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

After a moment's hesitation, Orochimaru finally agreed.

Having received the answer he wanted, Shimura Gengetsu left.

With Danzo left, Orochimaru knew exactly what the old man wanted.

"Elder Danzo, after my teacher's death, Konoha will belong to your Shimura family. Who becomes Hokage will be up to you with a single word."

Danzo's single eye flashed with a sharp light, and then slowly closed:

“The Root will not interfere, and I will also have Xuan Yue avoid the main battlefield, leaving the stage to you and Hiruzen.”

"But whether your allies and subordinates survive is up to fate."

"That's enough..."

Orochimaru smiled sinisterly.

The only variable in the Konoha Crush plan was Gengetsu Shimura.

Through information from Ryuchi Cave, Orochimaru already knew that Shimura Gengetsu had mastered Sage Mode.

With the addition of the Flying Thunder God Technique, his Four Purple Flame Array would most likely not be able to stop Shimura Gengetsu from entering.

As long as this unstable factor is eliminated, he can give his teacher a magnificent funeral. Orochimaru will not care about the fate of Sunagakure and Iwagakure, and he can even abandon his own subordinates.

The Shimura family.

When Shimura Gengetsu returned, he couldn't find Yokura, and even Uzumaki Misa wasn't there. The only person in the house was Hikari-chan, who was lying on the sofa reading a novel.

"Oh dear." Uchiha Hikaru, who was so engrossed in watching that he didn't even greet Xuan Yue when she returned, suddenly felt a lightness in his body, as if he were being held in someone's arms like a rag doll.

"What are you doing? You're touching me as soon as you get back."

Whether it was due to his constitution or because he had been sealed for too long, Uchiha Hikaru's body hadn't changed much in the past few years; he had just gained some weight and was no longer as frail as when he first came out.

However, she is still petite and cute, and I love to hold her in my arms. When I'm not working at night, Shimura Gengetsu's favorite thing to do is to sleep with her or Izumi in his arms. She is so sweet and soft.

"You didn't even react when I told you to come back." Shimura Gengetsu ruffled his spiky hair. "Where did Yekura and Aunt Misa go?"

"Aunt Misa went to buy groceries, and Sister Yekura must have gone to help Root with their mission, right?"

Lost in his embrace, Uchiha Hikaru couldn't concentrate on his book anymore. He tossed the book aside and kept snuggling into Shimura Gengetsu's arms.

The two were struck dumb, and immediately returned to their bedroom to study the inlay project.

Two hours later, Hikari drifted off to sleep, and Yokura returned.

Gengetsu Shimura tiptoed out of the house and saw Yekura organizing ninja tools. He then hugged her from behind.

"Did you only remember me because you weren't full?"

As expected of the eldest sister, even Shimura Gengetsu couldn't quite handle her when she opened her mouth.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

"Just leave the door open for me tonight, I'm here to talk to you about serious business..."

Gengetsu Shimura recounted Orochimaru's plan to destroy Konoha. At first, it went well, and Pakura didn't react much. But when Gengetsu mentioned that Orochimaru wanted to assassinate Rasa, his brows furrowed.

“I told him that he should bring my men with him when he tries to assassinate him.”

Yecang was still somewhat dissatisfied, "Can't I just do it myself?"

If we were to say who Yekura hated the most, it would undoubtedly be Rasa, who betrayed him, and the group of elders.

Having been by Shimura Gengetsu's side for nearly ten years, her feelings for Sunagakure had long since faded, but if she didn't vent this hatred, her thoughts would become stagnant.

“Having more people means we have a better chance of success,” Shimura Gengetsu coaxed gently. “You know Rasa’s strength. If you go alone, he might still be able to escape.”

Yekura nodded subconsciously. Although she felt that her strength had surpassed that of Rasa, she was not an assassin-type ninja, so it was indeed possible.

"Then let me be the main attacker, and Orochimaru the support."

“No problem.” Shimura Gengetsu would naturally agree to this request.

Ye Cang then revealed a slight smile.

One sunny day in March.

The villagers were busy with their lives as usual when they suddenly heard someone shouting.

"You brat! You dare run away! Stop right there!"

"Naruto Uzumaki! How dare you disrespect the face of the Hokage! I'm going to lock you up in confinement!"

"How can this kid have such good stamina? Surround him! Block his escape route!"

The group of Chunin were sweating profusely as they chased after them.

