"Genma, don't tell me your medical ninjutsu isn't up to par. How come she still hasn't woken up?" Hatake Sakumo asked, looking at the unconscious Karura.
Senju Genma crouched in front of Karura and checked her over. "Medical ninjutsu only helped heal her injuries. She used up too much chakra, so she's recovering slowly. She'll wake up soon."
As soon as Senju Genma finished speaking, Karura slowly opened her eyes.
She realized her whole body felt weak, so she fumbled in her pouch and took out a soldier pill.
"Where am I? And who are you?"
Senju Genma frowned slightly and said solemnly, "Don't you remember? I'm your husband!"
The four people behind him—Hatake Sakumo among them—and the three Sand Ninja were speechless.
They hadn't expected the kid who killed without batting an eye to be so unreliable when it came to everything else!
The three Sand Ninja hurriedly asked, "Lady Karura, are you all right?"
"I'm fine!"
Only after hearing Karura's answer did the three Sand Ninja breathe a sigh of relief.
Karura was the owner of Sunagakure's Sand Release Kekkei Genkai. If anything happened to her, it would be a serious problem!
Karura swallowed the soldier pill, and color began to return to her face. She reached out and gently pinched Senju Genma's cheek.
"Do I look like an idiot to you?"
Senju Genma shook his head, looking up at Karura with big, watery eyes. "No!"
Karura was only a girl in her teens, after all, and her resolve wasn't strong enough to resist. Her gaze kept drifting to Senju Genma's face, and she murmured, "If you want to be my husband, you'll have to wait until you're a little older."
Senju Genma felt rather pleased with himself.
He couldn't help it. Being too handsome and adorable came with its own problems.
But living off his looks wasn't what he wanted. He'd always hoped to live off his strength.
As the two drew closer, Hatake Sakumo gave a loud cough. "Ahem! Since you're both fine, we'll be on our way!"
"Genma, let's go!"
Hatake Sakumo's words broke the mood at just the right moment. Karura turned her head away, a little embarrassed.
Senju Genma narrowed his eyes and glared darkly at Hatake Sakumo.
He had no proof, but he was sure Hatake Sakumo had ruined his moment on purpose.
Kakashi, don't blame me!
Hatake Sakumo saw the displeasure on Senju Genma's face and felt a surge of satisfaction.
Karura nodded and quickly said, "That's right. In that case, let's part ways here!"
Blushing, she took Senju Genma's hand and lightly scratched his palm twice.
"I won't forget that you saved my life. I'll remember what happened today."
With that, Karura leaped onto a tree, and the three Sand Ninja followed close behind.
Hatake Sakumo gave Senju Genma a hard smack on the head, his smile growing wider. "All right, stop staring. We still have a mission. Let's go!"
Senju Genma glared at him viciously, then followed at his heels, thoroughly disgruntled.
After the five of them sorted through what they'd collected, they searched the bodies of several Rain Ninja and replenished the supplies they'd used in battle.
Then they headed for the border north of the Land of Rain.
The Land of Rain was too dangerous. If their intel was wrong and they ran into Hanzo, they'd be in serious trouble. They were safer staying with the main force.
The five traveled through the rain for several days. Along the way, they ran into quite a few Sand Ninja and Rain Ninja, but managed to avoid them all.
They were ninja. There was no need to go on a rampage and kill every enemy they encountered while carrying out a mission. They only needed to complete their objective.
With Hatake Sakumo handling the arrangements, the five soon reached the Konoha forces' camp.
Once they arrived, Senju Genma stopped thinking about the mission.
He found Orochimaru in the command tent and asked where the Medical Unit was. Then he hurried over to its camp.
Only after entering the Medical Unit did Senju Genma truly feel the brutality of the battlefield.
Corpses and badly mutilated ninja were everywhere. Cries of agony and angry shouts could be heard all around.
Fear, pain, confusion, sorrow, hatred, anger, and madness all gathered there.
Senju Genma had already killed quite a few people, but the sight still made him uncomfortable.
"Why are you here?!" Tsunade's startled voice came from behind Senju Genma.
Senju Genma quickly turned around and hugged Tsunade, burying his face against her chest.
"Are you all right?" Senju Genma asked softly, his voice full of concern.
His concerned words gradually calmed Tsunade's anxious heart.
A tender smile appeared on her face. She crouched down and gently stroked his hair.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. That's what war is like. You'll have to get used to it, too!"
She had no intention of saying something pretty to Senju Genma to make any of this seem better.
Beauty was only a fleeting impression, while reality endured. But reality was never beautiful.
War was never something good. It was better to learn to accept it than to run away from the truth.
Like an injured kitten, Senju Genma rubbed his face against Tsunade's chest.
Tsunade held him close, her heart aching for him, and buried her face against his neck.
After a moment's thought, Senju Genma asked, "Sister Tsunade, can I stay here?"
"What did you say?!" Tsunade hadn't expected him to say that. Her heart warmed, but she also felt worried.
This was no safe place!
Tsunade quickly composed herself and asked gravely, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Senju Genma nodded. "I want to stay by your side, and I want to train myself."
Tsunade fell silent for a while before replying, "All right. I'll talk to Orochimaru. Whether you can stay will depend on what our teacher thinks."
She had gone to the battlefield herself at the age of six. The front lines were certainly dangerous, but if he could make it through the war, he'd have no trouble becoming a capable ninja in his own right.
Besides, though the front lines weren't safe, Senju Genma would still have to go on missions in Anbu. Tsunade had heard about this mission, too. He'd gone deep into the Land of Rain, and it had been extremely dangerous.
In that case, he might as well stay by her side. Jiraiya and Orochimaru were here, too, so he could train while staying safer.
Perhaps none of the Yellow-Gambling-Poison Trio could beat Hatake Sakumo alone, but any two of them working together could defeat him.
Early the next morning, in Tsunade's tent.
Senju Genma and Tsunade woke up in the same bed.
Senju Genma had finally made it to the front lines, and at long last, he'd warmed Tsunade's bed again.
Leaving Tsunade's warm embrace, he got out of bed, got dressed, and stepped outside the tent.
As soon as he emerged, he saw Hatake Sakumo walking toward the tent.
"Looks like you slept well last night!"
Senju Genma asked, puzzled, "Is there another mission?"
Hatake Sakumo waved his hand. "No. Lord Hokage has issued a new order. He wants you to stay here. He's already spoken with Orochimaru, and Shin will stay to help you, too. From now on, you're the new leader of the Ninja Squad."
Senju Genma asked, "What about you?"
Before you continue