I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 517 Try not to lie, but don't tell the whole truth either.

"Lu Jiu, do you really not need me to take care of the scars on your face? I can guarantee that there will be no marks, and I can even remove your blackheads and pimples while I'm at it."

In the southern part of the Land of Lightning, on the way back to Konoha, Tatsuma looked at Shikaku, whose wounds, still unhealed, were exposed to the air without any medicine or bandages, and sincerely advised him.

Shikaku shrugged and said, "No need, keeping this scar will be useful."

Upon hearing this, Tatsuma paused for a moment, then said, "Is it as a warning? So that you can always remember the cruelty of war? So that you shouldn't be distracted by anything on the battlefield?"

Those around who heard Tatsuma's guess also looked at Shikaku. If that was the reason, then Shikaku did seem kind of handsome.

Lu Jiu rolled his eyes and said, "You're overthinking it. It's because my mother is already looking for a wife for me. If I have a scar, it should deter a lot of girls and save me a lot of trouble with blind dates."

"."

Silence reigns in the Land of Thunder tonight.

"That's a choice like Nara Shikaku's."

Tatsuma sighed. Of course, he didn't completely believe Shikaku's answer. Shikaku was similar to him; he rarely lied, but he wouldn't tell the whole truth either.

He said he didn't want to heal his scars because he was afraid of blind dates, and Tatsuma believed him, but Tatsuma didn't believe that was the whole reason.

Of course, Tatsuma knew when to stop, so since Shikaku didn't want to say more, he didn't ask any further questions.

His gaze then fell on Tianfeng on the other side, and he asked, "Are you alright? That ability you had yesterday... was it a copy of my Wood Escape Technique?"

"Get lost! I'd say you plagiarized me! I developed it much earlier!"

"Tch, you only used it yesterday. I've been using it for the past few months. You must be such an idol that you secretly watched and copied me, right? I didn't ask you to pay any patent fees, so just admit it."

Upon hearing this, Tianfeng raised his leg to kick, but Chenma easily dodged it.

"Splash~"

"Bang!"

Still somewhat weakened, Tianfeng was tripped by the Vajra Chains and fell to the ground, followed by merciless laughter from those around him.

But Tianfeng wasn't really angry, because he quite liked the atmosphere.

When he revealed his abilities yesterday, he was actually very afraid that others would change their opinion of him. After all, the Mangekyou Sharingan and Susanoo were symbols of that rogue Uchiha.

Although he was an Uchiha, and a Uchiha who was highly valued by the clan, Tenfu knew more than others. He knew that the Mangekyou Sharingan was the ultimate form of the Sharingan, and that Susanoo was an ability that came with the Mangekyou Sharingan, not something that the rogue ninja was exclusive to.

However, most ninjas who know about the Mangekyou Sharingan and Susanoo only know that the rogue ninja has it, but do not know that other Uchiha also have it. After all, the Mangekyou Sharingan has never been exposed to the outside world since the village was founded.

However, it now seems that these partners who have risked their lives with me are not so superficial as to connect ability with character.

Slightly embarrassed, Tianfeng got up from the ground and angrily punched Qiandou, who was laughing the loudest, in the chest. The surrounding laughter and cheers became even more lively.

Tatsuma was also smiling, but suddenly his smile disappeared, and he looked ahead, his gaze crossing the endless mountains and landing on a certain spot.

Nestled among the mountains, Danzo put down his binoculars and said, "Let's go. The fax from the Land of Lightning isn't fake."

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

Tatsuma also withdrew his gaze, somewhat puzzled as to why Danzo would appear in the Land of Lightning, but he seemed to have no hostility, and although his movements were concealed, he did not give off a sneaky feeling.

Perhaps the village has other plans?

As this thought flashed through his mind, Tatsuma recalled a slightly strange conversation he had with Hiruzen Sarutobi a few months ago, before he led his team into the Land of Lightning.

Something must have happened inside the village at that time. Could it be related to Danzo?

It wasn't that Tatsuma was targeting Danzo, but Danzo seemed too much like the kind of person who would do such a thing. However, Danzo's attitude just now didn't seem like that of the one at fault.

After frowning and pondering for a while, Tatsuma temporarily suppressed his questions. Before anyone around him noticed the change in his expression, he put on a smile again, as if nothing had happened.

The most important thing now is to "fulfill the contract" and withdraw from the Land of Lightning as soon as possible. As long as they haven't left the Land of Lightning and the Cloud Ninja haven't withdrawn from the Land of Fire, there is still a risk involved.

After all, the Hidden Cloud Village has produced figures like Kinkaku and Ginkaku. Nobody knows whether, after this "negotiation," a burly man claiming to be the true heir of the Hidden Cloud Village, will suddenly appear from within the village, wielding weapons and charging in.

Moreover, Tatsuma had always had his own opinion on the Cloud Ninja's level of trustworthiness, but he couldn't ask for more.

He couldn't really blow up the Daimyo's mansion, because if he dared to do that, he would become the public enemy of the ninja world, and even the Land of Fire would no longer be able to tolerate him.

Therefore, demanding the surrender of the Hidden Cloud Village and the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning was the best option, unless he truly possessed the ability to resist the ninjas of an entire great nation.

Unfortunately, he hasn't yet.

He can only dabble within the rules, lightly "trampling" on them, but he can't completely jump out of the rules yet.

