Sora touched his chin, looking at the Six Eared Monkey.
He recalled various mythological legends from his previous life. The Naruto world already had the "Adamantine Staff" from Enma's transformation.
Suddenly, another famous divine monkey and its weapon flashed through his mind — the Long-Armed Ape Monkey, who could grasp the sun and moon, shrink mountains, discern fortune and misfortune, and toy with the universe.
Its divine weapon was named the "Hemolysis Wrought-Iron Staff," also known as the "Pillar of Heaven, White Jade Column"!
'Pillar of Heaven, White Jade Column... Name Should be Tenji which means Heaven Pillar...'
Sora's eyes lit up. This name was both imposing and hinted at its potential future trait of transforming into a weapon, plus it had excellent symbolism.
The more he thought about it, the more suitable it seemed. So he squatted down, looked at the Six Eared Monkey, and declared in an unquestionable tone:
"From now on, you will be called 'Tenji'!"
The little monkey clearly froze for a moment, then let out two "Chirp! Chirp!" cries, as if trying to express something.
Seeing this, Sora thought it really liked the name and nodded with a smile:
"Hmm? You think this name is good too?"
"Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!"
The little monkey cried even more urgently, even waving its tiny claw a little.
"Oh, you like it a lot? Then it's settled. From now on, you are Tenji."
Satisfied, Sora patted its head, finalizing the decision.
"Chirp~..."
The little monkey, no, it should be called Tenji now, looked at this human talking to himself and eventually let out a resigned low cry, accepting the name.
It had actually been trying to tell Sora that it originally had a name, given by its mother a long time ago.
But obviously, Sora didn't understand its "monkey language" at all.
'Forget it. Mother is gone now. That name can stay in the past with her. This name "Tenji"... it does sound very powerful, very impressive! Much better than names like "Big Black" or "Fast Feet" in the tribe!'
Pillar of Heaven thought to itself silently.
It quickly adjusted its attitude and even began to like this new name a little.
It puffed out its thin chest with effort, as if the name had already bestowed some strength upon it.
Sora watched the little monkey's reaction, finding it amusing. Through their contract, he could vaguely sense its emotional shift from slight reluctance to acceptance and then to liking.
'Its intelligence is indeed not low. With proper nurturing, it will be a great asset in the future.'
He glanced once more towards the cave direction and sent a clear thought to Pillar of Heaven through the contract:
"Take care of that little white fellow. Hide well. Wait for me to return."
Pillar of Heaven immediately nodded vigorously, indicating understanding. Though small and thin, its eyes were unusually firm, as if caring for the small white tiger had become the first important task Sora had entrusted to it.
Sora delayed no further. Pushing off with his feet, his figure flickered several times as he rapidly moved away from the area, speeding towards the direction of Konoha Village.
He needed to return to the village quickly to report on the mission. At the same time, he needed to prepare more suitable medicine and food to treat the small white tiger. After all, his blood didn't seem very effective on the little creature, and he couldn't keep feeding it blood forever.
In the forest, only the newly named Six Eared little monkey, "Tenji," remained. Clumsily holding the still unconscious small white tiger, it cautiously looked around, then carefully squeezed into a more hidden tree hollow it had just discovered, beginning its first "guardian" mission.
It didn't know the weight of expectation and imposing meaning carried by the name "Tenji," but it liked the name, and it liked the human who had given it new life and this name.
Perhaps one day, it could truly live up to the name and become a powerful existence capable of holding up heaven and earth.
...
Konoha Village, Hokage's Office.
Sora traveled swiftly all the way back without further incident. After sustaining various injuries, he headed straight for the Hokage Building.
At the moment, the office was hazy with smoke. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was bent over his desk handling documents.
"Hokage-sama."
Sora knelt on one knee. His voice, transmitted through the Green Snake mask, sounded somewhat muffled.
"Rise, Green Snake."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up, set down his pipe, and said slowly:
"How did the mission go? Why have you returned alone? Where are Fox and the others?"
Sora stood up and reported succinctly, his account half-truth, half-falsehood:
"The mission was smooth initially. We identified three suspected supply points. But during the final confirmation of the camp located in the southeastern valley, we were ambushed by the Kumogakure elite unit 'Raven.' The leader was the Elite Jonin Black Crow. He recognized my mask. It seemed like retaliation for the Toroi squad incident."
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned tightly.
" 'Raven' unit? Black Crow? How could they appear there?"
Sora replied calmly:
"Unclear if it was coincidence or a leak. The opposing force was strong: one Elite Jonin, five Jonin, six Special Jonin. We were forced to scatter and break through. Fox held the rear, drawing away some pursuers. Grey Wolf, Night Owl, and I went in different directions. I was pursued by the main force led by Black Crow. I eventually lost them at sea and took a detour back."
He deliberately blurred the process of "losing" them, only saying he took advantage of the sea environment and Black Crow's underestimation, barely escaping.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced briefly at Sora's injuries, his expression grave.
"Black Crow... is a veteran captain of Kumogakure's intelligence unit, ruthless and merciless. For you to escape from him is no easy feat."
He didn't doubt Sora's words. After all, for an 11-year-old boy, even a genius, to survive a pursuit led by an Elite Jonin was already a miracle!
Wiping them all out? That was simply unthinkable.
"Your mission is likely compromised. The clues on the 'Thunder Blast' unit will probably be cut off."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and continued:
"I'll hand over further investigation to other teams. For this mission, your Squad C Five has worked hard. Go rest. I will immediately send people to assist Fox and the others."
"Yes."
Sora lowered his head in acknowledgment, feeling slightly relieved inside. This hurdle was passed.
As for the news of Black Crow's entire force being wiped out, it wouldn't reach Konoha Village for a while. However, after this battle, he would have to be even more cautious when facing Kumogakure in the future.
Black Crow and his team died precisely because they were pursuing him. To say it had nothing to do with him would be a lie no one believed.
It was easy to imagine that once the news reached Kumogakure, Sora would definitely be placed on their kill list. In the future, whenever he entered Kumogakure's sphere of influence, he would likely face pursuit.
As for Konoha's side, even if they learned of Black Crow's death later, Sarutobi Hiruzen would likely be more inclined to believe it was the work of Kirigakure to the east—after all, Sora was too young. No one would easily connect the annihilation of an elite force capable of fighting Kage-level opponents to a young boy.
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