Chapter 39: Codename, White Flash—Windmill!

Hearing Jiraiya’s voice, Fujinaka Genma’s heart jolted—“Exactly as I thought!”

“With Jiraiya here, Orochimaru has fully let loose and abandoned all defense.”

Fujinaka Genma sorted through the intelligence in his mind and, recalling the Mist Village’s troop movement against the southern regions of the Land of Wind, immediately deduced: “At this moment, the newly appointed Fourth Kazekage has likely secretly left the front line.”

“A concentrated strike could very well crush the Sand Village forces and force them to retreat from the Land of Fire.”

The reason it wouldn’t completely annihilate the Sand Village is that their troop numbers aren’t small.

With Konoha’s current forces, it’s impossible.

Moreover, the Sand Village is renowned for its elite troops.

Even if suddenly struck and defeated, they would quickly react and reestablish their lines.

Orochimaru’s purpose in doing this is clear: keep the battlefield out of the Land of Fire, prevent its destruction.

After announcing the mission objective, Jiraiya immediately began assigning specific tasks.

Twelve elite squads, three to four members each, could never charge headlong as a mob.

The Sand Village would also have set up multiple defensive lines.

A headlong charge would risk exhausting momentum after the first push; if unforeseen circumstances halted the assault, these elites might be surrounded.

“Orochimaru choosing to hold the rear likely also considered rescuing us if the ambush failed.”

Fujinaka Genma listened as Jiraiya assigned tasks, thinking carefully.

Each squad had its own mission.

Which defensive line to target, which enemy flank to engage, or how to handle any sudden situation.

Fujinaka Genma had to admit: Orochimaru was brilliant!

As each squad was called out, Jiraiya’s gaze finally settled on Fujinaka Genma.

At the same time, everyone else’s eyes turned to their three-member squad.

In that moment, Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help feeling tense—he’d already realized something.

Beside him, Sarutobi Haruno and Kusakabe Taku were even more tense.

Jiraiya said: “Once all Sand Village defenses are breached, Genma—I need Itachi to use that technique!”

At once, every eye fixed on Fujinaka Genma.

A technique?

Was this entire ambush plan built around a single technique?

What kind of ninjutsu could bear such responsibility?

At this moment,

including Fujinaka Genma’s two temporary teammates, everyone was intensely curious.

Fujinaka Genma’s expression remained calm as he nodded: “Understood!”

“I’ll attack from the air. The technique’s range is too wide, so Itachi must not get too close.”

“Also, be wary of the storm after the technique erupts!”

Jiraiya smiled faintly, then nodded solemnly: “Understood. When the time comes, besides me, only your two teammates will be near Itachi—everyone else will stay behind.”

He turned to the other squads: “Once the Sand Village camp is destroyed, immediately scatter and eliminate their key targets.”

“Do not let the Sand Village regroup into large forces!”

A single technique destroying the Sand Village camp?

How was that possible?

The Sand Village camp wasn’t even concentrated in one place.

Still,

though curiosity burned inside them, no one dared question it—they all bowed in unison: “Understood!”

“Excellent. This operation’s codename: White Flash—Windmill!”

As he spoke, a hint of amusement glimmered in Jiraiya’s eyes.

Everyone fell silent. This operation codename…

“No wonder Jiraiya-sama is legendary!”

Many jōnin silently grumbled.

Fujinaka Genma was speechless—Itachi could’ve just called it Lightning Strike and it’d sound better!

But Jiraiya was thoroughly pleased with his naming skills, beaming as he waved his hand: “Move out!”

Shhh shhh shhh…

Figures vanished from their spots.

Fujinaka Genma’s squad brought up the rear, with Jiraiya closely shadowing them.

“Genma, how’s it feel? Nervous?”

Jiraiya had shed his earlier seriousness and grinned.

Could I say I’m not nervous at all?

Fujinaka Genma mentally grumbled—he wasn’t nervous now, even felt excited and happy.

Because this mission’s price evaluation from the Mount & Blade system was… 10,000 Mount & Blade points!

Nine more missions like this, and he could buy the Rinnegan outright.

Even if he bought attribute points, that’s ten points—add them to Constitution, doubled to twenty.

“Jiraiya-sama, with Itachi here, I’m not nervous at all!”

Fujinaka Genma’s tone remained smooth as ever.

Sarutobi Haruno and Kusakabe Taku both secretly gave him a thumbs-up.

Jiraiya burst out laughing: “No wonder Kushina and Minato adore Itachi!”

“Don’t worry—I’ll clear all enemies for Itachi with Haruno and Takumi!”

Sarutobi Haruno and Kusakabe Takumi immediately affirmed: “Right, Genma—with Jiraiya-sama and us here, Itachi can unleash your technique without hesitation!”

Fujinaka Genma nodded.

At this moment, the lead ninja squad had already engaged the enemy.

Soon after,

the squads ahead of Fujinaka Genma’s encountered enemies, swiftly neutralizing or tying them down to open a path.

Yet Fujinaka Genma’s group maintained full speed, without a single pause.

Gradually, the ninja squads ahead and on both flanks grew fewer.

Meanwhile, squads behind them who’d completed their tasks rushed forward—not to aid others, but to overtake Fujinaka Genma’s group and continue clearing the way.

Thus,

in the darkness, the clash of steel and cries of pain never ceased.

Some came from Konoha ninja, but most were from the Sand Village.

Because Fujinaka Genma’s group advanced in a straight line, piercing straight toward the Sand Village headquarters.

Thus, under high-speed assault, the Sand Village couldn’t react in time, and the elite forces they encountered were relatively limited.

Still,

the deeper they went, the more enemies they met, and the fiercer the battles became.

Fujinaka Genma saw more than one Konoha ninja wounded—or killed.

“Don’t get distracted!”

Jiraiya barked, his expression grim.

He feared Fujinaka Genma might soften!

Fujinaka Genma immediately steeled his focus.

Sarutobi Haruno quickly said: “Genma, these sacrifices now prevent greater losses later!”

“War cannot avoid death—only reduce it!”

Fujinaka Genma nodded solemnly: “Understood!”

Moments later, Jiraiya roared: “We’re here!”

But a group of Sand Village ninja blocked the way ahead.

“Genma, go for it!”

Without hesitation, Sarutobi Haruno and Kusakabe Takumi accelerated and charged into the enemy.

Meanwhile, Jiraiya had already completed his ninjutsu.

Boom!

Amid rising smoke, the massive form of Gamabunta appeared.

Fujinaka Genma leapt instantly, landing atop Gamabunta’s head.

Jiraiya chose to perform the Summoning Jutsu himself to conserve Fujinaka Genma’s chakra.

He had studied the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken himself—though unsuccessfully—and knew it consumed enormous chakra.

“Gamabunta, leap high into the sky—Genma is about to unleash his technique!”

Jiraiya roared, already dashing forward.

If he didn’t move now, Sarutobi Haruno and Kusakabe Takumi would be killed.

“Understood, Genma—hold on tight!”

Bunta drew a deep drag on his cigarette, one hand gripping his blade, the other braced against the ground.

“Jump!”

Fujinaka Genma stuck chakra to the soles of his feet, adhering to Bunta’s body, and formed hand seals to create a Shadow Clone.

Immediately, both the original and the clone condensed chakra into the palms of their right hands.

Meanwhile, Bunta exploded upward with his hind legs—his massive frame roared through the air, kicking up a gale as he leapt into the sky.