I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 518 Subordinates may have lower salaries, but they can take on more and bigger responsibilities.

"Over there...those people."

The border of the Land of Lightning has already crossed the Drum Ridge. A little further ahead lies the territory of the Land of Frost. Here, several thousand people have gathered, and upon closer inspection, they can be identified as the Cloud Ninja Force.

At this time, there was only one Cloud Ninja force that could appear here, and that was the Cloud Ninja force led by Yuzuyui.

Tatsuma had actually sensed their presence long ago, but he didn't intend to take a detour, since some things always needed to be handed over.

He glanced at Tianfeng and Qiandou, noticing that both of them had very calm expressions. Noticing Chenma's gaze, Tianfeng even managed a smile as he said:

"There's no rush. Besides, his days won't be easy from now on. Let him suffer for a while longer."

Anyone can see that the reason why Tatsuma resolutely invaded the heart of the Land of Lightning and captured the two tailed beasts at the Cloud Thunder Gorge is because Tsuyui led the Cloud Ninja forces to invade the Land of Fire.

If Suzuyui had not made this choice, then the two sides would have engaged in a protracted battle at the border, and the additional eight thousand Cloud Ninja would have effectively restricted Tatsuma's advance.

Therefore, Yui should bear at least 80% of the blame for Tatsuma's rapid advance, reaching the Cloud Thunder Gorge, capturing two tailed beasts, and threatening the Hidden Cloud Village to surrender unconditionally.

Of course, this is an assessment of merits and demerits after Tatsuma's side succeeded.

If Tatsuma had not succeeded, or if Suzuyui had led the Cloud Ninja to gain a greater advantage earlier, then he would have been the undisputed hero of the Cloud Village.

Both of them made a big bet, but Tatsuma won and Yui lost.

The unconditional withdrawal from the Land of Fire—this treaty was agreed upon by the Third Raikage and the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning, but the person responsible is actually Suzuki, who is far away on the front lines. That's how comedic it is.

Compared to the Konoha ninjas who marched triumphantly through the snow with their heads held high, the Cloud Ninja forces led by Suzuki looked like lifeless snowmen in the snow.

This was undoubtedly a humiliation for Suzuyu and the other Cloud Ninja who participated in the battle, but they did not fail to achieve anything. At least, they helped the Third Raikage remove the label of "the biggest joke in Kumogakure".

Their presence here was not to be inspected by the victors, but rather to hand over the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails to the Konoha ninja forces.

Although Tatsuma used his "integrity" as collateral, Kumogakure could not simply let him leave the Land of Lightning with the two tailed beasts.

After all, Tatsuma's condition was that he would return the Tailed Beasts after leaving the Land of Lightning, so the Hidden Cloud Village naturally chose the earliest handover plan, with the handover being carried out by the Cloud Ninja troops returning from the Land of Fire.

Moreover, with so many people watching, any outrageous thing Tatsuma and the others do could become evidence that Konohagakure of the Land of Fire has broken the treaty.

For example, Tatsuma did not return immediately after leaving the Land of Lightning, but instead took two tailed beasts and went a step further away, which could have been the reason why the Hidden Cloud Village turned against him later.

As they approached the border, about to enter a gray area or become a buffer zone, the Cloud Ninja forces led by Yui continued to draw closer.

The near-shoulder-to-shoulder distance caused a certain tension to arise between the two sides.

Although the Konoha troops were smaller in number, their morale was much higher than that of the defeated and slinking-back Cloud Ninja. Therefore, despite the difference in numbers, Konoha's momentum was in no way weaker.

Tatsuma, who was walking at the front, stopped, because the boundary marker was just one step away. He looked at Shikaku, who nodded and turned to start directing operations.

Despite being trampled, the predominantly white snow, with its crisscrossing shadows, still served as excellent navigational markers. The Konoha ninjas orderly bypassed Tatsuma and the two tailed beasts, continuing their advance towards the Land of Frost.

Only after all the Konoha ninjas were standing on the other side of the boundary marker did Tatsuma calmly look at the somber-faced Suyui and say, "Lady Suyui, you seem to have a problem with that?"

"Please, Fourth Hokage, leave the Land of Lightning territory as soon as possible and return the Tailed Beasts to our village."

Upon hearing Yui's words, Tatsuma raised an eyebrow, and Shikaku also showed a strange expression, but both of them quickly connected the dots and their doubts soon dissipated.

Both of them guessed that it must have been the village or the daimyo who endorsed Tatsuma's signature, and the most useful identity was undoubtedly that of the leader of the ninjas of the Land of Fire—the Hokage.

Although he felt something was off, Tatsuma didn't dwell on it. He simply shrugged and said, "Lord Yui, there's no need for you to be so hostile towards me. Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Of course, living on the same land as Konoha..."

You, those around you, your village, and your country should all learn to accept defeat sooner rather than later, and stop clinging to the hope of victory. Otherwise, the disappointment will leave you utterly despairing.

"you!!!"

Seeing that Tatsuma dared to taunt her so closely, even the usually calm and rational Tsuyuu was now enraged. The hostility in the eyes of the surrounding Cloud Ninjas turned into a murderous aura.

