Karura Sister

On the night Senju Genma departed, the Hidden Sand Village forces discovered that Makima had lost contact and immediately dispatched reinforcements to investigate the base. Gazing at the nearly decimated Sand Ninja base and the corpses littering the ground, Asaro, an elite Jonin of the Hidden Sand Village known for his calm and composed demeanor, was thoroughly enraged.

"Wake those two up!"

"Yes!" Two ninjas from the unit stepped in front of the two unconscious guards and injected chakra into their bodies to dispel the genjutsu.

"What on earth happened here?" Asaro utilized Magnet Release, swirling sand to lift the two guards' bodies and bring them before him.

"A Konoha ninja infiltrated the base!"

"One person?!" Asaro paused for a moment, asking in astonishment.

He knew the strength of this base—nearly fifty ninjas, including not just Chunin and Jonin, but also an elite Jonin like Makima. Yet, it had been conquered by a single ninja.

"That's right, a Konoha ninja wearing red layered armor with long, silver-white hair!" The guard nodded heavily. "It might have been Sakumo Hatake!"

After speaking, the guard frowned, feeling as though he had forgotten something but unable to recall what it was.

Upon hearing this, Asaro released the two guards and lowered his head, falling into deep thought.

To silently breach the base's outer barrier, instantly kill dozens of elite ninjas, cause such large-scale destruction, and possess the distinct feature of long, silver-white hair... was it Sakumo Hatake?

No, it couldn't be. Sakumo Hatake's swordsmanship was formidable, but it wouldn't cause such extensive environmental destruction.

Then, there was no other possibility but that man who stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world, the legendary ninja who defeated Hanzo... the White Yasha... Senju Genma!

At this thought, cold sweat broke out on Asaro's palms.

It was definitely him. It was said that when that man dueled Hanzo, he caused severe destruction to the battlefield terrain. If he were still within the borders of the Land of Wind and hadn't left...

"This man is too dangerous to be within our Land of Wind. We must report the situation to the Kazekage."

"Lord Asaro, the base has fallen; shouldn't we just report it to the surrounding units? They will send reinforcements naturally. Why bother the Kazekage?" his subordinate asked, puzzled.

"What the hell do you know? That is the White Yasha! Do you have any idea how much destruction he could cause to the Land of Wind if he wanted to?" Asaro slapped his subordinate across the face and roared, "Only the Kazekage can resolve this matter."

Hearing the name "White Yasha," most of the Sand Ninjas were struck silent with fear.

Only a few young Genin were clenching their fists, looking eager to try their luck.

"But is the Kazekage a match for the White Yasha?" one Sand Ninja asked.

The surrounding Sand Ninjas immediately glared at him.

Asaro's expression was grim.

He didn't know who was stronger between the Kazekage and the White Yasha, nor did he understand how he could have such a foolish subordinate.

Regardless, this was not the time or place to ask such a question.

"The Third Kazekage is the strongest Kazekage; the White Yasha cannot be a match for him. All we must do is report this to the Kazekage!" Asaro said in a deep voice.

In an oasis on the border of the Land of Wind, Senju Genma walked leisurely along the path.

"Just one more town to pass through, and I'll reach the Land of River. I wonder if Tsunade is getting impatient."

The reason he didn't use the Reverse Summoning Technique to return to the Land of River was to see the unique customs of the Land of Wind and, incidentally, leave behind some Flying Thunder God markers in various places.

Always fighting and killing was no fun at all.

Senju Genma gazed at the yellow sand outside the oasis and thought of Shukaku, who could control sand.

Since I've come all the way to the Land of Wind, should I go and retrieve the One-Tail?

Forget it. Getting the One-Tail now is useless, and it's a bit of a hassle. Once my strength is sufficient, I can capture them all at once like Madara did; there's no need to rush.

Senju Genma shook his head and looked back toward the town. "Let's just keep strolling!"

As he walked, suddenly, something poked Senju Genma in the kidney.

However, he hadn't sensed any danger, so he spoke without turning his head: "Long time no see, Sister Karura."

"Does Sister Karura not even have the strength to hold a kunai anymore?"

"Or is it that you couldn't bear to strike me, and that's why you didn't use any force?"

As he spoke, Senju Genma turned around quickly and grabbed the hand Karura was using to hold the kunai.

Senju Genma wanted to tease her further, but what he saw was Karura's dejected face.

"It seems your situation is not very good, Sister. As an important Magnet Release bloodline ninja of the Hidden Sand Village, they actually let you wander out all alone."

"And your body..."

Karura shook her head and said in a gentle tone: "It was Hanzo. The legendary ninja lives up to his reputation. I heard you already defeated him, but I was no match for him at all."

"I am no longer a ninja of the Hidden Sand Village, and I won't be able to be a ninja in the future either!"

"My body is already completely broken."

Senju Genma was stunned for a moment.

Didn't the Hanzo of this age still have a sense of cherishing talent?

How could he deal such a heavy blow to Karura, who was a genius?

Could it be that I went too hard on him last time, causing his mindset to change?

"Doesn't that make you a fish on the chopping block right now? With our two nations at war, why would you dare appear before me?"

"I'm just here traveling." Karura didn't show a hint of fear; instead, she offered a gentle smile. "I'm just an ordinary person now. As a legendary ninja, you wouldn't lay a hand on a simple girl like me, would you?"

"Besides, the Hidden Sand Village was the one that started this war in the first place. Even if you did strike me down, it would be justified."

Traveling, my foot—that sounded like an excuse the moment she said it.

Karura's mental state clearly wasn't right.

This town was close to the front lines; perhaps the trauma had been too much for her, causing a mental breakdown and leading her to seek an "accidental" death.

"Sister Karura, you're holding this kunai against me with zero threat—don't tell me you're trying to goad me into killing you?!" Senju Genma asked, simultaneously disarming her.

"I could never do something like that."

Karura's gaze began to dart away, as if her secret had been laid bare.

"If you won't do it, then forget it. I'm leaving." Senju Genma grabbed her hand. They remained at a stalemate for a moment before Karura finally conceded and spoke up.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm thirsty. I want a drink."

Senju Genma said firmly, "It's not going to be that easy to leave. As it happens, I have some time, so I'll keep you company. You don't have the power to refuse right now!"

"But you're still just a child; you can't drink alcohol." Karura refused, her tone sincere, as if she were genuinely concerned for Genma's health.

Senju Genma raised an eyebrow, surprised that even in this state, Karura was still looking out for him.

But who do you think you're looking down on? Don't let my young age in this life fool you; my body isn't much worse off than you adults.

Sister Tsunade could vouch for me!