Be Careful, I'll Kill You

Obito's house.

Grandma Madara, who was receiving full-scale care from two Gen'ichi Shadow Clones, suddenly opened her eyes.

This feeling... is it White Zetsu? But the aura isn't quite right... Grandma Madara mused, sitting up.

"Oh, Obito's grandma, why are you awake? It's your sleeping time now. You need to maintain a good routine to extend your lifespan!"

One of the Shadow Clones immediately pressed Grandma Madara back down.

"..."

Grandma Madara grit her teeth inwardly, calculating the remaining lifespan of her current physical body. He wanted to choose the perfect moment to provoke Obito and then die, but the problem was, she still hadn't found that moment.

The Shiranui Family brat was like a stubborn plaster, sticking to her relentlessly.

Gen'ichi Shiranui... I'll kill you sooner or later.

Grandma Madara slowly closed his eyes.

Around Kannabi Bridge.

Madara's main body immediately summoned White Zetsu and asked about Gen'ichi's situation.

"It's no use, Lord Madara. The Kekkei Genkai that brat possesses is extremely effective against me. As soon as I get close, I'm affected by that power."

"How much do you know about his Kekkei Genkai?"

"Generally speaking, it can't be called a toxin, but rather a special energy field. As long as he is within his perception range, you will be affected by that power. Lord Madara, do you need me to find an opportunity to assassinate him? If I team up with Tobi, we might be able to break through Aburame Shibi's swarm and successfully kill him."

White Zetsu chuckled strangely.

"No need. A brat like that is insignificant. Without the bloodline of the Senju or Uchiha, they are all destined to be supporting characters on the stage."

Madara's main body slowly closed his eyes.

Konoha.

As the experiment progressed to this stage, Gen'ichi gained an increasingly clear understanding of how terrifying the Shadow Clone jutsu was.

The Shadow Clone, a pure Chakra construct, could return all its memories to the main body upon exploding.

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

Gen'ichi nodded slightly.

As long as the complete Nuclear Release Clone – the Cancer Clone – could be created, many problems would no longer be problems.

When Gen'ichi finally emerged from the lab after many days, he unexpectedly received a piece of news.

"Oh? Minato is back in the village?"

Walking down the street, many villagers were talking about Lord Minato with fervent expressions.

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

"Because of him, Kumogakure was repelled! Even Kumogakure's Jinchuriki was no match for him!!"

On both sides of the street, there were noisy crowds. The moment they saw Minato, they cheered, showing just how popular Minato was.

But it was no wonder; Minato was a rare emerging Kage-level Expert, and he deserved such treatment.

Gen'ichi squeezed through the crowd, also putting on an excited expression and watching the entire scene. He watched as Minato, all smiles, led a group of injured front-line ninjas back to the village in glory.

He also saw Umino Kawamiya; that guy had one arm bandaged and was grinning like an idiot.

"Gen'ichi-san! Gen'ichi-san! Quick, come with me! Kakashi and Genma are fighting!"

Might Guy yelled, grabbing Gen'ichi and running frantically.

Anyone who didn't know might think these two eager young men were about to do something else entirely.

"Look, that's Kakashi!" Guy pointed boastfully at a guy fighting in the training ground.

"...Of course I know he's Kakashi. Even though we're not in the same class, who doesn't know Konoha's strongest genius..."

But... why would Genma fight Kakashi? Was it a challenge from a middle-ranked student to the Top Student?

Just then, there was a shock. Genma was hit directly in the head by a heavy punch from Kakashi, instantly spitting out a mouthful of blood and flying sideways.

The strike was heavy, very heavy, practically aiming to kill.

"So you are Gen'ichi Shiranui. Teacher Minato speaks highly of you... Let's settle this." Kakashi radiated killing intent.

Kakashi, who had lost his father two years prior and whose thinking had become extreme, prone to turning dark at any moment, now directly drew his White Fang Short Sword, cast aside Genma, and walked step by step towards Gen'ichi.

"Kakashi, we haven't finished our fight!" Genma struggled to get up, spitting out a Senbon from his mouth.

But the Senbon was instantly deflected by a backhand slash from Kakashi: "Get lost. I'm not interested in trash. If you hadn't claimed to be Gen'ichi, I wouldn't have been interested in fighting you at all."

"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 the response was a merciless punch from Kakashi. With this punch, Genma would basically be bedridden for a week.

Thwack!

"Kakashi, treating my only remaining clansman like this isn't very good, is it? This isn't how you should treat your comrades."

Gen'ichi appeared with astonishing speed, grabbed Kakashi's fist, and blocked him in front of Genma.

Might Guy also frowned, watching the scene before him in shock: "Kakashi, what's wrong with you? Why have you become like this... It's getting out of hand!"

"Comrades and things like that are completely unimportant. Minato Sensei said you could rival me, so defeating you is my current mission."

Kakashi tightened his grip on the White Fang Short Sword. This was his father's keepsake, and more importantly, proof of his conviction.

Gen'ichi frowned, looking at the bruised and swollen Genma, and vaguely understood.

So-called pride, what a troublesome thing. Was he desperate to confirm his status, then forcefully challenge Kakashi? But Kakashi at this time was simply an unreasonable guy; he only improved after hanging out with Obito.

"I reminded you long ago, there's no need to carry meaningless burdens, like trying to revitalize the clan's name or things like that..." Gen'ichi said flatly.

Genma wore a bitter expression: "There's nothing I can do. I'm the Clan Head. There are some things you don't have to do; you just need to be yourself, but I can't... The Shiranui Family, no matter how insignificant, is still a clan."

"Is that so..."

Gen'ichi slowly stood up and looked at Kakashi.

"Let's settle this. There's no need to waste time on so-called comrades. Only power and missions are what a qualified ninja needs to focus on. Don't you even understand such a simple principle?"

Kakashi spoke indifferently, then immediately swung his blade fiercely. His movements were swift, and his aura was bloody, rushing forward.

Might Guy was about to step in and stop him.

But Gen'ichi stopped him. As he quickly retreated, he slowly spoke.

"Just so you know, challenging me comes with a price, Kakashi. Be careful I don't kill you."