I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 485 Even the simplest statement can have different meanings depending on who interprets it.

Inside the Senju clan's territory, Tatsuma turned his head, stretched his neck, then put on black clothes and pants. He reached into the wardrobe and picked out another item from among the many yukatas, kimonos, and Jonin vests.

It was a gray suit of armor with the Senju clan crest painted on it. After putting on the armor, Tatsuma moved his upper body to make sure there were no problems. Then, he placed the scroll into the reserved position on the inside of the outer armor and tied the ninja tool pouches around his waist and legs.

He then strapped on the matching metal arm guards, ran his fingers through his messy hair, and tried to straighten his naturally curly hair, which was a big challenge for Tatsuma.

After making sure his hair wasn't so messy, Tatsuma stopped and looked at the various headbands on the table.

He has more than one headband. After all, the conditions for obtaining this item are not strict. It can even be sold in ninja tool shops and some toy stores. On the table are regular headbands and the one that Tatsuma uses most often. It is smaller and has a larger curve, making it more suitable for being tied to the arm.

There was also a white demon mask with the Konoha symbol, a gift from his retirement from the Anbu, and a half-headband. There were even two half-headbands, one of which was newer and had a more modern design.

The half-head mask has pre-drilled holes so that the identification plate can be replaced at any time. Tatsuma's hand swept over it and landed on the rather old, oxidized, and dull half-head headband.

The mask has the Leaf Village logo carved out only in the middle. This particular design is no longer in circulation. In fact, the Leaf Village changed the design before Tatsuma became a ninja. As for this one, it was left to him by Mito Uzumaki.

Chenma still remembers the first time he wore it. The headband was very loose, and the nail plates that were supposed to be close to his temples and cheeks couldn't fit against his face at all. It was also a bit wobbly when he wore it.

But it's already quite suitable now.

After all, this time, she was going to face the Cloud Ninja head directly, and Grandma Mito probably really wanted to do something while wearing this half-headband.

After putting on half of his headband, Tatsuma pulled out some strands of hair that had been pressed down and were a little painful, tidied them up, and left the room after making sure everything was okay.

After turning off the water and electricity in the house, as well as the main water and electricity switch, Tatsuma went to the entrance hall, put on his footwear, but did not go out immediately. Instead, he sat and waited for a while.

When he went out and climbed over the wall to the next house, there were already quite a few people gathered there.

The three Sannin wearing the same style of belly roll as Tatsuma, Nawaki, Minato, and Dan Kato wearing Jonin vests, Kushina wearing the Sealing Team uniform, and Nonou wearing the Medical Department uniform, among others.

Minato looked at Tatsuma wearing the belly roll, which had more symbolic than practical significance, with envy and longing in his eyes. Perhaps he could also wear this belly roll before the war ended.

This is something only battlefield commanders can wear, and he is clearly still lacking in that area.

"Some things are still missing."

Tsunade then looked at her disciple, and after a moment of distraction, she reached out her hand to Jiraiya. Jiraiya glanced at Kato Dan; if he hadn't been there, Jiraiya would have loved to place his hand on hers.

Even though he'd definitely get a beating from Tsunade, it seemed somewhat worth it. It was just a pity that Kato Dan was there; otherwise, he'd find it all rather dull, and he didn't have that kind of particular fetish.

With their years of teamwork and understanding, Jiraiya knew what Tsunade wanted. After suppressing his own wicked impulses, Jiraiya took out a box of oil mud and placed it in Tsunade's hand.

Taking the clay box, Tsunade opened it and walked towards Tatsuma. When she arrived in front of Tatsuma, she smiled as she looked at her disciple, who was now almost a head taller than her.

She remembered that when she first talked to Chenma more than ten years ago, he was just a skinny little kid who looked like he could be slapped to death.

Back then, she even declared that she looked down on such mediocre disciples, but now...

She dabbed some dirt on her nails and traced lines on Tatsuma's face a few times, saying, "That's more like it!"

As he grew up, Tatsuma's distinctive features became more prominent. He no longer had the childlike quality of resembling many different people, and his appearance was quite different from Tobirama Senju's.

But at this moment, looking at the ninja with white hair and red eyes wearing half a headband, everyone was in a daze as he pursed his lips, frowned, and squinted, seeing the Second Hokage whom they had seen in person or in a picture book.

"Hokage-sama! Say a few words!"

Even Jiraiya waved and shouted in a funny way, and everyone smiled knowingly. Of course, Kushina still looked unconvinced.

Tsunade also stepped back a few steps at this moment, making room for him. Tatsuma's gaze swept across the faces of these people; these were the people who had made him a part of this group.

Touching his headband, Chenma smiled and said, "Meeting you makes me yearn for immortality."

The short haiku brought smiles to everyone's faces, and each person interpreted it differently. Orochimaru thought of the wish he had shared when the two of them first started discussing scientific research.

Tsunade blinked, glancing back at Nawaki and Kato Dan. It was Tatsuma who had pulled her back from the brink of despair time and time again. Minato, on the other hand, thought of the dream Tatsuma had told him—simply to live a peaceful life. Now it seemed that it must have been for someone else as well.

