I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 197 Leaders always like to say: "I'm making you do more work so that I can train you."

"Boom!"

In an instant, flames shot into the sky, but the surrounding area had already been explored by Tatsuma using his perception technique. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had made quite a commotion, there was no need to worry about disturbing others.

The subsequent work of erasing traces will be much busier, but what can you do when Hiruzen Sarutobi is the Hokage?

Tatsuma witnessed Hiruzen Sarutobi's true power for the first time, and he was quite shocked. Although he also knew this fire jutsu and could do it on a scale no less than Hiruzen Sarutobi's, Tatsuma was also shocked.

However, Tatsuma's mastery of technique and nature transformation, resulting in flame temperature and chakra conversion efficiency, is unmatched.

Moreover, the effect that Tatsuma had to expend a lot of effort to achieve was merely a pastime for Hiruzen Sarutobi during his leisure time on the road.

After spitting out a mouthful of fire, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained calm and composed, without even breaking a sweat. He simply smoothed his robes, which were being blown by the wind, and said, "It's been too long since I've fought; I've made some mistakes."

As soon as he finished speaking, the fire inside the cage dissipated. Of the six Iwa ninja who were originally trapped, only three-quarters remained. Only one Iwa ninja, a Jonin, was still alive. His subordinates and another Jonin had probably been vaporized by the flames.

The remaining one was also in a sorry state. His right hand had completely disappeared, and judging from the charred marks on the upper arm, it was undoubtedly burned off. However, there were no signs of burns on his body.

The mistake Hiruzen Sarutobi made was purely Versailles.

He deliberately showed off his fire jutsu, which allowed him to burn people to death whenever he wanted, and to prevent people from being burned to death whenever he wanted.

At this moment, Yan Shinu was also leaning against the cage formed by the ape demon, his face full of terror, panting heavily. He dared not breathe in the firelight just now.

If he had dared to take another breath, his respiratory tract would probably have been completely burned and destroyed.

Moreover, during those hellish flames, he watched helplessly as his subordinates and comrades were ignited, charred, and even killed by the flames, leaving him completely disoriented.

If it weren't for the cage, it would probably have collapsed to the ground by now.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stepped forward, looking at the Iwa ninja in the cage, and said, "Tell me, what is your purpose in coming to the Land of Fire? What kind of evil scheme is Onoki plotting this time?"

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's question, the Iwa ninja recovered slightly from his panic and, not daring to conceal anything, replied directly, "I heard that Jiraiya hasn't returned to the village either. The Third Tsuchikage ordered us to investigate secretly and try to intercept him on his way back to the village."

"Interception?"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, and his beard twitched. He didn't show any anger on his face, but the murderous aura he inadvertently revealed made the Iwa ninja, who had finally regained consciousness, faint.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi often had a headache with Jiraiya, and sometimes wanted to curse him out or even physically punish him, Jiraiya was still his disciple.

Onoki actually wanted to attack his disciple. Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice became a few decibels as he said, "Hmph! With just a few of you, what gives you the courage to intercept and kill Jiraiya?"

Although my disciple is disappointing, he's still not someone you few can handle!

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was essentially supporting his disciple in his words, he also understood that Jiraiya's carefree personality would inevitably lead to a relaxation of vigilance on the way back to the village.

Being ambushed by so many people, something unexpected might actually happen.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi was also puzzled, since Onoki would not have given a mission that required Jiraiya to be careless in order to have any chance of success.

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, the Iwa ninja seemed to suddenly realize something, his face turning even more grim. He said, "It's Onoki's slander! I once opposed Onoki dumping war materials into the Land of Rain! This must be the reason."

"Lord Hokage, please spare my life! Give me a chance, and I will definitely take my revenge on Onoki!"

At this moment, the Iwa ninja no longer addressed the Third Tsuchikage as such, but instead called him by his given name. Hiruzen Sarutobi pursed his lips slightly, pondering the possibilities in the Iwa ninja's words.

Upon hearing this, Tatsuma seemed to understand as well. They had gone deep into the heart of the Land of Fire to carry out an ambush mission, but hadn't assigned any sensory ninjas to Onoki. It was because they hadn't expected them to complete the mission in the first place.

In fact, what Onoki wanted was for Konoha to discover them and take action against them.

Two Jonin are a valuable asset to any village, but what if these Jonin clash with the will of the higher-ups?

Onoki may not have been able to tolerate them in the first place, but he was unable to take direct action, so he sent them to carry out this kind of mission. Success meant pure profit. Even though Konoha had discovered the plot, Onoki didn't lose out. In fact, he achieved his goal and made a huge profit as well.

Moreover, if these two squads hadn't encountered Hiruzen Sarutobi's outing, their entanglement with other squads would likely have caused Konoha a lot of trouble. Every Konoha ninja these two squads killed would be beneficial to Iwagakure.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had also figured it out, but he didn't intend to let the Iwa ninja off the hook. He simply said, "The Fire and Earth Kingdoms are diplomatic allies. I can't guarantee the truth of what you've said, as it involves the diplomatic friendship between our two countries."

If everything you've said is true, then come back to Konoha with us. As long as the information you provide is accurate, Konoha won't make things difficult for you.

