Chapter 3: The 5.5th Hokage
The next day
Since today was a day off, Yami slept in, not getting up until noon.
Ebiki wouldn't be coming today, but that didn't mean Yami planned to slack off.Going into the village to establish new bonds was too inefficient, it was better to train at home.The system required three conditions for a bond to form:1. Both parties must meet face-to-face.
2. Both parties must know each other's names.
3. Yami must leave a deep impression on the other party.
So far, only the rewards left by his parents had been exceptions to these rules.
Right now, in the eyes of adults, Yami was just a child, not worth taking seriously. Meeting the third condition was still difficult.
Otherwise, his two personal guards, Aburame Seiji and Yamanaka Ryo, would have already provided a bond.
To them, Yami was simply a mission objective, not someone significant.
Currently, the best place to gain rewards was still the Ninja Academy.
For example, he had obtained his Fire Release affinity from a classmate. If he was lucky, he might one day acquire all five chakra natures—and even the Yin Release affinity.
Yami stepped into the courtyard, picking up a child-sized dagger that had been specially crafted for him. He began practicing the most basic slashes.
In this world, swords and knives weren't strictly differentiated. However, in Yami's eyes, they were all just blades, even the so-called Kusanagi Sword was still a knife to him.
That said, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. He wouldn't argue over trivial naming conventions.
With his swordsmanship talent, he would be able to reach the Ultimate level once he became a Genin. It would be a waste not to train diligently.
No matter how strong a shinobi was, most were still mortals. A sword could kill just as efficiently as ninjutsu, if not more.
Most ninjas didn't know many jutsu, so they relied primarily on taijutsu and ninja tools in battle.
Jutsu were used to gain an advantage or secure a one-hit kill.
Do you really think everyone could throw Rasengans around like they were basic attacks?
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The sound of swinging steel echoed through the courtyard as the warm sunlight shone down, glistening off the beads of sweat on Yami's forehead.
His training continued from after lunch until sunset, only stopping when a deep voice called out from behind him.
"Yami."
Yami turned around to see a tall, wrinkled old man standing there.
A bandage covered his left eye, and his face bore a gloomy, cold aura. Yet, when he looked at Yami, he smiled.
It was a stiff smile—likely because he wasn't used to smiling at all.
This man was Shimura Danzō.
The Darkness of the Shinobi World.
The 5.5th Hokage.
The Strongest Nabekage in History.
"Old man, you're back."
Yami greeted him casually. Since he had learned to talk, he had always called Danzō "old man"—never once addressing him as "grandfather."
Danzō didn't mind. Or rather, caring wouldn't change anything.
He could be ruthless to outsiders, plotting against anyone.
But Yami was his only remaining family. His sole blood relative.
And the key to his ambitions.
Not only did Danzō want Yami to inherit Root, but he also hoped Yami would one day become Hokage.
And based on Yami's current talent, he was not disappointed.
His growth was nearly identical to Kakashi's, having already reached the graduation standard not long after enrolling in the Ninja Academy.
If only… he had a Kekkei Genkai.
Danzō's visible eye dimmed.
No matter how strong an ordinary shinobi was, there was always a limit.
Only Sharingan or Wood Release could allow Yami—and by extension, himself—to surpass those limits.
Just as Yami greeted Danzō, two system prompts rang in his mind.
[Bond established with Shimura Danzō! Reward acquired: Wind Release Affinity (Genius).]
[Bond with Shimura Danzō strengthened to Stage 2! Reward acquired: Wind Release Nature Transformation (Mastery).]
This was the first time Yami had met Danzō since activating the system, so it made sense that the rewards had only triggered now.
The two rewards merged, subtly altering Yami's aura, making it sharper and more fierce.
Especially the Wind Release Nature Transformation—Danzō was arguably Konoha's strongest Wind Release user, and even among the entire ninja world, he was one of the best.
After all, not just anyone could cut through Susanoo using Wind-infused shuriken.
Danzō noticed the change in Yami and snapped out of his thoughts.
He slowly walked into the courtyard and stood in the open training space.
"I have time today. I haven't checked your progress in a while. Show me what you've learned."
"Huh? Oh."
Yami tightened his grip on the short sword and rushed forward without hesitation.
A faint aura of compressed air swirled around his blade.
Danzō's single eye gleamed with interest.
"Nature Transformation?! …Good, very good."
Mastering Nature Transformation at age six?
My grandson truly has the makings of a Hokage!
In an instant, Yami closed the distance and slashed downward with his short sword.
Danzō tilted his body slightly, dodging with ease.
Yami immediately followed up with a spinning kick.
Danzō raised his arm to block, using the impact to push Yami back slightly. But before he could reset his stance, Yami had already closed in again.
Of course, Danzō was an Elite Jōnin at minimum. Even if Yami went all out, he was no threat to him.
But Yami wasn't holding back.
He unleashed his full strength, using every bit of his swordsmanship and ninjutsu.
After all, the one person least likely to harm him in this world was Shimura Danzō.
Fifteen minutes later
Yami finally stopped, breathing heavily, his chakra reserves nearly depleted.
Danzō, on the other hand, remained completely unscathed.
"Well done, Yami. But don't let it get to your head. You're just a genius, not a true powerhouse."
Danzō's stiff smile finally turned into a genuine grin.
Yami's progress far exceeded his expectations.
His Wind Release Nature Transformation was already highly refined. His Fire Release jutsu were also well-executed.
If only… he had the right eyes.
If that happened.
Konoha's future would belong to the Shimura clan.
Thinking this, Danzō felt even more satisfied and led Yami back inside.
During Dinner…
Halfway through the meal, Yami suddenly looked up and asked:
"Old man, you seemed pissed off when you came back. Who pissed you off?"
Danzō casually took a bite of rice.
"Who else? That old fool, Sarutobi Hiruzen. I failed to assassinate him today, so my Hokage plans are delayed again."
Yami: "..."
(To be continued.)
Chapter 4: Terrifying Bond Of Danzō And Hiruzen
After listening to Danzō's explanation, Yami finally understood the situation.
