Hokage Building.
The great man standing at the pinnacle of Konoha, the Third Hokage, had just finished urgently handling the latest documents, his face full of exhaustion.
"The White-Eyed Brothers nearly attacked their companions in extreme anger because they hadn't eaten enough? Those two really are restless. They may be powerful, but if we send them out on missions like this..."
The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe and fell into thought.
"Has there been any result on Shibi's end?"
After a while, the Third Hokage summoned an ANBU and asked.
"The competition is nearing its end. Lord Shibi intends to observe Mitaraishi Anko's performance from close range so he can prepare the most appropriate report."
The ANBU knelt on one knee and lowered his head as he spoke.
"Is that so? As expected of Aburame Shibi. He truly is an outstanding ninja who puts one at ease."
A faint smile appeared on the Third Hokage's face.
Aburame Shibi was Minato Namikaze's contemporary. Though his raw strength had not reached the Kage level, he was the most well-rounded elite jonin.
His abilities were simply too comprehensive. Ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, command ability, assault capability, sensory ability—he had no weaknesses!
As a result, on the battlefields of the Third Shinobi World War, Aburame Shibi had become one of the rare powerful ninjas capable of operating alone.
"Mitaraishi Anko... to be favored by someone as picky as Orochimaru, she must possess qualities that deeply attract him."
The Third Hokage nodded with a smile. Orochimaru's previous disciple had been Nawaki. Ever since Nawaki's death, Orochimaru had become much colder and more gloomy, undergoing changes that even he, Orochimaru's teacher, had failed to understand.
This had once caused the Third Hokage considerable concern.
Being willing to take on a new disciple already showed that Orochimaru had, to some extent, emerged from the shadows.
"Then let me observe her personally..."
The Third Hokage took out a crystal ball.
Telescope Technique!
The crystal ball displayed the Ninja Academy's competition grounds.
Mitaraishi Anko versus... this person looked a little familiar? He seemed to be that fellow who was particularly good at flattering people—no, that was wrong. He was good at writing theory.
He had gotten full marks in politics class and broadened his path at such a young age.
The instant the Third Hokage saw Genitsu, his old face bloomed like a chrysanthemum.
Good, this was the kind of child who could inherit the Will of Fire! Look at him—he could even draw inferences from one example while studying theory! If everyone in the village possessed this child's awareness, he would have far less to worry about. There would be lush green leeks everywhere for him to harvest.
However, the Third Hokage remembered that this child's combat ability was poor.
"Against a child like Mitaraishi Anko, who enjoys imitating Orochimaru in every way, Genitsu will suffer." The Third Hokage puffed steadily on his pipe.
But in the next moment, the strongest Hokage let out a soft sound of surprise as he watched Anko vomit violently after swallowing Genitsu's blood.
"How interesting... but what is going on?" The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes in thought.
Ninja Academy.
"Despicable! You actually poisoned your own blood?!"
Anko had taken a mouthful of highly concentrated nuclear radiation. The sensation was unbelievably intense.
She deliberately imitated Orochimaru. She had even believed that she needed to be more sophisticated than Lord Orochimaru in certain gestures and manners in order to attract his attention and win his exclusive favor.
Then, after deliberately cutting Genitsu, she swallowed a mouthful of his blood. Yet the instant it entered her mouth, the horrifying concentration of nuclear radiation within the blood caused a terrifying burning sensation in her mouth. It was scorching hot!
What terrified Anko even more was that she clearly discovered... this mouthful of blood contained some strange "poison" with terrifying corrosive properties, yet one that she could not accurately describe!
Her entire mouth suffered horrific damage as countless cells instantly died!!
Anko was dumbfounded. She had calculated every possibility and imagined many plans for showing off, but she had never imagined that she would swallow poisoned blood!
"Y-you..."
She trembled as she pointed at Genitsu, her eyes wide as though she were looking at a monster. She had never seen anyone this insane before!!
What kind of lunatic was this? She had heard of people applying poison to their clothes or skin to trick others, but who would poison their own blood?!
The key was that this poison was actually so toxic!!
Anko was on the verge of a breakdown.
She had only been accepted as Orochimaru's disciple a few days ago and was in the phase where she desperately needed to find someone to show off to.
Yet she had stumbled on little Genitsu.
"This... poisoning his blood? That's ruthless?"
Even the referee was stunned, standing there in a daze, uncertain whether he should stop the match.
The entire arena fell silent. Everyone turned to look, and even the evaluators in the distance representing the village's upper ranks were shocked.
Did he really have to go this far? Or had Anko made a mistake?
But when they saw Anko's deathly pale face, filled with boundless terror... they immediately fell silent, strange expressions appearing on their faces. It was actually true?!
"Anko, there was no need to be in such a hurry. Actually, as long as you said the word, I would have immediately surrendered. This was all a trivial matter..."
Genitsu sighed. Feeling the silver-fiber bandages on his face had been severed, he helplessly ripped all the bandages from his face in one motion.
He now possessed the ability to prevent nuclear radiation from leaking out, so he no longer needed them.
Then, when the bandages around his head were torn away, they revealed an incomparably handsome face.
After many years, many people were seeing Genitsu's complete face from the front for what was practically the first time.
"Damn it, so Genitsu was this handsome. If I'd known, I would've made my move earlier..."
"Then why did he deliberately wrap his entire body in bandages?"
Genitsu walked straight toward Anko.
"Damn it, what are you trying to do? I haven't lost yet. Don't underestimate me!!"
Anko gritted her teeth and immediately hurled a kunai. At the same time, she suddenly lowered her body, enduring the horrifying melting sensation in her mouth as she charged forward, her attack utterly decisive.
For someone her age, she was exceptionally capable. There was a reason Orochimaru had taken an interest in her.
But...
Whoosh!
Genitsu casually stepped back. In an instant, he reached out with one hand. In an incomparably violent manner, he took Anko's whip kick head-on with his body, seized her by the throat, and slammed her onto the ground with a thunderous crash!
Boom!
A deafening impact rang out.
Fine cracks appeared across the floor.
"Calm down. The match is no longer important. What matters is that if you keep delaying, you'll die."
Genitsu's voice was calm as he held Anko by the throat with one hand, pinning her firmly down.
Under Anko's incredulous gaze, he brought the index and middle fingers of his other hand together and formed a hand seal.
"It hasn't been twenty seconds yet. You should still be saved, Anko. You owe me a life. Don't be so reckless in the future."
Genitsu spoke softly, and then...
Nuclear Release: Impurity Absorption Technique!
Kazue, watching from below, suddenly had blazing light in her eyes.
That's right, this was that ability!! Genitsu, you really...
Before you continue