Upon hearing this, the Iwa ninja's expression turned extremely ugly. Konoha's interrogation department was a place where even the soul could be interrogated. What he said was indeed true, but there were still too many things in his mind that Konoha could not know.

It's not about keeping secrets for Iwagakure, but rather that once his actions that harm Konoha's interests are exposed, Konoha will not allow him to live.

But he still nodded, squatted down on the ground, and looked like he was accepting Hiruzen Sarutobi's suggestion. Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the Iwagakure with his head down and said softly, "Enma, let him go."

"good!"

"Bang!"

The Vajra Prison Wall reverted to its original form as a monkey demon. Just then, the Iwa ninja suddenly attacked, but he dared not attack Hiruzen Sarutobi. Instead, he broke out of the encirclement, choosing the weakest enemy in his eyes, Tatsuma.

Seeing this, the demon from the other direction was about to give chase, but then heard Hiruzen Sarutobi say, "Yasha, finish him off!"

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's direct order, Xiao stopped in his tracks. If Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't given the order, he would still have some freedom of choice, but since Hiruzen Sarutobi had given the order, he shouldn't interfere.

Even though Xiao didn't think Tatsuma could defeat and execute this Iwa ninja Jonin.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's order, Tatsuma immediately complied. Unlike Xiao, who was still somewhat puzzled, Tatsuma roughly understood why Hiruzen Sarutobi had specifically asked him to take action.

Firstly, it was a test. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had all the battle reports and intelligence on Tatsuma's performance on the battlefield, he had never witnessed it firsthand. So, he wanted to have Tatsuma take action so that he could observe it for himself.

Secondly, it's a chance for Tatsuma, since he entered the Anbu through "back channels." The Anbu ninjas won't discuss it openly, but they're all bound to be somewhat resentful.

After all, no matter how talented Tatsuma was, he was still just a Chunin, and his "predecessor" was Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha.

Sakumo Hatake might not mind, and might even be happy to see Tatsuma take over his position, but his lack of mind doesn't mean the other ANBU members don't mind.

The phenomenon of one fan being worth ten haters can occur anywhere. Therefore, if Tatsuma proves that he has the strength to defeat a Jonin, the rumors will naturally disappear.

Hiruzen Sarutobi deliberately burned off one of the Iwa ninja's arms, which could be considered as making things a little easier for Tatsuma.

Seeing the Iwa ninja charging towards him, Tatsuma quickly moved his feet and blocked the Iwa ninja's front. Upon seeing this, the Iwa ninja gritted his teeth and stretched out his left hand to begin forming hand seals.

The art of hand seals is studied in every village, and even the Jonin who have access to it will learn it, since it can be a lifesaver in critical moments, and for the Iwa ninja, that's right now.

"Earth Release! Rock Fist!"

After completing the hand seals, Iwa Ninja's missing right arm was suddenly covered by rocks, and then a not-so-refined rock arm appeared, punching towards Tatsuma.

"Bang!"

Tatsuma unleashed his monstrous strength, and with a stomp of the ground, the earth in front of him suddenly cracked and caved in. The Iwa ninja's fist, which was aimed at his head, suddenly deflected, and Tatsuma also tilted his head slightly, the Iwa fist grazing his cheek.

A fist blew open the hood of Tatsuma's trench coat, revealing a head of naturally curly white hair. Upon seeing this white hair, the Iwa ninja suddenly realized who the person in front of him was. At the same time, a childish voice rang out.

"Even at this moment, he still possesses such formidable strength. He truly deserves to be a Jonin of Iwagakure."

Hearing the words of praise, the Iwa ninja finally realized who the boy in front of him was, while Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was watching this scene, was speechless, and Enma beside him was even more exaggerated.

The ape's face first showed astonishment, then... rows of black lines appeared on its face. In the heat of battle, it praised its opponent, "Who is this child's teacher?! How was he taught?!"

Seeing Tatsuma crash into his arms, the Iwa ninja reacted quickly, gathering a large amount of chakra in his abdomen and back to try to block Tatsuma's attack, and his left hand involuntarily moved to his groin.

Given the short distance and time, the Iwa ninja didn't think Tatsuma could attack them with ninjutsu, but they might be able to withstand taijutsu or ninja tools!

Tatsuma didn't form any hand seals, but instead struck the right side of the Iwa ninja with one hand.

"Bagua! Empty palm!"

Just as the Iwa ninja thought it was just a palm strike, a surge of chakra erupted from the pressure points on Tatsuma's hand and entered the Iwa ninja's body. In an instant, the Iwa ninja bent over, and the chakra that had been gathered in his abdomen and back dissipated.

Tatsuma raised his knee and slammed it into the left hand of the Iwa ninja.

"Click~"

Iwa-nin felt a clearer sensation in his left hand than ever before; the part he used to treat with utmost care was now being vigorously enjoyed by him.

Iwa ninja's eyes bulged out instantly, and his mouth opened wide. Before the weakness and pain could even register in his brain, he saw a golden chakra ball.

He couldn't understand why Tatsuma could simultaneously unleash taijutsu attacks and his signature moves while also using ninjutsu. Could it be that he had no seals?

"Rasengan!"

"Bang!"

(End of this chapter)