After absorbing Minazuki To, Uchiha Gen walked over to Meina, pried open her eyelids, and locked eyes with her. He was just about to drain her soul and lifespan.
It was far easier to put someone under illusion when they were unconscious than awake.
But just as he was about to activate the Soul-Soul Fruit's power, a thought struck him. He paused, pulled back his hand, and instead placed his palm on her chest, channeling the Mystical Palm Technique.
Emerald-green chakra seeped directly into her heart, ignoring the superficial wounds and repairing the most dangerous damage first.
Moments later, Meina stirred. Her eyelids fluttered open only to be caught immediately in Gen's three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Tell me your full plan," Gen ordered flatly.
As one of the jonin involved in the ambush and a member of the Terumi clan, she should know everything.
Ideally, he would have left the captain alive. That would have been the safest move. Unfortunately, that ship had already sailed.
Meina's expression went slack. "Our plan is…"
Gen listened silently, his face gradually twisting into an odd look.
Inside, he cursed.
Damn it. So all this chaos from the Mist… and the whole thing is aimed at me?
Obito's grudge really ran deep. What a stubborn idiot.
Didn't he want to recruit me? Is this his way of recruiting? That's not recruitment, that's how you make an enemy!
The logic was baffling. Normally, if you wanted someone on your side, you offered incentives; money, power, maybe women, and promises of glory. At the very least, you'd butter them up with sweet words and a bright vision of the future.
But no. This guy thought the best recruitment method was… 'Liangshan Marsh' style? Beat someone down first, then extend the invitation?
Is this guy a normal person or just a lunatic? And is this world itself normal, or just pathological?
Then again, Madara recruiting Obito, Obito recruiting Nagato, and the two of them recruiting Akatsuki members… none of that looked like 'normal hiring practices' either.
This world was crawling with weirdos. So maybe he shouldn't be surprised anymore.
After a moment of internal ranting, Gen pushed the thought aside. He finally activated the Soul-Soul Fruit, siphoned Meina's soul and lifespan, then moved through the rest of the corpses one by one. On each, he also planted a Flying Thunder God marker.
That technique couldn't be exposed yet. If people started asking where he learned it, he wouldn't have an answer.
Once finished, he teleported back to the supply transfer station and into his quarters. Pulling out a map, he carefully marked each location where the corpses lay, guided by his markers.
Afterward, he stepped outside into the rain, summoning everyone to gather. Before long, the Konoha ninja he had brought and those stationed at the transfer post assembled in the open square.
The downpour didn't bother them. Ninja didn't flinch at weather. Orders came first—even if knives fell from the sky.
"Inuzuka Gaku, step forward."
"Lord Gen."
Gaku obeyed immediately, bowing.
"Take this map," Gen said, handing it over. "Lead thirty men to collect the bodies."
Without further explanation, he turned and left.
Though confused, Gaku didn't hesitate. A mission was a mission.
"Yes! I guarantee completion."
"One more thing," Gen added casually. "No need to turn in any gear you recover. Whoever picks it up keeps it."
That drew murmurs of delight.
"Thank you, Lord Gen!"
For common-born ninja, this was an unexpected fortune. Kunai, swords, explosive tags, they could be used or sold. If they stumbled across armor or chakra tools, even better. And if they were really lucky, maybe even a ninjutsu scroll.
Gaku quickly assembled fourteen local ninja, donned their straw hats, and departed into the rain with his squad.
Meanwhile, Gen went to dry off, then raided the warehouse for ingredients. With a couple of helpers carrying supplies, he set up at the highest point of the station beneath a rain dome.
Before him, a steaming pot simmered. Misty rain veiled the horizon, with dark mountains faintly rolling in the distance.
From the kitchen, he'd found some homemade tofu, crafted by a genin cook, not part of standard rations. With a flick of wind chakra, he diced the block into perfect cubes and dropped them gently into the broth.
Smiling, he muttered to himself, "Pickled vegetables and tofu… better than being an emperor."
The bite was tender, hot, and rich, warming him through.
After all he'd done foiling the Mist's plan, saving countless lives, and expending half his chakra, he deserved a moment to enjoy himself.
One dish after another followed; meat, fish, greens, and dried vegetables.
He ate until sweat beaded his brow, utterly content.
An hour later, full and satisfied, Gen returned to rest and replenish his chakra.
By the time another hour passed, the retrieval team returned with the corpses. The transfer station bustled with activity.
Gen stepped outside. Thirty bodies lay neatly arranged.
"Lord Gen, this is…" Gaku approached, hesitant.
"These are the Mist ninja who slipped into our rear," Gen replied.
"Yes, but… how did they…"
"After checking, among these thirty, ten were jonin, five were special jonin, and the rest chunin."
Gen smiled faintly. "Orochimaru and I hunted them down together."
Gaku blinked. "Lord Orochimaru… isn't he at the front?"
"At first it was only a shadow clone. Now, it should be his real body."
"But why didn't you two inform us? We are not afraid of death!"
Gen held up two fingers. "Two reasons. First, because the enemy was known, and we were hidden. Sensei and I were enough to finish them. No need for unnecessary casualties. These were elite Mist ninja. Strong as you are, the risk would have been too high. Second, you, well-rested, are the fresh forces for the front lines. You are the power that can turn the tide."
"Rest a little, then head out. The front line is tense."
Realization dawned on Gaku. His eyes softened with gratitude. "So that's it. Thank you, Lord Gen, for considering us."
Everyone else had been listening, and their hearts were moved. Orochimaru was never known for kindness, yet this young deputy commander thought of their lives and families.
The respect in their gazes deepened.
But Inuzuka Gaku raised his voice again: "Yes, we all have families… but so do our comrades at the front! I say we don't rest. Marching is nothing. The sooner we arrive, the more families stay whole. What do you all say?"
A chorus of agreement followed, blood boiling with the Will of Fire.
Gen smirked inwardly. As expected of someone who once followed Minato. That awareness… that conviction.
When the uproar settled, he said calmly, "Very well. Depart under Gaku's command. But I will lag behind. Though uninjured, my chakra reserves are still heavily drained. Once I recover, I'll ride a summoned beast to join you."
The ninja all nodded in understanding. After bowing deeply, they rushed into the rainy wilderness, energized by purpose.
Gen watched them leave, then quietly slipped back into his quarters. Under the guise of resting, he teleported straight to the front with Flying Thunder God.
Don't misunderstand, he wasn't going to help. He just wanted to check in… and remind Orochimaru not to get too carried away.
If the war ended too quickly, Gen would lose his steady supply of souls. And Orochimaru would lose his abundant experimental material. Neither of them wanted that.
Master and disciple... two sly birds of the same feather.