Encounter (Seeking Follow-up Reads, Monthly Votes)

As for Karin's mother, Genma only gave it a passing thought before putting it to the back of his mind.

Shortly after eight the next morning, Genma and his father, Yu Fenglan, left the house together before parting ways.

Genma headed straight for the village gate, while the latter had to go to the Hokage Building first.

This time, it was Genma who arrived at the village entrance first; after waiting a while, Shizune and the others arrived one after another.

"This is a protection mission. Let's wait a moment; the target should be here soon."

Hatake Sakumo said.

Genma and the other two nodded, not finding this strange at all.

Since graduation, they had already carried out many similar missions.

After waiting for a moment, Shizune suddenly tugged on Genma's sleeve: "Hey, is that Uncle Yu Fenglan?"

Genma turned his head to look and confirmed it was indeed him, then nodded: "Yes, he said he was also heading out of the village for a mission today."

Shizune realized, and once Yu Fenglan approached, she quickly bowed: "Uncle Yu Fenglan!"

Yu Fenglan greeted them with a smile: "Ah, Shizune, good morning!"

Yamashiro Aoba also hurriedly bowed: "Hello, Lord Yu Fenglan, I am Genma's teammate, Yamashiro Aoba."

Yu Fenglan became a little less casual: "Hello, hello, no need to be so formal. Just call me uncle, same as Shizune."

Yamashiro Aoba followed suit: "Yes, Uncle Yu Fenglan, are you also heading out of the village for a mission?"

Yu Fenglan nodded with a smile: "Yes, come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've left the village for a mission."

"Sakumo, I'll have to trouble you all this time!"

Genma blinked: You've got to be kidding me, right?

Shizune quickly asked: "Uncle Yu Fenglan, are you the target we are assigned to protect?"

Yu Fenglan laughed: "If I'm not mistaken, that should be the case."

Hatake Sakumo confirmed from the side: "That is indeed the case."

Genma felt a bit strange.

A son protecting his father—that seemed reasonable enough.

But... I'm still a nine-year-old kid. Is this really reasonable?

The two adults exchanged a few more words, and then Hatake Sakumo said: "Everything is ready, let's move out!"

The group immediately set off. Once they cleared the village gate, they each utilized the Body Flicker Technique, leaping forward to begin their journey.

"Genma, I didn't expect your squad to be the ones protecting me either."

On the road, Yu Fenglan explained to his son.

Genma didn't mind: "Although this arrangement feels a bit strange, it's nothing."

"However, from now on, Jonin Yu Fenglan, you are the person we are protecting, so you must strictly follow the rules."

Yu Fenglan felt awkward for a moment, then nodded reluctantly: "Alright!"

Yamashiro Aoba couldn't help but say: "Uncle is also at the Jonin level, so you shouldn't need our protection, right? After all, your strength is much greater than ours."

Hatake Sakumo, who was trailing at the back, said: "Aoba, that is not the case."

"As the person being protected, safety is the most important thing for the entire team; this has nothing to do with strength."

In truth, this arrangement was not logical.

Because Yu Fenglan and Genma were father and son, if they truly encountered danger, the rules would almost certainly be broken.

Or perhaps...

Hatake Sakumo frowned inwardly, unable to fathom the intentions of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Hearing Hatake Sakumo's words, Yamashiro Aoba immediately said earnestly: "Don't worry, Uncle Yu Fenglan, we will definitely protect you well and complete the mission successfully."

Yu Fenglan laughed awkwardly: "Then I'll leave it to you all."

At this moment, however, Genma's thoughts had already flown ahead to Kusagakure.

He had been wondering yesterday whether he should spirit away Karin's mother, and now, it seemed the opportunity had arrived?

"However, if I cause too much of a stir, it won't be easy to clean up."

"My current range for the Substitution Technique allows me to swap positions instantly across 15 meters. With my chakra reserves, it shouldn't be much of a problem to take someone away quickly and quietly."

"But then again, if Karin's mother is indeed in Kusagakure, whether she is willing to leave is another question."

"If she's unwilling, should I just knock her out and take her?"

After thinking it over, Genma decided to wait until they reached Kusagakure to make a concrete decision.

Furthermore, he had to prioritize this mission and ensure it wasn't compromised.

The squad did not travel at a high speed, only arriving at the border of the Land of Fire by the evening of the second day.

After resting at the border for the night, the squad crossed the border early the next morning, officially entering the Land of Grass.

The Land of Grass was also a country with vast vegetation coverage, and it possessed many giant fungal plants that did not exist in the Land of Fire.

Once they entered the Land of Grass, Hatake Sakumo increased his speed, moved to the front of the team, and issued an order: "From now on, enter combat-ready status."

"Genma, Yamashiro Aoba, you two will take turns using Sensory Ninjutsu."

"Shizune, your task is to stay by Yu Fenglan's side at all times."

Genma and the others nodded in unison.

Yu Fenglan opened his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing, silently accepting the protection of the children.

"Yamashiro Aoba, my chakra is sufficient; I will take the lead, and you will be the backup."

After Hatake Sakumo finished his arrangements, Genma said to Yamashiro Aoba.

Yamashiro Aoba nodded: "Understood."

Genma immediately cast his sensory technique, his Yin Release chakra transforming into countless branches that grew outward, weaving into a web that continuously expanded and enveloped the surroundings in all directions.

He was already very proficient in this technique, and because of the strength of his own chakra and the depth of his Yin Release nature transformation, he no longer needed to weave hand signs to cast it.

However, unexpectedly, Genma soon had a discovery.

"Three people, behind us... these aren't enemies, are they Anbu?"

Genma was not entirely sure and immediately reported to his teacher, Hatake Sakumo.

Hatake Sakumo said: "It is indeed an Anbu squad; just keep an eye on them."

Yu Fenglan looked at his son, quite surprised: "Genma, your sensory technique has already surpassed mine; even I didn't sense the situation behind us."

Genma said with a straight face: "The student surpasses the master, isn't that normal? Lord Yu Fenglan, after all, you often say that I inherited your wisdom."

Shizune couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle upon hearing this.

Yu Fenglan said with a hint of helplessness to Hatake Sakumo: "There are downsides to having a son who is too outstanding. Sakumo, I imagine you feel the same way!"

Hatake Sakumo couldn't help but smile: "Indeed, the children have grown up."

Yamashiro Aoba's expression turned slightly strange, thinking to himself: Is Uncle Yu Fenglan showing off that he has a genius son like Genma?

Although they were chatting, Genma and Yamashiro Aoba had not forgotten their mission.

Moreover, the squad's travel speed had decreased significantly compared to before.

"Teacher!"

Yamashiro Aoba suddenly issued a warning.

Hatake Sakumo in front immediately raised his hand, and the entire squad stopped instantly.

The moment his feet touched the ground, Genma had already spread his senses out at the fastest possible speed.

"1, 2, 3... there are many of them, they are clones."

Genma stared ahead, where towering trees blocked the sky and huge mushrooms stood tall, making the people among them look like ants.

"Also, watch the left side, eight o'clock direction!"

"And behind us, five o'clock direction, he is moving."

Yu Fenglan secretly exclaimed: Good lad, has he actually become this strong?

He had known before that his son was stronger than him, but he hadn't expected him to be this much stronger.

Sensory speed, sensory range, and sensory precision—in every aspect, he was far superior to the father who had taught him ninjutsu.

Truly worthy of being a genius son who inherited his own wisdom!

Although they were already surrounded, Yu Fenglan did not feel a shred of nervousness, his heart filled only with pride and joy.

Well done!