Jinchuriki

Genma turned toward the voice and saw Uzumaki Kushina and Huixiang approaching, each carrying a basket.

Come to think of it, this was his first time meeting Uzumaki Kushina.

She wasn't as alluring as Tsunade, but she was still a great beauty, and she radiated a spirited air.

On closer inspection, she did indeed have a charm all her own.

Huixiang was a stark contrast to her.

Huixiang seemed gentler, but also more fragile. Her strength was hidden beneath it all.

Once the two women came closer, Genma greeted them first. "Sister Huixiang."

Huixiang wasn't as nervous around Genma anymore, but she was still a little reserved. "Just call me by my name."

Genma smiled, then greeted Uzumaki Kushina. "Hello, Sister Kushina. I'm Yu Fenglan Ran'ya, a classmate and friend of Kakashi and the others."

Uzumaki Kushina smiled. "Genma, I know you. Hatake Sakumo's disciple, and the brat Lady Tsunade talks about. Hahaha!"

That personality... She really was suited to be a Jinchuriki.

Genma laughed along. "That's right, I'm that brat. But I'm sure Lady Tsunade won't be calling me that for much longer."

Uzumaki Kushina blinked, then asked with genuine curiosity, "Huh? Why's that?"

She gestured at Genma's height. "You are a little taller than Kakashi and the others, but you're only nine. It'll be many years before you're an adult!"

Genma replied with confidence, "Because Lady Tsunade and I made a bet, and she's definitely going to lose."

Uzumaki Kushina laughed, one hand on her hip. "That's true! You're clever!"

"But I've learned that trick now, too. You don't mind, do you?"

Genma shrugged. "Of course not."

"But as a friendly warning, Lady Tsunade only ever loses when she's up against me."

Uzumaki Kushina lifted her chin. "Really?"

"I don't believe you!"

Genma was genuinely trying to warn her.

It was fine if Tsunade lost, but if she won, that wouldn't be good.

Just then, Uchiha Obito cut in. "Sensei's wife, weren't we going to eat?"

"I'm starving!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Uzumaki Kushina put a hand on his shoulder and issued a gentle threat. "Excellent. Then you'd better fill up properly, so you'll have the strength to train."

"If you don't eat properly..."

Uzumaki Kushina smiled brightly and showed him her fist. "You'll die a very ugly death!"

Uchiha Obito's face immediately went pale.

Compared with his gentle teacher, Namikaze Minato, his teacher's wife, Uzumaki Kushina, was practically a violent maniac.

Huixiang warmly beckoned everyone over. "Come on, let's eat!"

Namikaze Minato smiled and thanked her. "Thank you."

"Let's all eat together. Kakashi, Rin, and Genma, make yourselves at home."

Genma took a baked flatbread from Huixiang. "Thanks."

Huixiang smiled warmly. "You're welcome."

Everyone enjoyed the food together, and the atmosphere was pleasant.

But Genma didn't stay long. When Uzumaki Kushina and Huixiang left, he took his leave as well.

Meanwhile.

Inside the Hokage's lounge in the Hokage Building.

Danzo watched Sarutobi Hiruzen practicing calligraphy and voiced his displeasure. "That woman named Huixiang is also from the Uzumaki Clan. Tsunade brought her back from outside the village. So why haven't we done anything?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen continued writing with his head bowed. "She's currently learning Medical Ninjutsu from Tsunade. Tsunade says she has great talent in that area and could become an outstanding medical ninja."

Danzo snorted. "A medical ninja?"

"For the village, a Jinchuriki in reserve is far more important."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up. "She may not be suitable."

Danzo immediately pressed his advantage. "Hand her over to Root. We can make her a suitable candidate."

"Hiruzen, you know Root has that ability."

She was of the Uzumaki Clan, had no parents, and was perfectly suited to Root.

Whether or not she could become a Jinchuriki in reserve, Root would gain a valuable asset.

Especially since she could influence the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Danzo, saw through his intentions, and deliberately sighed as if troubled. "Danzo, she belongs to Tsunade, and Kushina won't let her childhood friend join Root either."

Danzo grew angry. "Everything is for the village. Everyone must make sacrifices."

"If they receive Konoha's protection, they must make a contribution in return."

Sarutobi Hiruzen countered, "Can you persuade Tsunade?"

"And what about Kushina? If this causes trouble, can you take responsibility?"

Danzo's expression darkened. Wasn't this exactly the kind of thing the Hokage was supposed to handle and take responsibility for?

Seeing that Danzo had fallen silent, Sarutobi Hiruzen settled the matter. "This ends here."

"The Uzumaki Clan is Konoha's ally. Back then, the village was powerless... Protecting an orphan of the Uzumaki Clan is our duty."

Danzo left, seething.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, put down his brush, and picked up his pipe.

From all the intelligence he had gathered, he could already sense that the Ninja World was growing unsettled.

Only a few years had passed since the last war, and several villages were already starting to stir.

Kumogakure and Iwagakure were especially restless.

The village still hadn't fully recovered its strength from the last Ninja World War, and that weighed on Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Fortunately, things were stable within the village for now.

As he thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen took out a list.

It was the list for this Chunin Exam, with several names circled for special attention.

At the top were Yu Feng Genma and Hatake Kakashi.

"Ran'ya raised a fine son. Sakumo certainly has a keen eye."

Looking at the list, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a surge of delight.

Yu Feng Genma was an unexpected surprise in every sense.

Kakashi had been a famous prodigy for a long time.

Yu Feng Genma had also done well at the Ninja Academy, but he hadn't attracted as much attention as Kakashi and had instead been overlooked.

Now, according to reports from Hatake Sakumo and Anbu, he was clearly a prodigy who had surpassed Kakashi.

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help feeling a great deal of anticipation for the upcoming Chunin Exam.

But after seeing his youngest son's name, he couldn't help sighing in frustration.

So rebellious!

At least he had Shinnosuke!

Day after day passed, and soon the first round of the Chunin Exam arrived.

A classroom at the Ninja Academy.

Three months later, Genma was back here again.

The exam papers were being handed out when the classroom door was suddenly shoved open, and Uchiha Obito rushed in, drenched in sweat.

The proctor glanced at him and continued handing out the papers.

Watching Uchiha Obito, Genma almost wondered if the guy was following some kind of script. Did he really always show up at the last possible moment?

Then a conspiracy theory suddenly came to mind.

It was said that the old woman Uchiha Obito helped was a White Zetsu in disguise.

White Zetsu!

Genma was tempted.

If he managed to capture one, it could be very useful.

Should he go take a look?

As Genma pondered, the exam paper reached his hands.