While Konoha's troops were still heading towards the border within the Land of Lightning, news had already spread throughout the ninja world. Not only were diplomatic letters sent by the Land of Lightning being delivered, but details of the battle were also being passed down by word of mouth.

Upon learning of Tatsuma's actions against Kumogakure in Kumogakure, the morale of the Land of Fire undoubtedly soared, with civilians and ninjas alike cheering for the event.

Erecting a memorial on foreign soil is an unprecedented act, and no one has ever done it before. Using another country's territory to commemorate the spirits of one's own people—just thinking about it makes many Konoha ninja who participated in the war feel that death is nothing.

Where some are happy, others are naturally sad.

The Iwa ninja's position had retreated from dozens of miles deep into the Land of Fire to the buffer zone along the border. The news had just arrived yesterday, and Onoki was still processing it when the Sannin led their troops to attack.

With that reckless fighting style, Onoki dared not let the Iwa ninja fight him. His Dust Release was indeed unstoppable in Konoha, but how many people could his Dust Release kill?

Even Ōnoki, who had fought since the Warring States period, felt a chill run down his spine when he thought about the countless Flying Thunder God kunai flying towards him yesterday.

That golden flash never gave up its pursuit of him, so much so that Onoki couldn't even use Dust Release, because if he stopped, those reckless Konoha ninjas would send Flying Thunder God Kunai around him.

He was approached by Minato Namikaze several times, and with his experience and air superiority, he barely managed to parry Minato's attacks. However, there were still more than two thousand Konoha troops who kept throwing kunai. No matter how fast the Iwa ninja killed, it was not enough for Onoki to survive.

Therefore, Onoki ordered a retreat. Ten thousand ninjas were chased and killed by more than two thousand ninjas, which is truly rare in the ninja world.

However, Onoki had no choice, because he couldn't die yet. He was the only means for Iwagakure to suppress Konoha. Even if Konoha exhausted all two thousand people, as long as Minato Namikaze successfully killed him, Konoha would still be considered "victorious."

Once Iwagakure loses Onoki, there's no doubt that Konoha's advance will be unimpeded. If they wait for Sakamoto Tatsuma to return to the Land of Fire and rush to this battlefield...

I dare not think about it, I absolutely dare not think about it.

It's all Kumogakure's fault! They always acted like they had no fear of death, so why did they surrender so easily after only having two tailed beasts controlled by Tatsuma? As expected, all that tough muscle is actually soft bone!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and Onoki slammed his fist on the stone platform.

"Father! The detailed battle report of Sakamoto Tatsuma's battle at Unraikyo has been compiled. Please take a look."

Huang Tu stepped in and handed a document to Onoki. Looking at the indescribable expression on his son's face, Onoki frowned and took the document.

Looking at the detailed battle report, which even recorded every word Tatsuma said, Onoki fell silent, his face showing a similar indescribable expression to that of Huang Tu.

"Father, what should we do now?"

After Onoki finished reading, Huang Tu quickly asked, but Onoki didn't answer immediately. Instead, he murmured, "Shifting the blame eastward, resolving the pressure from two battlefields at once not only forced the Cloud Ninja to retreat, but this is going to force us Iwa Ninja to retreat as well."

Huang Tu nodded. He had also figured it out. The Cloud Village was withdrawing its Cloud Ninja forces, and at the same time, Tatsuma was almost blatantly "hinting" that the Cloud Ninja could shift their target. The pressure was immediately put on the Iwa Ninja.

The Cloud Ninja might not heed Tatsuma's advice, but the Iwagakure Village has to be wary. A group of warmongers who have suffered defeats and losses are hoarding in their own country, which will surely lead to countless conflicts.

The Hidden Cloud Village will certainly try to shift the focus of its conflict, either through victory or by leveraging its own interests.

No matter how you look at it, the Iwa ninja, who are currently clashing with Konoha, are the perfect target for venting their frustrations.

After Tatsuma led the Konoha troops back and rested, these Konoha ninjas, as well as those who fought against the invaders in the Land of Fire, would inevitably be thrown into other battlefields.

At that time, the numerical advantage of the Iwagakure ninja over the Konoha ninja will be gradually closed, and the difficulty and pressure on the Iwagakure village in fighting against the Konoha will greatly increase.

If Kumogakure takes this opportunity to invade Iwagakure, then Iwagakure will be the one attacked from both sides, instead of Konoha.

Tatsuma has changed the course of the war.

Onoki licked his chapped lips and said, "Pass the word down: continue the retreat. We can no longer use the Land of Fire as the battlefield. The battlefield must be close enough to our homeland!"

"Oh, and at the same time, we'll also evacuate non-combat ninjas to the east coast to establish a defensive line."

Upon hearing this, Huang Tu's face showed resentment. He asked, "Father, is there no other way?" The advantage that Iwagakure had so painstakingly gained was clearly a point of contention.

Onoki looked up at him, nodded, and said, "Yes."

"What method?"

Huang Tu's face lit up with excitement. Onoki said, "If you improve to the point of surpassing Sakamoto Tatsuma, our Iwagakure village will definitely win this battle."

"Father, aren't you making things difficult for me?"

"So you know what it means to make things difficult for someone?! Go and relay my orders!"

"Yes, Father."

(End of this chapter)