Chapter 76

For Orochimaru’s recruitment, Fujinaka Genma’s stance was clear: he refused, and he didn’t dwell on it.

Back when he was still young and undeveloped at the academy, he worried about being targeted by Orochimaru—but now?

He had the confidence!

Arriving at Minato’s home, the newlywed couple was busy preparing lunch.

Kushina Uzumaki held a spatula in one hand, sizing up Fujinaka Genma, then, satisfied he was unharmed, waved the spatula in the air, her hair lifting as she glared sharply, “Genma, if Itachi ever pull another stunt like that again, I’ll make Itachi regret it!”

Fujinaka Genma looked at Minato, who offered a helpless smile.

“Teacher Kushina, there won’t be a next time!”

Fujinaka Genma immediately surrendered, trembling as he begged, swearing he’d never do it again.

He knew Kushina Uzumaki truly would hit him—and he’d definitely get beaten, even if his strength now surpassed hers.

Then again.

Kushina Uzumaki’s punches to the head really hurt—and they left big lumps!

Seeing Fujinaka Genma surrender, Kushina Uzumaki swung her fist one last time as a threat before returning to the kitchen to resume cooking.

Minato Namikaze looked at his student and smiled warmly, “Wash your hands, Genma—come help too!”

“Yes!”

Fujinaka Genma replied, hurriedly washing his hands and rushing over to assist.

Soon, laughter filled the kitchen, warm and harmonious.

Quickly, the three of them prepared a hearty lunch amid chatter and laughter.

“Here, welcome back safely, Genma!”

Kushina Uzumaki raised her drink and smiled.

“Thank Itachi!”

Fujinaka Genma and Minato raised their cups together, then began eating.

Afterward, the three avoided discussing the mission, instead eating and chatting merrily.

After lunch.

Minato went to meet Kakashi and the others; they had afternoon training.

Not only did Fujinaka Genma not join them—he helped Kushina Uzumaki prepare afternoon snacks.

Around three in the afternoon.

Fujinaka Genma and Kushina Uzumaki arrived together at Kakashi’s training ground with the snacks.

“Genma!”

Kakashi and the others greeted him, then Obito Uchiha blurted out eagerly, “Genma, I heard Itachi took out…”

“Obito!”

Ino cut him off before he could finish.

“Genma, I’m truly sorry—Obito didn’t mean any harm.”

Ino sincerely apologized to Fujinaka Genma.

Fujinaka Genma blinked in slight surprise, glanced at Obito Uchiha’s flushed face, then smiled, “Ino, don’t worry—I’m not burdened by any psychological stress.”

“For me, that battle was about protecting Konoha, protecting my comrades.”

Fujinaka Genma’s expression was calm and gentle, his eyes serene: “As for the Kirigakure ninja I killed, I can only silently apologize in my heart.”

Ino froze.

She’d interrupted Obito because she assumed someone who’d endured such a brutal battle must carry trauma—but she hadn’t expected this.

Looking into Fujinaka Genma’s gentle eyes, she felt profound admiration.

Not for his strength—but for his inner fortitude.

“Genma’s right. Some people actually cry on the battlefield.”

Sarcastic Kakashi was back.

Obito Uchiha immediately protested, “That was just sand in my eyes!”

Kakashi immediately turned away, ignoring him.

Fujinaka Genma rubbed his forehead, glancing at Minato, who also looked exasperated.

Kushina Uzumaki, having watched the whole scene, now spoke with a laugh, “Alright, eat something first—replenish your energy!”

Obito Uchiha tried to play it cool, but Kushina Uzumaki immediately raised her fist.

Obito Uchiha flinched, surrendering instantly to avoid a swollen head.

Fujinaka Genma didn’t stay long; around four, he returned to his family’s fruit shop to help his mother Akie manage the business, then at six, they went shopping together for dinner ingredients, enjoying the quiet warmth of home.

Late at night.

Bedroom.

Fujinaka Genma opened his system and browsed the shop’s items.

He currently had 50,000 Kengan points.

His skill and attribute point purchase limits were exhausted; he couldn’t just hoard Kengan points forever.

He wanted to see if anything worth buying was available.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Fujinaka Genma spotted a talisman—and it felt familiar.

He read the description and was stunned.

It was a Senjutsu Talisman.

A Senjutsu Talisman from the Toad Kingdom of Myoboku.

Nearly capable of reviving the dead!

“Exactly 50,000 Kengan points… is this price too cheap?”

Fujinaka Genma was pleasantly surprised.

Hagoromo had been revived even after being pierced through the heart—it was extraordinary.

After thinking it over, Fujinaka Genma didn’t buy it.

He scrolled further down.

He then saw the perfected version of the Impure World Reincarnation technique.

After browsing for an hour, Fujinaka Genma bought nothing—but his mind was filled with new ideas.

For instance, the Mutual Multiplication Explosion Tag technique—he could learn that.

Drowsy.

The night passed in a blink.

At five, Fujinaka Genma woke up on time, washed up, and began training.

At eight, under his mother Akie’s watchful gaze, he slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed to the Hidden Leaf Village’s main gate to meet up.

But besides Kakashi and Ino, no one else had arrived yet.

After chatting briefly with them, Minato, Ebisu, and Might Guy arrived.

“Looks like someone’s going to be late again!”

Kakashi glanced at the sun and snorted.

Ino apologized on Obito Uchiha’s behalf to Fujinaka Genma and the others.

This scene left Fujinaka Genma speechless.

His gaze shifted between Kakashi and Ino—he couldn’t tell if their fates would still follow the original timeline.

“If there’s a chance to change things, I will.”

“As for who Madara Uchiha chooses as his pawn or backup plan—it’s none of my concern.”

“If I ever find his hiding place, I won’t mind pulling his plug.”

He thought to himself.

After another five minutes, Obito Uchiha arrived, panting heavily.

And sarcastic Kakashi was back online.

Ino resumed her role as mediator.

Minato stepped in, steering the conversation back on track.

The seven of them set off for the Sand Village battlefield—Kawachigaki.

Minato and Fujinaka Genma walked at the front; after leaving Konoha for some distance, Minato finally spoke of the mission: “Genma, what’s your take on this mission?”

“Master Minato, with Itachi and me involved, defeating the Sand Village and forcing their surrender won’t be a problem.”

“But the Kirigakure—they may agree to a temporary truce, but as long as the war continues, they’ll seize any chance to strike.”

“And the Iwagakure—they’ve been attacking from Rain Country, yet their actions in Grass Country have only been raids—something’s off.”

Minato nodded. “Itachi’re right. Just before we left, I received news from the front: the Iwagakure has launched an attack from the Grass Country direction.”

“The Grass Village fell yesterday.”

Fujinaka Genma was startled.

So Minato had been delayed briefly because he’d met with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

“Then we must end this Sand Village conflict swiftly!”