It turned out that Danzō had disappeared for a while because he was secretly planning to assassinate the Hokage.
After the Nine-Tails Rebellion, the youngest and most brilliant Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, had perished. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, once again took charge of Konoha and had no intention of selecting a new Hokage.
By procedure, a Hokage must meet with the daimyo and receive official approval.
However, due to the attack on Konoha, the village was in ruins, and Sarutobi Hiruzen had delayed his journey to the Land of Fire's capital. Only recently had he begun to arrange the visit.
Danzō received this news early and mobilized all of Root's forces to assassinate the Third Hokage today.
Good news: the assassination succeeded.
Bad news: the "Hokage" they killed was actually a disguise. The real Sarutobi Hiruzen had already seen through Danzō's scheme.
Just as Danzō was savoring his victory on the Hokage's throne, Hiruzen suddenly appeared and scared the life out of him.
Though Hiruzen didn't punish him, his calm and condescending tone had deeply wounded Danzō's pride.
And to make matters worse, he had finally found a shinobi with Wood Release, but Hiruzen had lured him away!
Even now, just recalling it made Danzō curse in frustration. He was so angry that he even scolded Sarutobi Biwako, who had already passed away.
Yami felt speechless.
"Old man, don't push your luck. If someone else had attempted to assassinate the Hokage, they'd have been executed on the spot. The Third Hokage has already been generous by not stripping you of your position as Root's leader."
"Does he even have the power to do that?"
Danzō sneered coldly, an unmistakable arrogance in his expression. "Root is technically part of Anbu, but Hiruzen has no real authority over it. Even if I were officially removed, my subordinates would still follow me."
"This is what it means to be a proper tool."
"Then don't get yourself killed," Yami scoffed. "I'm still a student at the Ninja Academy, that's his territory."
"He won't touch you." Danzō's voice was firm. "It's just an assassination. It's not like this was my first attempt in the past few decades."
"When he first became Hokage, I tried to assassinate him once. Later, I attempted to assassinate the Fourth Hokage too."
…What kind of twisted relationship was this?!
Listening to his grandfather recount his "glorious history", Yami had no idea what kind of expression to make.
The power of bonds was truly terrifying.
For anyone else, assassinating the Hokage would be a life-or-death matter. But for Danzō, it was just another way to strengthen his "friendship" with Hiruzen?!
Forget it. He didn't want to get involved in the feud between these two old men. As long as it didn't affect him, he didn't care.
After dinner, Yami returned to his room to refine his chakra, while Danzō headed back to Root's base.
Tapping the ground lightly with his cane, two masked Root ninjas immediately appeared, kneeling on one knee behind him.
Danzō remained silent for a moment, deep in thought, before issuing his command in a cold voice.
"Gather as much swordsmanship knowledge as possible, from Konoha and other ninja villages. Organize and compile it. Instruct our contacts in Kirigakure to see if they can acquire a sword from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
"Understood." One of the ninjas responded and swiftly retreated.
Danzō then turned to the remaining operative.
"What has Orochimaru been up to lately?"
"Orochimaru entered his lab half a month ago and hasn't emerged since. Either that, or… our surveillance capabilities weren't sufficient to track him."
Danzō snorted but didn't reprimand the subordinate.
Expecting his men to monitor Orochimaru was unrealistic. The man was the most unpredictable of the Three Sannin, and after the other two left the village, his personality had shifted drastically.
Right now, their relationship was a delicate cooperation, but Danzō had already decided, he would expose Orochimaru's experiments and force him to flee Konoha.
After all, conducting human experiments on his own villagers—not even Hiruzen could cover that up.
But before that, Danzō planned to squeeze every last bit of value out of him.
Since Yami had a talent for swordsmanship, as his grandfather, it was only natural that he provided the best possible conditions for him.
But swordsmanship alone wasn't enough, he needed a famous blade to match it.
The first choice was the Sword of the Thunder God, once wielded by Senju Tobirama. Unfortunately, it was now in Hiruzen's possession, making it difficult to obtain.
Then, there was Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword.
The Kusanagi wasn't a single blade, but a category of legendary swords. Rumor had it that Orochimaru possessed more than one.
Danzō was definitely interested.
"Let's go," he said as he slowly walked out of Root's base.
His movements were slow and deliberate, like an old man past his prime.
"Prepare a meeting with Orochimaru. I still owe Yami a sixth birthday present..."
--
Time passed in the blink of an eye, and it was another school day.
With his backpack slung over his shoulders, Yami walked toward the Ninja Academy.
The Shimura clan estate was located outside Konoha's center. Along the way, many clan members greeted him with respect.
As he returned their greetings, the system notifications popped up.
[0.1 Standard Chunin Chakra]
[0.2 Standard Chunin Chakra]
[...]
The power of the system was slowly becoming evident.
One Standard Chunin Chakra Unit was equivalent to ten regular Genin.
By the time Yami left the clan compound, his total chakra had already reached 1.3 Standard Chunin Units.
Along with that, he had obtained several additional Wind Release talents.
The system allowed for talent fusion, but since the quality was too low and the number was insufficient, his Wind Release talent hadn't yet advanced to Ultimate level.
Even so, it had clearly improved.
Upon arriving at the Ninja Academy, several students saw Yami and immediately paled, their expressions filled with fear.
Some of them looked as if they were about to cry.
Yami barely spared them a glance, walking straight into the classroom and settling into his usual seat by the window.
These were the same students who had mocked him for being an orphan because no one came to pick him up.
After hearing those insults, Yami had beaten them senseless.
They had taken over a week to recover before returning to class.
Was the revenge over?
Of course not.
As long as their parents were ninja, they wouldn't survive this year. They would inevitably die gloriously on the battlefield.
By then, they would experience firsthand what it meant to be an orphan.
If their parents weren't ninja…
Well, dealing with them would be even easier.
Just as Yami was absentmindedly watching sparrows on a tree branch, a cheerful voice called out to him.
"Yami!"
A lively girl with long black hair ran into the classroom. The moment she spotted him, her eyes lit up, and she immediately rushed over to sit beside him.
