Genye Was Going After the Old Clan Head

"Thank goodness, we don't have to die! Waaaah!"

"It's so good to be alive. I'll never complain about how boring life is again!"

It wasn't just Minato and Kushina. With the Nine-Tails sealed away again, many of the shinobi embraced one another and wept, taking the chance to cop a feel.

"We really have to thank that kid. He saved everyone's lives."

"Yeah, looks like he's from the Hyuga Clan. I wonder what his name is?"

At that, Yuhi Shinku hurriedly chimed in, "His name is Hyuga Genya, and he's my son-in-law!"

"Father! Mother!"

Iruka ran over to his parents, wrapped his arms around them, and burst into tears.

"You little rascal. You really were reckless just now."

Though they scolded him, Iruka's parents looked at him with nothing but warmth and affection.

"I really misjudged him back then..."

Watching Hyuga Genya calmly straighten his sleeves, Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a complicated expression.

Fortunately, his own rascal of a son had never listened to him and had always kept up a good relationship with the kid.

"Genya, are you all right? Did you get hurt?"

Hizashi Hyuga rushed over and checked Genya over and over, making sure he wasn't injured.

"Don't worry, Lord Hizashi. I'm fine," Genya said with a smile.

Only after confirming Genya was unharmed did Hizashi finally relax. Then, somewhat hesitantly, he asked, "Genya, that move you used just now... was it really Gentle Fist?"

"Of course." Genya nodded and replied as if it were only natural, "It's the Gentle Fist passed down through our Hyuga Clan. The genuine article."

"..." Hizashi realized that, as expected, he still couldn't understand it.

"Hyuga~ Genya! Hyuga~ Genya!"

"Little hero, take flight!"

Several shinobi who were usually more boisterous charged over. Without asking, they hoisted Genya up and tossed him into the air.

By the time Genya realized what was happening, he was already airborne.

"Woohoo!"

More and more shinobi gathered around, their cheers growing louder as they tossed Genya higher and higher.

After a great disaster, the appearance of a hero could always lift people's spirits and give them hope.

Minato and Kushina joined the crowd, smiling as they watched and savored the joy of having survived.

"Well, look who's here—the newlyweds! How could I not do it again?"

Grinning, Genya opened the system interface, planning to use his last replication chance on Kushina.

"System, replicate for me!"

[ Ding! Congratulations, host. You have replicated the Uzumaki Clan's unique ability: "Adamantine Sealing Chains"! ]

[ Adamantine Sealing Chains: Release multiple chakra chains from your back to attack, create barriers, or seal Tailed Beasts. ]

"It's just an ordinary skill. I didn't manage to replicate Bloodline Puzzle?" Genya felt a little disappointed.

But when he thought about it, trying to hit a jackpot right in front of her husband really was a tall order.

The battle was over, but there was still a lot of cleanup to take care of. After thanking Genya, the shinobi returned to their respective posts.

"Make way! Make way!"

Just then, an old man with Byakugan pushed through the scattered crowd, grabbed Genya, and said in a tone that brooked no argument, "Genya, come with me. I have something to discuss with you."

"What~ do~ you~ want~?"

Genya looked at the old man with disdain, resisted the urge to punch him into oblivion, and followed him out of the crowd to see what the old bastard was up to.

There was no need to ask. The old man was the Hyuga Clan's head, Hyuga Yuansheng.

From the very start of the Nine-Tails Incident, the heroic clan head had stayed beside the battlefield, "supervising" the fighting with a complete disregard for his own safety.

Now that the battle was over, he'd finally decided to show his face. Clearly, he had something up his sleeve.

"Go ahead, old... clan head. What do you want with me?"

Outside the crowd, Genya shook off Hyuga Yuansheng's hand and asked impatiently.

Two years and nine months ago, this old bastard had stripped him of his shinobi status. That grudge...

Ahem, he'd never been one to hold a grudge. Hyuga Yuansheng had simply gone too far.

"(̿▀̿̿Ĺ̯̿̿▀̿ ̿)̄ Hyuga Genya! How dare you!"

Hyuga Yuansheng had planned to put on a show of "treating a worthy man with courtesy," but seeing how little respect Genya showed him, his old face darkened at once.

He instinctively formed a Hand Seal with one hand, intending to activate the Caged Bird Seal.

