If Guy and Genma Shiranui hadn't reacted quickly, they might have been caught in the devastation as well.
The rest of the merchant caravan nearly dropped their jaws in shock.
They had witnessed Raj's transformation before, but they had never seen the true destructive power of his combat form.
Now, seeing it firsthand...
That jump was insane!
His previous size and appearance were just a deceptive disguise!
After obliterating the bandits with a single leap, Raj used his claws to smooth out the earth, restoring the road.
"We're still pressed for time, Meow. I'll let you take your time fighting next time we have a chance."
Raj patted Ebisu on the head with its massive paw.
"Good kitty~ Now go train. One crate of cargo."
When you're feeling sad, the last thing you want is someone to comfort you.
Because once they do, the tears just won't stop.
Especially when their words cut so deep, shattering even the last shreds of your pride.
Ebisu felt utterly wronged.
Was it his fault he was a little slow?
Was it fair to bully him just because he lacked large-scale ninjutsu?
'This isn't fair!'
But Raj was a Jonin.
No matter how unfair it seemed, his protests were useless.
He was the weakest link.
Though Ebisu had excelled at the Ninja Academy, grades alone didn't matter after graduation - unless he could immediately transition into a teaching position.
Yet Konoha's Ninja Academy had no precedent for graduates staying on as instructors.
Everyone had to start from the bottom, even the Crown Prince himself.
Thus, Ebisu reluctantly hoisted a crate of cargo onto his back.
The Uemori Clan primarily traded in ninja tools and ironware.
This particular crate was mostly filled with farming implements, making it incredibly heavy.
Not even Genma Shiranui could have carried it easily, let alone Ebisu.
Gritting his teeth, Ebisu struggled to lift the crate and then strained to keep pace with the caravan.
Sora Uemori felt a pang of sympathy.
'This child is too young. Isn't this kind of physical punishment a bit harsh?'
However, as one of the cargo boxes was removed, the carriage seemed to pick up speed.
Sensing the benefit, he fell silent.
'Well, it's a Jonin's order, after all.'
Meanwhile, Raj secretly observed Guy and Genma.
'A team should support each other. Forcing Ebisu to carry this the whole way is unreasonable. If these two don't help... Heh heh heh.'
Ebisu gradually fell behind the group, sweat pouring down his forehead like a torrential downpour.
Yet he gritted his teeth and remained silent.
At that moment, Guy stepped forward.
"Lord Chimei, Ebisu is struggling. I'll carry it for him."
"Ebisu can endure a little longer. I'll take over soon," Genma Shiranui said, a senbon needle dangling from his mouth, stopping Guy.
Genma hadn't understood at first, but after a moment's thought, he realized Raj was making Ebisu confront his weakness while using the box-carrying as physical training.
Among the three, Guy clearly needed the least extra training.
That's why he was second in line.
'He's already taken care of it himself, saving me the trouble of explaining. Just fewer Points... It's not always good when kids are too well-behaved. Without mischievous brats causing trouble, there are no Points to earn.'
Raj sighed inwardly.
Sora Uemori was shocked and couldn't help but whisper, "You're really a Jonin?"
"Meow!"
Raj transformed back into his original form, appearing completely harmless.
But no one now saw him as just a cat or a shape-shifting Ninja Beast.
This was a truly ferocious being who had crushed the bandits into the earth with a single paw.
Ordinary people stood no chance against him.
Even Ninjas...
Look at Ebisu, struggling to carry the supplies.
What did it matter if they were Ninjas?
They still had to obey Raj's orders.
Their awe of Raj only deepened.
This B-rank mission was a breeze, mostly dealing with small-time thugs.
It felt almost beneath him to intervene personally, so he let Guy and the others grind for experience.
Guy was improving rapidly.
He wasn't stupid, just simple-minded.
His combat skills were top-tier; otherwise, he wouldn't have defeated Obito multiple times in the original story and earned his promotion to Chunin during the exams.
Genma's progress was decent as well.
His greatest improvement lately had been in his grip strength.
Previously, his senbon needles had been perfectly balanced, but now he was considering adding other weapons to his arsenal, such as kunai or large shuriken.
Genma Shiranui had once dismissed those larger ninja tools as uncool and ineffective, but now he recognized their utility.
A shift in perspective often requires a harsh dose of reality, and the one who had taught him this lesson was none other than Raj, currently napping in the carriage under the sun.
Though Raj appeared to be sleeping, he was actually digesting the Sage Art Chakra he had absorbed earlier, dispersing the excess energy throughout his body.
Yet he remained keenly aware of his surroundings.
If Ebisu or Genma Shiranui slacked off, Raj would immediately spring up and deliver a disciplinary claw strike to each of them.
The journey proved surprisingly uneventful.
Raj had initially expected frequent attacks from Missing Ninja and Wandering Samurai, given the team's lack of a truly intimidating Jonin leader.
In reality, most attacks occurred near the Land of Rivers.
After entering the northern territories, the attacks gradually ceased.
In total, they encountered three waves of assailants.
Though numerous, they posed no challenge to Raj, who didn't even need to intervene.
Guy and his team handled them effortlessly, growing more ruthless with each encounter.
Initially, Ebisu managed to take down two or three enemies per wave.
But as Guy and Genma's combat coordination improved, he was reduced to eliminating just one, with the rest being handled by the others.
Life was tough.
"Lord Chimei, we've reached our destination. Thank you again for your assistance," Sora Uemori said, bowing deeply in gratitude.
"Meow~ Let's collaborate again sometime," Raj replied, extending a paw to pat Sora's arm, simultaneously imprinting a Flying Thunder God Technique Formula.
This wasn't mere politeness; Raj genuinely saw potential for future collaboration.
During the journey, it had inquired about the Uemori Clan.
The clan primarily dealt in ironware such as weapons and agricultural tools, with less profitable ventures like furniture sales.
Most importantly, Sora Uemori was deeply unfulfilled.
On one hand, he didn't want to risk his life continuing the family's traditional business, but on the other, he wanted to achieve something to prove his capabilities.
Raj loved nothing more than saving such empty souls.
Take Kabuto, for example.
With Raj's help, he had found his life's purpose and was steadily climbing the ranks in the pet industry.
As for the projects they would collaborate on with Sora Uemori... Cat trees, scratching posts, and other pet supplies held immense potential.
In the future, Kabuto would manage Kyoto's pet healthcare and medical businesses, while Sora Uemori would oversee pet lifestyle products.