Yami smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"Izumi."
(To be continued.)
Chapter 5: Uchiha Izumi
Uchiha Izumi, a girl who truly lived up to her name.
She had a gentle personality like a spring breeze, a voice as soft as flowing water, long black hair, and a teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her eye.
One day, she would undoubtedly grow into a rare beauty.
She was also Yami's childhood friend, whom he had met the previous year.
He had witnessed the Nine-Tails Rebellion firsthand.
The colossal fox, towering like a mountain, had rampaged outside the village, leaving destruction in its wake.
At the time, Yami had been escorted to an underground shelter by several guards, where he happened to encounter a panicked Uchiha Izumi.
Naturally, he had stopped the little black-haired girl in her tracks.
Originally, Yami had only possessed a Wind affinity and a latent Yang attribute. His current Fire affinity had come from Izumi.
"Yami."
Izumi's face was flushed, her voice tinged with grievance. "What were you doing over the break? Why didn't you come to see me?"
"I was busy training, Izumi." Yami sighed dramatically, then shifted his gaze to the figure who had entered the room alongside her. "After all, there's a genius like Uchiha Itachi in our class. I have to work hard so I don't bring shame to the Shimura clan."
The one who had come in with Izumi was none other than Uchiha Itachi, the ninja world's most devoted filial son.
There were many orphans in the shinobi world, but Uchiha Itachi was unique in how he actively made himself one. Yami had to respect the dedication.
"You're a genius too, Yami!" Izumi quickly encouraged him, her tone full of admiration.
She wasn't wrong. Before Itachi awakened his Sharingan, Yami might have even been stronger than him.
But after unlocking his eyes, Itachi had become a cheat, skyrocketing to Kage-level in just a few years.
Uchiha Itachi frowned slightly. He had always sensed a certain hostility from Shimura Yami.
Disdain toward the Uchiha clan was common, especially after the Nine-Tails attack. Many people had seen the Sharingan reflected in the beast's eyes, further fueling their suspicion.
But Yami was different. His hostility seemed directed at Itachi alone rather than the entire Uchiha clan. Otherwise, he wouldn't get along so well with Izumi.
"You're not inferior to me in strength, Shimura. We should both continue to work hard and contribute to the village as soon as possible."
Itachi paused briefly before offering these polite words and continuing on his way.
Yami watched his retreating figure, unable to determine whether it was the real Itachi or just a Shadow Clone. He felt the urge to test it.
"Yami, what are you looking at?" Izumi asked curiously.
"Nothing." Yami turned back to her with a smile. "I wasn't able to spend time with you last weekend. How about we go fishing together next week?"
Izumi's eyes immediately brightened, her attention successfully diverted.
"Where should we go? How about the river in Training Ground 35? The scenery there is really nice!"
"I'll leave it up to you," Yami replied with a grin.
Danzō didn't particularly like his close relationship with Uchiha Izumi. They had even argued over it before. But since Yami insisted, Danzō had refrained from using any underhanded methods to interfere.
Perhaps, in his eyes, a marginal Uchiha like Izumi was insignificant, someone harmless who couldn't affect the grand scheme of things.
Even so, he never missed an opportunity to indoctrinate Yami with the belief that the Uchiha clan was inherently evil. Yami had long grown tired of hearing it.
Not long after, the school bell rang, and their homeroom teacher, Kazama Shuichi, walked in.
"Alright, class. Today, we'll be learning how to throw ninja tools…"
Kazama Shuichi wasted no time with pointless lectures or propaganda.
Unlike in the future, where the academy's curriculum shamelessly brainwashed students into believing that the Third Hokage was the strongest in history, the current era was still a time of war.
Minato Namikaze's ascension to Hokage in Konoha Year 50 had only marked the end of large-scale battles.
In reality, aside from the utterly defeated Sunagakure, the other villages had never truly stopped fighting. Although outright wars had ceased, small-scale skirmishes remained constant, keeping the shinobi world in a state of tension.
These students were future military assets, so there was no time for empty rhetoric. The instructors focused on teaching real combat knowledge and survival skills.
Kazama Shuichi scribbled formulas on the blackboard, breaking down the parabolic trajectories of thrown weapons while explaining various shuriken throwing techniques.
The first class was all theory. The second was a practical session, also taught by Shuichi.
Yami led his classmates out of the classroom toward the training grounds for their hands-on practice.
Since there weren't enough targets for everyone, the students paired up. Naturally, Yami was partnered with Izumi.
Itachi, on the other hand, was paired with some random classmate. He picked up three shuriken and casually flicked them forward.
Clang!
The projectiles collided mid-air, ricocheting off each other before embedding into the bullseye in a strangely precise pattern, causing a wave of admiration from the students.
"Amazing! He hit all three!"
"As expected of an Uchiha. He's so strong!"
"Itachi is so cool… Who should I pick, him or Yami?"
"You? Please. You've been eating too much candy lately. I can't let you get carried away. Who's going to knock some sense into her?"
"…"
Izumi ignored the chatter, focusing on her own technique. Though she didn't show off like Itachi, she still landed her shuriken perfectly in the red circle at the center.
"Not bad, Izumi."
Yami praised her sincerely. The little girl beamed with delight and stepped aside.
"You're even better than me, Yami."
"That's right. Watch closely."
Yami smiled as he retrieved a shuriken from his pouch. Their instructor, Kazama Shuichi, also turned his attention toward him.
Shimura Yami and Uchiha Itachi were considered the top two geniuses in their class, both hailing from prestigious clans.
Itachi had just demonstrated his impressive skill. Now, it was Yami's turn.
One second later.
Boom!
Several targets suddenly exploded, sending students into a panic.
Kazama Shuichi's eyes bulged in shock.
"Why… why was there an explosive tag on your shuriken?!"
He had seen it clearly, Yami's shuriken had barely grazed the target, but the explosive tag attached to it had detonated, destroying several nearby targets in the process.
Yami looked completely unfazed.
"It increases the margin for error. If I miss my target, the explosive tag still ensures I hit something."
He turned to Shuichi, his expression calm.
