Chapter 67: Hero
Passing through mountains and forests, the border of the Land of Fire was close at hand.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Figures appeared up ahead, some standing atop trees and on branches, others crouching on the ground.
They were Konoha ninja!
Genichi finally let out a long breath.
The pursuing Cloud ninja saw the numerous Konoha ninja and all stopped in their tracks.
"As expected of Konoha's White Fang..." Dodai touched his left eye, which was covered by a bandage. If not for the powerful defense of his Lava Release, it wouldn't have just been a blinded eye; his head would have been pierced by Hatake Sakumo.
"And that brat named Kinoshita Genichi... damn him!" a Cloud ninja's gaze fell on Genichi's departing back, full of resentment. His older brother, a Special Jonin, had died at Genichi's hands.
"Konoha ninja have arrived. Retreat!" Dodai suppressed his complicated feelings and gave the order. The few Cloud ninja immediately leaped away and vanished.
On the other side, Genichi leaned against a tree, panting.
"Captain, Genichi, are you alright?" Yamanaka En's voice sounded.
Genichi looked up. "I'm fine, just minor injuries."
En's gaze swept over them. "Where's Namiichi?"
After asking, he understood what had happened and fell silent.
Compared to Genichi, En had worked with Uchiha Namiichi for a much longer time. Namiichi was undoubtedly a tsundere, but beneath his cold exterior, he actually had a delicate and passionate heart. It was indeed a bit difficult to get along with him at first, but a comrade like Namiichi was someone you could completely trust on a mission.
Although it wasn't the first time he had seen a comrade off, En's heart was still heavy. But he quickly composed himself, walked over to Genichi's side, and patted him on the shoulder in a silent gesture of comfort.
Genichi nodded. After catching his breath, he quickly went to his master's side, undid the bandage on his arm, and checked the situation.
Sakumo smiled comfortingly. "Don't worry, it's recovering very well."
"Genichi, your medical abilities are getting better and better."
After checking, Genichi breathed a sigh of relief. Sakumo's arm was saved. It was true that people made progress more easily in adverse situations. In these past two days, his healing ability from the Art of Pyo had forcefully leveled up. He had even managed to stabilize an injury as severe as Sakumo's, where the bone was nearly severed.
"Sensei, we still can't be careless. To heal it completely, we'll still need Lady Tsunade's help," Genichi said with a serious expression. "Let's return to the village as soon as possible!"
Sakumo nodded, then went to confer with the ninja from the border defense force.
Half an hour later, Genichi's group of three, plus the two Root ninja, set out again. However, although they needed to travel, because Genichi himself, Sakumo, and even the two surviving Root ninja were injured, they did not push themselves to exhaustion. They rested when they needed to rest, and healed when they needed to heal.
Although he was unhappy with Danzō and felt there was something wrong with this mission, he had, after all, gone through a life-and-death struggle with them. So, for the time being, Genichi also regarded the Root ninja as comrades and did not hesitate to do his best to heal them.
Around 10 AM the next day, Genichi's group finally returned to Konoha.
After entering the village, they split into two groups. En and the Root ninja went to hand over the intelligence, while Genichi forcibly dragged Sakumo to the Konoha Hospital and asked Tsunade to personally diagnose and treat him.
As for reporting to the Third Hokage, Genichi took Sakumo's place. Sakumo thought about it for a moment and agreed. Whether it was because he couldn't bear to refuse his disciple's good intentions, or because he was considering that Genichi needed an opportunity to stand on his own, he went along with it.
However, before Genichi left, Sakumo called out to stop him. "Genichi, don't do anything you're not sure of."
Genichi stopped in his tracks. He understood what Sakumo meant. He turned his head and smiled. "Don't worry, Sensei. I understand."
"Namiichi died in battle for the village. He is a hero."
"The Root ninja also died in battle for the village. They are the village's unsung heroes. I will not be prejudiced against them."
"Besides, without them, perhaps I would have also died on this mission."
Sakumo was relieved. He nodded. "Go on."
Genichi nodded and left.
Tsunade, however, was frowning. After Genichi had left, she finally asked, "Senpai, was there a problem with this mission?"
Sakumo shook his head. "Maybe there was, but it might have been a coincidence."
Tsunade heard this and did not ask any more questions.
Inside the Hokage Tower.
After announcing his arrival and receiving permission, Genichi came to the door of the Hokage's Office and knocked.
"Come in!" Hiruzen's voice came from inside.
Genichi pushed the door open, walked a few steps in, and then bowed in greeting. "Lord Third!"
"Ah, Genichi~" Hiruzen looked up, his gaze gentle. "I heard you were injured. Is it anything serious?"
Genichi looked up. "Just a light injury. Thank you for your concern, Lord Third."
"My master's injuries are more severe, so he has been sent to the hospital. I am here to report on the mission in his place."
Hiruzen already knew this. He nodded slightly and began to ask about the situation of the mission. Because the mission had suffered serious losses, he asked in more detail. And Genichi answered everything in detail, without any subjective emotion or biased statements about Root having issues.
It wasn't just because he had no proof; he was even more aware of the relationship between Hiruzen and Danzō. Especially in this period, the confrontation between them was not so obvious. Furthermore, when it came to politics, one could not have too high of expectations. Even if it was just a suspicion, Genichi would assume the worst. As a transmigrator, he was just that much of a conspiracy theorist and lacked a sense of security.
Hiruzen's expression didn't change much as he asked his questions, he just continued to puff on his pipe.
After Genichi finished his account, he finally sighed. "Namiichi was a good child. He is a hero of the village."
"But since Namiichi entrusted his future to you, then you, Genichi, now carry the future of two people. Don't be too sad. I don't think that's what that child Namiichi would want to see."
Genichi nodded with a sorrowful expression. "Yes."
"It's just that, the Uchiha clan's side will probably..."
Before he could finish, Hiruzen said, "You don't need to worry about that. This old man and Sakumo will personally go to the Uchiha clan to explain this matter."
"Since it was that child Namiichi's last wish, then we should respect the wishes of the deceased."
"And you, Genichi, must make good use of that child's gift!"
Genichi immediately bowed. "Yes, sir!"
...
Coming out of the Hokage Tower, Genichi felt the sun warming his body and couldn't help but squint his eyes.
It's good to be alive!
So, if anyone wants me dead, whether intentionally or unintentionally, they can all go to hell!
Genichi opened his eyes, his gaze cold.
"Genichi!"
En's voice came from behind him.
Genichi's gaze instantly softened. He turned around. "Is it over?"
En nodded.
Genichi said, "Let's go to the hospital together!"
En agreed, and the two of them used the Body Flicker Technique (Shunshin no Jutsu) and left.
(End of Chapter)
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