Kushina's Nine-Tails was frantically scratching at the ground of the sealed space with its claws. Tatsuma, that thief, stole the secret of immortality from their tailed beasts, and now he's... showing off, you bastard!

"Alright, let's go. The Hokage should be waiting."

Tatsuma waved his hand and turned his head slightly. The others nodded as well, and then everyone moved at the same time. When they left the Senju clan's territory, there were already many people gathered on the streets, discussing something enthusiastically.

The village's recent actions have made them realize that although the village has never officially announced it, war has indeed broken out, and as members of the village, they naturally have to support it.

When some villagers saw the group running on the rooftops, they cheered and called out to their friends. Chenma and the others did not stop, maintaining their original speed as they quickly approached the Hokage Building.

The closer they got to the Hokage Building, the more villagers gathered, but there was no need for ninjas to maintain order. They all made way for the entrance, and Tatsuma landed first, listening to the cheers as he entered the Hokage Building.

Upon arriving at the conference room, Minato, Kushina, Nawaki, and Kato Dan did not follow. Tatsuma, the three Sannin, and Nonou entered the conference room. Tatsuma and the three Sannin were in command, while Nonou was the leader of the wartime medical team. They were all considered important members.

As for Minato and the others, they did not have any special positions, so they only needed to wait in the Jonin class.

Inside the meeting room, the heads of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans were also waiting. They were both wearing the same belly rolls. Of course, whether it was tacit understanding or just bad luck, Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Ying both chose to wear their respective clan's clothing over their clothes. At this moment, they were looking at each other with mutual dislike.

The high-ranking officials of Konoha's various departments, the clan chiefs of the village, and the captains of the various functional units participating in the battle were all present at this time.

This meeting was personally chaired by Hiruzen Sarutobi, as it was the final pre-battle mobilization, and it would be excessive to entrust even this task to Tatsuma.

His speech on the Will of Fire, though familiar to everyone in the conference room, only elicited applause and a fervent reaction. Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, looked at Tatsuma, and said:

"Tatsuma, why don't you say something too?"

Why do I always have to say something today?

Tatsuma stood up with a smile. The others didn't understand what he meant, but Jiraiya and the others covered their mouths and chuckled. Tatsuma walked to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side and faced the crowd.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the conference room involuntarily became serious. If Hiruzen Sarutobi gave people a sense of approachability, then Tatsuma was imposing. Moreover, despite being a young man, he was as steady as a mountain.

Tatsuma pursed his lips, a small gesture that drew everyone's attention in the meeting room, making them listen attentively like diligent students. Tatsuma began:

Even when a flint burns to ashes, a spark still awaits to reignite; even when the autumn wind brings cold dew, seeds still nurture life. As long as someone is still holding the lamp, there will be no true darkness. Even a single spark can start a prairie fire and illuminate the night sky.

We are indeed facing unprecedented pressure, but as long as we have a breath left, we have the right to take on the challenge. What doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.

Wind and thunder only fan the flames, and water and soil only strengthen trees. This ninja world needs a new flame to guide it in a new direction. Let us all strive together.

The applause rang out again, this time with even more sincerity than before. Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tatsuma and clapped along with a smile.

His Will of Fire is a continuation, Tatsuma's Will of Fire is a rebirth, the flames of the phoenix are ever more intense, and the Will of Fire of Konoha should be the same!

"I won't say any more. Everyone, lead your teams and set off!"

For once, Hiruzen Sarutobi dropped his kind and gentle mask. With a shout, he seemed to exude the same spirit he had ten years ago. Everyone stood up, bowed, and walked out of the meeting room.

Tatsuma also wanted to leave, but Hiruzen Sarutobi grabbed him. Tatsuma didn't ask any questions, but simply waited for everyone to leave. Only after the last person left, leaving just the two of them in the meeting room, did Hiruzen Sarutobi ask:

"Three thousand men to stop a single Hidden Cloud Village, Tatsuma. Why be so hard on yourself?"

"I am confident that the southern part of the Land of Lightning is a natural barrier, and the Land of Iron is also there. The Cloud Ninja can only pass through the Land of Frost, where the flow of people is slow. Even by water, the number of ships is limited, so they can only come in waves."

"They come in waves, we kill them all; the Cloud Ninja will never be able to break through our lines."

"If you come back alive, Konoha will always have the strength to support you."

Seeing Tatsuma's firm tone, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew he couldn't dissuade him, so he could only pat him on the shoulder. Tatsuma nodded and said, "Hokage-sama, there's no need to worry too much. If you really have nothing better to do, you can give Shinnosuke and Asuma a younger brother or sister."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed. He released Tatsuma, took a step back, kicked Tatsuma's rump, and shouted angrily, "Get lost!"

Taking advantage of the situation, Tatsuma ran off with a laugh. Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and muttered helplessly, "This is outrageous. This kid has no consideration for me at all. I'm already so old, my body and mind really can't take it anymore."

(End of this chapter)