In Konoha: Starting by Slapping White Fang

Less than a second after Orochimaru announced that the wounded and those with emergencies at home could return to Konoha early,

Genetsu let out a strange cry that drew everyone's attention.

Orochimaru's eye twitched violently as he looked toward Genetsu and Tsunade, who were sitting together.

When were these two ever going to settle down?

"Keep your voice down, idiot!"

Noticing everyone looking their way, Tsunade irritably pinched Genetsu hard on the shoulder and explained,

"On the fourth day after you and Sarutobi Shinnosuke left, Leaf Village fought Sunagakure again. According to Orochimaru, he died at the hands of a ninja who used strange black iron sand."

Black iron sand?

The Third Kazekage?

Genetsu stroked his chin in speculation.

In the original story, Dan Katō seemed to have been blown to death.

Then there was a ninety percent chance he had died at the hands of an Iwa Explosion Release Ninja.

Though it could also have been an Explosive Tag.

Those things were used throughout the ninja world.

Still, with Dan Katō dead, Genetsu felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

A character with the traits of a romantic rival...

Shouldn't he have been killed by Genetsu's own hand?

How had he died so... casually?

Genetsu suddenly felt as though, I haven't even put in any effort, and you've already fallen.

"What's with that weird look on your face?"

Noticing Genetsu's strange expression, Tsunade bumped her elbow lightly into his side.

"It's nothing. Dead is dead. With that level of strength, dying sooner or later makes no difference."

Genetsu's heartless words sent a chill through everyone nearby.

From Genetsu's perspective, he really should have wanted Dan Katō dead as soon as possible, but did he have to say it so openly?

"Welcome back, heroes!"

"Lady Tsunade! Thank you for saving my husband!"

"Lady Tsunade! Lord Jiraiya! You've worked hard!"

"So that's the legendary Konoha's Black Blade! I heard he killed the Second Kazekage and completely ended this war!"

"Really? That's wonderful! Leaf Village has produced another powerhouse. We'll be safer from now on too."

At Konoha's main gate,

Streamers rained down across the main road.

The entire village had gathered along both sides of the street, calling out to welcome the returning ninja.

When Genetsu, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the others entered public view,

Thunderous cheers erupted and rang through the sky.

Among them, the villagers cheered most loudly for Tsunade.

Of every ten Leaf Ninja who had gone to war, nine had received Tsunade's treatment.

In the ordinary world Genetsu had lived in during his previous life, many important people tried their best not to offend doctors.

Let alone in the ninja world.

Who could guarantee they would never fall ill in the future?

Jiraiya's name received the next loudest cheers.

There were also calls for Orochimaru mixed in.

And faintly, Genetsu's name and title could also be heard.

Killing the Second Kazekage had made the name Konoha's Black Blade resound throughout the ninja world.

Yet Hatake Sakumo, whose accomplishments in this Ninja War were no less than Orochimaru's or Jiraiya's,

Received almost no cheers for his name all the way from the main gate to the entrance of the Administrative Building.

All because of that pointless mission failure?

"Poor big brother~"

Genetsu teased.

"Konoha's White Fang! Konoha's White Fang!"

"Dad is the best!"

At that moment, two cheers reached the ears of the ninja in the middle of the procession.

Hatake Sakumo, who had been wearing a bitter smile, turned to look. The bitterness on his face immediately gave way to brightness.

The ones who had shouted those two lines were Fifty-Fifty and Runtu.

Pah! No.

They were Kakashi and Obito.

Besides them, Nohara Rin, Yūhi Kurenai, Might Guy, and the other young talents of their generation were cheering continuously.

"Where's my brother? Where is my brother?!"

Yet amid the atmosphere of universal celebration,

A voice filled with anger suddenly rang out, drawing everyone's attention.

At Kakashi's side, Asuma frantically shoved his way through the crowd and ran before Genetsu, Jiraiya, and the others at the front. Tears glimmered in his eyes as he demanded,

"Why isn't my brother here? And what about Sister Rie and the others from our clan?!"

Asuma's behavior immediately prompted countless Konoha villagers on both sides to whisper among themselves.

"Who is that child? So rude..."

"Shh, keep your voice down. That's Lord Hokage's younger son."

"I heard Lord Hokage's eldest son died in the war."

"Really? How pitiful..."

Jiraiya froze when he heard Asuma's question.

Brother?

Was he talking about that old Sarutobi's eldest son?

Hatake Sakumo sighed, patted Asuma's shoulder, and comforted him,

"Shinnosuke died at the hands of the Kazekage while carrying out a mission with Genetsu. It is regrettable, but he was a hero of Leaf Village."

"But it's all right. I already killed the Kazekage and avenged him."

Genetsu added with a smile from the side.

Hearing the Hatake Brothers' words, Jiraiya was completely dumbfounded.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke had died during the mission to assassinate the Kazekage?

He had gone to the Land of Wind with Genetsu.

They had killed the Kazekage together.

From beginning to end, he had never even seen a trace of Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

So how had that man died at the Kazekage's hands?

At that moment, Jiraiya was utterly bewildered.

"No, that's impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Asuma shouted furiously,

"My brother was so strong! He couldn't have died!"

Genetsu was speechless.

Your brother was an ordinary jonin. He wasn't weak, but "strong" had nothing to do with him.

"He was hit by Saimon's Sand Scatter Shot and died gloriously for the village. Believe it or not, there's nothing I can do."

Genetsu spread his hands.

"Y-you're lying!"

Asuma pointed at Genetsu and roared in fury,

"Since you were on a mission with my brother, why didn't you save him?! Did you just watch him die?!"

"Oh, oh, oh, little friend, that's not right."

Genetsu's smile grew even brighter.

"Before this, when my big brother saved Young Master Shinnosuke, plenty of Leaf Ninja cursed him out viciously, including your brother. This time, by standing by and watching him die, I was merely giving him what he wanted."

"Otherwise, if I had saved him and he called me trash afterward, what then? Don't you all agree?"

As he finished speaking, Genetsu turned to ask the other Leaf Ninja nearby.

The entire scene fell silent.

Even six-year-old Asuma's face turned bright red with anger, unable to find any words to refute him.

"Don't you agree?!"

When no one answered, Genetsu suddenly raised his voice and asked again.

Quite a few weaker ninja and ordinary villagers nearby shuddered violently.

"Y-yes, Lord Genetsu is right!"

"This was for Leaf Village's victory!"

"Lord Genetsu put the village first. He did nothing wrong."

"If Lord Shinnosuke knew in the afterlife, he would surely have wanted this too!"

Listening to the incessant flattery from the bootlickers around him,

Genetsu could not help but feel a few traces of satisfaction rise within him.

Though he knew perfectly well that few of their flattering words were sincere, it still felt great.

Genetsu finally understood why that man surnamed Ma from his previous life had loved showing off so much.