Chapter 74: Peace Policy!

A technique, from its development to final refinement, is never a simple matter.

Fujinaka Genma did not hastily use the Mounted Combat System to allocate skill points.

The Mounted Combat System boosts progress quickly, but the evolution of the Lei Shen Mode technique might not follow his intended path.

Take it slow.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, the medical unit began relocating to follow the front-line combat forces.

By afternoon, after the medical unit had just selected and settled into their camp, a Hidden Leaf ninja appeared before Fujinaka Genma: “Genma-sama, Jiraiya-sama requests your presence.”

“Understood!”

Fujinaka Genma nodded, waved to Hyuga Mio, and returned to the front to meet Jiraiya.

Inside the commander’s tent.

Not only was Jiraiya there, but also Nara Shikamaru.

“Genma, it seems Itachi have no issues left.”

Jiraiya let out a sigh of relief upon seeing Fujinaka Genma.

Nara Shikamaru smiled and said, “Congratulations on your recovery, Genma.”

“Thank Itachi all for your concern—it was just exhaustion.”

Fujinaka Genma smiled, then asked about the current battle situation.

Nara Shikamaru took over from Jiraiya to report: “The Mist ninja have retreated entirely to the coastal regions, with their command and logistics stationed on islands.”

“Additionally, the Mist ninja have received reinforcements.”

“Genma, Itachi should know—Tailed Beasts!”

Tailed Beasts!

Fujinaka Genma was startled, nodded, and said gravely: “Tailed Beasts—I know. Like Suna’s Shukaku.”

“It seems the Mist ninja leaked this information deliberately.”

Jiraiya nodded approvingly: “Yes, this is a threat to Itachi!”

“The current situation has reverted to its initial state, with combat mostly limited to small-unit skirmishes.”

The Mist ninja’s message was clear.

Let go of Fujinaka Genma, and we’ll release the Tailed Beast!

Let’s hurt each other!

Fujinaka Genma thought for a moment and asked: “Can we pinpoint the Tailed Beast’s location?”

Jiraiya spread his hands: “It’s difficult—and…”

Nara Shikamaru added: “The Third Hokage intends to negotiate with the Mist ninja.”

Negotiate?

Fujinaka Genma froze, then considered it: “It is indeed an opportunity.”

“But…”

Fujinaka Genma shook his head: “Even if we negotiate now, when the chance arises, the Mist ninja will surely strike us again.”

The Mist ninja have just suffered a defeat and lost many elite ninja—this is indeed a good moment for negotiation.

But the problem is this:

Unless the Hidden Leaf ends fighting on other fronts, the Mist ninja will still seek an opening to attack.

One, to reclaim lost gains; two, for revenge.

Over three hundred elite ninja were reduced to just a dozen by his hand.

The Seven Swordsmen of the Mist were reduced to just Biwa Juzo, fleeing with a broken blade.

Too tragic!

This hatred the Mist ninja may endure for a while—but not for long.

Jiraiya knew this well, yet sighed helplessly: “The old man has ordered Itachi back to the Hidden Leaf.”

“Next, Itachi’ll likely be sent to the Suna front.”

Fujinaka Genma instantly understood: “Is the Third Hokage trying to force Suna into surrender?”

Nara Shikamaru nodded: “The village’s forces are stretched too thin. The Third Hokage wants to end the war as soon as possible.”

Even newly graduated children are on the battlefield—how could forces not be stretched thin?

The Uchiha clan and Hyuga clan have already deployed nearly all their combat strength.

“Ending the war sooner is better—too many have died.”

Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help but sigh.

Jiraiya and Nara Shikamaru exchanged a glance, then patted Fujinaka Genma’s shoulder and said solemnly: “Genma, war isn’t what we want. Itachi killed so many only to protect yourself and the village.”

“Our goal is to end the war.”

Fujinaka Genma couldn’t help but feel a bitter amusement—they feared he’d be psychologically scarred.

Yet he recalled—he was only fourteen.

What a fucked-up world.

Fujinaka Genma cursed inwardly, then nodded to Jiraiya’s reassurance: “Jiraiya-sama, I understand.”

“Then when do I leave?”

Jiraiya said: “If possible, today!”

“With Ebisu and Guy.”

Fujinaka Genma nodded: “Understood!”

The three then spoke for a while longer, with Jiraiya and Nara Shikamaru gently guiding and counseling Fujinaka Genma.

Mainly because the battlefield from three days ago looked horrifying.

Many of the Hidden Leaf genin sent to clean up the site still carried psychological trauma.

Even if Fujinaka Genma appeared mature, he was still just a fourteen-year-old.

So Jiraiya was deeply concerned.

First, he admired Fujinaka Genma’s character and responsibility; second, he was Minato’s student.

After lunch with Jiraiya, eating grilled meat, Fujinaka Genma set off with Ebisu and Guy.

Yet Fujinaka Genma still felt a quiet curiosity—why had the Third Hokage summoned him back to the Hidden Leaf?

Going to the Suna front now should be the best choice—quick, decisive action.

Ending the war with Suna first would greatly reduce the Hidden Leaf’s pressure.

Perhaps even force the Mist ninja to withdraw.

During wartime,

travel was faster.

The three departed in the afternoon and returned to the Hidden Leaf by nightfall.

Ebisu and Guy had long adapted to Fujinaka Genma’s pace—no issues at all.

The next day.

Before eight, an Anbu ninja arrived at his door.

Fujinaka Genma immediately went to the Hokage’s office to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Though little time had passed, seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi, Fujinaka Genma felt he had aged greatly.

Clearly, this great ninja war had worn Hiruzen Sarutobi down.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled immediately upon seeing Fujinaka Genma: “Genma, how are Itachi feeling?”

“Perfectly fine, Hokage-sama!”

Fujinaka Genma knew exactly what Hiruzen Sarutobi meant.

Looking at him, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt deeply reassured.

He had always favored Fujinaka Genma, but never expected such a remarkable surprise.

At this age, he was even more outstanding than Minato had been.

If the ninja world truly had a Kage-level classification, Fujinaka Genma now unquestionably belonged in that tier.

“Keep growing—Itachi might become someone like the Second Hokage!”

Hiruzen Sarutobi’s regard for Fujinaka Genma had reached its highest point.

He was simply too pure of origin.

Born a commoner.

Yet he had become a disciple of Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze.

And he maintained excellent relations with the Legendary Sannin.

After the usual pleasantries, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke of the mission.

To Fujinaka Genma’s surprise, this time he would be deployed alongside his teacher, Minato.

Clearly,

Even with the Hidden Leaf already holding the advantage, Hiruzen Sarutobi intended for Fujinaka Genma and Minato to be the final straw that crushed Suna.

Fujinaka Genma had no objections to the mission.

He was still too young to voice opinions—this he understood clearly, even with his growing fame.

He stepped out of the Hokage Tower.

Fujinaka Genma was on his way to find Minato and Kushina Uzumaki when he was stopped by a masked Anbu ninja.

“Lord Genma, Lord Danzo requests your presence!”