Chapter 42: The Temptation of Level 10!

The Sand Ninja denied Fujinaka Genma any chance to take the One-Tail’s jinchuriki; as soon as the battle ended, a large group of Sand Ninja appeared, led by the siblings Chiyo and Ebizō.

At the same time, Jiraiya and Orochimaru arrived with their teams.

“Remarkable young man—are Itachi the descendant of the White Fang?”

Chiyo gazed at Fujinaka Genma atop Bunta and spoke, her tone filled with deep emotion and complexity.

Fujinaka Genma felt a bit exasperated—my brown hair clearly isn’t his.

Beside him, Jiraiya, riding on Gamabunta, laughed loudly: "Senior Chiyo, he's not the White Fang's son."

“He’s a student of the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze—Fujinaka Genma.”

Jiraiya’s voice brimmed with pride.

Anyone unaware might think he was introducing his favorite disciple.

But to be proud of such a grandstudent isn’t unreasonable.

Even if the ninja world doesn’t recognize the term “grandstudent.”

“Minato Namikaze’s student!”

Chiyo’s expression changed.

Minato had risen to fame only within the past one or two years; the Iwa and Kumogakure had already issued orders to abandon missions upon encountering him.

“What a pity…”

Chiyo sighed inwardly.

The Leaf Ninja arrived too quickly—she had no chance to eliminate such a dangerously promising youth.

“Fujinaka Genma, I’ll remember Itachi.”

Chiyo gave Fujinaka Genma a long look, then waved her hand: “Withdraw!”

The Sand Ninja retreated in unison.

Orochimaru gave no order to pursue.

Though the One-Tail had been driven back, if the Sand Ninja went mad and fully unleashed it, half the Leaf Ninja might die.

The goal had already been achieved; they couldn’t push the Sand Ninja too hard.

Yet Fujinaka Genma looked at Jiraiya with a faintly resentful expression.

“Jiraiya-sama, will my bounty skyrocket starting tomorrow?”

Jiraiya paused, then chuckled awkwardly: “Hah, uh… don’t worry, no bounty hunters will target Itachi.”

Kageyama will definitely be interested!

Fujinaka Genma muttered inwardly.

As a ninja, he thought it was enough to be renowned within his own ranks.

Among enemies, the quieter the better—so Itachi won’t be targeted!

“Genma, Jiraiya, we’re heading back!”

Gamabunta said then.

Fujinaka Genma quickly replied: “Thank Itachi this time—when Itachi come to Konoha next, I’ll treat Itachi to barbecue!”

“And Itachi too, Gamagoro!”

Fujinaka Genma didn’t forget the giant toad beneath Jiraiya’s feet.

“Hmm.”

“It’s a deal!”

Gamabunta and Gamagoro nodded and vanished together.

As he landed, the Leaf ninja surrounded him, all eyes fixed on Fujinaka Genma.

“Itachi completed the mission far better than expected!”

Orochimaru praised him freely, then asked: “What jutsu was that just now?”

Swish!

Every Leaf ninja instantly perked up their ears.

“Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, Orochimaru-sama!”

Fujinaka Genma answered honestly.

“Shuriken… yes, that’s apt.”

After a brief remark, Orochimaru issued the next order.

With the Sand Ninja retreating, the Leaf Ninja must advance their frontline.

But Fujinaka Genma received no new mission.

Just as the Leaf ninja began their new tasks, a system alert chimed in Fujinaka Genma’s mind.

“After one battle, Itachi’ve gained significant growth.”

“Level increased.”

“Random equipment enhanced.”

Fujinaka Genma felt a quiet thrill: “Finally leveled up again!”

But he didn’t immediately open the system—he waited until returning to camp and being alone before closing his eyes to check.

Character: Fujinaka Genma

Level: 20

Age: 12

Faction: Hidden Leaf Village, Land of Fire

Available attribute points: 1

Available skill points: 7

Looking at his character info, Fujinaka Genma immediately switched to the shop interface—10,000 Kikan points sat there, waiting.

“Ten thousand Kikan points—enough to buy a Byakugan or an ordinary Mangekyo Sharingan.”

Fujinaka Genma felt like he’d suddenly become rich.

Yet looking at the kekkei genkai and jutsu in the shop, he gritted his teeth and held back.

His kekkei genkai? His own extraordinary physique was already the best one.

So that could wait.

The Byakugan and Mangekyo Sharingan were tempting, but both were things Itachi couldn’t afford to reveal.

“So, focus on improving my physique!”

Fujinaka Genma resisted the temptation.

He spent 10,000 Kikan points, gained 10 attribute points, added the 1 point from leveling up—totaling 11.

His last batch of Ultra-Concentrated Rations was gone; he immediately bought 100 more for 100 Kikan points.

Then he began allocating points.

Eleven points, amplified by Level 10 Iron Bones, became 22.

His original physique stat was 1098; after the last allocation it was 1097, but naturally rose by 1 point since.

So after adding 22 points, it reached 1120.

This allocation triggered a stronger reaction than last time in the bath—he swallowed all 100 Ultra-Concentrated Rations at once, and the transformation proceeded without incident.

Fujinaka Genma clearly felt his overall physical enhancement was far greater than the relative point increase he’d previously estimated.

It felt like he’d broken through some limit and surged upward.

After silently sensing for a moment, he assessed his total chakra—and was pleasantly surprised: “I’m already nearly half as much as Kushina-sensei.”

“This doesn’t match my earlier estimates.”

Fujinaka Genma pondered.

He’d expected to need around 3,000 physique points to match Kushina Uzumaki’s chakra volume—not even accounting for her suppression of the Nine-Tails.

“My physique allocation enhances everything: stamina, recovery, vitality—all likely affect chakra volume.”

“Perhaps at 1,500 physique points, my chakra will rival Kushina-sensei’s even with the Nine-Tails suppressed.”

Fujinaka Genma revised his judgment.

“Still a long way to go.”

“My goal must at least reach Hashirama Senju’s level.”

“The road ahead is long.”

He sighed inwardly, then turned his gaze to his skill points.

Seven skill points.

More than generous.

If so…

No need to hoard them.

Fujinaka Genma decided—he spent three skill points entirely on Jin Gang Feng Suo.

Jin Gang Feng Suo: Level 6!

Instantly, a flood of insight surged into his mind.

In an instant, he realized: if his Jin Gang Feng Suo had been Level 6 during the battle with the One-Tail, he could’ve subdued it with this jutsu alone.

“Chakra volume is indeed vital—but for sealing jutsu, it’s not the most critical factor.”

Fujinaka Genma understood.

At this moment, he had an impulse to immediately upgrade Jin Gang’s lockdown to level 10.

Fortunately, he had enough skill points.

The temptation was too great.