"So? Did it hit or not?"
Kazama Shuichi: "…"
(To be continued.)
Chapter 6: The Big Fat Sheep
"Shimura, the purpose of the shuriken training class is to improve your throwing accuracy. Wouldn't it be meaningless to use explosive tags?"
Even though Yami's background wasn't simple, Kazama Shuichi still couldn't help but lecture him.
The cost of an explosive tag was around 300 ryō, and during wartime, the price would rise due to material shortages.
Three hundred ryō could buy three bowls of Ichiraku Ramen, not exactly a small amount.
Most shinobi only carried a few hundred ryō when they went on missions. Equipping each shuriken with an explosive tag would be far too extravagant. The mission rewards wouldn't even cover the expenses.
Yami waved his hand dismissively. "Sensei, as long as I achieve my goal, does it matter how I do it? It's just an explosive tag. I can afford tens of thousands of them."
Kazama Shuichi was momentarily speechless.
[Host establishes a bond with Kazama Shuichi: "I Have a Rich Student"—Reward: Earth Release Chakra (Good).]
[Host establishes a Fear Bond with Classmate A—Reward: 0.1 Standard Genin Chakra.]
[Host achieves a Speechless Bond with Classmate B—Reward: Swordsmanship Talent (Normal).]
"…."
The system notifications rang one after another, and Yami narrowed his eyes in amusement.
Of course, he had already mastered shuriken throwing—it could even be considered one of his better skills.
But in order to grow stronger and leave a lasting impression, Yami had to do something unexpected.
By now, he had almost completed all the first-stage bond achievements in class.
Except for one.
Yami glanced at Itachi, who remained expressionless, and narrowed his eyes slightly.
As expected of Itachi, the boy who started contemplating the meaning of life at four years old. His emotions were remarkably stable.
In the blink of an eye, school was over.
Yami, Izumi, and Itachi walked out of the academy together. At Izumi's invitation, Yami was heading to her house for dinner.
The two chatted and laughed along the way, completely ignoring Itachi, who was walking silently beside them.
Yami was well aware of Itachi's family situation, it wasn't exactly ideal.
Izumi's father had been an outsider, a foreign shinobi who had married into the Uchiha clan. He had died protecting her during the Nine-Tails' attack.
Her mother was just an ordinary Uchiha, with only Chūnin-level strength, and she hadn't even awakened the Sharingan.
Clans like Uchiha and Hyūga placed great importance on preserving their bloodlines, leading to frequent intermarriages.
If Izumi's father hadn't married into the family, there would've been no possibility between them at all. Even so, their family still wasn't well received by the other Uchiha, often facing exclusion.
"Stop right there! This is Uchiha territory, outsiders are not allowed to enter!"
Two Uchiha guards stood at the entrance like gatekeepers, blocking Yami and Izumi with arrogant expressions, as if they were the rulers of the world.
There were reasons why the Uchiha clan had a bad reputation.
Beyond the fear and schemes of the higher-ups, the Uchiha themselves contributed to the issue. They looked down on others as if the rest of Konoha were beneath them.
Who would like people like that?
"Senpai, Yami is my friend," Izumi quickly explained, but the two guards simply shook their heads coldly.
"Rules are rules. He can't enter. You can go in by yourself."
Yami chuckled. "If someone knew nothing, they'd think Uchiha owns Konoha. But I can walk into the Hokage's office whenever I want, are you guys planning to declare independence?"
The two guards' faces darkened instantly, and even Itachi, walking behind them, had a subtle change in expression.
Before he could speak, a deep and authoritative voice came from the entrance:
"You must be joking. The Uchiha are, of course, part of Konoha, and we always welcome friends."
The guards turned around, only to break out in cold sweat when they saw who had arrived.
With stiff postures, they bowed their heads respectfully. "Clan Head Fugaku."
"Father," Itachi greeted.
Fugaku merely nodded at his son before walking past the two guards. With a friendly smile, he approached Yami and Izumi, his tone warm.
"You must be Shimura Yami. Itachi often mentions you. Welcome to the Uchiha clan."
"Really?" Yami tilted his head with a look of innocent confusion. "Then why were those two uncles so mean?"
"They misunderstood my intentions," Fugaku quickly explained. "The guards are here to identify potential spies, not to keep out friends."
"Tsk." Yami shook his head and sighed. "What's the point of having subordinates who don't even understand orders? Maybe I should ask my grandfather to train them for a few days. I guarantee they'll follow orders properly after that—he's really good at this kind of thing."
Fugaku's smile stiffened.
Let Danzo train them?
If those two guards went through Danzo's training, they'd probably come back blind or worse.
"No need to trouble Lord Danzo. I'll discipline them myself," Fugaku said quickly. He then turned to glare at the two guards, his Sharingan nearly activating out of frustration.
Ding!
[Host establishes a Hostile Bond with Uchiha Hiro—Reward: Yin Release Chakra (Good).]
[Host establishes a Hostile Bond with Uchiha Takashi—Reward: Yin Release Chakra (Good).]
[Host establishes a Bond with Uchiha Fugaku—Reward: Yin Release Chakra (Genius).]
[Host establishes a Bond with Uchiha Itachi—Reward: Special Talent: 'One-on-Seven Combat Talent.']
Yami's body tensed as the notifications came in.
He quickly instructed the system to hold off on merging the rewards for now, keeping his composure as he smiled at Fugaku. Then, he turned his gaze toward Itachi, his eyes gleaming with interest.
A fat sheep...
If Kakashi was known as "50-50" for being evenly matched with nearly anyone he fought...
Then Uchiha Itachi was the exact opposite.
Against weaker opponents, he could annihilate them instantly. Against stronger foes, he could use his Mangekyō Sharingan and exceptional tactical intelligence to turn the tide of battle—or even claim victory.
The Mangekyō Sharingan certainly played a key role, but his pure combat talent shouldn't be underestimated either.
Sasuke had ruined his eyes after just two days of using the Mangekyō, yet Itachi had endured for years. That difference was telling.
