The battle between Hui and Tobirama left Konoha's ninjas astounded, their hearts filled with awe.
Of course, most of their astonishment came from Hui. Tobirama's strength was a given, but Hui, despite being known as a powerful young ninja, had only been a story to them until now. Seeing it firsthand was an entirely different experience.
People tend to subconsciously downplay others' achievements, attributing their success to external factors. In their minds, they thought Hui's accomplishments must have been due to outside help.
But now, they were forced to acknowledge the truth.
This eleven-year-old boy was indeed the "Light of Konoha"—the Anbu captain who led his squad to hunt down eight Iwagakure teams and single-handedly killed three Iwagakure Jonin, as well as their Anbu commander, the kage-level ninja, Ishigawa.
As Hui and Tobirama left the training field, Konoha's shinobi couldn't stop talking, their voices filled with excitement and disbelief.
"He's incredibly strong. Hui's abilities weren't exaggerated at all. In fact, I think we've all underestimated him."
"This is what a true genius looks like. At just eleven, he can fight evenly with the Second Hokage using ninjutsu. Even if he doesn't become the next First Hokage, he'll definitely be the next Second Hokage!"
"Yes! And even though Lord Tobirama didn't use the Flying Thunder God Technique, Hui's strength is undeniable, and he's still just eleven!"
"Ah, when I was eleven, I was only a Chunin. I thought I was some kind of prodigy... but Hui? He's eleven and already at the kage level. The difference between people is just too big."
"Don't even mention it. I was still a Genin at eleven, not even close to Chunin level."
"No way, I need to start training my kid harder. He doesn't have to be like Hui, but he'd better reach Chunin level by the time he's eleven!"
The conversation was filled with admiration, excitement, and even self-reflection. The strength Hui displayed had a profound impact on everyone.
But it wasn't just the ordinary ninjas who were affected. Many members of Konoha's prominent clans were present too, and their thoughts were more complicated.
Particularly, the ninjas from the Uchiha clan felt the weight of what they had witnessed. The Uchiha were known for their pride, stemming from their powerful bloodline and natural talent. In any age group, the Uchiha were typically the strongest.
But after witnessing Hui's abilities, many felt a sense of discomfort. They were supposed to be geniuses, but there was no one in their clan who could compare to him.
The same feelings stirred in the Hyuga clan. Like the Uchiha, they were known for their talent, but none of their clan members could rival Hui. It was a harsh reality check for them.
Of course, they were overthinking things. Hui was an outlier, an exception, not a representative of anyone's abilities.
"Hui has grown so strong. He's no weaker than me now," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a deep sigh.
He was one of the few in the village who had watched Hui grow from an elite Chunin into the Kage-level ninja he had become today. Witnessing that transformation left him full of emotions. After all, Hui was only eleven, while Hiruzen himself was already nearing thirty.
"Sensei, let's keep training!" Jiraiya said, his fists clenched with determination. He felt invigorated by Hui's display of power.
Even Orochimaru, standing nearby, seemed unusually excited, clearly influenced by the intensity of the battle.
"This is youth!" shouted a boy in a green jumpsuit, running around the training grounds… while doing handstands.
"Hui-kun is so cool! Aaaah!"
"I saw Hui-kun again! This is my youth!"
"Hui-kun, I love you!!!"
A group of eleven- and twelve-year-old girls, fresh graduates from the ninja academy, squealed and screamed in excitement. They had been Hui's classmates and were now hopelessly captivated by him.
The duel between Hui and Tobirama sent ripples throughout Konoha, but in just a few days, the waves reached far beyond, spreading throughout the shinobi world.
Konoha was filled with spies from other villages, and they wasted no time in sending detailed reports back to their respective villages.
The reports included descriptions of all the ninjutsu Hui had used, confirming that he had indeed reached kage-level strength.
Now, there was no longer any doubt.
Previously, some villages had held onto the hope that Hui's victory over Ishigawa had been a fluke, the result of some unknown external factors. But now they understood: Hui's success was purely due to his own strength.
An eleven-year-old, kage-level ninja.
"He must not be allowed to grow any further, absolutely not!"
"If we get the chance, we have to eliminate him, no matter the cost. I don't want to face another God of Shinobi!"
"Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and now Hui... Konoha never lacks geniuses. Is it because of the fertile land they occupy?"
"Hui... I will kill you and avenge Ishigawa."
With Hui's reappearance after his two-month absence, the shinobi world was once again shaken. But the person at the center of it all? Hui didn't care in the slightest.
Before his recent transformation, Hui had believed in keeping a low profile. But now? He felt he could walk through the shinobi world openly and without fear.
He was no longer the chakra-deprived ninja he once was. His chakra reserves were now several times greater than they had been just two months ago.
And with the changes to his eyes and body, Hui was confident that his strength now placed him among the elite of the shinobi world.
Of course, walking openly didn't mean being reckless. This was still the shinobi world, full of unknown dangers.
You never knew when an enemy might use a drop of your blood to perform a deadly jutsu, or when you might face someone with the power to alter memories and minds.
There were cursed weapons that could permanently seal you, strange gourd-shaped objects that could trap you with a single word…
In short, the shinobi world was dangerous, and filled with unpredictable threats. Plenty of kage-level ninjas had perished over the years.
So, being open didn't mean being careless. Hui understood this perfectly well.
After the battle, Hui returned to spend time with Tsunade, prioritizing his time with her. But it seemed that Tobirama didn't want to see Hui idle. The very next day, an official letter of appointment was placed in front of Hui.
The appointment read: "For your distinguished achievements in the Land of Mist, Mochizuki Hui, Captain of the First Division's Fourth Squad, is hereby promoted to the position of Captain of the First Division. This appointment takes effect immediately."
And just like that, eleven-year-old Hui became an Anbu division captain—the youngest in Anbu's history.
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