"Genya, you're back!"
Hinata's face lit up the moment Genya appeared behind her. Happiness was written all over her expression.
But, as she stepped forward to hug him, she hesitated. She felt a distance between them now—a chasm she couldn't ignore.
Right now, in front of Hinata, Genya was like a towering mountain. The gap between them was too great.
"If I solved the problem, why wouldn't I come back?" Genya said, clearly noticing her thoughts. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "So, how was I just now? Handsome? Brave?"
After speaking, he struck a playful pose, just like when they used to chat casually.
"Pfft…handsome!" Hinata laughed softly, then nodded shyly.
"Of course I'm handsome. If you want to be as strong as me, train with me every day. You all can become like me too!" Genya teased in a comforting tone, light and easy, returning to the familiar warmth they always shared.
"Genya, what did you do to those people?" Kurenai spoke up, her voice turning serious. "Did you…kill them?"
As she asked, Kurenai had already braced herself for the worst.
If Killer B and Darui had really died while being chased, the relationship between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire could worsen drastically—maybe even end in a fight to the death.
It had to be remembered that Killer B was a perfect Jinchūriki. That was one reason why the Land of Lightning had maintained its position as one of the strongest nations.
"I'm a lover of peace, Sensei. How could I kill someone without reason?" Genya said calmly, with a casual smile. "I let them leave safely."
Huh?
Kurenai froze. Genya actually let them go?
That didn't seem like him. In her view, Genya was the type to always respond to provocations. How could he just let them walk away?
They must have talked things over, and only then did Genya allow them to leave.
"Alright..!" Kurenai didn't continue pressing the question and let it slide, then asked, "By the way.. the jutsu you used, was it a space-time ninjutsu, the Flying Thunder God Technique?"
This was actually one of the points Kurenai was curious about—space-time ninjutsu.
"That's right.." Genya didn't deny it.
Kurenai asked, "Then what about Wood Release?"
Genya nodded, "I can do that too!"
Kurenai continued, "And the gravity field?"
Genya nodded again, "I can do that as well!"
Although Kurenai already had an idea, she kept asking, "Do you also have the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan?"
"Of course!" Genya nodded. "And I have the Six Tomoe Sharingan!"
As he spoke, the tomoe in Genya's eyes began to change, spinning and forming the Six tomoe!
"Six… Six tomoe!" Kurenai's heart stirred. This was the Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha clan. Each tomoe represented nearly a unique ability!
So Genya wasn't a failure of the Uchiha clan, but a true genius, a real prodigy!
No wonder Uchiha Kinya could maintain his position as clan leader and gain the support of the Uchiha clan—not just because he could earn money, but also because Uchiha Genya was watching from behind.
The group chatted as they returned to Konoha. They didn't continue talking much, and their tone relaxed, no longer tense like before.
Konoha
Hokage's Office…
"Any news from the Land of Lightning?" Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his eyes, speaking heavily.
Next to him was the silent Danzo Shimura, and the other two members of Konoha Council— Koharu and Homura.
Uchiha Genya had been in the Land of Lightning for some time, and it wouldn't be long before news of his death reached Konoha.
At that time, the Uchiha clan would surely stir, especially Uchiha Kinya.
Over the years, it was well known that Uchiha Kinya favored Uchiha Genya.
So they had to be wary of a Uchiha uprising and prepare in advance!
"Hmph, Uchiha Kinya is nothing more than a useless weakling. Even if he wants to do something, he can't possibly command the clan!" Danzo Shimura snorted coldly, his tone indifferent.
Even a leader like Uchiha Madara couldn't fully control the Uchiha, so how could a leader who can't even use ninjutsu manage them?
From Danzo's perspective, there was nothing to worry about.
Koharu and Homura understood Danzo's thinking. To them, Uchiha Kinya simply couldn't command the entire clan, especially when their own interests were involved.
Besides, Uchiha Genya was a complete failure. In the end, the only one likely to go mad would be Kinya himself.
"Regardless, we need to prepare in advance!" Sarutobi Hiruzen, puffing on his pipe, clearly agreed with Danzo. This was also why he dared to act against Uchiha Genya.
Then he added, "Still, the Uchiha clan's current strength is too great. Any sudden action from them could cause enormous damage to Konoha."
The others nodded.
Sarutobi Hiruzen then turned to Danzo Shimura. "How is your forbidden jutsu research going? The ninja world is too chaotic right now. We need to increase Konoha's strength!"
Recently, the Akatsuki, including Uchiha Itachi, had become a major threat, and there were also rogue groups spreading chaos.
They needed strategies to deal with whatever might happen in the future.
"Heh. Forbidden jutsu… do you think that's something we can study? The only thing we can really research now is the Reanimation Jutsu!" Danzo chuckled lightly, though there was no real humor in his voice.
"Reanimation Jutsu? The forbidden jutsu Orochimaru was always experimenting with?" Hiruzen frowned, thinking.
He knew a little about the Reanimation Jutsu. It resurrected powerful death ninja, required special vessels as bodies, and demanded living people.
"Prepare the relics of the previous Hokages for me as well. Whenever needed, we can have the former Hokages serve Konoha!" Danzo licked his lips, a mischievous glint playing across his face.
Former Hokages?
Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated. If the First or even the Second Hokage appeared, he wasn't sure how he could explain things to them.
Still… this was probably the best option.
While the others discussed, the Eighth Elder of the Hyuga Clan, along with Hyuga Sosuke and a few others, went to Neji's house.
His son hadn't returned for days.
The Eighth Elder was completely anxious. And today, with Hyuga Hiashi away on some matters, it was the perfect opportunity to question Neji's mother.
He refused to believe that Neji's mother didn't know where Neji was hiding.
Neji's mother was busy tidying the yard, her face extremely pale, clearly still recovering from recent events.
Bang!
At that moment, the door was violently kicked open. The Eighth Elder stormed in first, followed by Hyuga Sosuke, who had been pushed in, and several members of the main Hyuga family.
Their presence was overwhelming.
****
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