What resources did Genma have at his disposal now?
Nothing but the corpse of a Juugo clansman imbued with the Earth Grudge Fear technique and the bodies of White Zetsu.
However, after those White Zetsu willingly aided Genma in enhancing his power, the remaining corpses were akin to soybean meal or peanut cake after the oil had been pressed out—still usable, but not particularly valuable.
After much deliberation, Genma concluded that the most likely use for the White Zetsu corpses was as some sort of culture medium. Though they were precious as a material, finding the most effective way to utilize them was no easy task. For the moment, Genma had no clear ideas and could only set the matter aside. Regardless of how he might use the White Zetsu corpses later, it would surely be more efficient than using them as compost.
In comparison, the corpse imbued with the Earth Grudge Fear technique held greater immediate value. The problem was figuring out how to extract the secret technique from the body. Even if he could obtain the Earth Grudge Fear jutsu, Genma wasn't entirely sure he wanted to learn it.
On one hand, he was self-aware enough to know that the more powerful a forbidden technique, the harder it was to master, and he had no particular advantage in this area. On the other, he understood the principle of biting off more than he could chew.
To Genma, the "White Zetsu path" was clearly the easier route. Using the lives of White Zetsu as stepping stones, he could gain strength while "ridding the world of evil"—a perfect plan. Aside from the White Zetsu Protection Association, his actions wouldn't hurt anyone's feelings.
Thus, Genma didn't envy the Earth Grudge Fear's five-elemental abilities, as White Zetsu would eventually offer him those same powers. Even his dream of acquiring other kekkei genkai wasn't out of reach. As for the physical strength, vitality, and resilience that the Earth Grudge Fear provided, Genma could plunder those traits from White Zetsu as well.
The biggest difference between the two was that the Earth Grudge Fear offered immediate results, while the benefits from White Zetsu required time to seize—a possibility, not a certainty.
In short, the Earth Grudge Fear was a "shortcut" for Genma, whereas White Zetsu promised a broader, loftier future.
Of course, the two weren't mutually exclusive. In fact, their functions overlapped to some extent, which was precisely why Genma felt conflicted. His "perfectionist" tendencies were at play—he was reluctant to drastically alter his body or become some monstrous figure covered in "threads."
This stemmed from his personality. Genma pursued power but wasn't extreme about it. Just as he hadn't coveted Uchiha Nanami's Mangekyo Sharingan, he now harbored doubts about the Earth Grudge Fear technique.
Or rather, if Genma were the type to pursue power at all costs, he'd likely have a pair of red eyes in his sockets by now. In that case, he wouldn't need the Earth Grudge Fear at all—piloting a Susanoo would be the only true path.
Still, his desire to acquire the Earth Grudge Fear technique was quite urgent. Despite his reservations, there were surely members of his organization who would appreciate such a powerful jutsu. If he could safely and efficiently produce Earth Grudge Fear shinobi within the organization, wouldn't that be like sprinting toward prosperity?
But Genma was perhaps thinking too optimistically. What he had now was merely a corpse that had practiced the Earth Grudge Fear technique, not a complete manual for mastering it. Before he could dream of a bright future, he needed to figure out how to obtain the technique itself.
So, the question remained: how do you crack open a dead man's skull? A human brain wasn't a hard drive, after all. Could the Sharingan help? Genma wasn't sure. His gut leaned toward no, but it seemed to be the only method worth trying.
No rush. Once the camp had a few buildings constructed, Genma planned to designate one as a "laboratory." Only with a proper setting could he conduct further experiments. He couldn't exactly tinker with corpses in a busy tent or out in the open under everyone's gaze, could he?
Fortunately, the organization had secured a hefty construction fund from Kikyo Castle, along with a large batch of free building materials. With the shinobi's physical prowess making them ideal laborers, the houses would be built in no time.
As Genma wrestled with how to extract value from a dead body, a Fuma clan shinobi hurriedly approached him, seemingly bearing good news.
"Leader, we have great news! We've got our first client!"
Genma raised an eyebrow. Recently, some odd changes had occurred within the organization. The Fuma clan shinobi, in particular, had stopped calling him "Captain" and started referring to him as "Leader," as if he were commanding a vast ninja alliance. In reality, his group barely amounted to half a platoon.
Genma didn't comment on the shift. Instead, he asked calmly, "Is it about ninja tools? Looks like the Fuma clan's reputation hasn't faded."
The shinobi couldn't help but grin at the praise for his clan.
Feeling a bit stifled in the tent, Genma decided to check out the commotion, especially since it was their first client. "Let's go see what's up."
However, when Genma arrived at the Fuma clan's ninja tool workshop and saw the so-called "client," his curiosity quickly turned to caution. This "client" clearly wasn't here just to buy ninja tools.
The reason was simple: the visitor was a young shinobi clad in black, with long hair and half his body covered in dark red armor.
Genma had seen him last night—it was Uchiha Madara.
As expected, since Madara had taken on the task of bringing Uchiha Nanami back to the Uchiha clan, he wouldn't simply leave so easily. In such a short time, Madara had already learned that the ninja group based in Kikyo Castle was the so-called "Fuma clan" and that Nanami had been in frequent contact with them.
That's why Madara was here.
Genma instantly grew wary.
Step by step, he maintained his pace as he approached.
Then, his newly acquired sensory abilities kicked in. The moment he included Madara within his sensory range, an overwhelming surge of chakra hit him, powerful enough to shake his very soul. Without even launching an attack, this chakra alone exuded an immense, crushing force.
The pressure Madara exerted was unlike anything Genma had ever experienced. In comparison, the Juugo clansman imbued with the Earth Grudge Fear, whom Genma had barely defeated at great cost, seemed utterly insignificant.
If he had to describe Madara's chakra, Genma could only call it nuclear.
Yet, this momentary shock didn't rob Genma of his ability to think. He quickly noticed something else: there were no White Zetsu nearby. It was possible their deaths hadn't yet been noticed by the White Zetsu collective.
If he could, Genma needed to get Madara to leave as soon as possible.
Just as Genma sensed Madara's chakra, the man suddenly turned, his eyes locking onto Genma with pinpoint precision.
"Quite perceptive…" Madara remarked.
If you ignored the complexities of brain tissue and intelligence, Madara was practically the perfect shinobi. Yet, in an era with Hashirama, even a ninja of his caliber could only rank second.
The moment Genma met Madara's calm gaze, he sensed an unmistakable air of danger.
This guy's up to no good.
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