Chapter 152: The Hidden Leaf Invasion Begins!

Only one day remained, but Jiraiya felt as if he were waiting endlessly, each day dragging like a year.

In reality, it was merely the next day.

Yet even this wandering rascal had moments of tension; since the date was set, he had stubbornly clung to Fujinaka Genma, endlessly debating how he should “perform.”

For instance, how much blood he should spit.

What pose he should strike when standing before Tsunade to look sufficiently cool.

To perform better, he naturally needed Fujinaka Genma’s cooperation.

So he decided to invite Fujinaka Genma for a bath, using mixed-gender bathing as bait.

Am I that kind of person?

Fujinaka Genma sneered.

Still, to supervise this fool, he decided to sacrifice himself and experience it.

Then.

He was indeed tricked.

There was no mixed-gender bathing at all.

That Jiraiya had dragged him off to gather inspiration.

Fujinaka Genma realized he had come for the right reason, so while Jiraiya wasn’t looking, he kicked him off the rooftop and fled.

Back home, Fujinaka Genma discovered Hyuga Mio was also there, chatting with his mother Akie while sewing clothes.

Instantly, Fujinaka Genma felt guilty and hurried forward to assist them.

At 10 p.m., Fujinaka Genma took Hyuga Mio’s hand and escorted her home.

Stars sparkled overhead; the moonlight was enchanting.

Unfortunately, such a romantic moment was interrupted by one person.

Jiraiya appeared before them, bruised and swollen; Hyuga Mio gasped: “Lord Jiraiya, who did this to Itachi?”

Seeing Jiraiya’s pitiful state, Fujinaka Genma struck first, grabbing Hyuga Mio before she could step forward: “Lord Jiraiya must have been beaten while gathering inspiration?”

Jiraiya opened his mouth, then immediately met a threatening gaze.

Itachi little brat!

Jiraiya’s face darkened, then he forced a nervous laugh: “Yes… uh, actually I was trying to sketch two summoned beasts fighting, but got caught while gathering inspiration…”

What a blatant lie!

Fujinaka Genma secretly sneered.

After escorting Hyuga Mio home, Fujinaka Genma was blocked again by Jiraiya on the way back.

The two stood atop the Hokage Rock, stars above them, overlooking the entire Hidden Leaf Village glittering with lights.

The evening breeze stirred their robes, rustling loudly.

Jiraiya sighed, “Genma, who do Itachi think is the child of fate, the one who can change the entire ninja world and end the wars?”

“The child of fate the Great Toad Sage spoke of?”

Fujinaka Genma asked knowingly.

Jiraiya nodded, deeply melancholy: “During the Second Great Ninja War, I saw Nagato’s Rinnegan and thought he was the child of fate—but I was wrong…”

Fujinaka Genma shook his head: “Lord Jiraiya, though I respect the Great Toad Sage, I do not believe a so-called child of fate can change the ninja world.”

“War will never vanish—not even if humanity goes extinct.”

“And one person’s power cannot change this world. Only everyone together can.”

“Itachi now think Nagato isn’t the child of fate, but might he still change the ninja world?”

“He possesses the Rinnegan now—the power to alter life and death, nearly divine.”

Jiraiya fell into thought.

Fujinaka Genma smiled: “I don’t believe in the child of fate, nor will I rely on one.”

“My fate—I will fight for it myself.”

“The future I desire—I will fight for it myself!”

Jiraiya froze, then stared at Fujinaka Genma; for an instant, he felt Fujinaka Genma was the very person he had been seeking.

“What if Itachi fail?”

Jiraiya suddenly asked.

Fujinaka Genma pointed to the Hidden Leaf below: “Then give your utmost effort to lay a foundation for those who come after.”

“Pass down your spirit, pass down your wisdom—to the next generation.”

“Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, Shisui Uchiha—they will all be the pillars of the Hidden Leaf’s future.”

Jiraiya fell silent; he understood Fujinaka Genma’s meaning.

Rather than searching endlessly for a child of fate, it was better to focus on the Hidden Leaf.

“I heard Itachi plan to take Fugaku’s son, Itachi, as your disciple?”

After a long silence, Jiraiya asked.

“Yes!”

Fujinaka Genma nodded, smiling: “Itachi is a talent worth cultivating.”

“In nine months, Master Kushina and Master Minato’s child will be born; I heard they’ve already named him Naruto.”

“Lord Jiraiya, why not prepare to take him as your student? Maybe he’s the child of fate Itachi’re seeking?”

Jiraiya’s face darkened instantly.

That kid isn’t even born yet—by the time he can train, it’ll be four or five more years!

Seeing Jiraiya’s grim expression, Fujinaka Genma chuckled and quickly changed the subject: “Lord Jiraiya, I plan to visit Myōboku Mountain soon to learn Sage Mode.”

Jiraiya nodded: “Of course, no problem.”

“With your chakra reserves, Itachi shouldn’t find it too difficult.”

“But, by the way, shouldn’t we go over tomorrow’s details again?”

Jiraiya shifted the topic back to tomorrow’s drill.

Fujinaka Genma quickly slipped away, escaping his harassment.

Time flew by.

Soon, the planned moment arrived.

In the Hokage’s office, Minato Namikaze stood ready.

His seriousness wasn’t for the drill—it was for the possibility of enemy invasion.

Jiraiya, however, was eager to go.

At Minato Namikaze’s house, on the rooftop, Fujinaka Genma’s body whispered to Kakashi.

Meanwhile.

His masked, black-robed shadow clone appeared in the dense forest beyond the Hidden Leaf.

Hidden in darkness, Fujinaka Genma formed hand seals and created five shadow clones.

He was already a shadow clone, having split his original body’s chakra in half; now splitting again, his chakra was divided into six parts.

Yet he still felt it was sufficient.

“Hmm, let’s give them codenames: One through Six.”

One grinned, then his masked expression hardened: “Hidden Leaf infiltration plan—begin!”

Shhh! Shhh! Shhh!

Clones Two through Six vanished.

The nearest observation post.

A Hyuga ninja suddenly stiffened and shouted: “Unknown enemy! Too fast! Release the signal!”

“Yes!”

The Leaf ninja assigned to signal immediately pulled out a flare to alert, but a hand seized his raised right arm.

Their eyes met; the Leaf ninja’s heart leapt, then his eyelids dropped—he was instantly hypnotized.

Only then did the other three ninja in the observation post react.

“Run!”

Hyuga and Uchiha ninja lunged at Clone Three, forcing another Leaf ninja to escape and signal.

But it was futile.

The Uchiha with dual tomoe, upon locking eyes with Clone Three, screamed and collapsed.

The Hyuga was swiftly taken down; moments later, the fleeing ninja was also hypnotized.

Meanwhile, all other observation and patrol posts were neutralized by the other shadow clones.

Outside the Hidden Leaf walls.

Clones One through Six converged.

Sensing the barrier enveloping the entire Hidden Leaf, Clone One decided to emulate Pain.