Chapter 143

The test is over; Fujinaka Genma feels he can now master more conventional ninjutsu.

At the same time, it’s essential to raise all basic chakra nature transformations to level 10.

Given Fujinaka Genma’s current status, he can freely learn and study any ninja technique or forbidden jutsu in Konoha.

For instance, the Impure World Reincarnation—he had already planned to learn it.

Also, the Dead Demon Consuming Seal: though he has no intention of using it desperately, such a technique that seals souls and separates yin and yang is worth studying.

Leaving the training base, his day’s work begins.

The first day of the New Year isn’t busy.

But for Fujinaka Genma, it’s business as usual.

His main body remains at headquarters while his shadow clones go out to train.

Soon, the first day of the New Year passes.

On the second day, Fujinaka Genma first visited the Hokage’s office, greeted Minato Namikaze, then proceeded to the Root.

There, Shisui Uchiha had already prepared everything.

Besides him, there were three others: Ren, Yi, and Li.

This time, Shisui Uchiha would lead these three as Fujinaka Genma’s bodyguards to the Hidden Rain Village.

“Let’s go!”

After giving a few instructions to Hyuga Niji, Fujinaka Genma ordered the team to depart.

They left Konoha and headed west.

The five of them moved at a moderate pace but entered the Land of Rain before noon.

At 3 p.m., they arrived before the Hidden Rain Village.

The Hidden Rain Village’s defenses were tight—they had set up a checkpoint at the bridge and stopped Fujinaka Genma’s group.

Rain continued to fall steadily.

Shisui Uchiha stepped forward to negotiate: “We are from Konoha. Our Hokage’s aide, Fujinaka Genma, wishes to meet your leader. Please announce us!”

“Fujinaka Genma…”

The two guards blocking Shisui Uchiha paled, their eyes shifting to Fujinaka Genma behind them—who wore no raincoat yet remained completely dry.

They had never seen Fujinaka Genma, but his name was infamous; they had heard it countless times.

They’d heard he was very young—and now they saw it was true.

One of them said to Shisui Uchiha: “Please wait a moment—we’ll inform Lord Hanzo immediately!”

“Thank Itachi!”

After thanking them, Shisui Uchiha stepped back beside Fujinaka Genma and whispered: “Lord Genma, something’s wrong with this village. Outside, everything is chaos—but here, the defenses are excessive.”

“The Hidden Rain Village’s strength isn’t weak.”

Along their journey, they’d seen the Land of Rain in utter disarray—bandits ran rampant, and ninja organizations were everywhere.

Some of those organizations might even have been founded by our Root members.

The current ninja world is relatively calm; the Stone and Leaf Villages have many grievances, but their conflicts are confined to the Land of Grass.

Fujinaka Genma knew Kakashi Hatake had gone to the Land of Grass after Root training and still hadn’t returned.

All major ninja villages have operatives active in the Land of Rain, because it’s a four-way battleground.

But the Hidden Rain Village preserved its strength well during the last Great Ninja War; in Shisui Uchiha’s view, it had more than enough power to stabilize the Land of Rain.

Fujinaka Genma smiled lightly: “Hanzo is no longer the Hanzo who dared strike against the major ninja villages. The ‘Half-God’ isn’t a god—he grows old, and he fears.”

Even without the Akatsuki, Hanzo had already become cautious, with astonishing protective measures.

Now that he’s witnessed the power of the Rinnegan, how could he not fear retaliation?

That’s why he’s holed up inside the Hidden Rain Village.

Too bad—he couldn’t have stopped Nagato when he returned.

After nearly half an hour, someone arrived to escort Fujinaka Genma’s group across the bridge into the Hidden Rain Village, then to the leader’s residence.

Here, guards stood every three steps—their strength made Shisui Uchiha and the others stare in disbelief.

How little security did he feel?

“Has the once-Half-God really sunk to this?”

Shisui Uchiha found it hard to believe, then glanced at Fujinaka Genma ahead, comparing him to the vibrant Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

Even compared to the retired Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hanzo’s performance fell short.

“With such a leader, and such a village, the Hidden Rain Village…”

Shisui Uchiha silently shook his head.

Without comparison, there’s no sense of achievement.

His understanding of the Will of Fire rose another level.

Fujinaka Genma didn’t know what Shisui Uchiha was imagining—his reputation was already formidable, and Hanzo didn’t dare delay; he received them immediately in a conference room.

After formal greetings and pleasantries, as Fujinaka Genma and the others sat down, Hanzo cut straight to the point: “Mr. Genma, what is your purpose in coming to the Hidden Rain Village?”

“I apologize for the sudden visit, but I have one matter I wish to verify with Itachi.”

Fujinaka Genma said.

Hanzo raised an eyebrow. “Verify?”

Fujinaka Genma nodded and asked directly: “I want to know—who killed the other members of the Akatsuki, besides its three leaders, during that battle?”

Of course!

Hanzo’s expression darkened; upon hearing of Fujinaka Genma’s arrival, he’d already suspected this.

This man was the new Root leader—and rumors said he’d eliminated his predecessor to take power.

So why investigate that incident?

To pursue justice?

It was meaningless now.

Or was it for those eyes, that power?

Seeing Hanzo’s expression, Fujinaka Genma smiled: “Lord Hanzo, I mean no ill intent. I only wish to confirm whether others were involved in that event, conspiring against us.”

“Hmm?”

Hanzo frowned. “What do Itachi mean?”

Fujinaka Genma smiled: “If the other Akatsuki members weren’t eliminated by your orders, then someone else intervened to remove them.”

“What was their goal? It’s not hard to guess now.”

Hanzo understood Fujinaka Genma’s implication.

He was deliberately making them enemies of the Akatsuki.

Still, Hanzo held his ground: “That boy is half-dead. Even with that power, he’s no threat.”

Fujinaka Genma nearly laughed out loud.

Were those tight defenses outside just for show?

Fortunately, he was professional—his expression didn’t change. He said: “Lord Hanzo, the enemy is in the shadows, we are in the light. Even with great strength, there are always blind spots.”

“There’s a saying in my homeland: ‘A thief can steal for a thousand days, but guarding against him for a thousand days is impossible.’”

Hanzo fell silent, then looked up at the impossibly young Fujinaka Genma and asked: “What do Itachi propose?”

“Cooperate!”

“Find them!”

Fujinaka Genma had already prepared his proposal: “The Akatsuki is likely still active in the Land of Rain.”

“The chaos here makes it perfect for them to hide.”

We can assist Itachi in fully controlling the Land of Rain—even the Land of Chuan.

“Of course, Konoha has no designs on the Land of Rain—we can offer our services through employment.”

Hanzo stared in shock.

Hire Konoha ninja to cleanse the Land of Rain?