Watching Huixiang's pitiful expression, Genma felt a pang of sympathy, but his face remained unmoved. "I'm very sorry. The reason is that doing this benefits me—or that you're useful to me."
Huixiang was overcome with pain.
Genma sighed inwardly as he watched her.
I've become a villain!
But Huixiang had also taught him a profound lesson.
That was: Don't be weak!
"Let's go!"
With a hypnotic genjutsu, Genma caught Huixiang as her body went limp, hoisted her over his shoulder, and ran.
The night passed without incident.
At nine the next morning, Genma and the others officially began their journey home, leaving Kusagakure behind.
To show their gratitude, and to guard against any mishaps, Kusagakure even assigned a Jonin to escort them.
The Jonin was named Mui. He looked about twenty and was very young.
After hearing him introduce himself, Genma couldn't help taking a closer look.
Mui, Muku, Ryuzetsu... the Box of Ultimate Bliss?
Interesting.
Genma then couldn't help wondering: would Kusagakure take part in the coming Third Shinobi World War?
Could a village caught between two great nations, on the battlefield where two great shinobi villages clashed, really stay out of it?
"And what about Iwagakure's attack this time?"
"Did Kusagakure accidentally leak the information, or did some pro-Iwagakure faction deliberately 'accidentally' let it slip?"
As he pondered this, Genma grew extremely vigilant.
By ordinary logic, Kusagakure wouldn't dare do anything under the circumstances.
Still, Genma remained on guard.
He knew that people didn't always act according to ordinary logic.
But the journey continued peacefully. They passed through the Land of Grass without incident, parted ways with Mui's team, and entered the Land of Fire.
Looks like I was overthinking it.
Genma smiled to himself.
Not long after entering the Land of Fire, the team stopped to rest and decided to spend the night there.
Meanwhile.
In a bustling town closest to Konoha.
Genma's clone checked into an inn with Huixiang.
After a full day of travel, Huixiang had accepted her fate and soon fell asleep.
But Genma's Shadow Clone didn't rest. He used the Transformation Technique to turn into a falcon, flew toward Konoha, and reached the village as quickly as possible. Then he headed to Tsunade's house.
Tsunade was biting the end of her pen, brows furrowed in thought. At the sound of movement, she looked up and saw a falcon land on the windowsill.
"Hmm?"
After a moment, she gave a soft snort. "Weren't you sent on a mission?"
"Where's Shizune?"
Genma dispelled the Transformation Technique and sat down across from Tsunade. "I'm a clone. I came back early because there's something I need to discuss."
Tsunade furrowed her brow. "Did something go wrong with the mission?"
Genma shook his head. "It should be fine. We ran into Iwagakure Ninja on the way there, but no one was hurt."
"I came back early for another reason. I saw an orphan of the Uzumaki Clan in Kusagakure."
Tsunade's expression changed. "An Uzumaki? Are you sure?"
Genma nodded. "Red hair, a special constitution, and powerful healing abilities. The Grass Ninja treated her as a medical tool."
Tsunade looked doubtful. "So you decided she was an Uzumaki?"
"The Uzumaki Clan aren't the only ones in the Ninja World with red hair."
Genma nodded. "That's true, but she also knows Uzumaki Kushina, Minato's girlfriend."
Tsunade grew serious. "Then it seems she is one."
"So you took it upon yourself to bring her out of Kusagakure."
Genma looked a little embarrassed. "To be precise, I stole her away. She didn't want to leave."
"That's why I haven't told Teacher Sakumo or the others."
"But the Senju and Uzumaki are related, and the Uzumaki Clan is an ally of Konoha. If she stays in Kusagakure, she'll eventually die from exhausting her life force."
Tsunade put down her pen. "So you want me to bring her to Konoha?"
"But she doesn't want to come. What's the point of forcing her to stay here? She won't thank you."
"Besides, Konoha might not be the best choice for her."
Genma gave a helpless smile. "Even so, we can't exactly send her back to Kusagakure now."
"And..."
Genma's expression turned solemn. "Since I brought her back to Konoha, I'll protect her from harm here."
Tsunade curled her lip. "You?"
"Kid, don't get too confident."
"You're just a Genin. Do you think you can defy the Hokage's orders?"
Genma quickly smiled. "But we still have Lady Tsunade!"
"And there's also Kushina. She's a Jonin of the village, too."
"I dared to do this because I have you both."
Relying on powerful women to get by.
Tsunade rolled her eyes, then stood up. "Where is she?"
Genma immediately brightened and rose to his feet. "Toupa Town."
The border of the Land of Fire.
Beneath a star-filled night sky, Genma, sitting cross-legged beside Shizune, suddenly twitched an eyelid.
The Setting Collection had updated!
As expected, the clone took care of it.
Genma was secretly delighted. Huixiang's fate had changed, earning him two Setting Values.
That was unexpected. He'd thought one Setting Value would be pretty good.
Was it because I might end up getting Karin killed?
But if that were the logic, then he should have received more than two Setting Values.
Without Karin, Uchiha Sasuke would have died several times over.
Putting aside his many speculations, Genma considered the troubles Huixiang might face in the future.
Danzo was probably the biggest threat.
Huixiang's unusual nature meant she would be considered the first backup candidate for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
But with Tsunade and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki on her side, and the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi keeping Danzo in check, she should be safe for now.
After thinking it over, Genma felt there was some uncertainty about that last point.
"Her healing ability can be kept secret for now. It'd be best to have Huixiang learn Medical Ninjutsu and Sealing Technique, then work at Konoha Hospital."
"In another year or two, once I've mastered Wood Release, if Danzo dares to complain, I'll let him experience its power first."
As far as Genma was concerned, Danzo's position held no threat at all.
He wasn't Uchiha Shisui.
Before long, the clone's memories returned, and Genma was finally able to relax completely.
The night passed without incident.
The team set out early the next morning and picked up the pace.
This time, Genma and the others made it from the border of the Land of Fire to Konoha in just a day and a half.
"Son, you've got this. I'm going to see your mother."
The team dispersed, and Yu Fenglan tossed his backpack to his son before dashing off with a carefree wave.
Genma was helpless. He had no choice but to take the pack home, then head to Tsunade's house with Shizune.
To his utter surprise, Tsunade wasn't home at all.
"Huh?"
"Lady Tsunade hasn't been back for several days, it seems."
Shizune noticed dust gathering on the table they often used.
Genma's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
There was no need to guess. Tsunade had clearly gone out to have fun while she was supposed to be bringing Huixiang back.
"Maybe something came up at the hospital, or she got a mission."
Genma pretended not to know.
Shizune didn't think much of it either. She smiled. "Looks like we'll have to do some cleaning first."
Genma immediately rolled up his sleeves. "I'll help!"
Meanwhile.
Tsunade was losing hand after hand at a gambling den with Huixiang, who was as timid as a little white rabbit.
Huixiang stared in astonishment. She had never seen anyone with such terrible luck—not winning even once.
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