kenji needs rest," Maoyue Kankuro cut in, dispersing the crowd.
"Jingyin, stay with him in case he needs anything."
When it came to the politics surrounding Konoha's higher-ups and the Uchiha clan, none of them dared to speak freely.
At least, not before Kenji himself made a move.
The last thing they wanted was to offend someone as dangerous—and decisive—as him