Even if Yami wasn't fond of Itachi's "dutiful son" persona, he had to admit—it was undeniable.
Uchiha Itachi, like Namikaze Minato, had reached the peak of Kage-level strength.
(To be continued.)
Chapter 7: Complications
After watching the two children leave, the smile on Fugaku's face gradually faded, replaced by a cold, stern expression as he fixed his gaze on the two guards.
"Starting next week, your workload will double. Notify everyone—no one is allowed to stop Shimura from entering."
The two Uchiha guards shivered slightly but quickly acknowledged the order and returned to their posts.
Fugaku took his son home, reminding him along the way:
"Itachi, make sure to build a good relationship with Shimura at school. His attitude is crucial in easing tensions between our clan and the village leadership."
Though Itachi was only six years old, his maturity far exceeded that of an ordinary child, and Fugaku treated him accordingly.
"Yes, Father," Itachi replied respectfully, fully understanding the weight of his father's words.
Seeing his son's agreement, Fugaku allowed himself a faint smile of relief.
But soon, his expression turned grim again.
The current situation gave him no reason to feel at ease.
The isolation of the Uchiha clan was becoming more severe, their compound monitored constantly by the village's upper echelon.
Fugaku wasn't certain whether this was Danzō's doing or the Third Hokage's, but regardless, he could only feign ignorance and endure.
His true hatred was reserved for the masked man who had manipulated the Nine-Tails.
If not for the Nine-Tails' attack, the Uchiha wouldn't have been further ostracized, and the Fourth Hokage wouldn't have died young.
Namikaze Minato was not only exceptionally talented but also an upright, radiant figure, completely unlike Hiruzen or Danzō, those old, scheming politicians.
More importantly, Minato had no prejudice against the Uchiha. He had even taken an Uchiha as his disciple.
But now, he was dead.
In the single year that Minato served as Hokage, tensions between the village and the Uchiha had eased significantly, giving Fugaku hope of bridging the gap.
Yet that hope was shattered in a single night, and things only worsened afterward.
Now, not only did he have to contend with Hiruzen, Danzō, and the other village elders' suspicion and hostility, but he also had to manage the growing radicalism within his own clan, balancing both sides in an increasingly impossible position.
Still, the appearance of Yami and his close bond with Izumi gave Fugaku a sliver of hope.
Danzō had no relatives left in this world aside from Yami. If Fugaku could extend Uchiha's goodwill through Yami and use him to establish a connection with Danzō…
With that thought, Fugaku glanced at Itachi with newfound expectations.
Meanwhile, Yami, who was accompanying Izumi, had no idea that Fugaku was setting his sights on him.
He simply assumed that Fugaku's earlier show of friendliness was just to save face for Danzō.
But even if he had known, he would have laughed it off, it wasn't something worth worrying about.
At this point, no one in the world could resolve the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha.
The only one who could have—Namikaze Minato—had died last year.
The seeds of this discord had been planted long ago during the reign of Senju Tobirama. The students he mentored had inherited his distrust of the Uchiha.
Even if Yami was Danzō's grandson, it wouldn't change anything. Not even Danzō himself could reconcile with the Uchiha.
Hiruzen may have seemed like a weak-willed pacifist, but he was actually the one who feared the Uchiha the most.
An independent, powerful armed force was the biggest threat to any leader lacking true control.
Then there were the two old geezers, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura—Tobirama's former students, deeply influenced by his teachings. They, too, had no fondness for the Uchiha.
There was no one in Konoha's upper ranks who had a positive view of them.
And the Uchiha themselves had their own issues. Their arrogance, cultivated over years of managing the village's security, made it impossible for them to lower their heads and compromise.
Fugaku was indeed a capable leader, but without overwhelming strength or the courage to act decisively, what could he really change?
All he could do was quietly wait for the day his "dutiful son" would bring about change.
"Izumi, Yami, it's time to eat," a gentle female voice called from outside the room.
The two children exchanged smiles, put down their pens, and walked out.
Izumi's mother, Uchiha Kiyomi, was naturally a kind and gentle woman—after all, she had raised such a thoughtful, black-haired, straight-laced little girl like Izumi.
As they entered the dining area, Kiyomi urged them to wash their hands first. Meanwhile, she set the table with grilled fish, sushi, and three bowls of miso soup.
When Yami returned from washing up, Kiyomi smiled warmly at him.
"I didn't know you'd be coming today, so I didn't prepare anything special, just some home-cooked dishes."
"Not at all! These smell amazing, I'm starving!"
Yami played up his childlike charm, flashing a bright grin.
Sure enough, Kiyomi's expression softened even more.
Mischievous kids could be troublesome, but polite and sensible children were always endearing.
"Then eat plenty. You're at an age where you need to grow," she said kindly, pushing a plate of fried fish toward him.
In truth, she was deeply grateful to Yami, not only had he helped Izumi out of her grief last year, but he had also taken extra care of her ever since, helping her gradually overcome the loss of her father.
"I want to grow taller too! Time to eat!" Izumi declared enthusiastically.
The two children exchanged amused glances, breaking into small smiles.
Indeed, nothing was as heartwarming as a cheerful little girl.
Yami felt quite pleased. Today had been a productive day, not only had he reaped plenty from Itachi, but Kiyomi had also given him an unexpected gift.
[Host establishes a bond with Uchiha Kiyomi: "My Son-in-Law Gets More Appealing Over Time"—Reward: 'Mother-in-Law's Expectation.']
[Mother-in-Law's Expectation: When the Host and Uchiha Izumi are within 500 meters of each other, both of their training speeds increase by 100%.]
A training buff.
Its value was no less than inheriting Uchiha bloodline talent.
The system didn't restrict the type of training it affected, meaning whether it was ninjutsu, taijutsu, or chakra refinement, his growth rate would double.
It seemed like he should start considering how to "steal" Izumi away from the Uchiha clan.
Yami's thoughts raced.
Of course, it wasn't just a matter of whether Izumi was willing, Danzō would be a significant obstacle on his own.
He would have to plan carefully.
By the time dinner was over, night had already fallen.
