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

Fugaku then took his son home, giving him instructions along the way:

"Itachi, make sure to build a good relationship with Shimura Gengetsu at school. Shimura Gengetsu's attitude is very important in whether we can ease the tension between the clan and the village's higher-ups."

Although Itachi Uchiha is only six years old this year, his maturity since childhood means that Fugaku Uchiha will not treat him as an ordinary child.

"Yes, Father," Itachi replied respectfully, understanding what Fugaku meant.

Seeing his son agree, Fugaku Uchiha finally showed a relieved smile.

But he quickly reverted to his bitter and resentful demeanor.

The current situation simply prevented him from smiling.

The Uchiha clan's isolation situation is becoming increasingly severe, with village officials keeping a constant watch on the area around their clan's territory.

Fugaku Uchiha didn't know whether it was Danzo or the Third Hokage's doing, but he could only pretend not to see it, while he hated the mysterious person who controlled the Nine-Tailed Fox.

If the Nine-Tails attack hadn't occurred, they wouldn't have been suspected and feared by the higher-ups, and the Fourth Hokage wouldn't have died young.

Minato Namikaze was not only exceptionally talented, but also of impeccable character. He was a shining example, like the sun, with no flaws whatsoever.

Danzo, the third generation, was a completely different kind of cunning politician.

More importantly, he had no prejudice against the Uchiha clan and even had an Uchiha disciple.

Well, he's already dead, isn't he?

During Minato Namikaze's short year in office, the conflicts within the village and clan have eased considerably, giving Fugaku an opportunity to completely eliminate the estrangement.

But the promising situation came to an abrupt end that night, and even went backwards.

He not only had to deal with the wariness and difficulties of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo and others, but also had to suppress the radical faction within the clan to ease the conflict. Being caught in the middle made every day feel very difficult.

The appearance of Shimura Gengetsu and his close relationship with Uchiha Izumi gave Uchiha Fugaku a glimmer of new hope.

Fugaku Uchiha knew that Danzo's only family in the world was Gengetsu Shimura. If he could use Gengetsu to convey the Uchiha's goodwill and win Danzo over, Fugaku might succeed.

Thinking of this, Fugaku looked at Itachi with even more anticipation.

.......

Meanwhile, Gengetsu Uchiha Izumi was with him and was unaware that Fugaku had his eye on him.

They assumed that the earlier gesture of goodwill was merely to save face for Danzo.

However, even if they found out, they would most likely just laugh it off and not take it to heart at all.

At this point in time, no one in the world can resolve the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha clan.

The only hope, Minato Namikaze, also fizzled out last year.

The root of all this was sown during Tobirama Senju's time; his students harbored no affection for the Uchiha clan.

Even if he were Danzo's grandson, Danzo himself would not be able to reconcile with the Uchiha clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi may seem like a weak and incompetent dove, but he is the one who fears the Uchiha the most.

An uncontrolled and powerful armed force is the biggest headache for any ruler who lacks sufficient strength.

In addition, there are two old guys, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, who were once Tobirama Senju's bodyguards and were deeply influenced by him, and they also dislike the Uchiha.

There wasn't a single person in the entire Konoha leadership who had a good impression of the Uchiha clan.

The Uchiha clan itself also has significant problems. Their personality flaws and the arrogance and self-importance they developed from years of monopolizing the guards make it impossible for them to humble themselves and reconcile.

Fugaku was indeed an ambitious clan leader, but without strength and courage, what could he possibly change?

All we can do is quietly wait for the filial son to change.

"Quan, Xuan Yue, dinner's ready." A gentle female voice came from outside. The two little ones smiled at each other, put down their pens, and went outside.

To raise such a sensible, long-haired, black-haired loli as Uchiha Izumi, her mother must have been a very gentle person.

Izumi's mother, Uchiha Shizuka, urged the two to wash their hands first. She then placed grilled fish, sushi, and three bowls of miso soup on the table. When Shimura Gengetsu returned, she smiled at him and said:

"Auntie didn't know you were coming today, so she didn't prepare anything, just some home-style dishes."

"How could that be? These dishes smell delicious, I'm so hungry."

Gengetsu Shimura fully utilized his childlike charm—acting cute and flashing a big smile.

