The Kumogakure ninja, seeing even their commander flee, had no will to continue fighting.
They scattered like startled birds and beasts, retreating back to their camp.
The Konoha shinobi, watching the enemy retreat, erupted into cheers of victory.
...
"Renya, are we really just letting them go?!"
Shimura Danzo looked at the fleeing Gold and Silver Brothers with clear discontent.
Ginkaku was gravely injured and had lost his combat ability. If they pursued now, they could have finished them off.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others turned to Renya, waiting for his decision.
Noticing their questioning gazes, Renya explained softly,
"We're not in good shape ourselves. Chasing a desperate enemy could be dangerous—if Ginkaku gets cornered, who knows what he'll do?"
Only Ginkaku was poisoned—Kinkaku hadn't been hurt.
If he was pushed too far, he might go down fighting and drag them with him.
That wouldn't be worth it.
In the previous battle, all of them had sustained serious injuries.
The power that tailed beastified Gold and Silver Brothers unleashed was overwhelming. It was only through their coordination and suppression tactics that casualties had been avoided.
Even with prior intelligence and a six-against-two advantage, they'd nearly been overwhelmed.
They had clearly underestimated the strength of Kage-level opponents.
Without his teammates drawing the enemy's attention, Renya never could've pulled off his surprise attack—severing Ginkaku's arm, poisoning him, and seizing the Banana Palm Fan.
Looking down at the fan in his hand, Renya couldn't help but sigh in awe.
"Tch, as expected of one of the Six Paths Ninja Tools..."
Just now, with a casual swing, he had blocked two of Ginkaku's tailed beastified attacks with ease.
Though the Banana Palm Fan consumed a lot of chakra, Renya's reserves were large enough to wield it effectively.
He had used it twice, and while the chakra drain was significant, it wasn't unmanageable for him.
When the others saw Renya holding the fan, their eyes lit up.
They had seen its power firsthand—able to unleash all five elemental nature transformations, its destructive capabilities were astounding.
Ginkaku had relied on this very fan to keep them all at bay.
"Renya, let me try it!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said eagerly.
He could barely wait to experience its power for himself.
On the battlefield, spoils obtained from killing the enemy didn't need to be handed over to the village—they were rewards for the victor.
Of course, if the loot was unnecessary, it could be submitted to the village in exchange for merits to redeem needed jutsu.
Since Renya had taken the Banana Palm Fan from Ginkaku, it now belonged to him.
"Renya-kun, let me have a look too," Uchiha Kagami said with a smile.
"Renya, we want a turn too!" Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura added.
"You're all acting like children," Shimura Danzo muttered, thinking they were being ridiculous. He turned away in disgust—but his eyes still drifted toward the fan.
"Here, catch," Renya said casually, tossing the fan to Hiruzen.
Hiruzen gripped it tightly, instinctively swallowing hard. Mimicking Ginkaku's previous motions, he swung the fan forward with force.
From the fan burst five elemental chakra attacks in rapid succession, tearing up everything in front of them.
In the next moment, Hiruzen's face went pale.
The already depleted chakra in his body was instantly drained by nearly half.
"Nope, I'm done. Here, take it back," Hiruzen said, his right hand trembling as he handed the fan back, a twitch tugging at the corner of his mouth.
The Banana Palm Fan was powerful, but the chakra cost was too steep.
Even at his peak, he couldn't use it continuously in battle.
If the enemy wasn't dead after a few swings, his chakra would be gone.
Only those with massive chakra reserves could realistically use it. For normal shinobi—it wasn't recommended.
"Hiruzen, let me have a go," Uchiha Kagami said as he snatched the fan from Hiruzen, oblivious to the consequences.
"My turn at last!" Kagami exclaimed, gripping the fan and swinging it fiercely.
BOOM! A five-element chakra storm erupted in front of him.
Hiruzen looked at Kagami with pity.
"Kagami, are you okay?"
"Haha, I'm fine, really..." Kagami said, face pale, forcing a polite and awkward smile.
He knew the fan consumed a lot of chakra—but he didn't expect it to be this much!
It might've been manageable under normal conditions, but after a draining battle, everyone's chakra was low to begin with. Having a chunk suddenly ripped away like that—who could endure it?
"Koharu, Homura, didn't you want a turn? Here you go..." Kagami said with a shaky smile, handing the fan over.
"Kagami, your face is white as a sheet. Are you alright?" Koharu asked with concern.
Hiruzen quietly turned away to keep her from noticing his pale face.
"Just a little worn out. A couple days' rest and I'll be fine," Kagami replied.
As Koharu took the fan, Hiruzen and Kagami eagerly watched her face for a reaction.
Watching all of this unfold, Renya couldn't help the twitch at the corner of his mouth.
He no longer knew what to say. He hadn't expected this group to be so... entertainingly vindictive toward their own comrades.
He didn't interrupt their little game and simply watched in silence.
Before long, everyone had gotten a taste—everyone except Shimura Danzo, who sat with eyes closed, meditating.
The group exchanged glances, mischief dancing in their eyes.
Renya: "..."
"Danzo, want to try the Banana Palm Fan?" Hiruzen said, walking up with the fan in hand.
Danzo's eyelids twitched slightly at those words, and he slowly opened his eyes.
The moment he did, his gaze locked onto the fan, his Adam's apple bobbing.
Clearly, he was struggling to resist.
Hiruzen handed him the fan with a smile.
"Come on, give it a go. We've all tried it—it's really impressive."
Looking at the fan in front of him, Danzo finally caved.
He reached out and took it, saying flatly, "Since you insist, I suppose I'll try it... reluctantly."
Just as he prepared to swing, the others chimed in:
"Danzo, the harder you swing, the more powerful it is!"
...
Renya's gaze turned sympathetic.
Poor guy.
It was true that a stronger swing produced more power—but it also consumed much more chakra.
If Danzo really gave it his all, wouldn't he be completely drained?
"Is that so?" Danzo smirked. "Then let me show you the full extent of my power!"
"Go, Danzo!" the group shouted encouragingly.
Under their expectant eyes, Shimura Danzo took a deep breath and summoned all his strength, swinging the fan with everything he had.
He would show these people just how devastating his power could be!
BOOM BOOM BOOM! A massive elemental chakra storm erupted in front of him.
Thud—
Renya watched as Danzo collapsed to the ground, eyes rolling back as he fell unconscious.
How terrifyingly effective...
"Danzo, are you okay?!"
Koharu rushed forward in concern and, after checking him, confirmed it was just chakra exhaustion.
Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
Renya: "..."