Yami stayed a little longer, sparring with Izumi in taijutsu to test the effect of his new buff.
Feeling its clear benefits, he eventually bid farewell and left.
When he returned home, he was surprised to find Danzō waiting for him.
"Old man, why are you back?" Yami asked in surprise.
Danzō practically lived at Root. Even when Yami was younger, Danzō had spent more time at the underground base than at home.
Yami had used his need for sunlight as an excuse to avoid staying there.
Danzō chuckled.
"I was in such a hurry last time that I forgot to give you your birthday present."
He pushed a simple, long wooden box toward him.
"Open it and take a look."
(To be continued.)
Chapter 8: Kusanagi, The Special Reward Brought by the Final Bond
"It's just a birthday present. Was it really worth a special trip?"
Yami muttered, but still opened the wooden box.
Inside was a katana—slender, sharp, and gleaming coldly, as if it could slice through anything with ease.
The hilt was wrapped in a snakeskin-like material to improve grip and friction.
Yami's eyes widened. "Is this... the Kusanagi Sword?"
"Not bad."
Danzō remained expressionless, but there was a hint of pride in his voice. "Orochimaru heard it was your birthday and asked me to give this to you. Consider it a gift from both of us."
Yami: "..."
I don't believe you. As if Orochimaru would be so generous as to just hand me the Kusanagi Sword.
If he didn't already know what kind of person Orochimaru was, he might've actually believed it.
Still, he was touched.
Regardless of how Danzō treated outsiders, at least toward his grandson, he showed genuine care—without any ulterior motives.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Danzō froze for a moment.
Was this... the first time Yami had called him Grandpa?
Ding!
[Host and Shimura Danzō's bond has reached the third stage (Final Level). Reward: One Standard Jōnin Chakra, Special Talent 'Ninja World Darkness.']
[Ninja World Darkness: Host can merge into any shadow, achieving concealment comparable to the 'Mayfly Technique.']
Yami was also momentarily stunned.
So just calling him "Grandpa" was enough to max out the bond?
The two stared at each other in silence for a long moment before Danzō coughed to break the awkwardness.
"It's getting late, Yami. Go rest—you still have school tomorrow. Remember, don't lose to the Uchiha."
"Oh."
Yami nodded, picked up the box containing the Kusanagi Sword, and walked back to his room.
At the same time, he made a decision.
Dying while sealing a bridge? Too pathetic.
Once he grew stronger, he would take over Root. It was better for this old man to stay home and enjoy retirement.
That night, sitting on his bed, Yami played with the Kusanagi Sword for a while before going over his gains from the day.
--
[Status Panel]
[Name: Shimura Yami]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 6 years old]
[Date of Birth: April 1, Year 46 (Konoha Calendar)]
[Chakra Attributes: Fire (Genius), Wind (Genius), Yang (Excellent), Earth (Good), Yin (Genius)]
[Total Chakra: 1.1 Standard Jōnin Chakra]
[Chakra Control Talent: Genius]
[Mastered Ninjutsu: Three Basic Techniques (Proficient), Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (Normal), Fire Release: Great Fireball (Normal)]
[Nature Transformation: Wind Release (Mastery)]
[Special Talents: Father's Expectations, Mother's Love, Senju Bloodline (Thin, Under Development), Swordsmanship Genius, Stealth Mastery, Ninja World Darkness, Mother-in-Law's Expectation]
--
His progress was nothing short of astonishing.
Before today, he was just a promising Academy student, a genius among his peers.
But now, not only had his chakra reached Jōnin-level, but he had also gained two new chakra natures and two special talents.
The Earth Release chakra wasn't particularly interesting, he had no intention of training it unless he had genius-level talent for it.
The Yin Release chakra, however, was an entirely different story.
Yin Release was a rare and valuable attribute, closely tied to spiritual energy and illusion techniques. It governed the power of the mind and could shape the intangible into reality.
The Nara clan's shadow manipulation techniques and the Yamanaka clan's Mind-Body jutsu were both examples of Yin-based ninjutsu.
Even more importantly, the Uchiha clan's Sharingan was also deeply linked to Yin Release.
In the future, it was highly likely that he would obtain a bond related to the Uchiha bloodline. Strengthening his Yin Release would be crucial for that.
However...
Yami's gaze fell on the box containing the Kusanagi Sword.
At this stage, swordsmanship should be his main focus. With his advanced Wind Release nature transformation, his attacks would be as lethal as a Jōnin's jutsu.
And then there was the Jōnin-level chakra he had just received...
Yami concentrated, carefully sensing it.
He estimated that one standard Jōnin unit of chakra was roughly:
50 times that of a standard Genin.
5 times that of a standard Chūnin.
However, it had not yet reached the level of an elite Jōnin.
That made sense.
He needed to keep building his bonds, especially second- and third-stage bonds—if he wanted to see his strength skyrocket.
With that in mind, Yami set himself a new goal:
To become the ultimate "social butterfly" of the ninja world.
--
The next day, Yami went to the Academy as usual.
After yesterday's incident, where he had used an explosive tag on a target, his name had already spread to the upper grades.
Now that people had formed an impression of him, all he needed to do was learn their names, and the initial bonds would be established automatically.
After school, Yami accompanied Izumi home for taijutsu training with Ebisu-sensei.
Though the tuition was only meant to cover one student, Ebisu didn't dare argue with the Shimura family. He had no choice but to accept Izumi as well.
With Mother-in-Law's Expectation, enhancing his progress, Yami's improvement rate was nothing short of terrifying.
His mastery of Konoha's basic taijutsu had already surpassed that of most recently graduated Genin.
If this continued...
Ebisu suddenly realized that his job might soon become obsolete.
For the first time, he felt a sense of crisis.
Meanwhile, Izumi had no such concerns.
The little black-haired girl watched Yami with sparkling eyes, full of admiration.
Yami is amazing... and what he shows at school isn't even his full strength.
I have to work harder, I can't let him leave me behind!
(To be continued.)
Chapter 9: New Teacher?
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
The leaves on the streets of Konoha had grown greener, and the faint chirping of cicadas signaled the arrival of summer.
