Bab 97: Home

Dispelling the Susanoo, he descended to the ground gracefully. His feet had barely touched the earth when he pronounced with disdain:

"They are weak."

Without further words, he began walking back to the Konoha camp. As he advanced, the ninjas around him hastily moved aside, their eyes a mixture of awe and fear.

Chen, however, maintained an indifferent smile, seemingly oblivious to the stares that followed him.

Observing the scene with a frown, Tsunade decided to act. With quick steps, she approached him.

In one movement, she leaned against him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Well," she murmured, her warm breath against Chen's ear. "Today you've become the center of attention. It won't be long before your name is on everyone's lips."

A playful smile formed on her lips. "But don't forget that I, your teacher, will also become famous because of this."

Chen shrugged within Tsunade's embrace, his expression unchanging. "Fame doesn't matter to me," he responded in a carefree tone. "It's a mystery to me. What really matters are the gains."

Suddenly, Orochimaru's voice cut through their moment.

Appearing as if from nowhere beside them, he asked curiously: "Chen, as far as I know, the Susanoo is the manifestation of the Uchiha clan's power. As a member of the Hyuga clan, your ability to use it is... intriguing. Would you mind explaining how it's possible?"

This question from Orochimaru caught Hiruzen's attention, who, not far away, pricked up his ears. He too was burning with curiosity to know the secret behind Chen's Susanoo.

However, Chen simply shook his head. "That's my secret," he responded dryly.

He couldn't reveal the truth: that his Susanoo was a gift given by the mysterious system. How could he explain something like that without sounding absurd? Besides, he had neither the facility nor the desire to invent an elaborate story.

"What a shame," Orochimaru murmured with disappointment. Although he didn't insist further, his mind was already formulating theories. 'It must be related to his eyes.'

Hiruzen, who had been listening attentively, shared Orochimaru's frustration. However, he recognized the opportunity that presented itself. "Now is the time to counterattack!" he exclaimed, his voice resonating with authority.

"Ninjas of Konoha, advance!"

On the opposite side of the battlefield, the Third Kazekage clutched his chest in pain. The ninjas of the three allied villages, still shocked by Chen's display of power, seemed shadows of themselves, fear visible in their eyes.

Hanzō, recognizing the gravity of the situation, made a quick decision. "We retreat for now!"

Neither Ōnoki nor the Third Kazekage objected. Their troops' morale was at rock bottom, and retreat seemed the only viable option.

"Set traps to delay Konoha!" shouted the Third Kazekage, fighting against the pain. "Then, everyone retreats!"

Upon hearing the order to retreat, a collective sigh of relief ran through the ranks of the ninjas from the three villages. With efficiency, they began setting traps and quickly retreating.

The memory of Chen's Susanoo and his devastating sword had left a deep psychological scar on their minds.

Now, faced with the prospect of retreat, they showed enthusiasm.

The three leaders observed the scene with grim expressions. Although they disliked their troops' lack of courage, they couldn't blame them. Even they felt the weight of fear in their hearts.

"Ahem," coughed the Third Kazekage, still clutching his wounded chest. "Let's retreat first. We'll discuss this later."

Ōnoki, although physically unharmed, felt the exhaustion of his chakra reserves. Of the three, he had fared the best. The others showed injuries of varying degrees.

Observing the retreat of the ninjas from the three villages, Hiruzen cautiously decided not to pursue them, aware that completely annihilating the enemy in one move was unrealistic and potentially dangerous.

With a gesture, he ordered a small group of ninjas to stay behind to clean up the battlefield, while he led the bulk of Konoha's forces back to camp.

Once there, he addressed Chen with a forced smile on his face. "This victory for Konoha is largely due to you, Chen," he admitted, the words coming out with some difficulty.

"From today on, you will be named a Jōnin of Konoha."

Chen simply nodded in silence.

The atmosphere became tense, charged with unexpressed emotions. Jiraiya, sensing the discomfort, quickly intervened:

"Wow, Chen! You're only ten years old and already a Jōnin!" he exclaimed with amazement and a touch of envy. "You've completely skipped the Chūnin rank. When I was your age, I was barely a little Genin. I really envy you!"

Chen, seemingly oblivious to Jiraiya's enthusiasm, responded in an indifferent tone: "I'm a bit tired, so I'll head back first." Without further words, he walked away, casually but possessively wrapping his arm around Tsunade's waist.

Hiruzen's face darkened at this scene. Without saying another word, he turned and left.

....

Back in the earthen dwelling built by Chen, Konan was intensely striving to refine her Chakra, while Mikoto and Kushina were also engaged in their practices.

Noticing their return, Mikoto and Kushina interrupted their exercises, and Konan, abandoning her Chakra refinement, hurried over on her small legs.

"Brother Chen, are you unharmed?" Konan inquired with evident concern.

"There's nothing to worry about, your brother is invincible, how could I possibly be harmed?" he responded, kneeling down to gently stroke Konan's head.

"The battlefield must be exciting, isn't it? I could glimpse your Susanoo from here," commented Kushina, clearly frustrated at not having been able to participate in the battle.

Mikoto, for her part, observed in silence, refraining from making comments.

"Honestly, I can't understand your fascination with the battlefield," Chen complained, wondering if the violent aspect in Kushina was emerging.

Later, Mikoto went to prepare the food, with Konan offering her help. Meanwhile, Tsunade and Kushina lay down on the tatami.

Both refrained from entering the kitchen, as their participation would result in considerable waste of ingredients due to their limited culinary skills, so they opted to stay away from that space.

...

"How is this possible?! More than three thousand ninjas have fallen?" Ōnoki, with a punch that made the table tremble, abruptly stood up.

"That's right, unfortunately. Chen Hyuga single-handedly ended the lives of more than two thousand ninjas, and the number of wounded is even greater. At least a thousand suffer critical injuries, and the rest haven't come out unscathed." The informant ninja, visibly disturbed, could barely contain his distress as he related the facts.

A deathly silence invaded the room, shadowing the faces of all present. After a tension-filled pause, Hanzō stood up with determination.

"The Hidden Village of Rain is forced to withdraw from this alliance," he declared with a decided voice.

"This is unacceptable! Your word has already been given, Hanzō. You can't back out now," protested the Third Kazekage, glaring at Hanzō.

"It's not about breaking my word, but facing an undeniable reality. Victory is unattainable under these circumstances. A single brat from the Hyuga clan has been able to stop us all," Hanzō replied with resignation and pragmatism.

"Persisting in this fight will only increase our losses exponentially. The Village of Rain cannot afford such a sacrifice. We are not mere pawns on your war board."

These words resonated with logic. Chen, with a single swing of his sword, had decimated their ranks. What hope did they have if similar scenes were repeated?

The absence of a counterweight to this Hyuga prodigy was palpable. Without someone capable of containing him, any confrontation would turn into a one-sided massacre.

"If we could guarantee a means to neutralize that Hyuga... would you reconsider your position?" inquired Ōnoki, his proposal charged with a barely veiled intention.

"Huh? That borders on the impossible." Hanzō, initially surprised, didn't take long to show his skepticism.

"Don't try to deceive me. I have witnessed the power of that Hyuga. Although he may not equal legends like Hashirama or Madara, he is undoubtedly in a league of his own." His distrust was evident; he perceived Ōnoki's words as a desperate attempt to keep the fragile alliance intact.

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