Konoha: You're letting me build up my bonds, but you're offending the entire ninja world.

He's just here to disgust people.

Both together.

Faced with Shimura Gengetsu's questioning, Uchiha Itachi frowned slightly and spoke in an unusually cold tone: "Captain Gengetsu, I have become the Hokage's direct subordinate ANBU."

"The mysterious masked man I just met is an important part of the mission, and I will naturally report to the Hokage. But you are not qualified to know."

Perhaps influenced by the fact that Shisui was killed by Danzo, this was the most abrupt thing Itachi said to Gengetsu Shimura.

It could also be that his newly awakened kaleidoscope gave him confidence.

Having been suppressed for several years, Itachi Uchiha now believes he has surpassed Gengetsu Shimura.

The playful smile on the boy's face faded slightly. "Looks like you've made a lot of progress lately; you've even become so assertive in your speech."

"Could the rumors circulating within the Uchiha clan be true?"

"In order to gain power, you ambushed and killed Shisui-senpai, and then awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan?"

"......"

Uchiha Itachi suddenly understood a Chinese idiom: "The villain accuses the villain first."

He didn't believe that Shimura Gengetsu was unaware of Danzo's actions against Shisui; even if he didn't know beforehand, he should know now.

After all, he was a teacher who had taught him swordsmanship and ninjutsu. It's one thing for Shimura Gengetsu not to be sad, but he actually used Shisui's death to slander him.

Itachi Uchiha was trembling all over, and the three tomoe in his pupils began to spin.

But eventually, it slowly came to a stop.

"Shimura Gengetsu, I have nothing to say to you. Think what you want. I still need to report to the Hokage."

After finishing speaking, Uchiha Itachi left without waiting for Shimura Gengetsu's reply, using the Body Flicker Technique.

Hokage Building.

Uchiha Itachi knelt on one knee in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen and reported the situation in detail.

He had considered keeping his meeting with the mysterious masked man a secret, because if he told Hiruzen Sarutobi and confirmed that the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' attack was an Uchiha, it would only exacerbate the higher-ups' hostility towards the Uchiha.

But then Shimura Gengetsu suddenly jumped out and interfered.

If it's not reported, and Shimura Gengetsu exposes it one day, it will lead to even bigger trouble and distrust.

Therefore, Itachi Uchiha knew he had to speak, and he had to tell the truth.

"........."

"Uchiha Madara...?"

Standing by the window, gazing at the scenery of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time, digesting all the information before slowly speaking.

“Even I cannot confirm his identity,” Itachi Uchiha said in a low voice.

"Since he calls himself that, let's call him Ban. A name is just a code."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around and stared at Itachi Uchiha. "You mean, his purpose is to take revenge on the Uchiha?"

"That's what he said."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "If it really is Madara, then using this reason is indeed understandable."

"Originally, Madara Uchiha and the First Hokage founded Konoha. After that, their ideologies clashed, and Madara angrily decided to leave Konoha. However, the Uchiha clan had become accustomed to life in the village, and no one was willing to leave with him."

"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it abandonment."

"He also possesses the ability to control the Nine-Tails. It is said that in that battle, Madara Uchiha was able to contend with the First Hokage by relying on the power of the Nine-Tails, but I don't know the specifics."

"If that's the case, then I think his identity is somewhat credible."

"Lord Hokage, should we send someone to capture him?" Itachi Uchiha asked, bowing his head.

"No need."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "The most important thing now is to figure out his identity. If he really is Madara, it is still unknown how much of his strength he has left after all these years."

"If he continues to contact you afterward, just pretend to cooperate, figure out his strength, and his real purpose."

"I believe you won't be swayed by him, but please be careful."

"Thank you for your trust, Hokage-sama," Itachi Uchiha said gratefully, then hesitated before adding, "What about Gengetsu Shimura..."

"It's all for Konoha. I'll talk to Gengetsu and make sure he stops interfering with your actions."

With Hiruzen Sarutobi's assurance, Itachi Uchiha finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Compared to Madara, whose background is unknown, Shimura Gengetsu is the most troublesome for him. After all, this person is too arrogant and does not play by the rules. Who knows if he will flip the table if he is displeased?

"Madara, Itachi Uchiha went to see the Third Hokage."

A White Zetsu delivered the message to the masked man, who was none other than Uchiha Obito.

