"Thank you for saving our lives."
Might Duy, pulling Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu, bowed deeply to Uchiha Yuzuru.
If it hadn't been for Uchiha Yuzuru this time, he might have had to pay with his life to save Might Guy.
At the same time, Might Duy felt immense respect for Uchiha Yuzuru.
He had just sensed the rich Qi and blood emanating from Uchiha Yuzuru.
He had trained his entire life, yet he still felt inferior.
To possess such a strong physique, he must have endured countless hardships.
However, after sealing the kubikiribōchō, Raikiri: Fang, and the corpses of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Uchiha Yuzuru smiled and said, "Don't be so quick to thank me."
"The matter of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist is resolved, so next is our battle."
"Don't forget, Kumogakure and Konoha are enemies right now."
Upon hearing Uchiha Yuzuru's words, Might Guy and the others, who had just been joyful at their narrow escape, felt a sudden panic.
Even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were no match for Uchiha Yuzuru, let alone them.
Even Might Duy's expression darkened.
Facing the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he still had the confidence to activate the Eight Inner Gates and fight.
But facing Uchiha Yuzuru, even activating the Gate of Death, he had no confidence that he could buy enough escape time for Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu.
Kakashi Hatake looked at Uchiha Yuzuru, somewhat reluctantly saying, "Senior Yuzuru, can you let them go this time?"
Uchiha Yuzuru shook his head: "Kakashi, we should be sincere and mutually helpful with friends, but with enemies, we must cut off the roots and never be soft-hearted."
Hearing this, Kakashi Hatake's eyes lit up: "Senior Yuzuru, if they become our friends, then they won't have to die, right?"
Uchiha Yuzuru smiled: "That depends on your ability."
He and Might Duy and Might Guy did not have any deep-seated hatred; whether to kill them or not depended entirely on their respective stances.
If Kakashi Hatake could truly persuade Might Duy and Might Guy to join Kumogakure, then he wouldn't mind letting them go.
After getting Uchiha Yuzuru's agreement, Kakashi Hatake said to Might Guy: "Might Guy, come to Kumogakure with us; that way, Senior Yuzuru won't attack you."
Seeing Might Guy, whom he considered his lifelong best friend and rival, Might Guy scratched the back of his head: "Wouldn't that be a bit… improper?"
Seeing Might Guy's reaction, Kakashi Hatake continued: "What's so improper about it? What's so good about a Village like Konoha to be loyal to?"
"My father exhausted himself for Konoha, and in the end, didn't he just become a pawn in the Hokage's hands, almost reduced to being reviled by everyone?"
"Come to Kumogakure. My father once said you would become very strong, and I don't want to see you die like this."
Seeing Kakashi Hatake's sincere gaze, a wave of emotion rose in Might Guy's heart.
On one side was his best friend, on the other, the Village.
How to choose? There was no need to hesitate.
Might Guy looked at Might Duy and loudly said: "Dad, let's become rogue Ninja! I want to be with Kakashi!"
Seeing his son's expectant gaze, Might Duy didn't hesitate much and directly said: "Son, no matter what decision you make, I will support you!"
As a "perpetual Genin," he had always been discriminated against in Konoha; everyone treated him as an oddity.
Mockery, suppression, insults… even Might Guy was implicated, not even allowed to join the Anbu… Plus, besides Might Guy, he had no other family in Konoha.
So, Might Duy had no psychological burden whatsoever in making the decision to defect from Konoha.
Seeing his father support him so much, Might Guy couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat, and tears and snot immediately streamed down his face.
"Dad!"
"Might Guy!"
The two hugged and cried bitterly, their prominent white teeth making people's eyes ache.
After a while, Might Guy excitedly ran to Kakashi Hatake's side and loudly said: "Kakashi, we can be together again! Are you ready to accept my challenge?"
On the other side, Uchiha Obito said somewhat unhappily: "Bushy Brows, fighting Kakashi is something I do every day; you can only be after me."
Might Guy retorted after hearing this: "Youth doesn't allow for backing down; I won't easily give way in this regard."
"By the way, what was your name again?"
"Obito! Obito! My name is Uchiha Obito, remember that!"
"Okay… Uchiha… uh…"
Annoyed by Might Guy and Uchiha Obito's incessant bickering, Kakashi Hatake rubbed his temples helplessly.
How did he feel like he was caught between two men right now?
Obito and Might Guy were both clamoring to spar with him; it seemed he would have to arrange his time well in the future, otherwise being attacked from both sides would be uncomfortable.
Seeing Uchiha Obito, Might Guy, and Kakashi Hatake talking non-stop, Uchiha Yuzuru's lips curled into a beautiful arc.
These three guys together would be interesting in the future.
"Might Duy, let's go."
Might Duy threw his Konoha forehead protector to the ground and nodded: "Okay."
After they left, Ebisu and Shiranui Genma remained stunned in place.
After a good while, Ebisu pushed up his sunglasses and asked: "Are we…?"
Shiranui Genma gritted his teeth and continued: "Being ignored!"
While it was certainly lucky to have survived, they couldn't bring themselves to be happy.
It was clear that Uchiha Yuzuru had completely treated them as if they weren't there.
"Genma, are we really that bad?"
Ebisu was starting to lose confidence.
Uchiha Yuzuru had initially threatened to kill them, but after Might Duy and Might Guy pledged allegiance, he simply left, never even glancing at them.
The implication was obvious.
"Strength is not the only measure of life." Shiranui Genma bit the senbon in his mouth and began to collect his comrades' bodies, "Once we accept our mediocrity, then we are invincible."
Back in the Ninja Academy, he also once felt unique, believing he would surely make a name for himself in the future.
It was only after becoming a Ninja that he realized how naive he had been.
Especially after witnessing a powerhouse like Uchiha Yuzuru today… accepting one's mediocrity and striving with one's utmost ability was enough.
————
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Kumogakure.
Seeing Might Duy and Might Guy return with Uchiha Yuzuru, the Third Raikage's face immediately broke into a happy smile.
Uchiha Yuzuru always brought him surprises every time he left the Village, and this time should be no exception.
Although this father and son pair looked a bit… unconventional.
But the Third Raikage was very sure that this father and son pair definitely had their own special qualities!