Chapter 28: A New Partner!

The next day.

Fujinaka Genma brought Hyuga Mio to Tsunade’s grand mansion.

Tsunade clearly took the matter of taking a disciple seriously, unusually free of alcohol on her breath.

Hyuga Mio looked extremely nervous, unable to help gripping Fujinaka Genma’s arm.

Fujinaka Genma helplessly squeezed her soft hand lightly and whispered, “Relax, Lady Tsunade is very approachable!”

“Mm!”

Hyuga Mio’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.

Tsunade crossed her arms, watching with keen interest, a teasing smile on her lips.

“Becoming my disciple isn’t easy—come with me!”

Hyuga Mio nodded quickly: “Yes, Lady Tsunade!”

The two left one after the other; Fujinaka Genma did not follow, instead staying in the courtyard to practice the Golden Seal technique.

After about half an hour, Tsunade and Hyuga Mio reappeared.

Fujinaka Genma looked over and saw Hyuga Mio beaming with joy; he immediately relaxed and couldn’t help smiling.

Success!

Hyuga Mio now had a new path, and the team gained additional security.

Recon + healer—wow!

“Genma, go back. I need to take Mio to the Hyuga clan to visit the clan head.”

Tsunade dismissed him.

“Understood!”

Fujinaka Genma nodded, signaled to Hyuga Mio, bowed to Tsunade, and turned to leave.

Since Tsunade had accepted Hyuga Mio as her disciple, there should be no problem.

Hyuga Mio was merely a branch family member; given Tsunade’s status, the Hyuga clan wouldn’t refuse—likely even support her, right?

With this thought, Fujinaka Genma left Tsunade’s mansion, paused to consider, then went to find Kakashi.

Minato was on a mission today; visiting Kakashi for sparring and mental exchange might help deepen his development of Lei Dun.

At Kakashi’s house, he found the man sitting dazedly in front of his own gate.

“Kakashi!”

Fujinaka Genma waved from afar.

Kakashi finally snapped out of it, stood up, and spoke listlessly: “Genma.”

Fujinaka Genma wasn’t surprised by Kakashi’s state.

Losing his father in childhood, especially under such circumstances, naturally left psychological scars.

Walking over, Fujinaka Genma asked, “How’s your injury?”

“Almost healed.”

Kakashi lifted his arm.

But Fujinaka Genma could tell he was still slightly uncomfortable, and sighed: “Looks like we can’t spar today.”

“That guy can!”

Kakashi pointed upward.

Fujinaka Genma followed his gaze and froze slightly.

A figure came upside-down, accompanied by an energetic voice.

Might Guy!

A familiar figure—mainly because he was unmistakable.

Might Guy.

In the original story, Fujinaka Genma admired him the most.

A true example of inspiration.

And the Eight Gates Release Formation.

Fujinaka Genma felt tempted, but quickly dismissed it.

Though he acknowledged the Eight Gates Release Formation was powerful, it was a last-resort technique.

“I’ll just keep leveling up. If my body becomes strong enough, I might even open the seventh gate effectively.”

The Eight Gates’ power depends on the user—the stronger the base, the greater the boost.

Same eight gates: Might Dai could only kill four of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.

But Guy’s power? Tens of times stronger than the Five Kage.

“Kakashi!”

“How about a match full of youthful passion?”

Guy flipped upright as he arrived, drenched in sweat yet showing no fatigue, brimming with energy.

Kakashi remained unmoved, ignoring him entirely.

“I’ll fight Itachi!”

Fujinaka Genma smiled warmly.

“Huh?”

“Who are Itachi?”

Guy seemed to notice Fujinaka Genma for the first time, looking at him with confusion—as if asking, Do I know Itachi?

Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help rubbing his forehead.

He’d forgotten—this guy had face blindness!

They’d met before, but weren’t close; it was perfectly normal for Might Guy not to remember him.

Kakashi also looked speechless and introduced: “This is Fujinaka Genma.”

“Oh! Itachi’re the one who can form hand seals with one hand!”

Guy suddenly understood.

One-handed hand seals…

Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help but laugh and sigh.

“Then let’s have a friendly match!”

Realizing Kakashi was off today, Guy abandoned teasing him and immediately shifted focus.

Fujinaka Genma extended his hand.

Thus began a passionate, exhilarating, sweat-soaked sparring match.

Pure taijutsu.

Thud!

On the first clash of fists and feet, Guy’s eyes lit up instantly.

Incredible strength!

Stronger than Kakashi!

Stronger than me!

Guy grew even more excited, launching a furious counterattack with all his might.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Fists and feet collided, each blow landing hard, dust flying everywhere.

Though Guy hadn’t yet mastered the Eight Gates Release Formation, his taijutsu was already formidable.

Intense training had given him exceptional physique, speed, and strength.

Feeling Guy’s power, Fujinaka Genma was surprised: “He’s insane—I only got this strong because of the Mount & Blade system; he’s built this entirely through his own training.”

“No wonder he’s King Guy!”

Fujinaka Genma grew excited too.

He hadn’t faced a peer-level taijutsu opponent in a long time.

Hyuga Mio and Ebisu had long fallen behind him.

Kakashi was decent—excellent technique—but his strength still lagged behind his.

Guy’s strength and speed were only slightly inferior.

After half an hour, the match ended.

Fujinaka Genma and Guy collapsed onto Kakashi’s hallway floor, their clothes soaked in sweat.

Guy, though exhausted, remained energized, giving Fujinaka Genma a thumbs-up: “Genma, Itachi’re stronger than Kakashi!”

“Itachi’re strong too!”

Fujinaka Genma said sincerely: “Guy, I believe Itachi’ll become an outstanding taijutsu ninja.”

“Really?”

Guy burst into laughter: “Hahahaha! I think so too! My father told me: effort never betrays a person!”

“Your father was right.”

Fujinaka Genma deeply agreed.

At noon, the two ate lunch right at Kakashi’s house—grilled fish, cooked by Kakashi himself.

The taste was as good as ever.

Afternoon.

The three of them trained together.

Fujinaka Genma was once again astounded; he had always thought his own training was extremely intense.

But beyond the sky lies even greater sky.

Might Guy’s current strength came not only from his innate taijutsu talent, but mostly from his own effort.

This time, training with Guy, Fujinaka Genma collapsed from exhaustion and was carried home on Guy’s back.

As for Kakashi.

This guy clearly knew already how insane Guy’s training was—he had only trained halfway.

Two days later, the leave ended.

At nine a.m., gather at the footbridge.

But when Fujinaka Genma arrived, he discovered Hyuga Mio was gone.

“Genma!”

Guy greeted Fujinaka Genma with his dazzling white teeth.

“What is this…?”

Had the wheel of fate returned to its original path?