It's really weird. Wasn't this fox demon kid supposed to be the worst student in school? How come he runs so fast and has so much stamina? In the end, they had to use the same tactics they used against enemies to block his retreat before they could capture Naruto.

The villagers watching the spectacle below were not surprised by this, but when they saw the colorful paint on the Hokage Rock, many of them showed expressions of disgust.

After being held down by several Chunin guards, Iruka, a teacher from Naruto Academy, also arrived.

Without saying a word, he smacked Naruto on the head, then apologized to the other ninjas with a forced smile.

"Iruka-sensei, it hurts!"

"Shut up! I'll deal with you when we get back to school!"

After apologizing on Naruto's behalf, Iruka grabbed him by the neck and led him back to his classroom at the Ninja Academy.

Many of the students in the classroom laughed when they saw Naruto's disheveled appearance.

"Naruto, this won't work today. Iruka-sensei caught you in just half an hour."

"That's right, didn't you last week you lasted an hour? Are you getting worse and worse?"

After Kiba Inuzuka finished his taunts, Akamaru on his head barked twice, causing a burst of laughter.

Everyone was used to Naruto's mischievous antics, but the laughter in the classroom didn't embarrass Naruto at all; instead, he chuckled to himself.

At least the classmates were just laughing, instead of being ignored by the villagers, which was much better.

Naruto's school life has actually been quite good these past few years.

Everywhere there are social classes and cliques.

Aside from Sasuke, the aloof and handsome god, the most exclusive clique in the class is naturally the group of close friends including Karin, Ino, and Hinata.

Because of Shimura Gengetsu, the group became friends with Naruto, which elevated his status, unlike the villagers outside who either ignored or disliked him.

"Okay, let me repeat the exam instructions one more time."

Iruka quieted the classroom down again and began to talk about tomorrow's exam arrangements.

When Naruto heard that he would be tested on the Shadow Clone Technique, his face fell. This was the ninjutsu he was least proficient in.

He's incredibly skilled at transformation, but every time he uses his clone technique, all sorts of bizarre phenomena occur.

Naruto was unaware that this was related to his vast chakra reserves. The Shadow Clone Technique requires precise control over chakra, but his chakra contained a portion of the Nine-Tails' power, and the techniques taught at the Ninja Academy were insufficient for accurate control.

After school, as usual, Karin invited her two best friends over to play.

Now that area has become Shimura Gengetsu's private territory, complete with various training facilities, a private cinema, and hot springs.

Ino and Hinata went home with Karin more often than they went home to their own homes first.

Hinata's visits won't bother Hiashi Hyuga; she and Gengetsu Shimura are already engaged, so visiting often would help cultivate their relationship.

But the mountain dweller Haiyi is in for a worry.

My little darling is completely bewitched by Shimura Gengetsu, so much so that she can't move and is practically throwing herself at my door.

Every time he tried to say something, Ino would cover her ears and refuse to listen. With his wife protecting her, there was nothing he could do about Ino. He could only watch helplessly as his daughter and Shimura Gengetsu grew closer and closer.

What Shikaku said to him back then is almost becoming a reality.

The worst part is that it wasn't something he did intentionally, so he could only sulk at home.

The next day, the final exams at the Ninja Academy began.

One student after another passed the test. When Uchiha Sasuke appeared, many girls' eyes lit up with excitement, with a pink-haired girl being the most thrilled.

When Naruto Uzumaki entered the arena, Iruka's expression softened, and he encouraged him, "Naruto, believe in yourself, you can do it this time."

Unfortunately, Naruto only managed to conjure a limp clone lying on the ground, which amused the examinees.

Iruka could only give a failing grade.

Watching Naruto walk out of the classroom dejectedly, he felt a pang of pity, but rules are rules, and forcing Naruto to become a ninja would only harm him.

On the contrary, another examiner, Mizuki, paid more attention to him.

Hokage's office.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was discussing the job assignments for this year's graduating students with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.

Ordinary test takers are randomly assigned, and most of the instructors are Chunin or Special Jonin.

As for those students who graduated from the ninja clan, they should think carefully.

This is not just about the students' future, but also about interpersonal relationships and social interactions.

"Let Asuma lead the Ino-Shika-Cho team this year."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was the first to determine the allocation of a small team, and the two elders had no objections, knowing that the Third Hokage was doing this for Asuma's benefit.