Chapter 77: Just Do A and It

In the afternoon, nearing dusk.

Fujinaka Genma and his team finally arrived in the Land of Rivers.

As team leader, Fujinaka Genma went with Minato to meet Orochimaru.

“Fujinaka-kun, what an astonishing achievement!”

Seeing Fujinaka Genma, Orochimaru immediately smiled.

“Compared to Lord Orochimaru, I’m far behind.”

Fujinaka Genma looked like an honest man.

“Heh, back in our day, none of us had the notoriety Itachi do!”

Orochimaru chuckled.

The original Legendary Sannin of Konoha were indeed exceptional, each with their own strengths; together, they fought against Hanzo, known as the Half-God, and though they lost, they earned his respect—and thus earned the title of Legendary Sannin.

And history proved the Sannin lived up to their reputation.

Aside from Tsunade, who suffered from blood phobia, Jiraiya and Orochimaru had both become pillars of Konoha, standing alone as equals.

But.

The Sannin never had the sheer ferocity of Fujinaka Genma.

Even Orochimaru, famed for his cold-blooded killings, never caused as much carnage as Fujinaka Genma.

So.

Orochimaru truly grew more and more impressed with Fujinaka Genma, especially now seeing how composed the boy was despite his young age.

“Minato, Itachi’ve taken an excellent student.”

Orochimaru looked at Minato.

If Minato hadn’t taken a student, Orochimaru himself would have been tempted.

“Thank Itachi, Lord Orochimaru. Fujinaka is indeed outstanding.”

Following Orochimaru’s words, Minato shifted tone and asked: “Lord Orochimaru, what’s the current situation with the Sand Ninja?”

“When we set out, intelligence came from the Land of Grass: the Stone Ninja launched a large-scale invasion.”

Orochimaru’s smile vanished. A wave of killing intent surged forth, making Fujinaka Genma and Minato both feel a chill.

“Compared to him, the people I’ve killed might not even amount to a fraction of his tally…”

Fujinaka Genma muttered inwardly.

Orochimaru said: “Those Stone Ninja finally couldn’t hold back—they struck from the Land of Grass… Come to think of it, Fujinaka, Itachi mentioned this long ago!”

“Yes!”

“The Stone Ninja have only two ways to invade our Land of Fire.”

Fujinaka Genma said.

“But under normal circumstances, a surprise attack from the Land of Grass isn’t a good route.”

Orochimaru said, then changed tone: “The Sand Ninja have retreated to Kikyou City and Kikyou Mountain. Tomorrow’s battle—with Itachi, Minato, and Fujinaka-kun—will crush them utterly!”

Perhaps to lower Konoha’s vigilance, the Stone Ninja attacked the Sand Ninja with such ferocity that the Sand Ninja could not spare more troops for the Konoha front, allowing Konoha to gradually regain the upper hand.

But it seemed the Stone Ninja had achieved their goal.

Even though Fujinaka Genma had warned them earlier, Konoha had increased vigilance in the Land of Grass—but still deployed no significant forces.

“Fujinaka-kun, Itachi’ll accompany me in the assault on Kikyou Mountain.”

“Minato, lead your forces against Kikyou City!”

Orochimaru had no complex tactics—with Fujinaka Genma and Minato present, they simply charged.

As long as they suppressed the One-Tail of the Sand Ninja, the Sand Ninja would be utterly defeated.

Fujinaka Genma and Minato exchanged a glance and nodded in unison: “Understood!”

After leaving Orochimaru’s command tent, Fujinaka Genma did not engage in intense training; instead, he began to rest and gather his strength.

The night passed without incident.

The next day.

The Konoha ninja forces began to gather, then split into two.

Orochimaru led over eight hundred Konoha ninja toward Kikyou Mountain.

Minato led over four hundred Konoha ninja straight toward Kikyou City.