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"Kaito, rest assured, this pass is a crucial strategic position for the Land of Fire. While we won't disobey orders, we absolutely won't give it up easily. If we let the Cloud ninja pass through, it would be a huge threat to Konoha," Cangwu, who had just spoken up to stop them, said solemnly.

"Everyone, get ready!" Kaito said as he looked at the group.

In the world of the Hokage, it's survival of the fittest, and the strength Kaito displayed was enough to intimidate them. Moreover, abandoning comrades, even for a mission, would still be scorned upon returning to Konoha. Furthermore, if the Cloud ninja were to pass through this barrier into Konoha, it would be like entering an unguarded territory. Continuing to block them would be extremely difficult.

"Kaito, rest assured..." the group of ninjas echoed, planning to take their positions for defense.

"By the way, does anyone have any ninja scrolls with them?" Kaito suddenly remembered something important. He now had a one-click max-level system that could max out any ninjutsu. With three days of free time ahead, he certainly couldn't pass up the chance to enhance his own strength. Moreover, the Cloud ninja's A–B Duo were not easy opponents to deal with.

"Ninja scrolls?" The more than twenty ninjas present were taken aback.

"No one?" Kaito didn't hold much hope. After all, in this wartime state, who would carry learning scrolls with them? Moreover, the ninja village had dedicated training rooms for scrolls, and most ninjutsu were passed down by teachers or guided by elders. It was rare for anyone to carry ninja scrolls individually. If defeated on the battlefield, not only would they lose their lives, but the scrolls might also fall into others' hands.

Cangwu stepped forward and said, "Kaito, I don't know why you need a ninja scroll. This is an A-rank ninjutsu, Lightning Release: Falling Thunder, that I prepared for my daughter as a gift for becoming a Chunin after the mission. Rather than letting it fall into the hands of the Cloud ninja, I'd rather give it to you."

"Your daughter?" Kaito raised an eyebrow, looking at the Jonin's face, which seemed somewhat familiar. "Is your daughter Uzuki Yugao?"

"Haha, Uzuki, your daughter is indeed outstanding, even Kaito has taken notice," a burly man laughed heartily.

Cangwu glared and said, "You bastard, shut up. You're always trying to introduce your son to me. My precious daughter swore that she would only like someone who is at least a Special Jonin."

"Tch, my son Inuzuka Arashi will soon become a Chunin, and becoming a Special Jonin is just around the corner," Inuzuka Feng quickly retorted.

"Uzuki, what do you think of Kaito? His strength can definitely reach the level of a Special Jonin, and his genjutsu is something even us old folks can't match." A sudden voice emerged from the group.

Shizune's expression froze, and she quickly said, "Stop joking around and give the scroll to Kaito, he might have a use for it."

"Little Shizune, why are you blushing? Could it be that you've fallen for Kaito?" As laughter erupted, the oppressive atmosphere in the cave slightly dissipated.

After sizing up Kaito, Cangwu patted his shoulder and said, "Good lad, your powerful genjutsu indeed reaches the level of a Special Jonin. This scroll is yours. If you can make it back alive, I have a letter here that I hope you can deliver to my daughter."

"Kaito, I also have something for you to give to my son."

"I have something too."

"I'm counting on you as well!"

Watching the ninjas pull out letters and personal items one after another, there was no doubt they believed Kaito had the greatest chance of returning to Konoha alive.

"Kaito, can you return this kunai to Lady Tsunade for me?" Shizune couldn't hold back any longer. "It was her gift to me when I became her apprentice..."

For a moment, the smiles on everyone's faces hid a trace of bitterness.

"Do you all think this battle is certain death?" Kaito said calmly. "Then why didn't you agree when Yamanaka Fu and the others decided to retreat earlier?"

Everyone's expressions froze. In their eyes, Kaito's strength was enough to reach the level of a Special Jonin. However, with over a hundred Cloud ninja and the A–B Duo, it wasn't something one person could withstand.

Cangwu said urgently, "Kaito, don't misunderstand us. We're not cowards. When we became ninjas and took on this mission, we were already prepared to die. Moreover, this pass is the main route to Konoha. If the Cloud ninja get through here, Konoha will be attacked from both sides, and our families and children will be in danger. That's why we'd rather die than retreat!"

Inuzuka Feng also nodded and said solemnly, "Kaito, we've underestimated you all along. We didn't expect you to master such powerful genjutsu. We've already resigned ourselves to dying here, but we hope you can take some things back for us."

"Kaito, please help them," Shizune couldn't help but urge. "And help me too."

For a moment, everyone's gaze towards Kaito carried a hint of hope.

"Sorry, I won't help you," Kaito said calmly. "Take these things back. You have to deliver them yourselves. Including this scroll, we'll all go back together!"

His quiet voice swept through the entire area like a hurricane, shaking everyone's soul.

Cangwu couldn't help but clench his fists, his eyes slightly red, and said, "Good, the kid's right. We'll all go back together. When we get back, I'll definitely introduce my daughter to you."

"Haha, Uzuki, you're really not acting your age."

"Hmph, I bet you all wish you had a daughter to introduce to Kaito now," Cangwu said with a glare. "Kaito, what do you want the ninja scroll for? This is an A-rank Lightning Release: Falling Thunder."

Everyone couldn't help but look at Kaito with curiosity. In the face of a life-and-death battle, this A-rank ninjutsu was powerful, but clearly not useful.

"It's nothing, I just want to learn a couple more ninjutsu for myself," Kaito said as he took the scroll. With his one-click max-level system, the more ninjutsu, the better.

"Learning ninjutsu now might be a bit too late," Cangwu said, his expression pausing. "When I learned this ninjutsu, it took me over a month to fully master it. Now there's only three days, it seems a bit rushed."

"Don't worry, I'll learn it quickly," Kaito didn't explain further. He couldn't exactly tell them that he had a system that could max out skills with one click. That would be even harder for them to believe.

"This!" Cangwu was taken aback for a moment and said, "Alright, I know this ninjutsu too. If you're determined to learn it, I can guide you a bit."

"Thank you, Uncle Uzuki, but I can manage on my own," Kaito shook his head and declined, taking the scroll and heading out first.

As they watched Kaito's figure fade into the distance, many of the ninjas in the group sighed quietly.