"Hey, have you heard? There's another genius in the Uchiha clan—Uchiha… Madara! Yeah, Uchiha Madara!"
The mention of Uchiha Tajima suddenly reminded someone of a name long whispered across the Fire Country.
"I've heard of him too! Only nine years old, and he's already been on the battlefield several times. Ninjas have died under his hands!"
"What's Uchiha Madara? You don't know Senju Hashirama of the Senju clan? Also nine, and he has this thing called Wood Style. Even Jōnin would hesitate against him!"
"Wait, Senju Hashirama is only nine? How can he even be a Jōnin-level opponent?"
"Hehe, that's just rumors. If we're talking about the new generation, the strongest has to be Hinaga Tennin!"
"Hyuga Tennin?"
"Yes! The boy with the same name as the current Hyuga patriarch. Only nine, and I saw him personally defeat Uchiha clan Chūnin elites. Gentle Fist is insane!"
"What? Hyuga Tennin? Sarutobi Sasuke from the Sarutobi clan signed a contract with his clan's demon ape a month ago. If Hyuga Tennin met him… I don't think he'd even stand a chance against the Summoning Beast!"
The tavern buzzed with excitement as the ninjas debated the strength of the new generation. Arguments flared, faces flushed with enthusiasm.
"It should be said, though—the strongest of the new generation is from the Amamiya clan!"
All chatter paused as one ninja suddenly spoke, eyes widening.
"The Amamiya clan? You mean… the kid Amamiya Duoren?"
Silence fell over the tavern. Everyone turned to hear more.
"Yes. I heard this Amamiya Duoren faced the war between the Uchiha and Hyuga clans at just five years old. He personally beheaded Senju Jōnin on a mission. And, rumor says, he also helped seal terrifying spirits in the Country of Ghosts. But then… he vanished from sight for two years."
Excitement rippled among the diners.
"He hasn't vanished. I heard he's been active in the Fire Country all these years, personally eliminating bandits and gaining a huge reputation among the common folk!"
"Heroic, yes—but the Amamiya clan is small. Can he really compete with the other new-gen prodigies?"
Even though they acknowledged his strength, many still doubted if a child from a minor clan could rise to the level of Madara or Hashirama. Genius often burned out young; most never survived the crucible of the Warring States.
Raizen silently absorbed the chatter, a smirk tugging at his lips. So much had changed in just a year. Prodigies like Madara and Hashirama were slowly rising to legendary status while he sharpened his own edge in the shadows. With that thought, he stood and walked out.
"Hey, look! That boy!"
One ninja, recognizing Raizen's figure, suddenly shouted. Could it be… Amamiya Duoren himself?
"Age about seven, dressed in black… that's Amamiya Duoren!"
A veteran of the Uchiha coalition had seen both Duoren and Madara fight. Shock registered on his face as he realized the boy was standing right there.
"What?!"
Other diners gawked, disbelief spreading.
"Is it really him?"
The first ninja's voice carried authority, laced with frustration at the doubt.
"I fought alongside him in the Uchiha coalition! You're not mistaken!"
"What a hero…"
The tavern sighed collectively, marveling at the exploits of a seven-year-old boy who had already carved his name into the annals of the Ninja World.
Raizen, oblivious to the attention, continued walking. His destination lay ahead—the Amamiya Clan. Three days later, he finally arrived at the lake by the sea.