Following this battle, Konoha's morale soared once again.
Victory seemed to be right before their eyes, within easy reach.
Whether in terms of high-end combat power or the number of Ninjas, Konoha could completely suppress Sunagakure; they couldn't even imagine the possibility of losing.
Uchiha Gen also prepared himself to reap a harvest of military merits and experience points alongside them.
Referring to his previous experience, perhaps this great war could also open a war campaign instance. With his current strength, he might truly have a slight chance to push for a light purple quality war campaign treasure chest.
Unfortunately, knowing that this was a battle they were almost certain to lose, Sunagakure did not choose to go head-to-head against a stubborn Konoha. Instead, they extremely quickly packed up all their supplies and everything they had plundered in the Land of Rain and retreated back to their homeland without wasting a single bit.
This move by Sunagakure left Konoha a bit bewildered, but they still held a meeting within a short period to determine their direction.
"The Sunagakure within the Land of Rain have basically been driven back to the Land of Wind. Next, I will lead men to rely on the Asuka Mountains to fully renovate the fortifications left behind by Sunagakure, isolating them outside the Land of Rain so they no longer have the capability to threaten the northwestern border of the Land of Fire."
"The remaining members will temporarily return to the Village to rest and stand by, awaiting the Sandaime's subsequent instructions. The evaluation and auditing of military merits will be slightly delayed, but other material rewards and pensions will be issued in full in advance—"
After Homura Mitokado's orders were issued, Uchiha Gen followed the main force and set off on the journey back to Konoha together.
Nearly a year ago, there were a total of three thousand Konoha Ninjas who set out with Orochimaru for the Land of Rain. There were over six thousand Konoha Ninjas in the entire Land of Rain, but a year later, the total number was only a little over five thousand.
The death rate of Ninjas in the Ninja World War was several times higher than in other periods. In the Second Ninja World War, the Land of Rain—where the three Great Nations and the Amegakure led by Hanzou fought each other—was the most cruel place with the highest mortality rate in the entire Ninja World.
Over the past year or two, the place where the most people died was the Land of Rain.
So when this team returned to Konoha, what awaited them was not only the celebration of a victorious battle but also the sorrow brought by the families of those who died in battle.
"You're back?"
There were three people who came to welcome Uchiha Gen: one was the Great Elder, one was Uchiha Sumi, and the other was Yuna, who was supporting the latter.
"Yeah, I'm back."
"You have done even better than I imagined, Gen. Even those two were far inferior to you at your age."
The Great Elder leaned on his cane, his eyes flashing with brilliance as he looked up and down at this junior of the clan whom he valued most. His aged face was full of gratification.
Although he was in Konoha, with his status, he could access information from every battlefield. Even if he might not know immediately, he had long known that Uchiha Gen had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and had risen rapidly, repeatedly achieving military merits.
More than one Jonin had died by his hand. A series of achievements proved that he was already an existence more powerful than an ordinary Jonin.
Such a powerhouse could have a place even within the Uchiha Clan, the number one noble family of the Ninja World.
"Gen, thank you for your hard work."
Uchiha Sumi also followed suit and spoke to Uchiha Gen.
He was not a Ninja and didn't know much about Ninja affairs, but through the Great Elder's explanation, he also knew how amazing and how difficult the things Uchiha Gen had done were.
"Alright, let's head back. Cousin Gen, Aunt Mika and I knew you were coming back this afternoon and have been preparing all day, just waiting to throw a welcome feast for you!"
A bright smile hung on Yuna's face, dispelling some of the oppressive atmosphere.
Ten-odd minutes later, in the Great Elder's residence.
After eating and drinking their fill, the Great Elder led Uchiha Gen into a secret room within the mansion.
"Show me your ocular power."
The Great Elder reached out to take a bundle of scrolls from the bookshelf, then unhurriedly looked at Uchiha Gen, a red light lighting up in his aged eyes.
Hearing this, Uchiha Gen also activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan!"
Facing a Genjutsu intrusion, Uchiha Gen subconsciously mobilized his ocular power to counterattack.
In an instant, during the silent eye contact between the two, a contest of ocular power between two pairs of Three-Tomoe Sharingan unfolded.
Dozens of seconds later, feeling somewhat unable to hold on, Uchiha Gen was forced to admit defeat and closed his somewhat dry eyes.
The ocular power of the two was essentially on the same level; the Great Elder was not much stronger than him. However, in the application of techniques, the gap seemed as vast as that between Silver and Diamond ranks.
In the application of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, his usage was still very superficial, only relying on the ocular techniques mastered by Ninja Path Sasuke to become familiar with how to initially use these eyes.
The most critical part was not just the Great Elder's experience from a lifetime of battle, but also the various techniques and ocular arts summarized by generations of Uchiha powerhouses over the millennium since Indra.
"In terms of ocular technique application, once you practice these few techniques to a level of mastery, you can basically fully exert most of the power of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. However, I want to tell you more than just that."
After the Great Elder handed the scroll to Uchiha Gen, he took another new scroll from a shelf and spread it out.
"The limit of the Sharingan is not the three-tomoe. Back then, Madara and Izuna were able to rival the First and Second Hokage by relying on a pair of Mangekyo that transcended the three-tomoe. That is the true limit of the Sharingan's power."
On the scroll, the advancement path from single tomoe to triple tomoe, and then to the Mangekyo Sharingan, was clearly drawn.
Various different Mangekyo Sharingan patterns were arranged on it, along with some records regarding Mangekyo ocular techniques.
Some were quite detailed, but most were vague and poorly explained; some didn't even have names, consisting merely of descriptions of their functions.
Intelligence is a key factor affecting victory, defeat, life, and death in Ninja combat. The ocular technique abilities of the Mangekyo Sharingan are of the utmost importance; once leaked, what follows is targeted counter-strategies.
Truly clever people guard their own information strictly, not even easily revealing it to those closest to them. Unless one's power is so great that it's difficult to break even if leaked, doing so is just looking for trouble.
"You have the talent to awaken the Mangekyo, but you will certainly be targeted because of it."
Uchiha Gen was suddenly stunned.
"How do you know I've been targeted?"
The Great Elder was also stunned.
"You've really been targeted? Is it Danzo? He's on the Kumogakure battlefield; he shouldn't have time to move against you, right?"
"You are worried about the Village's high-level officials?"
It turned out to be another misunderstanding.
"Correct. Although they seem to treat you as one of their own, don't get sucked into it because of that."
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I Escaped Konoha, Then Returned as the Senju King
Konoha, Year 52.
Chiba awakens the memories of her past life—and with them, a destiny tied to the long-faded Senju clan.
With the help of a mysterious system, he successfully awakens the legendary Wood Release. Yet instead of seeking power within the village, her first decision is to escape Konoha altogether.
Two years later, he returns.
Stronger. Unrecognizable. Unstoppable.
From this day forward, the Senju name will rise once more.
Because only the Senju are meant to stand at the top of Konoha.
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You can find the book on my profile.