After repeated confirmation,
Tsunade was genuinely stunned.
Three young brats had actually joined forces to take down two special jōnin from Iwa?
Of course, Tsunade did not care in the slightest about some trash title like "Iwa's Dark Ninja," but considering Genitsu and the other two's ages... even if they had used some clever tricks, it was still astonishing.
"Other than Hatake Kakashi, I've never seen juniors grow so quickly. This new generation has produced so many remarkable children..."
Tsunade sighed, then suddenly asked, "That brat named Genitsu—didn't I hear that his Kekkei Genkai can produce some rather potent poison?"
Here it came.
Shibi adjusted his sunglasses. "That's right. It's an extremely powerful toxin, and Genitsu uses it as a trump card against his enemies."
"I see. Orochimaru must be very interested in someone who enjoys using poison like this. Just casually taking out a few poisons would be enough to keep that brat busy researching..." Tsunade rested her chin on her hand and repeatedly tapped the desk.
Tsunade knew poison extremely well. Her main roles on the western front were, first, to stabilize morale and intimidate the enemy, and second, to detoxify poisons—to instantly counter that old woman Chiyo's toxins.
However, Tsunade did not enjoy making poison. The one truly enthusiastic about toxins was Orochimaru.
"Still, a brat like this must feel rather helpless following you. His toxins can easily be neutralized by your Kikaichū. Kikaichū truly are powerful, versatile insects."
Tsunade smiled.
This time, Shibi said nothing, but Tsunade took that as tacit agreement.
Before long, Tsunade formally began suppressing information about Genitsu and the other two.
Even so, this could at most slow the rate at which Genitsu and the others were fully exposed, because intelligence concerning the three had already begun circulating among Iwa and Suna ninja.
And faintly, it had started spreading back through the battlefield among Konoha ninja as well.
When Shibi brought his three subordinates away from the western front camp once more and set out on the journey back to Konoha,
some Konoha ninja who had fought the enemy had already begun paying attention to Shibi's squad.
The rookie squad led by elite jōnin Shibi had completed nine B-rank missions and one A-rank mission in barely two months. That was an astonishing record.
The reputation of Genitsu and the other two as prodigies of the new generation had begun to spread. Still, apart from the few who had worked with them, most people had no idea exactly what made these three such geniuses. They only knew that they were very strong and possessed tremendous potential.
"Any rookie led by Jōnin Shibi must be exceptionally talented."
"I'm really looking forward to their future... I heard the leader is a descendant of the Shiranui Clan."
As many Konoha ninja watched Genitsu and the others leave the camp, their faces showed comfort and delight.
The more talented youngsters their village had, the better.
"Hmph, bunch of idiots. If you want to know about Genitsu and the others, just ask me. I was the first person to work with them."
"Huh? Big Brother Kawamiya, are you close with them?"
"Of course. They're incredibly impressive brats. Looks like they're heading back to the village? I hope everything goes smoothly for them."
Among the crowd, Umino Kawamiya offered his heartfelt wishes.
On the way back,
Screech! Screech! Screech!!
"Ah, why have the Kidaichū suddenly become restless? Teacher Shibi, you need to control them properly."
"Kidaichū? A fitting name, but these insects are far too violent. I can only stop their growth by cutting off their Chakra supply."
The four members of Shibi's squad looked helplessly at the few huge black insects crawling all over the ground.
No one knew what had happened, but these mutated Kikaichū—the new breed now called Kidaichū—had suddenly become violent, rampaging through Shibi's body.
Fortunately, Shibi had thrown them out in time.
"I need to spend some time carefully sorting through the tens of thousands of insects in my body, separating the mutated ones and cultivating them anew..."
Shibi took out a scroll and used the Summoning Technique to bring forth a large number of jars and bottles. He sealed the insects inside, putting them into a deep dormant state, then summoned the containers away again.
"The Summoning Technique really is a convenient technique."
"Are you interested in this technique, Genitsu? I can teach you."
After resolving the small incident of the Kidaichū going berserk, the four continued all the way back to Konoha.
After the gate guards thoroughly inspected them and verified their passcodes, confirming that the four were not enemies in disguise, they were allowed through.
Shibi headed to the Hokage Building first to make his report, while Genitsu and the other two enjoyed a brief period of freedom.
"Every time I return to Konoha, I feel that this is the true meaning of peace. War and all that is simply the worst thing imaginable."
Standing on the street, Genitsu watched the villagers coming and going, narrowing his eyes as he sighed.
"To protect this precious peace, and to fulfill Genitsu's dream, I must train desperately and protect all of this."
Might Guy clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
"Oh? Guy, it seems you understand Genitsu's will quite well. So fulfilling his dream is also your dream?"
"That's right, this is youth! Genitsu, Kazue, my blood is boiling! I've decided to run three laps around the village on my hands! Want to join me?"
"..."
"...No, but good luck, Guy."
With a regretful look on his face, Guy ran off on his hands, kicking up a long trail of dust through the street.
"Genitsu, now it's just the two of us... Do you have any plans lately?" Kazue asked with a smile, clasping her hands behind her back.
At first glance, she looked like a hopeful young girl waiting for a romantic answer from her lover.
But in reality...
"I plan to take some time to research a new technique. Kazue, it looks like you have a more specific plan. If I refuse, will you choose to ambush me on a dark and windy night, then achieve your goal?"
"Hehe, I wouldn't dare do that. No one knows how many trump cards you're hiding, Genitsu, or what kind of agreement you reached with Teacher Shibi... The Kidaichū, those peculiar insects—they seem to be related to that, right?"
A hint of danger flashed across Kazue's smiling face.
Kazue had been the first to taste the power of radiation. She had eaten dirt for a year, willingly inflicting severe harm upon her body just to rely on that intense stimulation to grow stronger. It had temporarily allowed her to break free from her mediocre aptitude, though it was nothing more than forcing growth.
Therefore, the instant she saw the Kikaichū, she immediately connected them to the reason why, and a powerful sense of crisis arose in her heart.
It was the feeling that something belonging exclusively to her had suddenly been taken away.
Genitsu nodded and chuckled. "It's good that you understand. Every bit of power you've gained has already been marked with a price by me. You must repay it... even if the cost is your life."
"That's fair. I was already prepared for it. So, Genitsu, please help me train!"
Before you continue