"You think I can't kill you in Sunagakure?"
At that moment, Pakura felt Genya's icy killing intent.
She believed the boy before her would do exactly as he said.
"Since I saved you, shouldn't you give me some interest?" Genya suddenly asked slowly as he stared at Pakura.
Pakura froze, giving Genya an odd look before hesitantly speaking.
"You're so young. I'm afraid you may have the heart but not the strength..."
"That's not what I meant!" Genya furiously defended himself. "I mean, do you have any valuable Ninjutsu on you?"
Pakura gave an "oh," then thought for a moment before answering with a bitter smile, "No..."
Genya rolled his eyes and thought to himself.
Pakura, you're seriously broke!
Soon enough.
The merchant ship docked.
Genya and Pakura said goodbye.
Before parting.
Pakura gave Genya a loud kiss on the cheek and spoke with a bright smile.
"Master, thank you for saving me. I won't repay kindness with enmity..."
After saying that.
Pakura waved goodbye.
She was returning to Sunagakure.
The scene of Genya saving Pakura had already been deeply engraved in her mind.
After all, when she had no one to rely on and stood on the brink of death, Genya had stepped in front of her and saved her without hesitation.
Even if his motives had not been entirely pure...
Return to Konoha (Please Follow, Bookmark, Vote, and Recommend!)
After Pakura left.
Genya also headed toward Konoha.
In truth, Genya had risked saving Pakura for a reason: he wanted her to work for him.
A Jonin with a Kekkei Genkai was incredibly valuable.
Moreover, Pakura was a ninja willing to sacrifice everything for her village, which proved that her character was reliable and that she could be trusted.
There was a high chance she would not betray Genya.
Genya was gathering these powerful ninjas now because he hoped that, should war break out with Konoha one day, the Uchiha would have the confidence and strength to face it.
The Uchiha could choose not to do anything that harmed the village.
But Konoha could not harm the Uchiha either!
Otherwise, the Uchiha would fight them to mutual destruction!
No one wanted war to happen.
But if it came to that.
The Uchiha would also do everything in their power to protect themselves.
At the same time, Genya had gained a great deal from this trip.
First, he had upgraded his Sage Body to Level 3, greatly increasing both his physical strength and chakra reserves.
Second, he had obtained the A-rank Medical Ninjutsu, the Mystical Palm Technique, becoming a medical ninja.
Third, he had recruited Pakura, Sunagakure's Scorch Release ninja!
After more than a day.
Genya finally returned to the Hidden Leaf Village.
As he walked through the Japanese-style streets.
Genya noticed that there seemed to be more people around with different skin tones.
Looking closely.
He realized they were all ninjas from Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning!
Kumogakure was currently one of the strongest villages.
Second only to Konoha in strength.
It was located among the mountains of the Land of Lightning.
The people in the village were all rather distinctive.
The men had dark skin and were muscular and imposing.
The women had fair skin and hot, curvaceous figures.
And regardless of gender, they all had somewhat exotic features and fiery personalities. They were also skilled in Lightning Style and taijutsu.
"Cloud ninja are already in Konoha?" Genya stroked his chin, a thoughtful look appearing on his face.
Konoha Year 53.
Kumogakure had sent a delegation to visit Konoha.
On the surface, it was to establish a peace treaty with Konoha.
In reality, it was to steal the Byakugan Kekkei Genkai.
For now.
It was about that time.
"Konoha screws over Hyuga Hiashi, the Hyuga elders screw over Hizashi Hyuga. What an endless chain of scapegoating." Genya shook his head.
Kumogakure had clearly wanted to steal the Byakugan Kekkei Genkai and had therefore abducted Hinata Hyuga, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen had ultimately sacrificed Hizashi Hyuga for the so-called peace of the village. It was utterly ridiculous.
Kumogakure was clearly at fault.
So why did Konoha have to bear the price for their mistake?
It was simply outrageous.
At the same time, Genya fell into deep thought.
What exactly had Sarutobi Hiruzen relied on to become Konoha's Hokage?
Could it be because he was exceptionally skilled at wielding a thick, massive Ruyi Staff?
Still, although both were Konoha Kekkei Genkai clans, the Hyuga and Uchiha did not have a good relationship. Since it did not concern him, Genya would not meddle.
If it did not concern him.
He would stay out of it.
Let them tear each other apart.
Just as Genya was lost in thought, a vigorous voice came from behind him.
"Uchiha Genya, accept the righteous iron fist of the future Hokage!"
A fierce gust from a punch came rushing at him.
Genya tapped the ground and lightly dodged aside.
A chubby boy flew straight forward, then crashed heavily onto the ground in an extremely undignified dog-eating-shit pose.
A familiar voice.
Chuunibyou lines.
There was no need to guess. It was Sarutobi Taro.
"Genya, long time no see!"
Nami cried out and hurried to Genya's side.
A faint blush flashed across her delicate face.
Her fair, soft little hand tightly gripped Genya's arm.
Genya had taken leave and gone out for a long time, and Nami had missed him dearly.
She had planned to try going out and see whether she might run into Genya.
She had not expected to truly meet him on the street...
Genya patted Nami's little hand and spoke righteously.
"Nami, although we're good friends, friends need to maintain proper boundaries, especially between boys and girls. You can't do this again in the future!"
"Let go of my arm!"
"I was just excited because I hadn't seen you in so long..." Nami nodded softly, her face flushed as she thought, Genya really is such a principled person.
Genya then walked over to Sarutobi Taro and threw an arm around his shoulders, leaving Nami utterly bewildered.
Hadn't he just said friends needed to keep their distance?
Then why was he putting his arm around Taro?
Nami did not understand...
Ignoring Nami's reaction, Genya looked solemnly at Sarutobi Taro and asked.
"Taro, do you know what the most important quality of becoming Hokage is?"
The sudden question left Sarutobi Taro confused, and he followed Genya's lead. "What is it?"
Genya answered firmly, "Knowing how to devote yourself!"
"The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, fought Uchiha Madara, the village traitor, to the death for the sake of the village!"
"The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, sacrificed his life to stop Ginkaku, Kinkaku, and the main cloud ninja force for the sake of his comrades."
"The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, gave his life to seal the Nine-Tails and bring peace to the village!"
"Since your goal is to become Hokage, shouldn't you learn how to make sacrifices?"
Genya stared directly into Sarutobi Taro's eyes and posed a question that struck at his soul!
"Yes!" Sarutobi Taro's blood boiled after hearing those words!
"Good. Then treat me to Ichiraku Ramen. I'm starving." Over the past few days outside, Genya had either eaten dry rations or casually caught some wild game. He was nearly sick of it.
"Okay!" Sarutobi Taro agreed without hesitation.
He believed that if he became Hokage, the spirit of sacrifice he had learned in his youth would surely endure for generations.
Sarutobi Taro suddenly pulled a long face. "Genya, can you eat a little less?"
The last time he had treated Genya to Ichiraku Ramen, Genya had eaten twelve bowls. His appetite was truly enormous, and Sarutobi Taro's allowance simply could not handle it.
Although his allowance had increased over the past two years, it still could not withstand Genya and Nami, two massive eaters.
Genya patted his shoulder and said, "Taro, broaden your horizons!"
Sarutobi Taro said pitifully, "I can't broaden them..."
"Think about how meaningful it will be when your name lives on forever after you become Hokage."
"Genya, eat whatever you want today. It's on me!" Sarutobi Taro waved a hand grandly.
The three of them.
Headed toward Ichiraku Ramen.
Genya wore a smile.
Nami kept giving Genya strange looks, curious about how credible his words about "keeping distance" really were.
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