Chapter 53: A Fated Encounter!

After leaving Ichiraku Ramen, Hinami Yō and the others headed home, while Fujinaka Genma went to Minato’s house.

Tomorrow they would go to the battlefield; he needed to say goodbye to Kushina Uzumaki.

The evening celebration planned earlier had to be canceled—they needed to rest and conserve energy for the journey ahead.

Upon arriving at Minato’s house, Kushina Uzumaki was not surprised by Fujinaka Genma’s farewell; she smiled and said, “Itachi’ve become a very mature ninja already. I believe Itachi’ll return safely.”

She handed him a box in her hands. “This is a gift I prepared for Itachi, to celebrate your promotion to Jōnin.”

Fujinaka Genma reached out curiously, accepted it with thanks, and opened it—then froze.

It was a robe!

“Try it on!”

“Your height should fit perfectly now!”

Kushina Uzumaki said.

Minato chuckled beside her. “This was sewn by Kushina herself—honestly, I’m a little jealous.”

His nose tingled with emotion; Fujinaka Genma was deeply moved.

“Thank Itachi, sensei Kushina!”

Fujinaka Genma thanked her again, then unfolded the robe—realizing it was a short-sleeved Hokage robe.

Entirely black, it matched his usual style perfectly.

The hem was bordered with golden flame patterns; the cuffs were adorned with golden flame accents.

On the back was a swirling vortex design.

Fujinaka Genma immediately put it on.

Kushina Uzumaki’s eyes brightened as she looked at him, sincerely praising, “Itachi look incredible, Genma.”

“Yō made an excellent choice.”

Minato nodded with a smile.

The Hokage robe suited Fujinaka Genma perfectly, adding a touch of maturity to his presence.

Immediately after putting on the robe, Fujinaka Genma noticed his Charm stat had surged by two points.

This… was awesome!

The next day.

They gathered at the gate of Konoha.

Seeing Fujinaka Genma appear in the Hokage robe, Hinami Yō and the others stared in shock.

Especially Hinami Yō—her eyes sparkled with admiration.

Approaching the three, Fujinaka Genma waved. “Let’s move out!”

The three snapped back to attention; Ebisu couldn’t help but say, “Genma, Itachi look amazing in that outfit.”

Guy nodded. “Itachi look like the Hokage.”

Hinami Yō asked, “Did Akie make this for Itachi?”

“No, it was prepared by Sensei Kushina.”

“The undergarments were made by my mother.”

Fujinaka Genma explained briefly, then gave the order to depart.

Hinami Yō stared at Fujinaka Genma’s Hokage robe, thinking she ought to prepare a unique gift of her own.

What kind of gift would be suitable?

Sigh—what a happy problem to have!

…

The day after the Chunin Exams ended, Fujinaka Genma led Hinami Yō and the others out of Konoha once more, heading for the battlefield.

This time, they were headed to the southeastern coastal region of the Land of Fire.

The Hidden Mist Village typically invaded the Land of Fire from two entry points.

One was through the Land of Waves as a staging ground.

The other was farther south, entering Konoha through the Land of Whirlpools, then moving northward.

Thus, the defensive perimeter Konoha needed to establish was vast.

And

The Land of Fire’s coastline was extremely long; it was impossible to prevent Mist ninja from landing elsewhere.

This was one reason why many Hyūga ninja were assigned to the Mist front.

So

As they moved far from Konoha, deeper into the Land of Fire, and neared the front lines, Fujinaka Genma issued a combat readiness order.

He not only ordered Hinami Yō to activate her Byakugan for reconnaissance, but also activated his Shion no Me technique at regular intervals.

This tense routine confused Ebisu and the others.

“Genma, even though the Mist have mobilized, Konoha is prepared—surely they can’t break through the front lines so quickly?”

Ebisu said.

Hinami Yō, with her Byakugan active, thought for a moment. “Genma, do Itachi think the Mist might strike directly into the heart of the Land of Fire?”

“Yes.”

Fujinaka Genma nodded. “The coastline is too long, our forces too limited—the Mist can easily bypass our defenses.”

“If I were the Mist commander, I’d send a elite squad deep into the Land of Fire—to cut supply lines or harass and tie down large numbers of our forces. It would be highly advantageous.”

Hinami Yō and the others nodded, immediately raising their vigilance.

Around 3 p.m.

Hinami Yō, with her Byakugan active, suddenly shouted, “Genma—there’s something!”

“Seven of them. Moving fast. Heading straight for us.”

“Their chakra is strong!”

Fujinaka Genma immediately raised his hand.

The entire squad halted.

Hinami Yō fell back to the rear, with Ebisu and Guy on either side, while Fujinaka Genma stood alone at the front.

“Prepare for battle!”

Fujinaka Genma spoke, then drew his Raiha Chakra Blade, clamped a kunai marked with Flying Thunder God technique between his teeth, and held another identical Flying Thunder God shuriken in his left hand.

At the rear, Hinami Yō took out several ration pills and swallowed them.

Since she was responsible for reconnaissance, her chakra was already depleted.

Just as Fujinaka Genma’s team finished preparing, seven figures appeared in a blur, fifteen meters ahead.

Each was bizarrely built, each wielding a unique weapon unlike any other.

At that moment,

Seeing the seven, Ebisu and the others broke into cold sweat.

“The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist!”

Ebisu’s voice was hoarse.

Guy instinctively clenched his fists.

Hinami Yō looked at Fujinaka Genma in front—and for the first time, felt fear.

Of course, they had never seen the Seven Ninja Swordsmen before—but these seven men’s appearances were unmistakable.

“Truly a fated encounter!”

Fujinaka Genma stared at the seven bizarre figures, unable to suppress a sigh.

The wheel of fate rolled forward—unstoppable!

“So they’re just kids!”

It was Hakuō who spoke. “Even kids know our names? Looks like we’ve become famous!”

Tōsakano Emon grinned. “Kids are more fun—and don’t underestimate them. I heard Konoha has a very powerful kid—called the White Flash of Konoha.”

His gaze swept over Fujinaka Genma’s team, then locked onto Fujinaka Genma. “Say… could it be this kid?”

Suigetsu nodded slightly. “It’s him.”

“Looks like we’re lucky today.”

Kiri no Sōmaru, holding his needle, let his eyes trace Fujinaka Genma’s body.

Where should he pierce through first?

Hakuō stared at Fujinaka Genma and barked, “Hey, kid—aren’t Itachi the White Flash of Konoha?”

Fujinaka Genma stood up, smiled. “If Konoha doesn’t have another White Flash, then yes—it’s me.”

“But my name is Fujinaka Genma.”

“After today, I’m sure Itachi’ll remember this name.”

He turned his head slightly. “Guy, Ebisu, Yō—Itachi fall back.”

“Understood, but—”

Guy gritted his teeth.

“No buts!”

Fujinaka Genma smiled lightly. “Because I intend to kill them all.”