Hane Genma's diplomatic activities were remarkably effective. Beyond the alignment of mutual interests, much of this success was owed to Retto's cooperation.
After all, Retto was no ordinary shinobi. Aside from his combat prowess, he was a thinker. In the Firefly Organization, he saw the future trends of the ninja world. His attention to the Firefly Organization had begun far earlier than Genma had imagined. In Retto's vision, once the conditions were ripe, he would immediately carry out a "micro-innovation" style of imitation based on the Firefly Organization's fundamental architecture. As for the current stage, the Firefly Organization was undoubtedly an excellent observation sample—novel, small in scale, and posing a minimal threat, making it a reference of significant value.
Development follows inherent laws. Although Retto couldn't quite articulate the term "spiraling ascent," he understood the principle profoundly: the first to leap out and initiate reform usually didn't meet a good end, but they left behind a wealth of valuable experience for those who followed. So, what was the harm in maintaining friendly relations with the Firefly Organization and letting them blaze the trail ahead?
Retto actually held a great deal of respect for Hane Genma, who was carving a path through the wilderness. To not respect such a self-sacrificing individual would be foolish, wouldn't it? One could only say that the mindset of someone capable of becoming a Kage was indeed different. In every sense, this man was a tier above the likes of Uchiha Tajima or Senju Butsuma in terms of ideology. Due to his age and experience, he was perhaps even more mature than Senju Tobirama.
Therefore, after settling the matters of mutual cooperation and neighborly friendship, Retto pulled Genma aside for a long exchange on how to construct and manage a shinobi alliance. Genma saw no need to hide anything regarding these matters. From the establishment of institutions to medical care, education, internal management systems, and even the detailed and critical setup of departments like the "Anbu," Genma spoke with logic and authority.
Although these were management functions that would typically be fumbled through gradually after a hidden village was established—and revealing them would greatly reduce a village's trial-and-error costs—so what? At this stage, the difficulty lay not in how to manage a ninja village, but in how to form one.
After their exchange, Retto nearly considered Genma a kindred spirit. If, hypothetically, the Firefly Organization still existed by the time he established his own shinobi alliance, Retto would be very willing to absorb the organization and grant Genma a high-ranking position, such as Elder or Advisor, allowing him to participate in the alliance's management.
His intentions were good, somewhat akin to repaying a debt of gratitude, though Genma certainly had no such plans. First, Genma hadn't decided if he would ever be someone else's subordinate. Second, even if he were to become a subordinate, shouldn't he choose the strongest boss? Retto was good, but not good enough, because he wasn't strong enough—and there were others destined to be the strongest.
However, it was certain that the relationship between the two sides had become extremely harmonious after their discussion. Genma's group even rested for a night in the Furui clan's settlement before departing the next day. for two forces making contact for the first time, such an overnight stay was nothing short of a miracle.
With his rear flank secured, Genma returned to Kikyo Castle and immediately began preparing his strategy for the surrounding regions. But before that, Nara Hideyuki and Fuma Goro arrived to report an important matter.
"Hm? You're saying people from the Jiongu clan came here to purchase the Earth Grudge Fear secret technique?"
Wasn't there something wrong with that picture? If their secret technique was leaked, shouldn't they try to steal it back directly? Genma glanced at Nara Hideyuki. Okay, someone definitely intimidated that customer.
He thought for a moment before speaking. "Is there a possibility that, even for the place where this secret technique originated, mastering it is an extremely difficult task? And we just happen to provide a shortcut..."
What kind of convoluted backstory was this? But come to think of it, that possibility didn't just exist; it was highly probable. Although Genma had just referred to the Jiongu users as a ninja clan, their membership was sparse and their scale small; they hadn't developed to the level of a true clan at all. What restricted their development? It was likely the immense difficulty of cultivating the Earth Grudge Fear.
"That's a bit absurd. Are you saying we've actually become the hope for their further development?" Fuma Goro looked peculiar. What could he say? The world was full of wonders; his eyes had truly been opened.
"It doesn't matter if the item returns to its original owner; I actually don't mind. It's just... what price did they pay?"
Nara Hideyuki seemed to have long understood that Genma prioritized the transaction details, so he handed over two scrolls.
