Chapter 49: Kagura Shin

Konoha.

At twenty years old, Minato had finally moved in with Kushina, and their wedding was already on the agenda.

But due to the war, it could not be held grandly.

Still, for ninja, this was no big deal—neither Minato nor Kushina Uzumaki cared much.

At this moment, over dinner, Kushina Uzumaki was sewing clothes for Minato.

Minato sat beside her, and they chatted casually, bringing up the Chunin Exams.

Suddenly, Kushina Uzumaki paused her stitching, looked up, and exclaimed with delight: “The Chunin Exams are about to begin—won’t Genma be coming back?”

Minato thought for a moment, then smiled: “Genma is highly valued—he’s already a Special Jonin. But Elder Hanzo treats him well; he’ll definitely arrange for him to return for the Chunin Exams.”

“Besides, Ebisu and the others must go through this too.”

Hearing this, Kushina Uzumaki grew even happier—Genma was her pride!

The White Flash of Konoha!

Now the Yellow Flash of Konoha is about to become her husband, and the White Flash is her student—how delightful!

“If Genma returns this time, I can finally give him the god-robe I made.”

Kushina Uzumaki spoke cheerfully, then frowned slightly: “That boy grows too fast—I wonder if the god-robe will still fit?”

Minato comforted her: “It’ll fit. Even if Genma’s grown to one meter seventy-five, your sewing should still suit him.”

“That’s true, hahaha!”

Kushina Uzumaki laughed again, then added: “When Genma comes back, I’ll teach him Flying Thunder God.”

Minato nodded, smiling: “I’ve already spoken to the Third Hokage—he agreed.”

“Wonderful!”

“I’m sure Genma will love this gift!”

…

While Minato and Kushina chatted, Genma and the others returned to Konoha.

They had planned to return tomorrow morning, but all four were eager to get home—they skipped camping and rest along the way, rushing straight back.

For them, this wasn’t tiring at all.

After reporting to the Hokage Tower, Genma parted ways with Hyuga Mio and returned home.

His mother Akie wept with joy, then spent the night preparing all the dishes Genma loved.

This warmth was rare—Genma cherished it, maintained it, and wanted to preserve it forever.

After a delicious dinner, before sleeping, Genma habitually opened the Mount & Blade system.

In the past half year, with frequent missions, he had leveled up four more times since his last level-up to 21.

His current level is now 25.

During this time, he also gained two equipment enhancements.

One enhanced another kunai, the other enhanced the armor he wore.

In addition to the four stat points from leveling, his body’s natural development and regular training boosted his constitution by eight points.

Combined with the Iron Bones boost, his constitution increased by twenty-four points total.

It is now 1154.

Agility increased by one, reaching 34; Intelligence increased by four, reaching 40; Charm increased by five, reaching 38.

Genma had long known these stats—he glanced at them and entered the shop interface.

25,600 Mount & Blade points!

This was the total he had accumulated over half a year of missions.

“Come to think of it, Mount & Blade points are hard to earn—I’ve worked hard for half a year just to get this much.”

Genma sighed.

If every mission paid a thousand or even ten thousand, that would be amazing.

But missions worth ten thousand? Their danger level would rival that of a Tailed Beast.

Over the past half year, most of his missions were low-risk, worth under a thousand Mount & Blade points each.

This was mainly because the Iwa ninja hadn’t attacked yet.

He hadn’t spent these points on stat increases because he’d already used up his accumulated quota.

He’d have to wait until next year to buy ten more points.

Looking at the shop’s wide array of items, Genma pondered what to buy.

Buy a Kekkei Genkai?

Buy a ninjutsu?

Buy skill points?

He had accumulated a large number of skill points.

Ten points per year—he hadn’t bought any for years.

“I still have four unused skill points—no need to buy more for now.”

"Unless I want to upgrade a talent skill."

Suddenly, Genma’s gaze locked onto a ninjutsu.

Kagura Shin’i!

A sensory secret technique of the Uzumaki clan.

Even Kushina Uzumaki hadn’t mastered it—it seemed lost.

“Three thousand Mount & Blade points isn’t too expensive.”

“But the Byakugan has broader applications.”

After careful thought, Genma decided to buy Kagura Shin’i.

Though his team had Hyuga Mio, she wouldn’t always be around.

Having a sensory technique would make things much easier.

Moreover, Kagura Shin’i’s sensing range was vast—no worse than the Byakugan.

Bought!

With three thousand Mount & Blade points spent, Genma’s mind immediately filled with information.

But unlike last time when he leveled up Jin Gang Feng Suo, there was no brain-overclocking sensation.

Still.

What surprised him was that he had instantly reached Level 1.

“That’s a pleasant surprise.”

Genma was delighted—it saved him considerable effort.

After all, this was a Uzumaki clan secret technique—likely hard to master.

Unlike Jin Gang Feng Suo, it probably required Uzumaki bloodline to cultivate.

So.

He thought for a moment, then spent two of his four skill points to instantly raise Kagura Shin’i to Level 3.

Immediately, his eyes lowered, and his sensing power spread outward, covering a full one-li radius before reaching its limit.

“One li—good enough.”

Genma was quite satisfied.

“For now, that’s enough!”

He glanced at the Kekkei Genkai options but didn’t decide on any yet.

Went to sleep.

Slept peacefully through the night.

The next day, morning training, then breakfast—Genma reported to the Hokage’s office and received four forms.

Chunin Exam registration forms.

He didn’t immediately seek out Ebisu and the others—he went to find Kushina Uzumaki, only to find the house empty.

“Where is she?”

Genma blinked, then realized.

She probably moved in with Minato.

He changed direction.

Sure enough, when he arrived at Minato’s house and knocked, Kushina Uzumaki opened the door.

“Genma—Itachi really came back!”

Kushina Uzumaki beamed, then teased: “Let me guess—Itachi went to your teacher’s old place first?”

Genma sighed: “Teacher, Itachi should’ve left me a note.”

“Hahaha, Itachi’d find me anyway!”

Kushina Uzumaki laughed carelessly, pulled Genma inside, and whispered mysteriously: “I’ve prepared two gifts for Itachi—can Itachi guess what they are?”

Gifts?

Genma frowned: “Are they for becoming a Chunin?”

“Of course not.”

Kushina Uzumaki shook her finger, then said: “With your achievements and strength, Itachi’ll be promoted directly to full Jonin after the Chunin Exams.”

"Hmm, still a team-leading jonin!"