Chapter 67: The Rumor That Spread Far and Wide
"So that was a technique Gōenji used?"
Uchiha Fugaku led the squad back toward the station, with Gōenji being carried on a stretcher.
After hearing the information provided by Maruboshi Kōsuke, Fugaku glanced at the unconscious Gōenji with a smile.
The Uchiha Clan's two brightest stars had both grown into formidable shinobi.
What Fugaku didn't know was whether Gōenji had developed the technique himself or whether it was a power granted by the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Fugaku suspected that Gōenji had awakened the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan.
Only that could explain how a single ninjutsu had been powerful enough to defeat a Tailed Beast.
And that was no small accomplishment.
Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, there were very few shinobi capable of defeating a Tailed Beast.
Furthermore, two of Gōenji's comrades had died during the Mist Village's previous assassination attempt.
Fugaku suspected that the trauma of that incident might have triggered the awakening.
But if that wasn't the case, then Gōenji's talent was even more frightening.
To possess such power without relying on the Sharingan or any other Kekkei Genkai...
To Fugaku, that was potentially even more terrifying than possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan itself.
His thoughts drifted toward Konoha's Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
Although Tobirama had been born into the Senju Clan, what made him truly famous was his extraordinary talent for developing ninjutsu.
If Gōenji possessed that kind of talent, then Fugaku felt it might be even more valuable than awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"That's right."
Maruboshi Kōsuke nodded.
"The Uchiha Clan really does produce geniuses. With the two stars of the Uchiha, it looks like we'll have the upper hand in this war."
"Haha, Senior Kōsuke is right. Gōenji and Shisui really are too strong. There's still quite a gap between us and them."
Hayama Shirakumo remembered the giant that had protected them and Gōenji's single attack that had eliminated a Tailed Beast.
His heart burned with excitement.
A genius.
Compared with those two, his own talent really was somewhat lacking.
But he wasn't discouraged.
He would become stronger.
Strong enough to protect Konoha.
Meanwhile, the Gōenji they were discussing was lying on a stretcher, slowly recovering his Chakra and physical strength.
This is great. I didn't suffer any serious injuries, and they're even carrying me back.
Gōenji's thoughts wandered.
Looks like I've become pretty important to Konoha.
The Three-Tails was dead.
He had killed it.
My god. As expected of me—I'm really a genius.
Mangekyō Sharingan? Who needs it? Even without it, I can still stand at the pinnacle of the shinobi world.
He could now kill a Tailed Beast with a single attack.
And in the future, he would only become stronger.
He hadn't forgotten that although his physical potential had been reduced somewhat by excessive Chakra expenditure, he still had two years of his golden period left.
Two years was more than enough to make him considerably stronger.
Two years...
No.
It didn't even have to be two years.
Even a few months would be enough for him to take another major step forward.
By then, he would possess Kage-level strength.
Heh heh.
What does it mean to be a genius?
This is what it means.
"Gōenji, Gōenji..."
He warned himself internally.
"Don't become complacent. In the future, there will be the Ten-Tails, the Ōtsutsuki Clan, and monsters like Uchiha Madara. You can't afford to slack off. You have to become stronger."
He couldn't let a momentary victory make him complacent.
Otherwise, his comrades might die again because he wasn't strong enough to protect them.
Not long afterward, they returned to Konoha Station.
When the Konoha shinobi learned that Gōenji had single-handedly killed a Tailed Beast, their faces were filled with shock.
"What? He took down a Tailed Beast with one move?"
"Gōenji is really something."
"The Uchiha Clan's strength is incredible!"
As the shinobi discussed the battle among themselves, Gōenji's reputation began spreading rapidly throughout Konoha.
And that was intentional.
It had been Fugaku's idea.
Gōenji had already entered the enemy's sights. Regardless of what they did, he was bound to become a target.
In that case, spreading his reputation might bring even greater benefits.
It might even frighten off some people who were thinking about causing trouble.