"Medical ninjutsu from the Kuroki clan?"
Genma looked at the medical ninjutsu recorded on the scroll. The content felt advanced, but it would only serve as an enhancement to his existing 'skills.' Even a significant enhancement was still just an enhancement, not a breakthrough. Of course, its value was still very high.
Next, Genma picked up the other scroll.
"The Ishikawa clan's Earth Release... Hm?"
This scroll recorded only two jutsu. They looked unremarkable, except one was called the Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique, and the other was the Earth Release: Weighted Rock Technique.
Holy crap!
The Light-Weight Rock Technique could turn a ground-based ninja into an aerial unit. As everyone knows, having the high ground is a massive tactical advantage. The Weighted Rock Technique could be used in conjunction with Boil Release, allowing Genma to throw a punch with the force of fifty years of Tsunade's cultivation.
Earth Release might look plain at first glance, but it was incredibly practical. The Jiongu ninja were indeed insidious; they must have secretly assassinated quite a few members of major ninja clans to get these.
Genma set the two scrolls aside. He interlaced his fingers, propped his elbows on the desk, and rested the bridge of his nose against his knuckles. "Do you think the Jiongu ninja will continue to trade secret technique transplant bodies with us... tell me, do you think they might turn into our laborers?"
If they wanted the biological modifications, they had to exchange them for other valuable ninjutsu. Where would they get high-value ninjutsu? By going out and scavenging, of course.
"Isn't that... a little... I'm just saying a little... too black-hearted?" Nara Hideyuki could barely keep a straight face. He wasn't the smart one here; Genma was the true mastermind.
"Don't overthink it. At times like this, we must choose to believe in human nature... Regardless of the outcome, everything is natural selection."
Right, it was precisely because everyone trusted human nature too much that they felt Genma's words, while slightly terrible, carried a prophetic quality.
After finishing his discussion with the two, Genma didn't rush to train in the newly acquired ninjutsu. He went to Reito Castle again to explain the results of the trip to the Daimyo and clarified that the Firefly Organization was about to launch a large-scale proactive offensive.
Three days later, all necessary war preparations were complete. Genma summoned the combat squad leaders to deploy for battle.
"The objective of this operation is the Kaizuka clan in the northwest of the Land of Rivers. This clan specializes in Fire Release. Their individual strength is average, but they are very skilled in squad coordination."
"I won't go into detail about the enemy's specific combat methods; everyone is aware of them, as we have been frequently harassed by this clan previously."
"For this operation, we are deploying thirty-five ninja. For the organization, this counts as sending out our elite force, which will inevitably leave our headquarters empty. Therefore, our speed must be fast."
"Depart quickly, engage quickly, eliminate the enemy quickly, and return quickly."
"With our current strength, combined with blitzkrieg tactics, we can definitely knock the enemy dizzy with one blow and then overrun this clan."
"Do not worry about the result. Focus mainly on coordination with one another, as this is our first time conducting this kind of warfare."
"Are there any questions?"
"If there are no questions, the operation begins promptly tomorrow night."
Everyone stood up collectively and responded in unison with strong voices, "Yes, Lord Genma."
There were no issues with the combat plan. In fact, Genma was adopting the same method he used when attacking the Tsugawa clan: he would first infiltrate alone, assassinate key enemy targets, create large-scale chaos under the cover of night, and once the enemy was in disarray, the main force would seize the opportunity to invade.
The only difference was that when attacking the Tsugawa clan, his main force had average combat power, so their role was mostly participatory. But this time was different. The thirty-plus ninja were one hundred percent ready for combat.
The battle process needed no elaboration. Although Genma's numbers were few, their combat power was outstanding. The Jiongu-enhanced ninja and the Akimichi clan formed the backbone of the squad combat. Like a hammer, even though the enemies were numerous, they were nothing but fragile shells. In this situation, every strike silenced a foe.
The battle began at night. The enemy was routed almost instantly by the sudden attack. The high-intensity combat lasted less than an hour; by that point, the outcome had already been decided. However, the skirmishes continued until the afternoon of the next day. Aside from a small number of ninja who fled with civilians, the Kaizuka clan ceased to exist.
