Brought Back

In the morning, Genma had just finished his Wood Release Chakra Mode training when he discovered he had gained 2 points of Setting Value.

After checking the logs, he realized they had been provided by Tsunade.

"It seems the method is correct!"

Genma's face lit up with joy.

The impact of a revitalized Tsunade on Konoha was profound.

If he could also resolve her Hemophobia, then the candidacy for the Fourth Hokage might not necessarily fall to Namikaze Minato.

"Resurrecting the dead must be extremely, extremely difficult; even the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique of the Rinnegan requires the cost of one's own life."

"But... using the Summoning Technique to call forth the soul of the deceased shouldn't require too much Setting Value, right?"

Genma thought for a moment and attempted to modify the Summoning Technique.

He had learned this technique from Tsunade, originally for the purpose of summoning Wood Release Chakra Clones to replenish his main body's Wood Release chakra.

"Hmm?"

"It failed; 2 points of Setting Value isn't enough!"

Genma felt a hint of disappointment.

"Then I'll just save up some more."

Genma composed himself, created a Shadow Clone, and continued his training.

For power, he had Strength of a Hundred; for avoiding danger, he had the Substitution Technique; for healing, he had Seal-less Healing; the Transformation Technique allowed him to fly; and he also possessed Hatake Kenjutsu.

Speed and reaction time were currently his shortcomings, and Hatake Kenjutsu truly needed to be paired with advanced Body Flicker Technique to shine.

Once the Lightning Flicker was initially developed, having 2 points of Setting Value would be enough for the first modification.

The one-day break passed quickly.

After breakfast, Genma said goodbye to his parents and headed out to the front of the Hokage Building.

Yamashiro Aoba and Shizune had already arrived.

"Good morning, everyone!"

Genma waved to greet them, then asked, "Has the teacher already gone to pick up the mission?"

Shizune looked toward the Hokage Building: "I think so; we didn't see the teacher when we arrived."

Yamashiro Aoba said: "Following the teacher's habits, he probably has already gone. By the way, what kind of mission do you think this will be? Could it be a B-rank mission?"

Genma shook his head: "Not very likely; last time was an accident."

"Even if the teacher is willing to take risks, the village wouldn't allow it."

As they were speaking, Hatake Sakumo suddenly appeared: "Everyone is here, let's go!"

The group immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to head out of the village.

On the way, Hatake Sakumo introduced the mission details; as expected, it was another C-rank mission.

This time, they were to deliver some intelligence that wasn't particularly important to Yugakure, and they would basically not encounter any other ninjas.

Hearing that they were going to the Land of Hot Water, Shizune asked: "I heard the hot springs in the Land of Hot Water are the best in the Ninja World, Teacher, is that true?"

Hatake Sakumo smiled: "That is indeed the case."

"After we deliver the intelligence, we can go try them out."

This received unanimous approval from everyone.

After leaving the village, the squad did not take the main road, instead diving directly into the forest to head north.

This mission was indeed much simpler and more boring than the last one.

They didn't encounter any accidents along the way, delivered the intelligence safely, and then enjoyed a soak in the hot springs of the Land of Hot Water.

Compared to the hot springs in Konoha, they were indeed different.

This mission took four days, and upon returning, there was no break; Hatake Sakumo immediately began squad training.

He wasn't teaching specific ninjutsu, but rather training the squad on tactical coordination and how to respond to traps and ambushes.

This was more exhausting than executing missions, but Genma preferred it.

Because he could clearly feel his own growth.

He needed this kind of experience too much.

Right now, he was just a child with empty power who didn't know how to use it skillfully.

Genma needed to make himself grow rapidly, applying the power he possessed flexibly into actual combat.

Time flew by just like that, amidst training and missions.

One afternoon, two months later.

Having just finished a training session, Hatake Sakumo announced, "That's it for today. Everyone gather at the village gate tomorrow; there's a new mission."

"A B-rank!"

Genma and the other two were startled.

For the past two months, they had been exclusively carrying out C-rank missions.

Aside from that very first C-rank mission, there hadn't been a single incident, nor had they clashed with any other ninja.

