Chapter 30: Team Minato!

“That was amazing!”

After swallowing fifty ultra-concentrated military rations at once, the hunger and weakness vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of fullness.

Fujinaka Genma knew his body’s untapped potential had increased dramatically.

For the first time, he experienced the thrill of paying to power up.

It’s just that spending points felt a bit too fast.

After bathing and dressing, Fujinaka Genma switched the system to the character interface and opened his skill bar.

The two years brought little change.

The chakra control skill, already at level 7 two years ago, remained at level 7.

But the Lightning Release chakra nature transformation had risen to level 7.

Finally, Fujinaka Genma’s gaze locked onto the sealing technique: Jin Gang Lockdown.

Level 3!

In two years, it had risen from level 1 to level 3.

Compared to the rapid advancement of his ninjutsu skills like Lei Qie, Rasengan, and Feng Dun Rasengan Shuriken, it was glacial.

“Just how strong is a level 3 Jin Gang Lockdown?”

As he walked toward his family’s fruit shop, he pondered how to test its power.

Hmm, got it!

Suddenly, his eyes lit up—he thought of the perfect subject.

In Myōboku Mountain, the giant toad Bunta, who was facing off against a giant serpent, suddenly sneezed.

After helping at his family’s fruit shop for two hours, Fujinaka Genma waved goodbye to his mother and went to Kushina Uzumaki’s house.

At the gate, he saw Kushina Uzumaki carrying a basket, about to leave.

“Teacher Kushina!”

Fujinaka Genma hurried forward: “Where are Itachi going?”

“Genma!”

Kushina Uzumaki smiled and lifted the basket. “Your teacher Minato and his team are training hard, so I made some food to bring them. Want to come along?”

Fujinaka Genma nodded and took the basket.

As they chatted casually, they walked away from the busy district into a forest.

This was where Team Minato trained.

From afar, Fujinaka Genma heard Obito Uchiha’s loud voice.

“The wheel of fate!”

Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help sighing inwardly.

The impact of Haku’s suicide on Kakashi couldn’t be erased with mere words; his presence had indeed changed Kakashi somewhat.

But those changes were mostly in strength, not personality.

So,

Kakashi still got along poorly with his teammates.

Especially as his strength grew, his teammates couldn’t keep up.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi had been powerless to fix it.

Thus, Kakashi eventually returned to his destined path—Hiruzen Sarutobi personally assigned him to Minato.

“Kakashi...”

Rin’s voice reached Fujinaka Genma’s ears—by tone, he knew she was trying to mediate again.

Sure enough, Kakashi’s cold voice followed: “Rin, Itachi always defend him. Itachi’ll spoil him.”

Soon, four figures came into view. Fujinaka Genma saw his teacher Minato looking helplessly at his three students.

“Eat something before training!”

Kushina Uzumaki smiled.

The arguing stopped, and everyone gathered—except Obito Uchiha.

He was still being stubborn, turning his head away.

Before Kushina Uzumaki could act, Fujinaka Genma stepped forward and punched him down, then dragged him over.

“Ow, that hurt!”

“Genma, I challenge Itachi to a duel!”

“Wahhh...”

Obito Uchiha screamed in pain, then Kakashi shoved a snack into his mouth.

Kakashi said coolly: “With your strength, Genma could beat Itachi with one hand.”

Obito Uchiha immediately recalled being beaten black and blue a year ago when he first provoked Fujinaka Genma. He fell silent, grumbled, and munched on the snack: “When I unlock my Sharingan, I’ll definitely beat Itachi, Genma!”

Before Fujinaka Genma could speak, Kakashi stabbed him right in the heart: “Who knows when Itachi’ll ever unlock it?”

“Besides, elite Uchiha aren’t just about their eyes!”

Obito Uchiha bristled, ready to challenge him, but Rin spoke first: “Kakashi, we should believe in Obito—he’ll unlock his Sharingan.”

“And he trains incredibly hard!”

Kakashi fell silent for a moment, then said: “If he could fix his habit of being late and crying.”

“That’s not crying—it’s sand in my eyes!”

Obito Uchiha immediately protested.

“Obito!”

Rin’s tone grew stern.

Obito Uchiha flushed red and stopped arguing.

Fujinaka Genma crossed his arms, leaning against a tree trunk, watching the scene.

A short distance away, Minato and Kushina Uzumaki whispered and laughed.

Fujinaka Genma had no intention of reforming Obito Uchiha—he knew it was futile.

Some schemes Itachi can see and dismantle, but others Itachi cannot.

That’s human nature!

After Minato finished eating, Fujinaka Genma discussed his recent insights on Lightning Release ninjutsu with him.

Due to missions, he hadn’t properly talked with Kakashi in months.

When Minato’s team resumed training, Fujinaka Genma and Kushina Uzumaki didn’t leave immediately. Instead, they moved to an open area nearby to test the power of Jin Gang Lockdown.

“How are Itachi going to test it?”

“Do Itachi need me as the target?”

Kushina Uzumaki asked curiously.

“No, Teacher Kushina.”

Fujinaka Genma smiled lightly: “I already have a better subject.”

He bit his finger and formed hand seals.

Summoning Jutsu!

Amid rolling clouds of smoke, the massive form of Bunta appeared.

“Genma!”

As the smoke cleared, Bunta looked down at Fujinaka Genma, exhaled smoke, and asked: “This doesn’t look like a battlefield.”

Fujinaka Genma grinned: “I want to test a new jutsu’s power, and after thinking it over, Itachi’re the only one suitable!”

Kushina Uzumaki chuckled beside him: “Yes, Bunta, only Itachi have the strength for this!”

“Oh?”

“I see. No problem.”

Bunta was pleased to be praised, yet something felt off.

“By the way, what jutsu is it?”

Bunta asked curiously: “Is it that Wind Release jutsu?”

In two years, Fujinaka Genma had never summoned him for battle, so Bunta had never seen Feng Dun Rasengan Shuriken.

“No!”

“It’s this one!”

As he spoke, chains erupted from his back with a clattering roar.

Bunta’s face froze.

Was he supposed to be the target of this sealing technique?

But wait—

This sealing technique could handle Tailed Beasts. Why use him as a test subject?

Shouldn’t he find a real Tailed Beast to test it on?

Bunta was speechless inside, yet he’d already agreed.

So—

Soon, Bunta was bound tightly by Jin Gang Lockdown.

“Bunta, try to break free using three-tenths of your strength.”

Fujinaka Genma called out.

“Understood!”

Feeling the immense restraining force of the chains on his body, Bunta’s expression grew serious.