Land of Rain, Six Paths City.
Unlike when they left, Mokgetsu's return time wasn't specifically announced to the Ninja Sect, so when they returned to Six Paths City, there was no Ninja Sect ninja there to greet them.
However, the news soon spread after Mokgetsu and the others entered the city, and by the time they returned to the Ninja Sect headquarters, a group of Ninja Sect ninjas had gathered together.
"Welcome back, Teacher Sosuke!" the Ninja Sect ninjas shouted excitedly.
Though they knew their leader was very powerful, their opponent was, after all, the Third Hokage, who stood at the pinnacle of the Ninja World; it was impossible not to worry.
Thus, seeing Sosuke return whole and unharmed, the Ninja Sect ninjas were genuinely happy.
Theoretically, worshiping someone like that isn't a particularly good thing, but that person is the founder of the new Ninja Sect, Sosuke.
In the eyes of many Ninja Sect ninjas, Sosuke is equivalent to the Six Paths Sage of the new era, incomparable.
"I said I would return soon," Mokgetsu said with a gentle smile.
Kakuzu heard this and smirked silently; who would have thought that Sosuke spoke only the truth when discussing his prowess, with not a single word intended to comfort or boost morale?
Sometimes, the truth sounds more outrageous than a lie.
No one asked about the outcome of the battle; all the Ninja Sect ninjas tacitly avoided that topic, only celebrating their leader's return.
It was not until Mokgetsu returned to the office to work that someone subtly inquired of Nagato and Roshi, the accompanying ninjas, about the outcome of the battle.
From the perspective of reputation and prestige, it wouldn't be embarrassing if Sosuke lost to Sarutobi Hiruzen, an elder who has dominated the Ninja World for decades.
But losing isn't a good thing; their leader was forced to fight for the Ninja Sect and barely returned safely. They couldn't very well stab him in the heart.
"We won." The accompanying ninjas responded succinctly.
If Sosuke's victory had been difficult, considering the maintenance of relations, they might have avoided discussing the battle result.
But Sosuke won so easily, almost crushingly, and he didn't specifically instruct not to share matters of the duel, so there's no reason not to talk about it.
What does Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha's loss of face have to do with them? If they have the nerve, come for another fight.
The Ninja Sect ninjas haven't forgotten Konoha's initial demand was "Sosuke must die"; clearly, Konoha wanted their leader's life, but unexpectedly their leader was so strong that the tables turned, and Konoha lost the battle.
"We won? Teacher Sosuke defeated the Third Hokage?" Many of the Ninja Sect ninjas showed surprised expressions, asking uncertainly.
They thought Sosuke maintaining a narrow defeat and safely returning was already quite good, but there was an unexpected surprise.
"Not only did we win, but we won easily; Sarutobi Hiruzen was no match for Sosuke at all," Kakuzu explained.
The Ninja Sect ninjas were all stunned; it was not even a narrow victory, but an overwhelming win.
The accompanying ninjas, seeing this, nodded secretly in their hearts; they were shocked at the scene, and it wouldn't do for only them to be stunned.
"A comfortable victory! Teacher Sosuke is so strong!" Even Yahiko showed a shocked expression.
He believed Sosuke could surpass Sarutobi Hiruzen, but didn't expect such an easy win.
"Did Konoha just stand by watching the Third Hokage lose without doing anything?" Yahiko asked in puzzlement.
He thought Konoha was targeting Sosuke, predicting Konoha would stop at nothing to kill Sosuke.
Did he get it wrong?
"Of course not. They tried to interfere in the battle, but did not succeed," Kakuzu shook his head disdainfully.
If Sosuke hadn't held back, those Konoha ninjas would have died.
"Everyone disperse; don't worry about Konoha anymore. With Sosuke here, the sky won't fall."
Now Kakuzu was thoroughly unconcerned with Konoha.
With Sosuke's demonstrated strength, even the Five Great Ninja Villages would have to carefully consider whether they could bear Sosuke's retribution if they wanted to target the Ninja Sect.
The Ninja Sect ninjas, who received the good news, left with joy in their hearts.
Their greatest hope was Sosuke's safe return; who knew he'd come back bearing such a huge surprise?
The Ninja Sect ninjas grew happier as they thought about it, subconsciously accelerating their pace to leave.
They were already eager to share this great news with their companions who couldn't make it for various reasons.
Thus, the news quickly spread within the Ninja Sect, and besides those on missions, nearly all the Ninja Sect ninjas in Six Paths City knew their leader had defeated the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
As time passed, various rumors began to circulate within Six Paths City.
This piqued the Hidden Rock ninjas' curiosity.
"What's going on here? Sosuke didn't die; what is Konoha doing?"
In a domed stone house of Land of Earth's style within Six Paths City, a Hidden Rock Jonin expressed his confusion to his companion.
"Who knows? Perhaps, as the rumors say, Sosuke defeated Sarutobi Hiruzen to return safely," the sturdy Hidden Rock ninja frowned.
Sosuke's successful return disrupted their plan.
Their plan was originally to pressure the Ninja Sect while Konoha sought Sosuke's death, making the Ninja Sect an undercurrent for Hidden Rock.
Not for Konoha's sake, but plotting for the next fifty years.
If they can't beat Konoha, regarded as the Second God of Ninjas, then they'll endure, allowing Konoha fifty years of a good time.