After eliminating Nozawa Hayato and his team, the Special Operations Squad returned to the Konoha camp.
Senju Senra personally led the Konoha forces and stood five hundred meters outside the camp to welcome their return.
The moment the ten members of the Special Operations Squad appeared in sight, cheers erupted among the Konoha shinobi.
"That's insane! They actually killed Nozawa Hayato!"
"Lord Yoru!"
"Konoha will win!"
Tsunade watched Yoru with a gentle smile. Before she realized it, he had already grown taller than her—and had become a true powerhouse.
Orochimaru narrowed his snake-like eyes as he looked at Yoru, a faint smile curling on his lips.
Only Jiraiya looked different from his usual self. His expression was solemn as he stared at Yoru.
"Welcome back," Senju Senra said, his voice filled with excitement.
Nozawa Hayato and his group had been extremely troublesome enemies. Especially Nozawa himself—cruel and bloodthirsty—countless Konoha shinobi had been tortured to death by his hands.
Senju Senra's gaze toward Yoru carried not only kindness, but also a trace of respect.
"It's nothing," Yoru said with a faint smile. "It's just a pity… some of our Konoha brothers will never return."
Senju Senra nodded.
"This is war. Don't dwell on it. If their spirits could see that you avenged them by killing Nozawa Hayato and the others… they would be proud."
Yoru smiled lightly and said nothing more.
Senju Senra's eyes showed clear satisfaction. Yoru was not only powerful, but also deeply cared for Konoha and his comrades.
Maybe… he really could…
Senju Senra fell into thought.
Yoru ignored him and walked straight toward Tsunade.
"Tsunade, I'm back."
He smiled warmly, looking into her eyes.
"Y-Yeah… it's good that you're safe," Tsunade replied, her gaze slightly avoiding his as her face flushed faintly.
"So strong! What was it like fighting them?" someone asked the Special Operations Squad members.
One of them smiled bitterly. "It was all Lord Yoru. We weren't even qualified to fight Nozawa Hayato."
"Hahaha! Just surviving is already impressive!"
Another squad member excitedly began boasting about Yoru's feats, drawing a crowd of shinobi around him. Gasps of amazement erupted from time to time, and the admiration in their eyes grew stronger.
Yoru ignored the noisy crowd. After chatting briefly with Tsunade, the two of them walked back toward the camp.
"Tsunade," Yoru said with a smile, "does this mean I can finally take on some real responsibility now?"
Tsunade's face turned bright red. She pretended to glare at him. "You've still got a long way to go!"
"Hahaha!" Yoru laughed loudly. "You look really cute when you blush."
Just then, a voice called out from behind him.
Yoru turned and saw Jiraiya staring at him.
"I admit… I was naive," Jiraiya said seriously. "But I still can't accept your methods."
Yoru's smile faded as he looked at him calmly.
"Showing mercy to the enemy is cruelty to your own people. My mission is to ensure as many Konoha shinobi survive as possible—and to win this war."
Jiraiya opened his mouth, but Yoru cut him off.
"You don't have to agree with me. If you have your own way, then follow it."
Yoru had already noticed that people like Jiraiya always tried to force others to accept their ideals.
Fortunately, Minato had already been influenced by him. Otherwise, listening to that "be kind" speech every day would be unbearable.
Jiraiya clenched his fists, watching the two walk away.
Tsunade… do you also agree with Yoru?
Confusion flickered in his eyes.
Inside a special room within the Konoha camp—
Five Konoha Jonin continuously exhaled scorching flames, completely surrounding Yoru.
At this moment, Yoru's entire body—except for his head—had transformed into magma, greedily absorbing the flames.
The magma churned violently. Amid the dark red glow, a blood-like crimson began to spread.
Not long after returning to camp, Yoru had sensed that his magma was about to undergo a transformation. He immediately found Senju Senra and requested five fire-style Jonin to assist him in breaking through.
The five Jonin looked at him with deep respect.
When they first received the order, they thought they had misheard.
They were supposed to attack Yoru with powerful Fire Release techniques?
They even suspected Senju Senra had gone mad from Yoru's achievements.
Only after Yoru personally confirmed it did they follow him here.
Even then, they hesitated.
"Fire Release: Small Fireball Jutsu!"
A tiny flame struck Yoru's body.
Yoru's expression darkened instantly.
After scolding them thoroughly, he repeatedly emphasized that he was completely immune to fire and ordered them to use their full strength.
With Yoru's growing prestige on the battlefield, even these Jonin didn't dare disobey him.
The five exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and finally unleashed stronger techniques.
"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!"
Yoru's face grew even darker.
"I said I'm not afraid of fire! I'm magma! Use your strongest techniques!"
Seeing that he was indeed unharmed, the five Jonin finally used their full power.
Gradually, the magma forming Yoru's body began to change. The bright crimson glow intensified, suppressing the original dark red color.
Yoru opened his eyes.
"Convert all your chakra into fire!" he commanded.
The five Jonin immediately understood—this was the critical moment.
Their chakra surged violently as they poured everything into one final technique.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Boom!
Terrifying flames engulfed Yoru completely, distorting even the surrounding air.
Under the worried gazes of the five Jonin—
A brilliant blood-red light burst forth from within the flames, like a phoenix being reborn.
The flames vanished instantly, as if swallowed by an abyss.
One of the Jonin hesitated before speaking.
"L-Lord Yoru…?"
Yoru raised his right arm.
It had transformed into blood-red magma.
A terrifying heat radiated outward.
A smile slowly spread across his lips.
Blood-red magma.
Temperature—
Seven hundred degrees.
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