"Oh, is the clan head planning to use the Caged Bird Seal on me?" Genya said loudly, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Many of the shinobi nearby turned to look. They gave Hyuga Yuansheng hostile looks and whispered among themselves.

Was the Hyuga Clan's head an idiot?

His own clansman had made such a huge contribution, and instead of rewarding him, he was going to punish him?

What, saving their lives was a bad thing now?

To be fair, anyone who had survived the Nine-Tails' claws this long was an elite.

Seeing several elite jonin roll up their sleeves and look ready to charge over, Hyuga Yuansheng hurriedly lowered his hand.

"Child, I was only joking with you. Why can't you take a hint?"

"Enough, clan head." Genya replied irritably, "Just say what you want. I don't have time to waste on you!"

"You, you...!"

Hyuga Yuansheng's face flushed from red to pale. Accustomed to being treated like royalty within the clan, he had never suffered such indignity.

He flung his sleeve and said angrily, "Hyuga Genya, let me give you a word of advice: don't take everyone else for fools."

"You must have a secret behind how you became so strong. Anyone with eyes can see that! After the commotion you caused tonight, you won't be able to keep it hidden!"

Hearing that, Genya smiled. "Hmm, you have a point. So what should I do?"

"So you should hurry and hand the secret over to the clan!" Seeing that Genya seemed to be wavering, Hyuga Yuansheng hastily continued.

"First, the clan will reward you. Second, the clan will help you keep the secret safe, so it can remain within the Hyuga Clan!"

At that, Hyuga Yuansheng sounded rather pleased with himself. "I'm not bragging, but even the two Hokage have to show me some respect!"

Genya rubbed his chin and pretended to look tempted. "Then what kind of reward will the clan give me?"

The clan head magnanimously replied, "The clan will restore your shinobi status and raise your monthly stipend to one hundred thousand ryo. How does that sound?"

Genya: "...That's it?"

"That's not enough?" Hyuga Yuansheng's face darkened again. "Genya, you need to know when to be satisfied. Greed is unbecoming."

As a slave owner—no, as clan head, he'd already been generous enough not to demand Genya hand over his secret for free. He was even offering compensation. How dare this bastard bargain with him?

6.

Genya grinned. He tilted his head, thought it over, and then smiled beneath Hyuga Yuansheng's hopeful gaze.

"...Get lost, you old geezer!"

Hyuga Yuansheng's face instantly turned every color of the rainbow.

"Hyuga Genya! Don't think that having a little strength means you can disrespect your elders!"

Hyuga Yuansheng trembled with rage. He pointed a shaking finger at Genya and gritted his teeth as he said, "I'm telling you, as long as you still have the Caged Bird Seal, you'll always be a dog of the Main Branch! How dare you yelp in front of me? Just wait and see how I deal with you!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha." Genya burst out laughing, as if he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world. He laughed so hard that tears nearly came to his eyes.

"Bastard, what are you laughing at?" Hyuga Yuansheng demanded, furious and humiliated.

Genya kept laughing to himself, too lazy to bother with Hyuga Yuansheng.

Punching the old geezer into the ground would be easy, but what fun would that be? It wouldn't feel satisfying at all.

He decided to have a little fun with the old geezer.

"You've always been proud of your status as the clan head, haven't you?

"Fine. Then I'll take away the status you're so proud of and see how you react!"

The Hokage's office was spacious and grand, not nearly as cramped as it looked in the manga.

It was Genya's first time there. He looked around curiously, feeling like a Naruto fan checking in at a convention.

Two Hokage sat at the head of a long conference table. Hyuga Yuansheng and his two sons sat along one side.

Genya sat opposite the two Hokage, facing the curious, scrutinizing gazes of everyone in the room.

"Ahem." Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed twice, breaking the silence in the room, then glanced at Minato beside him.

Minato understood. He smiled and offered Genya his heartfelt thanks, then shifted the conversation to the question on everyone's mind.

"Genya, we're all curious. How did you recover from such severe injuries and become so strong?"

"What a thoughtless fool! Are you satisfied now?" Hyuga Yuansheng glared at Genya, his face dark with anger.

"I told you that you wouldn't be able to keep the secret. Now look what's happened! The Hyuga Clan has no choice but to share it with the village!"

Facing Hyuga Yuansheng's murderous glare, Genya grinned mischievously.

"Just you wait, old geezer. You'll see what I do to you next!"