I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 374 Nowadays, teenagers grow taller at a rate as fast as the corpora cavernosa filling with blood.

"Is everything alright?"

After Minato finished treating all the spies' wounds, and quite some time later, Tatsuma finally finished resting, stood up, and looked at the spies. For some reason, he felt that the spies' eyes had become strange.

The spies looked at Tatsuma with initial admiration and gratitude, but their gazes were quickly replaced by shock, as Tatsuma's wounds were healing at a visible speed.

With his stamina and sufficient chakra, Tatsuma wouldn't linger in the pain. Knowing his own body, he knew how much chakra allowed Yin Healing and Destruction to repair as many injuries as needed.

Therefore, although the body is far from returning to its peak condition, it is still possible to allow the injuries to heal on their own.

Moreover, after his body recovered, Chenma's body was able to absorb more energy. He took out two more soldier ration pills and swallowed them, then looked at the stunned crowd and asked, "Is there anything else?"

"No, it's nothing."

The spy who had spoken with Minato earlier spoke up, and Tatsuma nodded, saying, "If there's nothing else, I'll take you back to the village first. There's no rush for the report; you can rest and adjust for a while. I'll explain everything to the Third Hokage."

"Thank you for everything you've done for us, Tatsuma-kun."

The scout spoke solemnly, but Chenma assumed he was referring to the postponement of the report, so he waved his hand and said casually, "It's just what I, as the team leader, should do."

Instantly, the spies' gazes toward Tatsuma became even more reverent. Tatsuma couldn't bear it and looked away, turning his gaze toward Minato. Minato didn't explain, but simply smiled and nodded.

On the journey from the Land of Water back to the Land of Fire, Minato can't be of much help, at least for the first half. After all, the nearest Flying Thunder God coordinates outside the Land of Water are at the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools.

Minato couldn't take people directly from the Land of Water to the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools, so the simplest and fastest route was for Tatsuma to use the Reverse Summoning Technique to bring these people to Shikkotsu Forest first.

As one of the three sacred sites, Shikkotsu Forest has never had so many visitors in the past. Moreover, if it were Ryuchi Cave or even Mt. Myoboku, perhaps they would not allow so many people to pass by in a group activity. But Shikkotsu Forest is different.

After all, the slugs are very gentle, and they are happy to help Tatsuma, the successor of Shikkotsu Forest.

Even after Tatsuma brought the scouts and his crew to Shikkotsu Forest, the slugs took the initiative to heal their wounds. If there hadn't been a shortage of resources for humans to live in Shikkotsu Forest, the slugs would have even been willing to let them stay and observe their injuries.

However, the spies declined. After a brief stay in Shikkotsu Forest, Tatsuma used Shadow Clone Technique to take the spies to the ruins of Uzushiogakure in batches. Minato then helped to send the spies back to the village.

Minato was in charge of the handover procedures and registering the spies to return to the village, while Tatsuma went directly to the Hokage's office.

Fortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi had developed a good habit of working overtime, otherwise it would have been really difficult. Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose mind was already on what kind of meal he would have when he got home, was startled when he suddenly saw Tatsuma.

Because Tatsuma is too thin now, so thin that he doesn't look like the Tatsuma who came to discuss the mission details a week ago. Tatsuma was already thin enough back then, but now he's almost unrecognizable.

Are you alright?

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly got up and approached Tatsuma. Tatsuma made a dodging motion, but before he could finish, he returned to his original position, allowing Hiruzen Sarutobi to examine his body.

Such a small gesture pleased Hiruzen Sarutobi greatly. An excellent ninja who can accept someone who can get close must have earned his trust. It seems that his work over the years has not been in vain; Tatsuma has finally trusted him.

However, Tatsuma did it on purpose, but the avoidance was indeed a subconscious action. On the one hand, it was because of the ninja habits he had developed, and on the other hand, he did not like physical inspections.

Let alone Hiruzen Sarutobi, who only had a rudimentary understanding of medicine, even Orochimaru and Tsunade were somewhat resistant when they wanted to examine him. However, the two of them were used to looking at the data directly and didn't need much physical contact, except for touching each other when drawing blood.

He endured his discomfort so that Hiruzen Sarutobi would mistakenly believe that he had gained Tatsuma's trust. Based on Tatsuma's observation and his ability to sense Hiruzen Sarutobi's emotions through his [Malice Perception] talent, Tatsuma knew that he had achieved his goal.

Tatsuma lifted up the hand that had been pushed away from Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "Hokage-sama, this was something I did voluntarily to change my image."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. In fact, his medical ninjutsu skills were not low either. After all, he had Biwako as his wife and Tsunade as his disciple. He had learned them to some extent, whether by choice or by force.

Of course, he was far inferior to Tatsuma, Tsunade, Biwako, and others, but it was enough for him to understand the general condition of Tatsuma's body, and there was indeed no problem.

Aside from being thin, he wasn't too weak. After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Tatsuma's tattered and blood-stained clothes and knew that injuries were nothing to this kid.

