"The noble employs samurai with chakra training as bodyguards." Kakashi shrugged. "They dislike ninja interference. That lowers the threat rating. Plus, the pay's mediocre—barely qualifies as B-rank."
"I see..." Gen nodded, inwardly scoffing. Cheap client. Uncertain risks. Samurai with ninja envy.
No wonder professionals avoid it. Perfect for rookies like me.
But Gen didn't mind. He turned to Kakashi, eyes gleaming. "Still a B-rank, sensei. So..."
"..." Kakashi's eyebrow twitched. This again?
"What do you want now?"
"Guy-sensei mentioned your mastery lies in Lightning Release." Gen tapped his chin. "Your signature style. And my affinity test did show lightning nature..."
He beamed. "Teach me before we reach the client!"
"Gen, it's incompatible—"
"I know! Guy said it requires the Sharingan! But I still want to try!"
"..."
"Kakashi-sensei... you wouldn't want your only student ignorant of your greatest technique, right?"
"..."
---
Land of Hot Water – Black Market Exchange
"Task verified. Payment enclosed."
Two figures cloaked in black robes adorned with red clouds accepted a bulging pouch from the broker. They collected another mission scroll and vanished into the shadows.
"Another one down." The taller man hefted a monstrous cleaver. Shark-like teeth glinted beneath crimson face paint as he glanced at his partner. "You've adapted well, Itachi."
"It's been over a year, Kisame." The younger man adjusted his forehead protector—a Konoha symbol slashed through. "This is routine now."
Kisame Hoshigaki and Uchiha Itachi. Akatsuki's funds were growing, mission by mission. Dull work, but suited them.
"Next target?" Itachi asked. "Wave Country?"
"Mm. Some noble." Kisame scanned the scroll before tucking it away. "Doesn't matter who he is. Or why someone wants him dead."
His voice hardened. "World peace just means more contracts. We take the money. No questions."
"You've said that before." Itachi's gaze drifted toward the horizon. "I remember."
"Good. Let's move." Kisame turned. "Finish fast... maybe squeeze in some fun afterward."
---
"This quest is... problematic."
Days later, Gen slumped on a Wave Country inn bed, frowning at his system panel. Kakashi was meeting their client, leaving him alone with [Exclusive Quest: Sworn Brothers] gnawing at him.
He'd accepted it—curious about exclusive rewards. But the target? Uchiha Obito.
"Canonically, we'd meet... but not for years." Gen grimaced. After thirteen years for a starter pack, patience felt thin.
Need another approach...
The reward might unlock his bloodline's next stage. And Obito? A walking treasure trove.
The "Six Paths Tailor" owned nothing original—not even his Sharingan. Just borrowed power. Even now, he possessed artifacts Gen craved. An arm? A strand of DNA? Madara's grave location?
Gen shuddered, cutting the fantasy short. One step at a time. Training. Now.
He rose, heading outside. Kakashi had taught him Chidori en route, with stern warnings: "Requires Sharingan-precision movement. Unshielded charge = death."
But Gen never wanted the original. His goal was the Sixth Hokage's pinnacle technique—the one that felled fifty jonin: Purple Lightning.
Wave Country – Red-Light District
"Busy place..." Gen mused, weaving through bustling streets. This was Wave's wealthiest district—a far cry from Tazuna's impoverished bridge village.
He slowed near a lantern-lit alley. Crimson light bathed wooden signboards adorned with suggestive kanji.
Is this... Jiraiya's Paradise?
Gen's pulse quickened. Should he... investigate? To truly refute Jiraiya's philosophy, one must experience it firsthand. Objectively.
A Transformation Jutsu could get me in...
He debated a "cultural survey." Then—
Hmm?
Two colossal chakra signatures flickered nearby, cold and predatory. His Ōtsutsuki senses flared.
Who?
Gen turned casually, scanning the crowd. His gaze snagged on two black-robed figures with blood-red clouds.
His system flashed.
[New Side Quest: Crimson Shadows]
[Confrontation Imminent]
He instantly looked down, expression unreadable.
Wave Country – Rendezvous Point
"Tch. Late and flashy?" A samurai captain scowled as Kakashi and Gen arrived precisely on time. "You ninja worth the coin?"
"First," Kakashi yawned, flipping open Make-Out Paradise, "we're certified Konoha shinobi."
"Second," he turned a page, "we're on schedule. Depart now or waste daylight."
"Third," Gen added sweetly, "if you wanted A-list protection, you should've paid for it."
"You—!" The samurai flushed crimson.
"Enough." Kakashi snapped his book shut. "Move out?"
"Hmph! Forward!" The captain barked, leading his men onto the forest path.