A Slap for White Fang at the Start

Genetsu raised his cup and clinked it against Nawaki's.

Early the next morning.

At Konoha's main gate.

"Morning, everyone. The lineup's the same as last time, right?"

When Genetsu finally strolled over after spending the night at Nawaki's place.

A squad led by his older brother and Sarutobi Shinnosuke had already assembled.

What surprised Genetsu was that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Sarutobi Biwako had actually come to see them off.

Their second son, Sarutobi Asuma, was there as well.

Honestly, without the beard, he was almost unrecognizable.

Kakashi had also come to see off his father and the uncle who never called him by name.

Nohara Rin, Uchiha Obito, Yūhi Kurenai, and the other future teachers of the Konoha Twelve were there too.

Though for now, they were just a bunch of brats with an average age of six.

"Genetsu, with you joining us this time, I feel much more at ease."

Seeing Genetsu arrive, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke kindly.

It earned him some goodwill from little newcomers like Nohara Rin and Yūhi Kurenai.

Once again, he left them with the impression of a benevolent old grandfather.

"Rest assured, Lord Hokage. I, Hatake Gengetsu, will never make the same mistake as my older brother. Even if it means standing by and watching my comrades die during a mission, I will prioritize completing the mission."

Genetsu patted his chest, wearing an expression that said he would gladly give his heart for Leaf Village.

"Rest assured, Lord Hokage. I, Hatake Gengetsu, will never make the same mistake as my older brother. Even if it means standing by and watching my comrades die during a mission, I will prioritize completing the mission."

Genetsu's words left everyone present dumbfounded.

A few seconds later, they gradually came back to their senses.

Obito, who would one day utter the famous line, "Those who do not cherish their comrades are worse than trash," was the first to step forward in rebuttal.

"Uncle! That's too much! Comrades are the most important thing! How can you abandon them just to complete a mission?!"

Looking at Obito, who had yet to fall into darkness and resembled a younger Naruto, Genetsu happily teased the future big boss who would turn the shinobi world upside down.

"Runtu, you're too naive. A ninja should naturally put the mission first, even if it means sacrificing comrades. Don't you agree? Konohamaru, Lord Hokage?"

As he finished speaking, Genetsu turned and asked Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"My name is Obito! Uchiha Obito! Not Runtu!"

Obito protested.

Kakashi looked at Obito with a face full of sympathy.

It's useless.

Once his uncle gave someone a nickname, there was no changing it.

Just like his own Fifty-Fifty.

Fifty-Fifty... sounds a little better than "Runtu," hehe~

Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been put on the spot by Genetsu, looked utterly awkward.

How were they supposed to answer that?

If they said Genetsu's view was wrong.

Then wouldn't they be slapping themselves in the face after having viciously condemned Hatake Sakumo over the previous failure?

But if they said Genetsu was right.

What would everyone else think of them in the future?

That they were cold-blooded animals?

In the end, after agonizing over it, Sarutobi Shinnosuke could only grit his teeth and speak first.

"Th-that's right! A ninja should put the mission first! Even if comrades must be sacrificed, the mission must be completed!"

"Well said! As expected of Lord Hokage's son."

Genetsu laughed heartily and patted Sarutobi Shinnosuke on the shoulder, looking pleased to have found a kindred spirit.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the several Sarutobi Clan ninja behind him were utterly baffled.

Were they really that close?

Just the day before yesterday, Genetsu's blade had nearly split them apart.

Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi, meanwhile, swallowed hard.

They knew Genetsu's style well.

Whenever Genetsu wore that sort of expression.

Someone was about to have terrible luck.

"Lord Hokage, you think I'm right too, don't you?"

Genetsu turned toward Hiruzen Sarutobi again with a smile.

"This... depends on the actual circumstances. In any case, as long as it is for the village, then it is correct."

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently cursed Genetsu for digging a pit for him. In the end, he could only give an ambiguous answer.