Sure enough, Uchiha Shizuka's gaze softened even more.

Mischievous kids are annoying, but well-behaved boys aren't.

"Then eat more, you're all at the age where you're growing." Uchiha Shizuka said gently, pushing a plate of fried fish over to her.

In fact, she felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Shimura Gengetsu, who not only saved Izumi from getting lost last year, but also took good care of her daughter throughout the year, helping her gradually emerge from the shadow of losing her father.

"I want to grow tall too! Let's eat!" Uchiha Izumi replied energetically, making the two of them smile involuntarily.

Indeed, little girls are the most healing force in people's hearts.

Shimura Gengetsu was very happy. Today was a very fruitful day. Not only did his filial son get a lot of gold coins, but Amaoka Uchiha Shizuka also sent a big gift.

[The host has established a bond with Uchiha Shizuka, the more she looks at her son-in-law, the more pleasing he becomes, and has received the reward 'Mother-in-law's Expectations'.]

[Mother-in-law's Expectation: When the host is no more than 500 meters away from Uchiha Izumi, both of their cultivation speeds will increase by 100%.]

A cultivation-type buff, in terms of value, is no less than that of the Uchiha bloodline.

The system has no limits, meaning that no matter whether he practices ninjutsu, taijutsu, or refines chakra, his speed of becoming stronger will double.

It seems like it's time to kidnap Izumi from the Uchiha clan's territory.

Shimura Gengetsu's mind raced. Putting aside whether Izumi was willing or not, Danzo alone was a troublesome obstacle.

We still need to take a long-term view.

.........

By the time we finished our meal, it was already dark.

Shimura Gengetsu spent some more time practicing taijutsu with Izumi, experiencing the effects of the enhancement, before taking his leave.

When he got home, he found that Danzo had actually returned.

"Old man, why are you back?" he asked, somewhat surprised.

Danzo practically made Root his home; even when Shimura Gengetsu was young, he spent most of his time at Root.

The base of the roots was located underground, and Shimura Gengetsu escaped that lifeless place because he couldn't get any sunlight.

Danzo smiled and said, "I was in such a rush when I came back last time that I forgot to give you a birthday present."

He pushed over a simple, long wooden box.

"Open it and take a look."

Chapter 8, Kusanagi: The Special Reward from the Final Bond

"It's just a birthday present, is it worth making a special trip for me?"

Gengetsu Shimura muttered to himself, but still opened the wooden box.

Inside the box was a katana, its blade slender and sharp, gleaming with a cold, icy light, as if it could easily slice through anything.

The hilt of the sword also features a snake-scale-like skin layer to increase grip friction.

Shimura Gengetsu's eyes widened. "This is... the Kusanagi Sword?"

“Not bad.” Shimura Danzo thought to himself with pride, but his face remained cold and stern. “Orochimaru heard that it was your birthday and asked me to give this to you. Consider it a birthday gift from both of us.”

Genzuki Shimura: "..."

I don't believe you for a second. Orochimaru would be so kind as to give me the Kusanagi sword.

If he didn't know what Orochimaru was like, he might have actually believed it.

But I was still quite touched.

Shimura Gengetsu knew that if Danzo wanted to get the sword, he either had to threaten Orochimaru or make a deal with him.

Either way, the cost is considerable.

Regardless of how he treated outsiders, he at least treated his grandson Danzo with care and had no ulterior motives.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Danzo Shimura was stunned.

This seems to be... the first time Shimura Gengetsu has called him grandpa, right?

Ding!

[The host's bond with Shimura Danzo has reached the third stage (final level). Reward: one standard Jonin chakra and the special talent 'Darkness of the Ninja World']

[Darkness of the Ninja World: The host can hide in any shadow, with concealment effects comparable to the 'Mayfly Technique'.]

Gengetsu Shimura was also stunned.

Just by calling him "Grandpa," the bond level reached its highest level?

The two stared at each other for a while before Danzo broke the awkward silence with a fake cough: "It's getting late, Gengetsu, go and rest. You have to go to school tomorrow. Remember, don't lose to the Uchiha."

"Oh." Shimura Gengetsu nodded, carrying the box containing the sword back to his room.