Chapter 50: Finally in Hand!

He did have some anticipation for promotion to jōnin, Fujinaka Genma, since it meant more money.

His training volume was so high, meaning he consumed far more medicinal herbs and food than usual.

All of that cost money.

Although he’d earned quite a bit completing missions over the years, it barely covered expenses, and sometimes he still needed his mother’s support.

Minato wasn’t home—he was training with Kakashi and the others in preparation for the Chunin Exams, as there weren’t many days left.

And now, with war ongoing, time was even tighter.

Fujinaka Genma felt this Chunin Exam was likely meant to prepare for the intense warfare that might come next.

The Hidden Leaf Village being besieged was inevitable—who could deny that the Land of Fire was the richest?

He didn’t stay long with Kushina Uzumaki; after arranging to meet for dinner that night, he went to find Ebisu and the others.

The Chunin Exam application form had to be submitted as soon as possible, since the first exam was in just three days.

When he found Ebisu, the man was still sleeping in.

Fujinaka Genma dragged him out of bed, and the two went to find Guy.

To his surprise, Guy was still training.

Watching Guy’s inverted training, Fujinaka Genma fell into thought.

Perhaps Guy had already obtained the Eight Gates Release training method from his father.

After Guy finished training and received the application form, he burst into tears, overjoyed.

Ebisu couldn’t help but pinch the bridge of his nose: “Guy, it’s just an application!”

Guy’s tears stopped instantly; he declared with full confidence: “With our team’s strength, we’ll all be promoted together.”

Ebisu didn’t refute that.

Fujinaka Genma understood, at least a little, why Guy was so emotional.

His father, Might Guy, had spent his entire life as a genin, mocked and looked down upon—how could Guy not care?

He carried not only his own dream, but his father’s as well.

Or perhaps his dream had originated from his father.

After Guy took care of his personal hygiene, the three went together to find Hyuga Mio.

Then Fujinaka Genma submitted all the applications at once.

The four had lunch together.

They ate grilled meat.

Of course, the one paying was the little rich girl, Hyuga Mio.

Watching Guy devour food ravenously, Fujinaka Genma felt a pang of sympathy for Hyuga Mio’s wallet.

Of course, the one who ate the most was Hyuga Mio herself.

Next was himself.

Then Guy.

Finally, Ebisu.

“Genma!”

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out.

Fujinaka Genma immediately stood up, smiling with pleasant surprise: “Master Minato!”

“Kakashi, Rin, Obito.”

Hyuga Mio and the others also stood to greet them.

Thus, the four-person meal became an eight-person gathering.

And now, the one paying was Minato.

Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help but silently mourn for Minato’s wallet.

There were too many big eaters.

And the grilled meat was expensive.

“Genma, congratulations! The title ‘White Flash of the Hidden Leaf’ has spread throughout the village!”

As soon as they sat down, Rin spoke first.

Obito asked curiously: “Did Itachi really take down that Tailed Beast alone?”

Kakashi also looked at Fujinaka Genma with curiosity.

“How could that be?”

Fujinaka Genma smiled wryly—this rumor was wildly exaggerated.

“I just held it off.”

At the time, he’d only held it off.

“Still, that’s impressive.”

Minato chuckled. “A Tailed Beast is on the same level as the Kage of each village!”

“Genma, how are Itachi preparing for the Chunin Exam?”

Minato steered the conversation.

“Should be no problem.”

Fujinaka Genma glanced at Ebisu and the others.

“It’s just the Chunin Exam—definitely no problem.”

Sasuke Uchiha shouted.

Kakashi immediately plunged a blade into his chest: “Hope Itachi don’t show up late.”

“Kakashi, I—”

Obito tried to protest, but Rin quickly stepped in to calm things down.

Watching Kakashi and the others, Fujinaka Genma’s expression grew distant.

Would their fates still unfold the same way?

…

The meal ended amid laughter and chatter.

Afterward, the two teams parted ways.

Minato’s team returned to training; Fujinaka Genma’s group disbanded and went home.

They’d just returned from a mission and needed to relax.

Nightfall.

As agreed, Fujinaka Genma went to Minato’s home for dinner.

This wasn’t their first meal together, so nothing felt unusual.

But after eating, Kushina Uzumaki and Minato gave him a tremendous surprise.

The Flying Thunder God Technique!

Staring at the ninja scroll before him, Fujinaka Genma was momentarily stunned.

The technique he’d longed for—suddenly, it was his.

It was truly unexpected.

“Hahaha, I knew Genma would be shocked!”

Kushina Uzumaki was delighted by her student’s reaction, her satisfaction overflowing.

Minato smiled: “Genma, open it. I’ve recorded some training notes inside—they should help Itachi.”

“Also, prepare yourself—this technique is extremely difficult to learn.”

He paused, then added: “No easier than the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.”

Even Minato himself hadn’t fully mastered this technique—he could only use it while in Sage Mode.

And even then, with his current mastery of Sage Mode, he could only activate it once.

Hearing Minato’s words, Fujinaka Genma snapped back to attention and nodded solemnly: “I understand, Master Minato.”

Then—

He opened the scroll. Alongside textual explanations were a series of seals.

Fujinaka Genma studied them carefully, and soon frowned.

It was indeed difficult—profoundly obscure.

Even with Minato guiding him, progress was halting.

Yet, to Fujinaka Genma’s relief, some knowledge from his Level 10 Jin Gang Sealing technique actually aided his understanding of the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Though only slightly.

He kept asking questions until nearly ten o’clock, then reluctantly took his leave, still eager to learn more.

Back home, he didn’t rest immediately—he devoured the ninja scroll.

He had to master it quickly, so he could use skill points to upgrade it.

He didn’t want to wait any longer.

Four skill points could raise it directly to Level 4 or 5—more than enough for combat.

It might not be as smooth as Minato’s, but it would be enough.

Then he could plant eyes everywhere.

At 3 a.m., his mind exhausted, Fujinaka Genma finally fell asleep.

Then get up at five in the morning for morning training.

After breakfast, meet up with Hyuga Mio and the others for joint training.

Aside from training, Fujinaka Genma devoted all his energy to the Flying Thunder God technique.

Whenever Minato had time, he went to ask for guidance.

In a flash, two days passed.

The Chunin Exams arrived as scheduled.

The first round: written exam.

Fujinaka Genma finished and submitted his paper in five minutes.

As he walked out, he happened to meet the late Obito Uchiha.

“Huh?”

“Genma, aren’t Itachi taking the exam?”

Obito Uchiha was panting.

Fujinaka Genma smiled cheerfully: “Obito, I’ve already submitted!”

Su… submitted?

Obito Uchiha froze in shock.