The surrounding snowflakes seemed to freeze in the air, the biting wind stopped its howling, and even the temperature seemed to begin to rise.

"Why be so serious?"

Tatsuma, who was the target of everyone's criticism, not only did not restrain himself, but even showed a wicked smile.

Yui, barely suppressing her anger, said, "Leave the Land of Lightning! Otherwise, I have every reason to suspect you of plotting against the Land of Lightning. Don't force me to take any action against you!"

"Your Excellency, you need to have more faith in your own judgment. Be confident and don't doubt yourself."

"Splash~"

As Chenma was speaking, he suddenly pulled on the Vajra Chain in his hand, and the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails suddenly turned around, facing the Cloud Ninja around them, their mouths wide open.

"Rustling sound~"

In an instant, all the Cloud Ninja chose to retreat and evade, even Ziyui had to create distance, and a kunai appeared in her hand.

"Hahaha~"

"Hahaha~" *N

Tatsuma and almost all the Konoha ninjas burst into laughter. Tenka's laughter was particularly rampant, and the "talent" passed down through bloodlines, the Uchiha Maniac Laughter, was fully displayed at this moment.

In the eyes of most ninjas, the tailed beasts are still too dangerous. Even a simple turn of their heads and opening of their mouths is enough to terrify them. The reaction of the Cloud Ninjas is actually quite normal.

But to be intimidated by the enemy is a disgrace.

The reason why the Konoha ninjas realized so quickly that Tatsuma was deliberately scaring them, rather than the tailed beasts going out of control, is quite simple. They had personally witnessed how Tatsuma had the tailed beasts completely under his thumb.

Moreover, during these past few days of travel, the two tailed beasts were as stable as two giant carriages.

When crossing Leiguling, the Eight-Tails even became a means of transportation, carrying many wounded ninjas and supplies directly over.

Not long ago, during their rest after crossing Leigu Ridge, the Two-Tails was even used as a campfire to keep them warm, which reduced their awe of the Tailed Beasts to almost nothing.

"Sakamoto Tatsuma! What are you trying to do?! Are you trying to break the treaty?!"

Although his face was flushed with embarrassment, Ziyou still had to question him righteously, because if he didn't do so, he would never be able to regain the face he had lost.

After speaking out, although it only salvaged some semblance of dignity, it was better than nothing.

"I told you, don't be so serious. Besides, I just want to return the two tailed beasts to you."

What sounded like an explanation to ease the tension only fueled the Cloud Ninja's anger with the undisguised mockery on Tatsuma's face.

Shikaku sighed helplessly, shook his head, and waved the Flying Thunder God kunai in his hand, urging Tatsuma not to cause trouble. He just wanted to go back to the village and get a good night's sleep. He didn't want Tatsuma to cause him any more trouble!

The chain in Tatsuma's hand was extended by several more links, and it was no longer connected to Tatsuma's body. Instead, the last link was hooked onto Tatsuma's finger.

Tatsuma said, "To make it easier for your village to retrieve the Tailed Beast, I will leave this seal inside the Tailed Beast for three more days, so that if you are injured by the Tailed Beast on your way back to the village, you will not blame Konoha for the mistake."

"I don't need your hypocrisy!"

Although Suzuyui said this, she did not strongly refuse, after all, no one knew what the two tailed beasts would do if Tatsuma's control was released now.

If they chased Tatsuma towards Konoha, then the Hidden Cloud Village would be in deep trouble. Therefore, it's a good idea to keep the two tailed beasts sealed until they are transported to a safe place.

Tatsuma ignored Suzuyui's half-hearted attempt to speak and said, "Then... the handover of the Tailed Beasts is complete."

As soon as he finished speaking, he appeared on the other side of the boundary marker and retrieved the Flying Thunder God Kunai that he had placed with Shikaku beforehand.

Seeing Tatsuma's unusual caution, a hint of regret flashed in Suzuyui's eyes, but she still looked at the sealing team that had been prepared in advance and said, "Go and receive the Tailed Beasts."

After watching the Cloud Ninja manipulate the Vajra Chains and gradually gain control of the Tailed Beast's basic movements, Tatsuma gave the order to set off again, but he was temporarily moved from the front of the group to the back.

Watching Tatsuma's departing figure, Suzuyui said, "Sakamoto Tatsuma! We'll meet again! Next time, I'll make you pay! Even if it costs me my life!"

"Or... let's forget each other in the ninja world. After all..." Tatsuma didn't turn around, but tapped his temple and said, "I have no interest in remembering a nobody like you."

"Hmph! Back to the village!"

Yui led the Cloud Ninja away, knowing that she would likely face punishment upon returning to the village, but she was willing to accept defeat.

Meanwhile, Shinnosuke sidled up to Tatsuma and asked, "Tatsuma-nii, are we going straight back to the village now?"

The immortal mask on Tatsuma's face gradually disappeared, and his lips and face instantly turned as pale as snow. He shook his head, looked at Shinnosuke, and said, "I'm starving. I need to have a good meal first."

"Use your face to go to the daimyo's place in the Frost Country for a meal."

"OK!"

(End of this chapter)