Such combat intensity put little pressure on Genma, neither in terms of strength nor psychology. There was no need to bring up moral issues; this was an era where if you didn't kill, you would be killed. Genma even used the battle as training, attempting to use Earth Release ninjutsu during the fight.
After concluding the campaign, the assault battalion returned to Kikyo Castle to rest for two days before setting out again.
After wiping out three ninja clans in succession, some of the surrounding clans who understood the times saw that the Firefly Organization's military edge was unstoppable. Surprisingly, some clans collectively followed their survival instincts and chose to flee without a fight.
Genma was happy to see this happen. After all, his goal was to purge the surrounding forces to win a larger, more stable development space for the Land of Rivers. As to whether the enemies died or fled, it made little difference.
It wasn't that no clans tried to surrender to the Firefly Organization, but Genma did not accept them. These surrounding forces had almost all engaged in small-scale conflicts with the organization. The contradictions ran deep. Genma couldn't accept such surrenders; he only gave them time to withdraw from the surrounding area, which was already benevolent enough.
As for the remaining forces that refused to withdraw, there was nothing left to do but fight.
However, during this period of frequent battles, an incident occurred back at Kikyo Castle.
To ensure the safety of the headquarters, a capable ninja needed to stay behind. Considering Nanami's condition, she naturally became the one to remain on guard.
That day, she was sitting in the Firefly office building when her head suddenly turned in a specific direction. The architectural layout in her mind indicated that there was only a wall there, but for some reason, she felt that something else existed there...
Something else. Something bad.
What is it? It was faint, barely there, yet incredibly distracting and uncomfortable. Not knowing if it was an illusion caused by this discomfort, Nanami felt a gaze staring intently at her from that direction.
Driven by psychological pressure, Nanami grew increasingly uneasy. She instantly drew her blade and instinctively slashed out.
With a pfft, a wind blade pierced through the wall, and the sensation finally vanished.
"Lady Nanami, what happened?"
The commotion caused the ninja guarding outside to rush to Nanami's side.
Nanami paused for a moment, then shook her head. "There seemed to be an intruder, but I can't be sure."
She couldn't be sure. Yet, in the next moment, that strange sensation appeared again for a split second, but this time it didn't persist—it appeared and vanished instantly.
Indeed, a White Zetsu had been hiding foolishly inside the wall, watching Nanami. Even after she made a clear motion of turning her head, it hadn't retracted its gaze, so it failed to dodge her wind blade... because the idiot hadn't tried to dodge at all.
It didn't die unjustly.
As for the anomaly that appeared in Nanami's perception afterward, that was another White Zetsu hurriedly retrieving its companion's corpse.
Although White Zetsu's presence was difficult to detect, they could be discovered through "malice sensing." This was exactly how Uzumaki Naruto was able to distinguish White Zetsu while in the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. It is said that the Nine-Tails' source of power is hatred and malice; perhaps this sensing ability is some form of reverse application.
And if one were to speak of intense emotions like hatred, certain ninja of the Uchiha clan were not far off from the Nine-Tails. At any rate, Nanami had been drowned in such emotions countless times.
After losing her Sharingan, her sensory abilities had been enhanced in all aspects, allowing her to vaguely perceive the malice of the White Zetsu.
At this time, because they were planning something big, the White Zetsu were mobilizing a large number of individuals to Kikyo Castle. However, this sudden development caused them to immediately call off the gathering.
Several White Zetsu were even frightened enough to temporarily leave Kikyo Castle. They gathered at a spot outside the city, each looking battered and confused.
They had been careless. Their concealment ability, which they thought was invincible, had been seen through.
"That Uchiha, Nanami... she clearly lost her Sharingan, so why can she still discover us?"
"Maybe it's precisely because she lost her Sharingan that she can sense us?"
"Regardless of why we can be sensed, we must change our operational strategy. There is no need to summon so many individuals here."
"Do not approach her. Absolutely do not approach her."
"Can't we eliminate her secretly? Without her Sharingan, she has completely lost her value."
"How do you eliminate someone who can detect us?"
"Hm... there must be a way, right?"
"Okay, how about you go and try?"
--
Support me & read more advance & fast update chapter on my patreon:
pat reon .com/yuuwand