Be Careful I Don't Kill You

Obito's home.

Granny Madara, who was being attended to from every angle by two Genitsu shadow clones, suddenly opened her eyes.

"This feeling... White Zetsu? But the aura is a little off..." Granny Madara pondered as she sat up.

"Ah, Obito's grandma, why are you awake? This is when you should be sleeping. You need to maintain a healthy routine to extend your lifespan!"

One of the shadow clones immediately pressed Granny Madara back down.

"..."

Granny Madara gritted her teeth in secret, calculating the remaining lifespan of this manifestation body. He needed to choose the perfect moment, provoke Obito, and then die. But unfortunately, he had yet to find such an opportunity.

That brat from the Shiranui Clan was like an adhesive bandage, clinging to her for dear life.

"Shiranui Genitsu... Sooner or later, this old man will kill you."

Granny Madara slowly closed her eyes.

Near Kannabi Bridge.

Madara's real body immediately summoned White Zetsu and asked about Genitsu's situation.

"There's nothing I can do, Lord Madara. The Kekkei Genkai that brat possesses restrains me severely. As long as I get close, I'm disturbed by that power."

"How much do you know about his bloodline?"

Broadly speaking, it couldn't be called a toxin, but rather a special energy field. As long as one was within the range of his perception, they would be disturbed by that power. Lord Madara, should I find a chance to assassinate him? If I join forces with Tobi, we might be able to break through Aburame Shibi's insect swarm and kill him."

White Zetsu let out a strange laugh.

"No need. A brat like that is insignificant. Without the bloodlines of the Senju and Uchiha, he is destined to be nothing more than a supporting character on the stage."

Madara's real body slowly closed his eyes.

Konoha.

Having advanced the experiment to this point, Genitsu had gained an increasingly clear understanding of how terrifying the Shadow Clone Technique truly was.

A mere aggregate of Chakra, yet when a shadow clone dispersed, it could return every last memory to its original body.

"I've already grasped half of the most crucial key."

Genitsu nodded slightly.

As long as he created the complete Nuclear Release Clone—the Cancer Clone—many problems would no longer be problems.

When Genitsu finally emerged from the laboratory after many days, he unexpectedly received some news.

"Oh? Minato actually returned to the village..."

As he walked through the streets, countless villagers discussed Lord Minato with fanatical expressions.

"Lord Minato, that man who always has a smile on his face..."

"Because he was there, Kumogakure was repelled! Even Kumogakure's jinchuriki was no match for him!!"

The streets were packed with noisy crowds. The moment they saw Minato, cheers erupted everywhere, showing just how popular he was.

But it was no wonder. Minato was a rare Kage-level powerhouse who had risen to prominence, and he deserved such treatment.

Genitsu squeezed into the crowd, putting on an equally excited expression as he watched the entire procession. He watched Minato return to the village in glory, smiling as he led a group of wounded frontline ninja.

He also saw Umino Kawamiya. One of the man's arms was wrapped in bandages, and he was grinning like an idiot.

"Genitsu-san! Genitsu-san! Come with me, Kakashi and Genma are fighting!"

Might Guy shouted at the top of his lungs, grabbed Genitsu, and ran off howling.

Anyone who didn't know better would have thought these two impatient young men were rushing off to do something.

"Look, that's Kakashi!" Might Guy pointed at someone fighting in the training ground as though claiming credit.

"...Of course I know that's Kakashi. We're not in the same class, but who in Konoha doesn't know its strongest genius..."

But... why was Genma fighting Kakashi? Was an average student challenging the top student?

Just then, a violent impact rang out. Genma took a heavy punch from Kakashi directly to the head, spat out a mouthful of blood, and flew sideways.

He had hit hard—far too hard. He was practically trying to kill him.

"So you're the real Shiranui Genitsu. Teacher Minato thinks highly of you... Let's settle this." Killing intent radiated from Kakashi's entire body.

Having lost his father just two years ago, Kakashi's thoughts had become extreme, and he could turn dark at any moment. At this moment, he directly drew the White Fang Short Blade, ignored Genma, and walked toward Genitsu step by step.

"Kakashi, we haven't decided the victor yet!" Genma struggled to get up, spitting out a senbon from his mouth.

But Kakashi immediately knocked the senbon away with a backhand slash. "Get lost. I have no interest in trash. If you hadn't claimed to be Genitsu, I wouldn't even have been interested in attacking you."

"No! Even if you're the top student, you have no right to call me trash... I'm the clan head of the Shiranui Clan!!"

Genma raised his head, his eyes bloodshot. But Kakashi answered him with a merciless punch. After that blow, Genma would be bedridden for at least a week.

Smack!

"Kakashi, isn't it a little inappropriate to treat the last remaining member of my clan like this? This shouldn't be how you treat a companion either."

Genitsu appeared at astonishing speed, catching Kakashi's fist and stepping in front of Genma.

Might Guy also frowned, staring at the scene before him in shock. "Kakashi, what's wrong with you? Why have you become like this... You're going too far!"

"Companions don't matter at all. Teacher Minato said you can rival me, so defeating you is my task right now."

Kakashi gripped the White Fang Short Blade tightly. It was the keepsake his father had left him, and even more so, proof of his convictions.

Genitsu frowned as he looked at the bruised and battered Genma, vaguely understanding what had happened.

So-called pride was truly troublesome. Had he been desperate to confirm his own standing, then forcibly challenged Kakashi? But Kakashi at this stage was completely unreasonable. Only after he started hanging around Obito did he improve somewhat.

"I already warned you. There was no need to carry meaningless burdens, like reviving the name of a clan..." Genitsu said calmly.

Genma wore a bitter expression. "There's no helping it. I'm the clan head. There are things you don't have to do. You only need to be yourself, but I can't... Even if the Shiranui Clan is tiny, it is still a clan."

"Is that so..."

Genitsu slowly stood and looked at Kakashi.

"Let's settle this. There's no need to waste time on so-called companions. Strength and missions are the only things a qualified ninja needs to care about. You don't even understand something this simple?"

Kakashi spoke coldly and immediately swung his blade. His movements were agile, and his bloody aura surged forward.

Might Guy was about to step in and stop him.

But Genitsu stopped him. As his figure rapidly retreated, he spoke slowly.

"Let's make this clear first: challenging me comes at a price, Kakashi. Be careful I don't kill you."