"Damn it. I can finally say I've become famous."
Lying on the stretcher, Gōenji continued calculating the points he needed for his next techniques.
At this point, he had yet to complete Fire Release: Chakra Mode.
But that day would come soon.
Within a few months, he was confident that he would complete it.
And once he did, it wouldn't be limited to Fire Release: Chakra Mode.
His other techniques would become possible as well.
After all, once Fire Release: Chakra Mode was complete, his control over Fire Release would reach its peak.
With that foundation, all of his ideas would gradually become reality.
Fire Release forbidden-technique formula...
Chakra particle collision formula...
...
Land of Rain
Shimura Danzō looked at the intelligence report in his hand, then glanced out the window.
Dark clouds covered the sky, and torrential rain poured endlessly across the Land of Rain.
The Three-Tails, Isobu, has grown this powerful already? Has that boy actually become capable of defeating a Tailed Beast?
The Uchiha Clan really was troublesome.
He remembered something his teacher had once said.
The Uchiha Clan was extremely difficult to control because their power was simply too great.
The Sharingan...
It truly was an extraordinary power.
However, Danzō had also discovered an even greater power in the Land of Rain.
He would certainly attempt to recruit this shinobi, Gōenji.
Unfortunately, it was wartime.
For now, he could only wait until the mission was complete before dealing with the matter.
...
Land of Rain
Hanzo clenched the intelligence report he had brought back from Amegakure.
His fist tightened around the paper.
"A Tailed Beast..."
His eyes narrowed.
"Perhaps when it revives, I can try to capture it."
He thought about his homeland.
Without a Tailed Beast to serve as a deterrent, the major powers surrounding the Land of Rain were constantly eyeing Amegakure.
If his enemies had to worry about the threat of a Tailed Beast, they wouldn't dare become too arrogant.
The Land of Waterfall was a good example.
It possessed a Tailed Beast, and combined with its unique geographical environment, few nations dared to provoke it.
Even Hanzo couldn't help feeling envious.
Now that the Three-Tails had died, it meant Isobu could revive somewhere in the shinobi world at any time.
Perhaps when that happened, he would have a chance to capture it.
He had already ordered his subordinates to begin preparing the sealing techniques necessary to capture a Tailed Beast.
"As for Uchiha Gōenji..."
Hanzo's expression darkened.
"Hmph..."
"You were one of the people who invaded the Land of Rain before, weren't you?"
Because of the actions of those Konoha shinobi, the alliance between the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth had fallen apart.
The alliance had failed, and the Land of Rain had once again fallen into war.
Hanzo was deeply displeased by that.
Afterward, he had ordered an extensive investigation.
Among the intelligence he had gathered was the fact that Uchiha Gōenji had been one of the participants.
...
Hokage's Office
"Good. Very good."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the intelligence report on his desk, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
"If we truly want to solve the problem of Tailed Beasts, Konoha seems to have gained another powerful combat force."
That was a Tailed Beast.
Even Hiruzen considered such an opponent troublesome.
Now that Gōenji was capable of dealing with one, Konoha had gained another layer of protection.
It was much like the emergence of the Sannin and Minato Namikaze.
Their presence was undoubtedly beneficial to Konoha.
However...
Hiruzen suddenly remembered his teacher's assessment of the Uchiha Clan.
What had Tobirama been thinking back then?
Gōenji's personality was somewhat similar to that of Kagami Uchiha.
Unlike many other Uchiha, he wasn't excessively arrogant.
"Fu."
Hiruzen turned toward the ANBU shinobi standing nearby.
"Send an order to the Mist battlefield. Transfer Uchiha Gōenji to the Stone Village battlefield to relieve the pressure on the front there."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
The ANBU shinobi didn't ask any further questions.
He immediately disappeared from the room.
Hiruzen looked toward the window.
"Teacher Tobirama..."
"I will never allow Konoha to decline under my leadership."
"I will win this war."