Living Off a Woman

Watching Huixiang's pitiful appearance, Genma felt a pang of reluctance in his heart, yet his face remained unmoved: "I am very sorry, but the reason is simple: doing this is useful to me, or perhaps, you are useful to me."

Huixiang was filled with agony.

Genma sighed inwardly as he watched her.

I've become the villain, haven't I!

However, he also deeply understood one truth from Huixiang's plight.

That is: never be the weak!

"Let's go!"

With a hypnotic genjutsu, Genma flashed forward to catch the limp Huixiang, hoisted her over his shoulder, and ran.

The night passed without incident.

At nine in the morning, Genma's group officially began their return journey, leaving Kusagakure.

To show their gratitude and prevent any accidents, Kusagakure had a jonin lead a team to escort them.

This jonin was named Mui, who looked to be about twenty years old—very young.

After hearing his self-introduction, Genma couldn't help but take a few extra looks.

Mui, Muku, Ryuzetsu... Box of Ultimate Bliss?

Interesting.

Genma then couldn't help but wonder: in the upcoming Third Shinobi World War, did Kusagakure participate?

Could a village sandwiched between two great nations, situated right on the battlefield of two major hidden villages, really stay out of it?

Then what about this Iwagakure attack?

Did Kusagakure accidentally leak the intelligence, or did some pro-Iwagakure faction 'accidentally' leak it on purpose?

Thinking this, Genma couldn't help but raise his guard to the highest level.

Although, by normal logic, Kusagakure wouldn't dare to do anything at a time like this.

Yet, Genma remained vigilant.

Because he knew that people don't always act according to normal logic.

However, the rest of the journey was safe and sound; they passed through the Land of Grass smoothly and, after parting ways with Mui's squad, entered the Land of Fire.

"It seems I was overthinking it."

Genma smiled to himself.

Not long after entering the Land of Fire, the squad stopped to rest, preparing to spend the night there.

Meanwhile.

In a bustling town closest to Konoha.

Genma's Shadow Clone checked into an inn with Huixiang.

After a day of traveling, Huixiang, having resigned herself to her fate, quickly fell asleep.

Genma's Shadow Clone, however, did not rest. Instead, he used the Transformation Technique to turn into a hawk and flew toward Konoha, entering the village at top speed and arriving at Tsunade's home.

At this moment, Tsunade was biting the end of her pen, brow furrowed in deep thought. Hearing a noise, she looked up to see a hawk perched on her windowsill.

"Hmm?"

After a brief pause, Tsunade gave a cold huff: "Weren't you out on a mission?"

"Where is Shizune?"

Dispelling the Transformation Technique, Genma stepped forward and sat down opposite Tsunade: "I am a Shadow Clone; I came back a step early because of something."

Tsunade frowned: "Did something go wrong with the mission?"

Genma shook his head: "It should be fine. We encountered Iwagakure Ninja on the way, but there were no casualties."

"I came back early because of another matter. I saw a survivor of the Uzumaki Clan in Kusagakure."

Tsunade's expression shifted: "Uzumaki Clan? Are you sure?"

Genma nodded: "Red hair, a special constitution, and powerful healing abilities. Because of this, the Kusagakure Ninja were using her as a medical tool."

Tsunade looked skeptical: "So that's why you think she's from the Uzumaki Clan?"

"The shinobi world has more than just the Uzumaki Clan with red hair."

Genma nodded: "That is true, but she also knows Uzumaki Kushina, who is Minato's girlfriend."

Tsunade turned serious: "Then it seems it is true."

"So, you took it upon yourself to bring her out of Kusagakure."

Genma looked slightly embarrassed: "To be precise, I snatched her out of Kusagakure; she herself did not want to leave."

"That is why I didn't mention this to Sakumo and the others."

"However, the Senju and Uzumaki Clan are relatives, and the Uzumaki Clan is an ally of Konoha. If she stays in Kusagakure, she will die sooner or later from the exhaustion of her life force."

Tsunade put down her pen: "So you want me to go and bring her to Konoha?"

"But she is unwilling. What is the point of forcing her to stay in Konoha? She won't thank you."

"Besides, Konoha might not be the best choice for her."

Genma sighed helplessly: "That may be true, but it's impossible to send her back to Kusagakure now."

"And..."

Genma's expression turned solemn: "Since I brought her back to Konoha, I will protect her from harm within the village."

Tsunade curled her lip: "You?"

"Kid, don't be too confident."

"You are just a Genin; do you think you can defy the orders of the Third Hokage?"

Hearing this, Genma quickly laughed: "Isn't there Lady Tsunade?"

"And there is also Senior Kushina; she is a Jonin of the village as well."

"It is precisely because of you all that I am so bold."

Using others' influence to act tough, relying on others.

Tsunade rolled her eyes and stood up: "Where is she?"

Genma was overjoyed and stood up: "In Toupa Town."

On the border of the Land of Fire.

Under a starry night sky, Genma, who was sitting cross-legged beside Shizune, suddenly felt his eyelids twitch.

[Setting Collection] updated!

As expected, the clone has finished the job.

Genma felt a secret joy; Huixiang's fate had been changed, granting him 2 points of Setting Value.

This exceeded his expectations, as he had thought getting 1 point would be good enough.

Could it be because Karin might have been lost in the process?

But if that were the logic, it should be more than 2 points.

After all, without Karin, Second Pillar would have died several times.

Suppressing his wandering thoughts, Genma pondered the dilemmas Huixiang might face in the future.

Danzo should be the biggest threat.

Huixiang's uniqueness would make her a primary candidate for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

However, with Tsunade and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, plus the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen's restrictions on Danzo, she should be safe for the time being.

After some thought, Genma felt the third point had a degree of uncertainty.

"Her healing ability can be hidden for now. Let Huixiang learn Medical Ninjutsu and Sealing Technique; working at Konoha Hospital would be best."

"In a year or two, once I have fully mastered Wood Release, if Danzo dares to make any noise, I'll let him taste the power of Wood Release first."

To Genma, Danzo's status held no deterrent power.

He was not Uchiha Shisui.

Not long after, the clone's memories returned, and Genma felt completely at ease.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, the team set off, increasing their pace.

It took Genma and the others only a day and a half to travel from the border of the Land of Fire to Konoha.

"Son, it's up to you. I'm going to your mother's place."

The team disbanded, and Yu Fenglan tossed his backpack to his son before running off in a carefree manner.

Genma sighed helplessly, had to take the bag home, and then went with Shizune to Tsunade's house.

To his surprise, Tsunade was not home at all.

"Eh?"

"Lady Tsunade hasn't been back for a few days, it seems."

Shizune noticed that dust had gathered on the usual tables.

The corner of Genma's mouth twitched imperceptibly.

Without needing to guess, Tsunade must have taken the opportunity to go out and have fun while on the way to pick up Huixiang.

"Maybe there's something going on at the hospital, or she has a mission."

Genma pretended not to know.

Shizune didn't think much of it, smiling as she said, "It looks like we'll need to do some cleaning first."

Genma immediately rolled up his sleeves: "I'll help you!"

Meanwhile.

Tsunade was busy losing a fortune at a gambling den, with Huixiang trailing behind her like a little white rabbit.

Huixiang watched, dumbfounded; she had never seen anyone with such terrible luck, failing to win even a single time.