This couldn't help but make them feel a sense of anticipation.

However, Hatake Sakumo still did not reveal the specific details of the mission in advance.

After the squad disbanded, Genma and the other two agreed to head to a cold drink shop.

On the way, Yamashiro Aoba asked with curiosity, "Say, what do you think tomorrow's mission will be like?"

"B-rank missions might involve encountering other ninja. Do you think they'll be on our level?"

Shizune said, "It shouldn't be too dangerous, right? After all, we're still just genin."

Genma speculated, "Maybe it's to protect some important person?"

"Or perhaps we're heading to the border."

"As for the ninja we might encounter, anything is possible, depending on the importance of the mission."

The three arrived at the cold drink shop and found quite a few people they knew.

"Hey, Genma!"

Before they even entered, Might Guy shouted out.

Genma glanced over and saw Kakashi, Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu gathered together, with Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin sitting nearby.

"Guy, Kakashi, you guys are here too!"

Genma greeted them with a smile.

Shiranui Genma grumbled, "The weather is just too hot."

After exchanging greetings, Shizune ran over to talk to Nohara Rin, while Uchiha Obito, feeling a bit awkward about crowding in with two girls, stood up.

"Genma, did you guys just get back from a mission?"

Uchiha Obito asked.

Genma shook his head, "No, we just finished training, but we're heading out on a mission tomorrow."

"How has everyone been lately?"

Ebisu said, "Missions and training. I used to look forward to missions, but I've realized they aren't actually that interesting."

Might Guy was brimming with passion, "Whether it's interesting or not doesn't matter! As long as it promotes our continuous growth, then it hasn't failed our youth!"

Shiranui Genma curled his lip, "You guy, don't be so overly hot-blooded."

Just as he picked up the cold drink the waiter had brought and took a sip, feeling the icy refreshment, Genma laughed, "Life isn't always that interesting. Missions are just missions to us; they're only a small part of life."

Ebisu chuckled upon hearing this, "You really always have such a logical way of putting things."

Genma couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Shizune then asked, "What about Kurenai and the others? Are they still on a mission?"

Shiranui Genma said, "Probably. I haven't seen them in the village these past few days."

"Kakashi, have you run into them?"

Kakashi shook his head, "No."

"Of course, it's also possible they're off together somewhere."

Might Guy looked puzzled, "Together? Who and who?"

Shiranui Genma clutched his forehead, "Hey, Guy, that's already pretty obvious, isn't it!"

The group of boys and girls chatted and laughed away the summer afternoon.

Only Genma knew that these were the few remaining moments of leisure before the great war.

That evening.

After finishing dinner, Genma announced that he would be heading out to carry out a mission.

Yu Fenglan also said in surprise, "Oh, what a coincidence. I was just about to say that I have to head out for a mission tomorrow as well."

Genma and his mother Ritsuka both felt it was a bit strange.

Yu Fenglan, who usually handled breaking enemy codes and analyzing intelligence, why was he suddenly heading out of the village for a mission?

Facing the questions from his wife and son, Yu Fenglan smiled, "It is indeed rare for something like this to happen. Well, this mission isn't classified; I'm going to the Kusagakure in the Land of Grass for an exchange."

"Don't worry, the mission is very safe."

Ritsuka urged, "Regardless of what it is, you're leaving the village, so you still need to be careful."

Yu Fenglan followed her advice readily, "Yes, Mrs. Kazekaze!"

Ritsuka immediately rolled her eyes at her husband, then turned to ask her son, "Genma, what is your mission tomorrow?"

Genma shook his head, "The teacher didn't say, but it should still be another low-risk C-rank mission."

"Rest assured, I will be very careful."

Ritsuka nodded with a smile.

She felt quite at ease regarding her son; one reason was the powerhouse Hatake Sakumo, and the other was that her son was extremely cautious.

However, at the mention of Kusagakure, Genma couldn't help but think of one person.

Karin!

Karin certainly hadn't been born yet, so was her mother already in Kusagakure?

She should be around eighteen or nineteen years old right now.

Should he go and abduct her?