Nodding, Hiruzen Sarutobi also took a step back, increasing the distance between himself and Tatsuma. As for the reason…

"This kid, he's grown taller than me in the blink of an eye. I really don't know what these kids eat to grow up so fast."

Muttering to himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped back to a distance where he could meet Tatsuma's gaze without having to look up, and then asked, "How's the situation in the Land of Water?"

"As we expected, a large-scale conflict broke out between Kirigakure and the rogue ninja group. As expected, Kumogakure also joined in. I also discovered people from Sunagakure."

However, during our operation, we encountered the Third Mizukage, Genmi. After severely injuring him, I managed to bring the Konoha ninja back to the village, but we still lost seven people. I truly feel ashamed of failing your guidance and apologize.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi completely ignored Tatsuma's final polite words, instead frowning and muttering, "Sunagakure, wait."

Suddenly realizing something, Hiruzen Sarutobi gaped and said, "You said you severely injured Genmi?"

"Yes, but I may have revealed some of my methods. I'm not sure if the Mizukage has noticed."

Tatsuma's face showed regret, while Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze became incredibly strange. He even looked Tatsuma up and down again, still somewhat incredulous that Tatsuma had severely injured the Mizukage.

The reason for exposing this is that it is impossible to hide. Perhaps Minato, Tenka, and Sento are willing to listen to Tatsuma and keep quiet about this matter, but more than twenty Konoha spies...

Moreover, there's no need to hide this, since the methods Chenma used at the time were all methods known to him in the village and could withstand scrutiny.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was still in a daze. He had always regarded Tatsuma as the future of the village and as his outstanding junior, but how could Tatsuma have grown to this level all of a sudden?

The guy who severely injured the Third Mizukage of Genmi was no ordinary person; he was a genius who had become famous even earlier than Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.

During the first Five Kage Summit, when Hiruzen Sarutobi was just an ordinary Jonin, Genmi was already qualified to attend as a Mizukage's bodyguard. Keep in mind that the Hokage's bodyguard at that time was Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi's teacher.

Although Genmi has not traveled in the ninja world for many years, as the decision-maker and implementer of the Blood Mist Village policy, the fact that he has been able to firmly control the Hidden Mist Village for so many years is enough to demonstrate his clever methods and superb strength.

This person, who was of the same era and status as him, and whose strength was probably not much different from his, had actually been severely injured by a junior from Konoha.

Of course, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that there must be many hidden reasons behind this, since battles are not just a contest of numbers, and there are too many factors on the spot that can affect the process and the outcome.

Genmi will most likely suffer an unexpected defeat; Tatsuma doesn't yet possess the strength to directly confront and defeat a Kage.

But no matter what, Tatsuma did indeed do it. If the truth were really revealed to the public, the entire ninja world would probably be shocked.

Give me the details.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was eager to hear what Tatsuma had done, but before he could finish speaking, the bloodstains and injuries on Tatsuma's clothes, his inhuman appearance, and his exhaustion that made him look like he might die at any moment silenced him.

"Go back and rest first. Tomorrow, no, after you've recovered, come and tell me in detail."

Hiruzen Sarutobi forced a smile and nodded to Tatsuma. Tatsuma didn't refuse; he did need rest. He also managed a weak smile and nodded, saying:

"Then, Lord Hokage, I shall take my leave now. I will come to report to you as soon as possible."

"No rush, no rush."

Waving his hand, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to remember something and said, "By the way, didn't you say you wanted to learn the Mutual Explosive Tags technique? Now that so much time has passed, have you... changed your mind?"

"I still have endless aspirations for the technique of multiplying explosive tags. However, for more than a year, I am still making up for my shortcomings and dare not easily learn new knowledge. After all, you can't bite off more than you can chew."

Tatsuma explained that he was anxious before because Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't agree. Once Hiruzen agreed to let him learn, he wasn't in a hurry anymore, since he knew that this technique didn't have many applications.

At least in the short term, he figured that what he learned would likely be of little use, so he simply postponed his study plan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said, "I'm pleased that you think this way. I also know that the direction you're currently researching is extremely difficult to overcome."

However, some things don't need to be thoroughly researched at once. Just like even the best restaurants don't require you to eat there every time until you've tried every dish on the menu. Finding more restaurants and trying them in rotation might allow you to better appreciate the delicious food.

"Alright, I'll prepare the scrolls and related information for the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags Technique for you in advance. You can take them with you next time you come."

"Thank you, Hokage."

Since Hiruzen Sarutobi has said so, Tatsuma won't refuse Hiruzen's offer. Besides, it's much better for Hiruzen to offer it to him than for him to ask for it himself.

"Go and rest. Don't think about anything else tonight."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled kindly, and Tatsuma nodded, saying, "Hokage-sama, please take care of yourself and don't work too late. Goodbye."

After saying that, Tatsuma disappeared. He returned home, took a long hot bath, went to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and counted his ice creams.

Good, her unreliable teacher hasn't been stealing her ice cream while he's away these past few days. Picking up an ice cream, Chenma didn't go to the bedroom, but instead went to the study, because...

"Illusion: 6132/10001 [Additional Amplification (To be Unlocked)]"

(End of this chapter)