Chapter 31

Are Itachi ready?

Bunta glared at Fujinaka Genma.

Beside him, Kushina Uzumaki’s expression was also serious, ready to act at any moment in case of trouble.

I’m ready—let’s begin!

Fujinaka Genma nodded.

Bunta took a long drag from his pipe, clamped it between his teeth, then surged upward with all four limbs—but his body was bound by chains, and even three-tenths of his strength couldn’t snap them.

At that moment, as Bunta exerted force, Fujinaka Genma immediately felt terrifying power surge through the chains—not just pressing against his body, but his spirit as well.

Fortunately, the pressure was still within his limits.

Yet Fujinaka Genma also sensed his chakra draining rapidly.

It seems three-tenths isn’t enough to break your seal—I’ll use four-tenths now!

Bunta growled and surged again with full force.

Creak!

The Golden Chains snapped taut, and Fujinaka Genma’s body was jerked forward.

At the instant Bunta unleashed his full power, the Golden Chains cracked with a snap, then shattered outright—Bunta’s body shot into the air, wind roaring like a storm.

Fujinaka Genma staggered backward several steps before regaining his balance.

Less than four-tenths… I’m still far from being able to handle a Tailed Beast.

Fujinaka Genma sighed inwardly.

Bunta landed, stirring another gust of wind.

Fujinaka Genma shielded his eyes, secretly envious of Bunta’s physique.

I need to learn a ninjutsu that lets me fly.

Fujinaka Genma thought.

When the wind died down, Kushina Uzumaki stepped forward and smiled encouragingly: “Itachi held your ground against nearly four-tenths of Bunta’s power—excellent!”

Even a regular Jonin couldn’t withstand your seal!

Bunta added: “Indeed, impressive. My strength is enhanced by Senjutsu.”

Fujinaka Genma is only twelve years old—he’s far from his peak, with immense potential for growth.

When this kid fully matures—if he also trains in Senjutsu…

Bunta unconsciously broke into a sweat: “By then, even I might be sealed easily.”

I’ll keep working hard!

Fujinaka Genma was quite satisfied with the power of the Golden Seal, though he still lagged far behind Kushina Uzumaki.

But he knew this gap wasn’t just about mastery of the Golden Seal technique—it was also about chakra reserves.

Then, Genma, Kushina—I’m returning to Myōboku Mountain!

Seeing Fujinaka Genma’s rapid growth, Bunta felt he should return and train harder himself.

Alright, if I need Itachi, I’ll summon Itachi to play.

Fujinaka Genma grinned.

Play?

Itachi call fighting enemies Itachi can’t even handle “play”?

Bunta was speechless, said nothing, and immediately broke the Summoning.

After the test, Fujinaka Genma asked Kushina Uzumaki further questions about sealing techniques—touching on souls, even Yin-Yang Release.

Yin-Yang Release was a secret to ordinary ninja, but not to the ancient Uzumaki clan.

Fujinaka Genma knew Konoha possessed knowledge of it.

Likely passed down by great clans like the Senju.

“As for Yin-Yang Release, your teacher has some understanding—but I can’t teach Itachi anything.”

Kushina Uzumaki shrugged helplessly.

She knew much about souls.

She and Minato had already studied the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.

“The Uzumaki clan never inherited Yin-Yang Release—it was lost during the Warring States era, they say.”

Kushina Uzumaki sighed, then smiled: “The village probably has records on it—but if Itachi want to view them, Genma, Itachi’ll have to wait until I become Hokage.”

Fujinaka Genma silently chuckled to himself, but he dared not say Kushina Uzumaki was unlikely to become Hokage—he’d get punched if he did.

In at most four years, I believe Itachi’ll become Hokage, Sensei!

Fujinaka Genma declared firmly.

After all, whether Minato or Kushina Uzumaki became Hokage made no real difference.

If Itachi say that, then I’ll have to work harder!

Kushina Uzumaki grinned: “Come on, now—Itachi’re my sparring partner!”

Fujinaka Genma stumbled backward instantly.

…

The three-day break ended quickly; the mission arrived suddenly. Fujinaka Genma had planned to train for half a month, then continue studying sealing techniques with Kushina Uzumaki.

Might Guy came to deliver the mission notice to Fujinaka Genma.

He swiftly packed his gear and left with Guy, asking on the way: “What’s the mission? Why the hurry?”

Guy replied immediately: “B-rank mission. Rain Country. A pick-up operation. Details unknown—only Sensei Yagura knows.”

Rain Country? A pick-up?

Fujinaka Genma raised an eyebrow.

Pick up whom?

An intelligence agent?

But shouldn’t this be handled by the Anbu—or even the Root?

Strange.

He muttered under his breath, then stopped asking.

They arrived swiftly at the village gate, where Yagura and Ebisu were already waiting.

The four met up; Yagura offered no explanation and set out immediately.

Fujinaka Genma sensed something odd.

That night, the team halted to camp near the Land of Fire’s border.

Fujinaka Genma and Yagura took the second watch.

By the campfire, Yagura glanced at the sleeping Guy and Ebisu, then said to Fujinaka Genma: “Genma, this mission is unusual. Itachi’re responsible for Ebisu and Guy’s safety.”

Fujinaka Genma, seated cross-legged, nodded: “Understood.”

He didn’t ask for mission details—since Yagura hadn’t told him, it meant he couldn’t.

Still.

Even without Yagura’s warning, Fujinaka Genma had realized the mission was dangerous from the Kikan System’s reward value.

More dangerous than the mission in Grass Village over two years ago.

This mission paid a full 5,000 Kikan points upon completion.

Pick up someone—but no details given.

And in Rain Country, a land of four wars.

Fujinaka Genma silently deduced, arriving at a grim conclusion.

Bait.

Their small team was likely meant to draw the attention of any lurking enemies—the real pick-up team wasn’t them.

Quietly, he pulled out a senbon and bit it between his teeth, closing his eyes to conserve energy.

Over the past two years, he’d gradually abandoned the habit of biting senbon—only using one in combat.

It was one of his secret tactics.

Night passed in an instant.

Early the next morning, after a meal of fish soup, the team pressed on, crossing the Land of Fire’s border and entering Rain Country by afternoon.

At this point, Fujinaka Genma and the others had concealed all Konoha insignia and donned raincoats.

What awful weather!

Fujinaka Genma sighed, gazing up at the endless rain curtain.

The dampness made him uncomfortable.

He hadn’t set foot in Rain Country in years.

Now, outside a small town in Rain Country, they’d waited two days.

Suddenly.

Birdcalls rang out from outside.

Fujinaka Genma leapt to his feet instantly; Ebisu, who had been resting with eyes closed, also rolled up at once.