Chapter 78: The Attack of One Man!

Beneath Kikyo Mountain.

Fujinaka Genma gazed at the lush, verdant peak, sensing the hidden killing intent within, and slightly raised his brow.

This was indeed a strategic location.

And it formed a mutual flank with Kikyo City.

The complex terrain greatly favored the defenders.

Especially when prepared.

Layered traps and defensive positions would inflict massive losses on any attacker.

Though the Hidden Leaf ninja were also well-suited for combat in such terrain.

Fortunately, the Hidden Leaf had a master of poison—Orochimaru—and he excelled in group battles.

The only regret was the loss of Tsunade, the medical sage and antidote expert.

“Without Itachi and Minato, completely crushing the Sand ninja and capturing Kikyo Mountain and Kikyo City would have taken far longer.”

Orochimaru gazed deeply at the forest ahead, a faint, enigmatic smile on his face, “Now, it depends on your and Minato’s deterrent power!”

Deterrent power!

This was the key reason the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had directly transferred Fujinaka Genma from the Mist front.

It was not because of Fujinaka Genma’s strength.

Fujinaka Genma’s strength was indeed formidable—admittedly—but in the current situation, deterrent power mattered more than combat power.

Especially now that his deeds and intelligence reports sat on the desks of every major ninja village.

Of course.

Fujinaka Genma suspected the Hidden Leaf might have even helped amplify his reputation.

His charm stat had been rising steadily these past few days.

“The Sand ninja may have gathered intelligence on me, but frankly, Orochimaru-sama, human nature is such that they won’t believe until they’ve tested it themselves.”

Fujinaka Genma shook his head, “It’s called—until Itachi see the coffin, Itachi won’t shed a tear!”

“Until Itachi see the coffin, Itachi won’t shed a tear…”

Orochimaru and the nearby Hidden Leaf jōnin all pondered this odd phrase.

“So, Genma, what do Itachi plan to do?”

Orochimaru asked.

“Of course, I’ll send them a coffin first…”

Fujinaka Genma bit his palms, paused mid-hand seal, “Orochimaru-sama, are Itachi certain the One-Tail is here?”

“Certain. No mistake.”

“Then, Genma, Itachi must be careful.”

The speaker was a jōnin from the Hyuga clan, his Byakugan still active.

Without the Byakugan, this battle would have been far harder for the Hidden Leaf.

“Understood.”

Fujinaka Genma nodded, then completed the hand seals.

Summoning Jutsu!

Amidst a puff of smoke, a giant toad—Gamabunta—appeared beneath Fujinaka Genma’s feet.

“Genma, where is this…?”

Gamabunta glanced around, then his gaze settled on Kikyo Mountain, “Is that the One-Tail?”

“Yes!”

Fujinaka Genma nodded.

Meanwhile,

On Kikyo Mountain, Granny Chiyo, who commanded the position, saw Gamabunta appear and her expression darkened; many Sand ninja nearby stirred uneasily.

Whispers of “the White Flash of the Hidden Leaf,” “the Death God of the Hidden Leaf” echoed constantly.

But the commotion was quickly quelled by the jōnin.

One jōnin suddenly appeared before Chiyo, holding out a scroll, “Granny Chiyo, this is the Hidden Leaf’s peace proposal!”

Chiyo glanced at it, reached out to take it, but did not open it—she tucked it away, saying, “Even if we seek peace, we must make the enemy see our resolve.”

The surrounding Sand ninja fell silent, yet each hardened their hearts further.

Below the mountain.

After waiting ten minutes without any response from the Sand ninja, Orochimaru looked at Fujinaka Genma, “Genma-kun, begin your performance.”

Fujinaka Genma nodded, then told Gamabunta, “Text, lift me into the air first—I’ll test the waters.”

“Understood!”

Gamabunta was already very familiar with Fujinaka Genma’s combat style and instantly grasped his intent.

As soon as Fujinaka Genma spoke, chakra rapidly gathered in both his hands.

A high-pitched, shrill hum rose, and before Orochimaru and the other Hidden Leaf ninja, two massive windmills materialized in Fujinaka Genma’s hands.

And they were two different windmills.

“He’s already developed another derivative jutsu this quickly…?”

“That technique—it must be Magnet Release! A Kekkei Genkai!”

Orochimaru stared in surprise at the Magnet Release Rasengan in Fujinaka Genma’s right hand.

He had to admit—every time they met, Fujinaka Genma delivered a new surprise.

Was this Kekkei Genkai something innate, inherited from his ancestors, or something he’d recently cultivated?

Fujinaka Genma had not used the Rasengan for the first time, but few Hidden Leaf ninja had ever felt its power so closely.

Thus, many ninja watched, stunned.

The jutsu simply looked dazzling!

At the same time,

On Kikyo Mountain, a commotion erupted.

“That’s the Wind Release jutsu!”

“We must intercept it!”

“To the treetops!”

Shouts rang out.

Jōnin led their teams, leaping onto the treetops.

Fujinaka Genma below saw them, but paid no mind; he told Gamabunta, “Text, go!”

“Understood!”

Gamabunta’s voice deepened, then his hind legs pushed off, stirring a gale as he leapt high into the air.

His leap could carry him directly from the mountain’s base to its mid-slope.

In midair, Fujinaka Genma first hurled the Magnet Release Rasengan toward the mountain’s mid-slope.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh…

A dense net of shuriken and even jutsu surged toward the Magnet Release Rasengan.

Then—

The Magnet Release Rasengan exploded in midair, rapidly expanding and drawing in all nearby iron weapons.

At that moment, Gamabunta began descending; Fujinaka Genma unhesitatingly threw the Wind Release Rasengan.

It too faced resistance, but far less than before.

The Wind Release Rasengan unleashed its power before fully falling, and the resulting storm swept across Kikyo Mountain, throwing many Sand ninja off balance on the treetops.

Most importantly,

As the jutsu exploded, Gamabunta, in perfect sync, unleashed a Water Iron Cannon.

Thus, the windstorm became a downpour—its direct damage was minimal, but it rendered the Sand ninja unable to launch attacks.

“Text, return!”

As he fell, Fujinaka Genma shouted.

“Understood!”

Gamabunta nodded and vanished.

Fujinaka Genma drew six Flying Thunder God shuriken from his ninja tool pouch and hurled them toward the mid-slope of Kikyo Mountain.

Immediately followed by the Multiple Shadow Clone Shuriken Jutsu.

Hundreds of Flying Thunder God shuriken, coated with the high-frequency Lightning Release blade technique, rained down, followed by the deluge.

This time, the attack was devastating.

Shuriken like lasers rained down, shredding vegetation and inflicting heavy casualties among the Sand ninja.

Just as the Sand ninja’s next wave of attacks neared, Fujinaka Genma raised one hand—and vanished from the air.