Chapter 38: Special Mission!

Outside the tent, Fujinaka Genma waited for a full half-hour, occasionally hearing faint voices inside.

He didn’t deliberately listen, but he could tell there were many people inside.

Indeed.

Footsteps sounded, and a line of figures emerged from the tent—all wearing the standard Jonin vest.

“Damn, something big’s going on!”

Fujinaka Genma was secretly startled.

Then he noticed every one of them was looking at him.

“Genma!”

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out.

Fujinaka Genma turned and smiled with relief: “Master Jiraiya, Itachi’re back!”

Before leaving the Hidden Leaf Village, he had learned from Minato and Kushina Uzumaki that Jiraiya was traveling and not in the village.

Clearly, he had returned after the war broke out.

“No wonder—now that Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, is back, Orochimaru couldn’t resist making his move!”

Thinking this, Fujinaka Genma hurried forward to bow.

Jiraiya, having not seen Fujinaka Genma in a long time, clapped his shoulder and laughed heartily: “No wonder Itachi’re Minato’s student—I heard Itachi’ve earned the title ‘White Flash’!”

Fujinaka Genma was speechless; no wonder the Jonin had been staring at him earlier—Jiraiya must have been boasting about his disciple in the tent.

“Master Jiraiya, that’s just praise from Senior Nozomi and the others—I can’t take it seriously.”

Fujinaka Genma helplessly spread his hands.

“Killing four elite Sand Ninja isn’t just praise.”

A hoarse voice spoke as Orochimaru stepped out of the tent.

Even under the blazing sun, Orochimaru radiated a chilling aura.

Fujinaka Genma immediately bowed properly.

The other Jonin had already left; Orochimaru glanced at Fujinaka Genma, then said to Jiraiya: “Itachi go prepare. I’ll handle this.”

“Hmm.”

Jiraiya nodded, but after taking two steps, he turned back, patted Fujinaka Genma’s shoulder, and smiled: “Don’t be afraid of this guy—follow your own instincts.”

“I understand.”

Fujinaka Genma nodded; he already had a faint sense of it.

What came next would be no simple matter.

Jiraiya departed, leaving only Fujinaka Genma and Orochimaru before the tent.

Fujinaka Genma lowered his eyelids slightly; though unnerved by Orochimaru’s gaze, he showed no sign of it.

So what if a human serpent is watching me? What’s there to fear?

“Interesting.”

Orochimaru smiled and said: “There’s a mission Itachi’ll be joining.”

Fujinaka Genma looked up and asked directly: “Just me, or the whole team?”

“Itachi want to bring them along?”

Orochimaru’s smile was sly.

“Of course not—I only hope they can be assigned to the medical unit’s camp.”

Fujinaka Genma replied.

Orochimaru was surprised that Fujinaka Genma hadn’t even asked what the mission was—his composure impressed him even more.

“How about joining my unit?”

Orochimaru suddenly said.

He truly admired this young man.

His strength, his exceptional temperament—he couldn’t help but feel a desire to nurture such talent.

Fujinaka Genma replied with mild surprise: “Aren’t I already under your command, Lord Orochimaru?”

Orochimaru stared at Fujinaka Genma for a moment, then chuckled: “Itachi’re clever.”

“Thank Itachi for your praise, Lord Orochimaru—I deeply respect Itachi as well.”

Fujinaka Genma showed no excessive distance.

To him, Orochimaru was indeed dangerous, but he wasn’t overly afraid.

Orochimaru made no comment on the flattery, and instead said: “This mission is vital—and extremely dangerous.”

“But your demonstrated strength is sufficient.”

“Itachi’ll be assigned to a new team.”

Seeing Fujinaka Genma about to speak, Orochimaru added: “After the mission, Itachi’ll return to your original team.”

Fujinaka Genma quietly exhaled in relief.

“Lord Orochimaru!”

At that moment, two voices suddenly called out.

Fujinaka Genma turned and saw Nozomi Sarutobi and Takuma Sugi.

Orochimaru smiled: “Your new teammates have arrived.”

Then, looking at the three of them, he gave the order: “From this moment, Itachi form a team. Await orders and execute your mission.”

The three exchanged glances, then bowed in unison: “Understood!”

“Rest now.”

Saying this, Orochimaru turned and entered the tent.

Nozomi Sarutobi and Takuma Sugi immediately relaxed, then turned to lead Fujinaka Genma to the rest area. Nozomi said: “I never expected we’d be assigned another mission together so soon after just a few days.”

“I wonder what kind of mission this is—why summon all of us?”

Takuma Sugi sighed.

Such a large-scale mobilization couldn’t be ordinary—and the more unusual, the more dangerous.

But then Takuma Sugi grinned: “With Genma here, things might be a little easier!”

He burst out laughing: “How’s that? Genma—your ‘White Flash’ title isn’t bad, right?”

Fujinaka Genma was speechless; it was clearly their doing.

“I felt like a monkey just now.”

Fujinaka Genma sighed, but inside he thought: “Since the title’s already out there, let it shine now.”

“If I’m going to become Hokage, I’ll start now!”

First step: make the ‘White Flash’ name known, earn his teammates’ respect.

Arriving at the rest camp, Fujinaka Genma saw Jiraiya and approached him.

“So Itachi’ve decided.”

Jiraiya considered and said: “Be careful—this will be real war.”

He revealed nothing about the mission.

Fujinaka Genma asked nothing, to avoid stirring unnecessary trouble.

He came to Jiraiya to learn ninjutsu.

“Earth Release ninjutsu?”

Hearing Fujinaka Genma’s request, Jiraiya didn’t hesitate and smiled: “Of course. Which technique do Itachi want to learn?”

“Mind Body Switch Technique!”

Fujinaka Genma’s goal was clear.

The technique isn’t difficult—he could master it quickly.

Right now, it’s like sharpening a blade just before battle—better fast than perfect.

Indeed.

Less than an hour later, under Jiraiya’s clear and thorough explanation, Fujinaka Genma had mastered the Mind Body Switch Technique.

While waiting for orders in the afternoon, Fujinaka Genma continued practicing.

His diligence left his two new teammates, Nozomi Sarutobi and Takuma Sugi, deeply embarrassed.

“So talented—and still so hardworking… sigh.”

Takuma Sugi sighed in awe.

The afternoon passed in a flash.

Fujinaka Genma had trained the Earth Release—Mind Body Switch Technique to Level 3, and could now use it effortlessly.

“Enough.”

“Now, rest and gather strength.”

After dinner, Fujinaka Genma stopped training and sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to meditate.

Around ten at night.

Orders arrived suddenly.

Fujinaka Genma, Nozomi Sarutobi, and Takuma Sugi went to assemble.

When they arrived, they saw nothing but green.

Over eighty percent were Jonin.

The rest were each of distinguished bearing, clearly seasoned chunin.

"Twelve squads, over forty people."

Fujinaka Genma’s gaze swept across them, then he saw Jiraiya appear with a solemn expression.

"The mission is now assigned!"

"Target: the Hidden Sand Village’s main camp!"