After all, he could not let his benevolent old grandfather image collapse.

He absolutely could not say something like, "Comrades can be abandoned to complete a mission."

"Anyway, abandoning comrades for a mission is wrong..."

Runtu was still muttering to himself.

"Hm? Little girl, do you like this brat of mine?"

Genetsu suddenly noticed Nohara Rin behind Obito and asked with a light smile.

"Eh?!"

Nohara Rin clearly had not expected Genetsu to suddenly question her.

And on such a sensitive topic at that. Her little face immediately reddened.

"What nonsense are you talking about?! Rin doesn't like this Annoying Ghost at all!"

Before Nohara Rin could answer, Runtu had already bristled and jumped up with a shout.

"I'd advise you not to like this kid. Girls your age might easily be drawn to a little brat who acts cool like this, but men like him are the least reliable."

Genetsu, who always liked linking Fifty-Fifty with a certain future Uchiha Sasuke, smirked wickedly.

"And there's no need to judge by his face either. Once this kid takes off his mask, he's not even as handsome as I am."

Who could have imagined that Nohara Rin, an ordinary girl next door whose looks were merely cute rather than stunning and whose ninja talent was merely decent, would one day become a butterfly that stirred up a storm in the shinobi world?

Genetsu said it only to give her a reminder.

After all, the girl was somewhat pitiful.

What? Obito?

Genetsu had no sympathy to spare for men...

"S-so handsome!"

The little girl Yūhi Kurenai beside Nohara Rin stared at Genetsu's sharp brows and bright eyes, as well as his flowing long white hair that was completely unlike the spiky white-haired styles of Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi. Her ruby-like eyes sparkled as she cupped her cheeks in both hands.

He was exactly her type!

"Hm?!"

The future bearded man's guard instantly rose, and he shot Genetsu a hostile glare.

Seeing Yūhi Kurenai looking lovestruck, Genetsu was somewhat speechless.

Girl, why are you butting in?

Though she had it pretty rough in the original story too.

"Ahem. Genetsu, Sakumo, you may depart now. Our Konoha comrades at the front are still waiting for your reinforcements."

Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed twice in reminder.

If Genetsu kept rambling like this, he had a vague feeling something bad would happen.

He needed to send this harbinger of disaster away quickly.

Watching the Sarutobi Squad led by his son leave with the two white-haired men, Sarutobi Biwako furrowed her brow and turned to her husband, whispering.

"Hiruzen, I have a... bad feeling."

"You mean Genetsu? His conduct is indeed completely different from Sakumo's, but there's no need to worry so much."

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, his wife was being overly concerned.

The Hatake Clan was now just like the Senju Clan.

It existed in name only.

The Hatake Clan had originally been a small clan during the Warring States era.

After the First Shinobi World War of previous years and the current Second Shinobi World War, only Hatake Gengetsu, Hatake Sakumo, and Hatake Kakashi remained.

Even if two of them were Kage-level powerhouses.

Konoha was now overflowing with talent, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was confident he could still keep them in check.

"Obito, have you ever seen what Kakashi looks like under his mask?"

After Genetsu mentioned Kakashi's true face, Nohara Rin could not help growing curious as well.

When Kakashi was not paying attention, she quietly asked Obito.

"I don't know... but if he were handsome, why would he cover his face? He must be ugly."

Obito did not miss the chance to slander his rival in front of the girl he liked, immediately taking a jab at Kakashi.

"You're the ugly one, Runtu."

Kakashi suddenly shot back.

"Who are you calling Runtu, bastard?!"

Obito bristled again and instantly started brawling with Kakashi.

"But he really is so handsome, that Mr. Genetsu~"

Yūhi Kurenai recalled his sharply defined face, sounding far too mature for her age.

"Kurenai, that guy is dangerous. Don't forget, he was the one who destroyed Hokage Rock, and he's also someone who believes comrades should be abandoned for a mission!"

Like Obito, Asuma also did his utmost to disparage his "rival."