Hiruko

The group rested for a while.

Soon, Shibi and Minato returned one after the other.

"Sorry, sorry, it took some time to deal with the main enemy force…"

Minato scratched his head apologetically.

Shibi pushed up his sunglasses. "But the main enemy force has been taken care of by the two of us. In this battle, nearly fifty ninja were killed by our two squads. It was a complete victory."

"It's fine, we're used to it…"

Gen'ichi waved his hand.

There's no need to mention Minato; his fighting style is perfectly suited for solo action. He scatters kunai everywhere and then zips back and forth. It's no exaggeration to say he's a one-man army.

As for Shibi, he received direct authorization from the Hokage two years ago, giving him the qualifications to carry out solo operations. So he also prefers to work alone and take down enemies by himself.

With these two Jonin leading them, Gen'ichi and the other six Konoha Chunin and Genin often had to rely on themselves.

The only upside was that Minato and Shibi would always strike first, forcibly eliminating the powerful enemies and leaving the rest for them, creating a challenging yet manageable combat environment for their six-person squad.

"Anyway, it's great to see everyone so energetic. You've all grown a lot," Minato said with a smile.

"Sensei Minato, you promised! Once I become a Chunin, you'll teach me the Flying Thunder God Technique! I'm gonna beat that arrogant Kakashi to a pulp!"

Obito pointed at Kakashi, indignant.

"Huh, you? Learn the Flying Thunder God Technique? With your intelligence…"

"What?! I'll kill you!!"

The two started grappling again.

"Ah, after just going through a bloody battle, they still have this much energy? But their bond is as close as ever…"

Minato gave a wry smile.

The group of eight set off, returning to the Western Front Main Camp.

Now, Orochimaru had officially taken over from Minato as the overall commander of the western front. This also freed up Minato, that killing machine. Across the entire western front battlefield, the Iwa Ninja and Sunagakure Ninja were practically driven mad by Minato.

So much so that the Iwa Ninja, humiliated, issued a direct order: if they encountered the Yellow Flash, they were allowed to abandon their mission and run for their lives.

But even more awkward was that they couldn't even escape…

"Ooh, ooh, ooh! They're back! Lord Minato and Lord Shibi's teams!"

"Looking at them, they must have won another major victory."

"Of course they did, idiot! They're Konoha's strongest squads!"

Entering the main camp, many ninja cheered loudly.

Over the past year, the achievements of the two squads were built upon the corpses of countless enemies.

Minato and Shibi were already two of the strongest ninja apart from the Hokage, the Sannin, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. The new generation they led included several powerful geniuses.

The eight people walked towards the Central Tent to report their mission status to Orochimaru.

But as they reached the entrance, a white-haired man with a gloomy expression happened to be walking out of the tent.

"Huh? Senior Hiruko, what are you doing here? Weren't you with Lord Danzo on the Eastern Front Battlefield before?"

Minato looked at the person in front of him with a surprised expression.

"Minato, I don't need to explain anything to you."

Hiruko stopped, glanced at Minato with a slight hint of wariness, and lowered his head deeply.

"Ah, my apologies. Please, go ahead."

Minato and the others moved aside, brushing past Hiruko.

But suddenly, Hiruko stopped, stood beside Gen'ichi, slowly raised his head, and revealed a sinister smile.

"You… you are Gen'ichi Shiranui, aren't you? Possessing the Nuclear Release Kekkei Genkai that can perform area-of-effect attacks… Truly a remarkable newcomer. Every time I hear news of you achieving another feat, I feel a surge of excitement. With people like you around, the village is destined to have a bright future."

Hiruko displayed an unsettling smile, then glanced at the pale-faced Uchiha Ichie, his brow furrowing slightly, before his gaze finally settled on Obito.

He looked for a moment, revealing a strong sense of contempt.

Then he walked away.

Everyone felt a bit bewildered.

"Sensei Minato, who was that guy? The way he looked at me just now made me really uncomfortable…" Obito grumbled. He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he felt like he had been offended again, and again, and again.

"Hiruko is a friend of the Sannin and a reliable senior in the village. Don't mind that he's a bit strange; he's not a bad person at heart."

Minato smiled, watching Hiruko's retreating back with a slight hesitation.

"Oh, okay! A friend of the Sannin, then it's fine!" Obito breathed a sigh of relief. That feeling just now must have been his imagination.

The group entered the main camp. Orochimaru was looking down at a scroll in his hand with an indifferent expression, occasionally letting out a cold chuckle.

After a brief conversation, Minato and Shibi submitted their mission reports.

"Well done. The western front battlefield is now stable, thanks to you. I don't have any new missions for you at the moment, so you can rest."

Orochimaru chuckled lowly, "Also, Gen'ichi, your recent performance has been excellent. You're becoming more and more noticeable. I heard the Iwa Ninja and Sunagakure Ninja have listed you among the top few on their assassination lists... Your 'treatment' is comparable to an Elite Jonin."

Gen'ichi's expression didn't change. "There's nothing to be done about it. As long as I can contribute to the village, it's all worth it. It's my duty."

"Is that so? How remarkable..."

Orochimaru chuckled lowly.

After Gen'ichi and the other eight people left.

Inside the main tent.

Orochimaru sat in his seat, a deep chill appearing on his face, and picked up the secret letter Danzo had sent him again.

"That Danzo guy, he can't even stand loneliness during wartime. To think he'd actually cooperate with Hiruko, how ridiculous..."

Orochimaru sneered repeatedly.

Hiruko was a close friend of the Sannin—but that was in the past. As the Sannin achieved fame and success, became disciples of the Third Hokage, and gradually grew into Kage-level Experts, the distance between Hiruko and the three of them grew wider and wider.

Orochimaru had also keenly sensed that Hiruko, a fellow with mediocre talent but intense jealousy, showed subtle signs of his heart becoming twisted.

"Hiruko, you who chose to side with Danzo, are you prepared to be swallowed up? Or are you planning something even more interesting, believing you can bear the risks involved..."

Orochimaru sneered as he opened his mouth, extended a snake, and swallowed and digested the letter in one gulp, ensuring there were no loose ends.

"What a shame. I originally had high hopes for that child, Gen'ichi. His bloodline possesses the power I need. That guy clearly has his own will, yet every time I show him goodwill and try to win him over, he spouts nothing but the Will of Fire, exactly like the old man. He really puts on a good act."

On the last section of text revealed after the snake swallowed most of the letter, a name clearly appeared.

Gen'ichi Shiranui.