Inside the Shimura compound, Yami was locked in an intense sparring match with a shinobi.
Blades clashed at high speed, leaving only flashes of steel and shadow.
Izumi, sitting on the sidelines, couldn't even follow their movements.
All she could hear was the crisp sound of swords colliding and see the blurred figures exchanging blows.
Yami suddenly lifted his sword, forcing his opponent to lean back to avoid a strike aimed at his throat.
However, just as the opponent dodged, Yami's attack shifted, what had seemed like an upward strike transformed into a lateral slash.
The flat edge of his blade struck his opponent's arm.
Clang!
The shinobi's sword slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground. The match had ended.
Yami exhaled, sheathed his blade, and said calmly, "You lost, Nishimura-sensei."
"..."
His opponent, Nishimura Kei, remained silent for a moment.
He was an ordinary member of Root, a Chūnin-level shinobi specializing in assassination and swordsmanship.
"Young Master Yami truly is a genius," Nishimura Kei finally sighed, lowering his head slightly.
Throughout the match, he hadn't used his full speed or strength—after all, his opponent was just a six-year-old child.
But his swordsmanship? He had brought it to its peak.
Yet, despite only training Yami for two weeks, all the techniques he had honed over years of practice had been absorbed and surpassed by this boy.
A true genius existed on a completely different level than ordinary shinobi like him.
"Young Master Yami," Nishimura Kei continued, lowering his head further. "I have nothing left to teach you. I will report to Lord Danzō and request a more suitable instructor for you."
"Thank you," Yami replied with a small nod, watching as Nishimura Kei departed.
Then, he turned to Izumi with a smile and beckoned her over. "Let's go, I'll walk you home."
Izumi eagerly hopped down from her perch, rushed to Yami's side, and took his hand.
"Hehe, Yami, you're amazing! Nishimura-sensei is a Chūnin, and you still won!"
"It's just a Chūnin. You should set your sights higher, Izumi," Yami said as they walked.
There was no arrogance in his tone, just calm understanding.
He had learned an important lesson: never judge a ninja's strength based purely on the ranking system seen in the original story.
What did it mean to be a Genin?
Anyone who mastered the Three Basic Jutus and could use them proficiently could graduate from the Academy and become a Genin. Most Genin weren't even qualified to step onto the battlefield, they were mere cannon fodder.
Chūnin, on the other hand, were squad leaders who possessed stronger combat abilities and could lead teams on missions.
According to the system's evaluation, the average Chūnin had ten times the chakra of a standard Genin and could proficiently use B-rank ninjutsu.
Defeating an ordinary Chūnin in a swordfight?
Nothing to brag about.
And honestly, even if Nishimura Kei had gone all out, he still wouldn't have stood a chance.
--
[Status Panel]
[Name: Shimura Yami]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 6 years old]
[Date of Birth: April 1, Year 46 (Konoha Calendar)]
[Chakra Attributes: Fire (Genius), Wind (Genius), Yang (Excellent), Earth (Good), Water (Good), Yin (Genius)]
[Total Chakra: 1.6 Standard Jōnin Chakra]
[Chakra Control Talent: Genius]
[Mastered Ninjutsu: Three Basic Techniques (Proficient), Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (Proficient), Wind Release: Gale Palm (Proficient), Fire Release: Great Fireball (Proficient), Fire Release: Blazing Fire (Proficient), Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique (Normal)]
[Nature Transformation: Wind Release (Mastery), Fire Release (Beginner)]
[...]
[Strength Evaluation: With those small arms and legs, you can still defeat a Chūnin head-on.]
--
Recently, Yami hadn't received any major system rewards.
Most of his bond rewards had been additional chakra and basic attributes.
However, thanks to Izumi's support, his personal training results had been impressive.
He had considered asking Izumi to move out of the Uchiha compound, but in the end, he abandoned the idea.
At present, the village and Uchiha were not yet at their breaking point.
As a child, his words held little influence. Even if he spoke up, Izumi's mother likely wouldn't take him seriously, and his actions might attract unwanted attention from those with ulterior motives.
For now, it was best to wait.
The Uchiha clan could still hold on for a few more years.
--
At Root Headquarters...
After leaving Yami's house, Nishimura Kei reported to the Root base and soon stood before Shimura Danzō, kneeling on one knee.
"Lord Danzō, Young Master Yami's swordsmanship has already surpassed mine. I am no longer qualified to be his instructor."
"So soon?"
Danzō raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I see. You may go."
Nishimura Kei bowed and vanished.
"It seems Yami's talent has exceeded my expectations..."
Danzō was pleased, but at the same time, slightly troubled.
On the one hand, he was delighted by Yami's overwhelming potential.
On the other hand, finding a suitable sword instructor for him would be difficult.
Currently, there were very few elite swordsmen in Konoha.
Maruboshi Kosuke was a possibility, but his close ties to the Third Hokage made him a problematic choice. Their relationship was strained, and Danzō wasn't confident he could convince Kosuke to teach Yami.
"The Yamashiro clan?"
Danzō briefly considered it but quickly dismissed the thought.
The Yamashiro family had a renowned swordmaster among their ranks, but to Danzō, he wasn't significantly stronger than Nishimura Kei.
If a shinobi was skilled enough to be recruited into Root, they weren't an "ordinary" Chūnin to begin with.
That meant the Yamashiro swordsman likely wouldn't be much of an improvement.
The same reasoning applied to the Hōzuki clan—another wasted option.
Then, suddenly, a certain figure flashed through Danzō's mind.
A young man.
Despite his age, he had left a deep impression.
His swordsmanship was excellent.
And he came from the right background.
The only issue was... his identity was sensitive.
After a long pause, Danzō made his decision.
For Yami, it was worth the risk.
--
The Next Day – Weekend Morning
There were no Academy classes today, and Yami was just about to leave the house when Danzō unexpectedly returned.
"Yami, I've found you a new instructor," Danzō said with a rare smile.
"He's not only skilled in swordsmanship but can also teach you ninjutsu and taijutsu."
