Genma's Gift

For a ninja, losing a leg is even more agonizing than losing an arm; one's mobility is drastically reduced, making it nearly synonymous with a death sentence on the battlefield.

It is precisely for this reason that Senju Butsuma's only requirement for Itama is to handle logistics.

Not having to go to the battlefield means safety; as long as the war does not escalate severely, Senju Itama can live out the rest of his life in the clan grounds in peace. However, for a young boy, the blow of being disabled is still immense.

Itama's mood is very low, and he covers his legs intentionally or unintentionally.

Tobirama and Hiugo do not offer much consolation upon seeing this, instead trying their best to treat him as a normal clansman; such matters are better accepted on one's own.

Before leaving, Hiugo gives Itama his own improved Mysterious Peacock Method. This version of the ninjutsu does not provide a substitute for walking, but it contains detailed notes for Itama to develop further on his own.

As a brother to Tobirama and Hashirama, Itama's talent is not low. Developing a branch of ninjutsu can bring hope to his life and give him the energy to strive toward a goal.

"Did you buy the items?"

Tobirama asks.

"You really know how to set demands; my little treasury has been completely wiped out."

Hiugo sighs helplessly and takes out a scroll.

"I will sync my progress with you once I have breakthroughs. With these instruments, the study of the human body can continue..."

Tobirama opens the scroll impatiently, and various instruments of all shapes and sizes appear before his eyes.

These were all purchased by Hiugo after selling the Heavenly Gift Fruit. He still has those traveling merchants to thank; otherwise, a single trip would have taken him across more than half of the Land of Fire. Such research instruments are more common in the Land of Lightning.

In fact, one can see in the theatrical version where Otsutsuki Toneri appears that the Land of Lightning had already developed Chakra Cannons capable of destroying meteorites, while Konoha in the same period was still using ninjas to destroy them, which is enough to show that the technology of the Land of Lightning is ahead of Konoha.

"A bit less than planned, but barely enough."

Tobirama touches the instruments cautiously, his eyes filled with joy.

With these instruments, plus the group of experienced ninjas he encountered on the Western Battlefield, the study of the human body and the exploration of the changes in the bloodline limits of various clans can proceed.

The only pity is that Senju Butsuma feels these things are not worth the effort and refuses to provide funding; otherwise, Tobirama would not have sought Hiugo's help.

"Take a good look, I'm leaving."

Hiugo watches Tobirama's state and silently takes two steps back. His attitude is like a man seeing a beauty—eyes unblinking—and he likely won't be interested in anything else for a while, so he says goodbye and leaves.

On the road, a group of Senju ninjas has already set off aggressively, among them a Senju Rinma whom he vaguely remembers.

Butsuma is a man of his word and never drags his feet; he sent people to fight immediately after the clan meeting ended.

Hiugo's eyes narrow slightly as he thinks of Hashirama's "death." Because of his own presence, the timelines of the people around him have changed to some extent, but certain things are bound to happen.

Just like how Itama was supposed to die on the battlefield against the Hagoromo Clan, yet now he has had his legs blown off ahead of schedule.

In the Warring States period, both polygamy and monogamy existed. Thus, although Itama and Hashirama are one year apart, the actual difference is about half a year. Now that he has just turned seven, it is the time of his original "death."

Seven years old, truly a bad age...

Hiugo stops thinking and returns to the clan grounds. They are all usable hands; his old man's intelligence on the Eastern Battlefield might have discrepancies, but in the clan grounds, it is no worse than Butsuma's.

Just as he pushes open the door, a hand suddenly emerges. Hiugo immediately ducks and rolls to dodge, throwing three shuriken that collide with a newly manifested water sphere.

"Good reaction."

Genma comments.

"If it were before, I would have attached Explosive Tags to those shuriken and blown the house apart."

Hiugo curls his lip, then pauses upon seeing a table full of food. In his memory, Genma has never cooked before.

"I've always had this culinary skill; I was just too lazy to do it before."

Genma says flatly.

"You have time now?"

That's not right. Logically speaking, becoming the First Elder should make him busier, and Genma was the First Elder and acting Second Elder until Akema returned.

Genma thinks for a moment and says: "The clan is short on money."

Under Hiugo's puzzled gaze, Genma explains the reason. Long-term combat is the most expensive thing—ninja tools, armor, and food are all indispensable, especially with the recent addition of several vassal clans, all of which require money.

The Hagoromo Clan and the Senju Clan had cooperated to find a copper mine, which is the source of the most commonly used copper coins; every clan has special templates for minting them.

However, because the location was near the Hagoromo Clan's territory, the Hagoromo Clan intended to kill them to silence them, planning to pay a sum of money as compensation only after the Senju side asked about it.

Trading long-term benefits for short-term gains is indeed a decent choice.

But they didn't expect that while the Senju clansmen there weren't particularly strong, their ability to escape was formidable. After diving into the earth, even attack ninjutsu could hardly catch up to them, and they managed to break out of the encirclement to pass the intelligence back.

To seek protection, the Hagoromo Clan then turned to the Uchiha, which led to the outbreak of war.

After listening, Hiugo feels that he might be partially involved in this, as Hyakuya, Mizukumo, and Hayate are all his subordinates now.

Genma takes a sip of wine and says:

"No matter the time, war is the best way to make a fortune; it can reduce the number of vassal clans and exchange them for wealth."

"Let's not talk about that. I heard you've had a girl by your side for the three years you've been gone?"

Hiugo says helplessly:

"Old man, how old am I... She is the young clan head of the Mizukumo Clan. I've tested her; she approached me to steal Senju ninjutsu. She only became well-behaved after I gave her a warning."

Genma smiled:

"I didn't say anything, just follow me."

Hiugo followed Genma to his room in confusion, only to see him step on a floorboard, revealing an entrance beneath the floor.

"A secret room? Did you build this after I left?"

"It was here from the start. The mechanism here is connected to my room; it can only be opened once the trigger on my side is activated."

Hiugo followed Genma down, where six ninjas completely wrapped in black were already standing at attention.

Four Jonin, two Elite Jonin.

Hiugo secretly assessed the strength of the six, finding that they were not at a level necessary for his current needs.

"These six are ninjas from the Bone Woman Clan, and they specialize in disguise."

Following Genma's words, the six removed their black cloths, revealing faces similar to Hiugo's. Their heights also began to shrink, until finally, they were nearly identical to Hiugo in appearance, as if looking into a mirror.

This type of disguise did not involve Chakra; instead, it utilized materials and specialized secret arts to alter one's appearance, detectable only through one's own keen insight.

Without a doubt, these six could serve as "body doubles" to a certain extent, and they would also make excellent choices as decoys.

Given Genma's personality, these people were also trustworthy; otherwise, they wouldn't be in this secret room.

"You can spend some time getting familiar with them so you can become even more alike."

"Even more? Don't tell me that since I was a child..."

Genma fell silent for a moment, then nodded:

"Yes, they say they watched you grow up. Every feature, birthmark, and personality trait you possess, they know like the back of their hand."

"..."