Chapter 133

Naruto Uzumaki did not see Itachi Uchiha, and Fujinaka Genma felt no surprise.

Uchiha Fugaku and others knew the test’s content, but not all of it.

This final task could be considered a hidden mission.

That was, to find the man impersonated by Fujinaka Genma’s shadow clone.

Of course, even if this task was not completed, the test still counted as passed.

But if completed, the evaluation would rise significantly.

Aside from Hyuga Hiashi, the others were badly injured, but medical ninja had been prepared in advance, so they rushed forward to treat them as soon as they emerged.

However,

Hyuga Hiashi and others kept glancing toward the Forest of Death, and the frequency of their glances increased with time.

Everyone could sense that Hyuga Hiashi and the others were not pleased about passing the test.

This atmosphere was not hard to guess.

Clearly, everyone was still worried about Itachi Uchiha.

So, Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Uchiha Fugaku: “It seems Itachi performed exceptionally well and has won everyone’s approval.”

Uchiha Fugaku’s emotions were complex—concerned, yet proud; stirred inside, yet before Hiruzen Sarutobi’s praise, he kept a solemn face and replied humbly: “This is all due to the efforts of the Fourth Hokage, the Third Hokage, and Leader Genma. Still, Itachi needs much more learning.”

Who says the Uchiha clan can’t handle social grace? This compliment came naturally enough.

Fujinaka Genma smiled inwardly, yet said aloud: “Chief Fugaku, no need for modesty—Itachi is outstanding; I tested him personally.”

“He is already capable of standing alone.”

Shuowan ，Fujinaka Genma turned to Hyuga Hiashi, “Of course, others performed well too, especially Hyuga Hiashi—he did excellently.”

He truly did think Hyuga Hiashi was impressive.

Time passed slowly.

Uchiha Fugaku had furrowed his brow—this test had granted Itachi Uchiha great prestige, but if he failed, the effect would be greatly diminished.

Fujinaka Genma also frowned slightly—had he made the task too difficult?

But the time was up!

“Time…”

Fujinaka Genma opened his mouth, but before his words could finish, a figure landed.

“Itachi!”

Uchiha Tomo and others cried out, then burst into joy.

Fujinaka Genma looked over and saw Itachi Uchiha supporting a man—the very Daomeidan he had hidden away.

Well, timing that precisely.

Fujinaka Genma glanced at Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi—let them judge.

Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged a look, then conferred with Fujinaka Genma; after a long while, they announced: “Itachi Uchiha—S-rank evaluation!”

“Hyuga Hiashi—A-rank evaluation!”

“Uchiha Tomo—B-rank evaluation!”

“Kakashi Hatake—B-rank evaluation!”

……

One name after another was called, each given an evaluation; different evaluations meant different assignments.

And though Itachi Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi played an absolutely critical role—without them, the team would have collapsed the moment division arose—the test would have failed—

Regardless, everyone’s performance already demonstrated the initial success of the Root reform.

Thus, after the test ended, the Hidden Leaf’s high command held a meeting, discussed collectively, and ultimately confirmed that the Root reform would continue.

This also became Fujinaka Genma’s strongest support for further restructuring Root.

As for the forty participants in this test, Fujinaka Genma and Minato Namikaze discussed it.

Split evenly!

Half to Root, half to the Hokage’s direct Anbu.

“Genma, give me Hyuga Hiashi!”

After the meeting ended, back in the Hokage’s office, Minato Namikaze immediately said.

He knew Fujinaka Genma intended to target the Uchiha clan, so he did not ask for Itachi Uchiha.

Seeing Minato Namikaze snatch a man, Fujinaka Genma could only stare blankly and spread his hands: “Master Minato, Itachi already have Kushina helping Itachi—leave Hiashi to me.”

“Look at how young I am, how heavy my workload—I need a capable assistant.”

Minato Namikaze smiled: “Itachi is already yours.”

Fujinaka Genma immediately shook his head: “Itachi is unsuited for administrative duties.”

Minato Namikaze sighed helplessly. At that moment, the door opened; they turned to see Jiraiya entering.

“Master Jiraiya!”

“Teacher Jiraiya!”

Both Fujinaka Genma and Minato Namikaze were pleasantly surprised.

“Has Tsunade returned?”

Fujinaka Genma asked quickly.

“Of course—I am the Toad Sage, Jiraiya!”

Jiraiya boasted, smugly beaming.

“Jiraiya, will Itachi die if Itachi don’t brag?”

Tsunade’s voice came from behind; Jiraiya’s smile froze slightly.

“Tsunade!”

Fujinaka Genma called out; Tsunade stepped forward, her cheeks flushed, as if she’d just drunk sake.

“I heard Itachi’re engaged to Mio—congratulations!”

Tsunade looked at Fujinaka Genma, then shifted tone, raising her fist: “But if I find out Itachi’ve mistreated her, Itachi’ll die a very ugly death.”

Fujinaka Genma could only grimace.

Minato Namikaze grimaced too—today clearly wasn’t the day for work talk.

But.

Tsunade’s return was good news—it meant their side’s strength had grown.

“But… Tsunade’s blood phobia…”

Minato Namikaze looked concerned, then glanced at Fujinaka Genma.

Hmm—Genma should have a solution.

After some casual chatter, Jiraiya suddenly changed expression and said: “I went to the Land of Rain—the Akatsuki’s trail has vanished.”

“Through certain means, I’ve confirmed that child, Minato, is dead.”

“As for Nagato and Konan… they may…”

Jiraiya didn’t finish, looking at Fujinaka Genma: “Genma, do Itachi think the one who stole the Rinnegan and the one who stole Obito Uchiha’s Sharingan are the same person?”

Before Fujinaka Genma could answer, Tsunade spoke: “The Land of Rain… those three children?”

“I told Itachi not to meddle.”

Tsunade snorted, but her expression carried deep sorrow.

Fujinaka Genma ignored Tsunade and said: “Minato’s death is tied to our Hidden Leaf—originally, Danzō led Root in a joint attack with Hanzo against the Akatsuki.”

“What?”

Jiraiya and Tsunade both gasped.

This matter was unknown even to Minato Namikaze and the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi before Fujinaka Genma took over Root.

In the Hidden Rain Village, it was also a highly classified event—every Rain Ninja present, except Hanzo, had been killed.

Unless Jiraiya obtained intelligence from Hanzo, he could not possibly know the Hidden Leaf had been involved in Minato’s death.

“Danzō joined because he didn’t want the war with the Stone Village to end—he wanted to ally with Hanzo, while the Akatsuki advocated peace and got in the way.”

“Of course, there may have been more reasons.”

Fujinaka Genma spoke with deep implication: “If Danzō had witnessed the power of the Rinnegan…”

“Remember, when he ambushed me, he used an Uchiha Sharingan.”

“On his corpse, we didn’t just find Sharingan eyes—we also found… the power of the First Hokage!”

Tsunade was now completely sober, her face pale, fists clenched: “Danzō… damn him!”