"Who is it?" Yami asked curiously.
Swish!
A breeze blew through the room.
A young man suddenly appeared beside Danzō, his presence swift and silent.
Yami turned to face him, and his eyes widened in surprise.
It was him?!
Chapter 10: Will of Fire?
"Hello, my name is Uchiha Shisui."
A black-haired boy with a gentle smile appeared in an instant.
He looked about 11 or 12 years old, standing just over 1.5 meters tall.
But Yami didn't dare to underestimate him.
Uchiha Shisui was currently the Uchiha clan's strongest genius. Aside from Infinite Tsukuyomi, he possessed the most powerful genjutsu—Kotoamatsukami.
He was also half of Itachi's mentor, the catalyst for Itachi awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Now, Yami could only assume that Danzō's brain had been flooded with Water Release from Hiruzen, considering he had actually allowed Uchiha Shisui to become his teacher.
Sure, Shisui had the skill to teach him, but did Danzō seriously think this through?
Shimura Danzō, the second-greatest anti-Uchiha figure in the ninja world, right after Senju Tobirama, who had long since passed was entrusting his grandson's training to Uchiha Shisui?
Noticing Yami's puzzled expression, Danzō assumed he was doubting Shisui's abilities. His tone turned serious.
"Yami, don't underestimate Uchiha Shisui just because he's only a few years older than you."
"He's a genius of the Uchiha clan. He has completed eight S-rank missions and more than twenty A-rank missions. He specializes in the Body Flicker Technique and kenjutsu. Shinobi from enemy nations call him Shisui of the Body Flicker. You must learn from him."
Hearing Danzō's praise, Yami remained silent.
But Shisui scratched his head in embarrassment, looking like an ordinary, good-natured teenager.
"Danzō-sama, you flatter me. I still have a lot to learn."
Danzō glanced at him but said nothing.
Still learning? What's the point? You trying to become Hokage or something?
Yami sighed internally, accepting the situation. He nodded and said, "Shisui-senpai, I'll be in your care from now on."
"Yami, can I call you that?"
After receiving a nod, Shisui's smile widened. "I'll do my best to teach you everything I know and help you become an outstanding shinobi."
"And don't call me 'Shisui-senpai.' I'm not that much older than you, just call me by my name."
His sincerity was evident.
When Danzō had contacted him last night, asking if he was willing to be Yami's instructor, Shisui had agreed without hesitation.
Just like Uchiha Itachi—or rather, as Itachi had learned from him, Shisui had long stopped focusing solely on the Uchiha clan.
He looked at things from the perspective of the entire village—even beyond, from the view of a Kage.
Shisui was well aware of the tension between his clan and Konoha, especially now during such a delicate time.
Unlike Itachi, however, he still believed that the conflict could be resolved.
To him, Danzō's request was a positive signal—a sign that, at the very least, the village was willing to trust him as an Uchiha.
Yami's identity was important. He was also close to an Uchiha—Izumi. If he could influence Yami, he might indirectly influence Danzō, using a small starting point to shift the larger situation.
Even if it didn't work, at the very least, he could make Danzō understand his stance.
Ding!
[Host and Uchiha Shisui have established a master-disciple bond. Reward: 'Dynamic Vision'.]
"Fuse it."
As expected, the system notification appeared.
Yami was momentarily surprised but quickly accepted the reward.
Suddenly, the world in his eyes slowed down, it felt as though he could even track the flow of the wind itself.
This sensation only lasted for a brief moment before returning to normal, unnoticed by the other two.
"You two start training—I have official matters to attend to," Danzō said.
After making the introduction, he left the Shimura compound.
However, the undercover guards he had brought with him remained behind, closely monitoring Shisui's every move.
Danzō had his reasons.
By selecting Shisui, a Uchiha aligned with Konoha's interests, he could temporarily lull the Uchiha clan into a false sense of security, making it seem as though the village had no intention of taking action against them.
At the same time, ensuring Yami's safety was a priority.
The two Jōnin-level guards stationed nearby served as insurance—preventing any possibility of Shisui brainwashing Yami, or worse, outright attacking him.
These high-level political players always had ulterior motives.
A seemingly simple decision could carry eight hundred different calculations.
--
In the Courtyard…
"Yami, where do you want to start?" Shisui asked gently.
"Danzō-sama mentioned that you have Fire and Wind Release. Uchiha specializes in Fire Release, and we also have sword techniques that incorporate it."
"Shisui-senpai, I have something else to take care of this morning. Let's start training in the afternoon."
"If you want, you can come with me," Yami said.
"Hmm? Where to?" Shisui asked curiously.
--
Half an Hour Later – Konoha Orphanage
Shisui stood at the entrance of a modest building.
"Konoha Orphanage?"
"Come in," Yami said, waving him forward.
Behind them, several shinobi carrying large supply packages followed them inside.
The orphanage was located at the edge of the village. It wasn't particularly large, just a three-story building with a courtyard about half the size of a football field.
A bespectacled woman in her early thirties stood in the yard, playing with a group of four- and five-year-old children.
She had a gentle smile, but her expression changed slightly when she saw Yami and the others approaching.
Still, she quickly walked over to greet them.
"Little boy… what brings you here?"
She instinctively sensed that this six-year-old was the leader of the group, so she addressed him directly.
"Are you Director Nonō?" Yami asked with a bright smile.
"My name is Shimura Yami. I'm Hiroki's classmate. I heard the orphanage has been struggling, sometimes even running out of food—so I brought some supplies."
"Shimura-kun!"
A boy Yami's age ran over. His face was full of gratitude, but no second-stage bond notification appeared.
Nonō's pupils contracted slightly, though her expression remained well-controlled.
She smiled at the right moment.
"Thank you so much, Shimura-kun."
"It's nothing. My family has plenty of money," Yami said casually.
Nonō's lips twitched slightly.
Meanwhile, Shisui—who had remained silent until now, looked at the small boy standing in front of him.
His expression shifted slightly.
Such a kind-hearted child… thinking of others at such a young age.
Was this… the Will of Fire?
(To be continued.)