"As expected."

Obito Uchiha showed no anger, as if he had expected this all along. "Itachi Uchiha still harbored illusions and was willing to believe in this filthy village."

"His going to find the Third Hokage was certainly part of my plan. So what if he revealed all my information? They will only be more eager to eliminate the Uchiha clan and prevent them from submitting to me."

Perhaps unable to tolerate his calculating manner, Black Zetsu slowly emerged from the ground.

"But you still haven't achieved your main goal. You didn't even get to say it before Shimura Gengetsu interrupted you."

Obito Uchiha's face behind the mask darkened, and his aura turned cold and fierce.

"Shimura Genzuki..."

"Relying on the Flying Thunder God Technique, he dares to be so unscrupulous. Even Minato Namikaze wasn't this arrogant back then!"

"I told you to get rid of him a long time ago, but you wouldn't listen." Black Zetsu sighed, deeply regretting that Madara had chosen such an idiot to carry out the plan.

He became arrogant and disregarded everyone because of his terrifying ability to become invisible, but ended up raising a tiger that would eventually harm him.

If I had listened to his advice during the Chunin Exams, I wouldn't be in all this trouble now.

"He has no direct conflict of interest with us."

Obito Uchiha was still trying to justify himself, saying, "That brat is Danzo Shimura's grandson. He also hates the Uchiha. I still have a use for them."

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes. "Once everything is over and we've got what we want, I'll kill him immediately!"

"Xuan Yue, what just happened?"

Gengetsu Shimura returned to the Anbu, and Kurenai Yuhi waited for him in her office until she saw him appear safe and sound.

"We discovered that an outsider suddenly infiltrated Konoha. He is very strong, but he has already escaped."

Gengetsu Shimura instructed, "If anything seems amiss, or if you discover an enemy, immediately activate the Flying Thunder God Seal, and I will arrive instantly."

"Hmm." Hong nodded solemnly.

The strength that Xuan Yue acknowledges is definitely beyond her ability to deal with.

"Let's go, don't waste time, let's practice physical techniques first today."

Kurenai Yuhi took Gengetsu Shimura to the training ground. Although illusion magic was her specialty, the purpose of training in physical techniques was not to make her more powerful in combat, but to react faster when encountering danger and escape while waiting for Gengetsu Shimura's support.

Gengetsu Shimura also passed on the superhuman strength technique he obtained from Tsunade to Kurenai.

As genjutsu ninjas, they often have very precise control over chakra, which is similar to medical ninjas.

The Super Strength ability can also increase explosive power, allowing Red to run faster when escaping.

The other girls naturally had to learn as well. Not only that, Shimura Gengetsu was also trying to get the Yin Seal Technique from Tsunade.

This would be an absolute miracle for a woman; once he's older, he'll be able to succumb to the allure of the Yin Seal...

Hehe. Then he can do whatever he wants, right?

.......

It wasn't until evening that Shimura Gengetsu carried the exhausted Kurenai back home.

On the way home, Shimura Gengetsu remarked that she smelled of sweat, and Shimura Gengetsu was bitten on the shoulder with several teeth marks. When they got home, Yuhi Kurenai hurriedly went into the bathroom.

Uchiha Izumi and Uzuki Yugao, who were out on a mission, returned today, but it seems there's been some trouble.

Quan Luoli's standard oval face has now swelled up into a round, chubby face.

Xuan Yue sat down beside her, puzzled. "What's wrong? Who upset you?"

Women can be pondered and refined, but they cannot be pondered. Therefore, when Shimura Gengetsu doesn't understand something, he usually chooses to ask directly.

"Xuan Yue..."

Izumi looked at him and slowly lay down on the boy's lap. "Shisui-senpai... was he really killed by Uchiha Itachi?"

Shimura Gengetsu studied swordsmanship under Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Izumi often followed along. Shisui, unlike other members of the Uchiha clan, did not hold prejudices against her family.

Therefore, Izumi Uchiha always believed that Shisui was a good person.

But after he went out on a mission, I heard that he committed suicide, and the prime suspect... is still Uchiha Itachi.

"Um... never mind, I'll tell you..."

Gengetsu Shimura had no intention of lying; he would either remain silent or tell the truth, but he concealed the fact that Uchiha Shisui was eventually taken away by him.

After hearing this, Quan's mouth slowly opened wide.