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

Shimura Gengetsu was yawning and about to leave when he was blocked at the door by Azabui.

"Please wait!"

"What's up?" The boy raised an eyebrow. Although Mabuyi was decent-looking, dark skin wasn't his type.

Mabui took a deep breath. "Lord Shimura, the war is over, and the peace talks are about to conclude. Shouldn't you release Samui?"

"I won't let go," Shimura Gengetsu replied decisively.

“Since your Cloud Village envoys dared to invade my home, you should be prepared for my revenge. Samui is simply returning the favor.”

"I'd forgotten about it if you hadn't mentioned it."

The boy slapped his forehead and suddenly realized, "No matter what method you use, you must make Samui my retainer."

"Otherwise... I'll visit Kumogakure every year and bring back some local specialties. If you're so capable, then keep your spatial barrier ready forever."

After saying that, ignoring the ugly expressions on Mabui and Tsuchida's faces, Shimura Gengetsu activated Flying Thunder God Technique and went straight home.

"Hokage, your village's ninjas are too arrogant!" Tsuchida tried his best to provoke him, but Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't falling for it at all:

"Geniuses always need some privileges, right?"

“Xuan Yue comes from a good family and is very talented. She has never experienced any setbacks since childhood, so it’s inevitable that she is a bit arrogant and willful.”

"Don't expect me to say anything; this old man isn't ready to live any longer."

After saying that, Hiruzen Sarutobi walked out of the Hokage Building with a smile, just like an old neighbor.

Several more days passed, and every day Samui hoped that the Cloud Village delegation would take her away. Shimura Gengetsu also waited curiously, wanting to know if the Cloud Village was really that ruthless.

They would rather gamble with the safety of the entire village than sacrifice Samui, the disciple of the Raikage.

In the end, Shimura Gengetsu won.

"Mabuyi! Are you here to take me away?"

Upon seeing her best friend, who had appeared at Shimura Gengetsu's house, Samui showed excitement for the first time since being captured.

“Samui…”

Mabuyi's smile was forced. "It's so good to see you're alright. Don't worry, your parents and brother weren't seriously injured. They were already discharged from the hospital when we left."

Upon hearing that his loved ones were safe and sound, Samyi breathed a sigh of relief, and his smile grew even brighter.

"Let's go."

After saying that, he glared fiercely at Shimura Gengetsu.

Ye Cang appeared silently, his icy killing intent rushing towards the two women, startling them into taking a few steps back.

What a terrifying murderous aura! What a powerful woman!

Silently noting Yekura's strength in her heart, Mabui reluctantly took out a scroll, preparing to return and report to the Fourth Raikage.

"Samui, this is a letter from Lord Raikage. Please take a look."

Samyi happily accepted it and opened it.

But soon, her expression began to change, filled with disbelief, and finally despair.

"Mabui...is this real?"

"I'm sorry, Samui." Mabuyi didn't dare to look into Samui's hopeful eyes.

"For the sake of Kumogakure, Lord Raikage had no choice but to make this decision, but rest assured, we will definitely bring you back whenever we have the chance."

"Lord Raikage has decided to take your younger brother as his disciple and will not mistreat your family..."

"There's a chance..."

Samui gave a bitter laugh, "I understand."

"For the sake of Kumogakure, I agreed."

After saying that, she knelt down in front of Shimura Gengetsu, drew her short sword, and slashed it across her fair arm.

Crimson blood dripped down, and Samui said softly in a completely emotionless tone:

"Samui voluntarily becomes a retainer of the Shimura family. Please accept my loyalty, Lord Gengetsu."

"Samyi!"

Mabuyi's face turned extremely ugly.

Retainers were a force subordinate to various noble families, originating from the samurai class, but ninjas were essentially a profession that split off from samurai.

Even now, many noble families take pride in having powerful ninjas as retainers.

For example, the Twelve Guardian Ninja were actually retainers of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

This is why many of the Twelve Ninja disliked Asuma in the future; becoming a retainer and then leaving was a great act of disloyalty to his master.

It's unknown what price the Third Hokage paid to allow his son to return to Konoha.

Samui swore a blood oath, as if he had made a death pact with Shimura Gengetsu. Even if they had the chance to get Samui back in the future, Samui probably wouldn't leave.

“I accept your allegiance.” Shimura Gengetsu took the dagger, pricked his fingertip, and drew blood, which he then applied to Samui’s forehead.

After the ceremony was completed, Misa Uzumaki, who had been waiting nearby, hurried over and first stopped the bleeding for Gengetsu Shimura, and then helped Samui stop the bleeding.

During this time, Misa Uzumaki has been learning medical ninjutsu, and she has become proficient in performing this simple healing technique.

"Just take care of yourself."

Knowing that it was Yunyin who had let Samui down, Mabui didn't say anything more and hurriedly turned and left.

Shimura Gengetsu showed no intention of seeing him off, but called out from behind, "Next time you want to send a gift, just send someone to assassinate me. Otherwise, I really have no reason to visit your Kumogakure."

Mabuyi almost fell, staggered a few steps, and looked increasingly disheveled.

Two days later, the Cloud Village delegation reached an agreement with the Leaf Village.

The Hidden Cloud Village will pay 1 billion ryo as compensation for the losses suffered by the Leaf Village, to be paid in five installments over five years, and will also promise to provide 500 catties of meteorites for five consecutive years.

This is a chakra metal with excellent electrical conductivity, making it particularly suitable for use by lightning-attribute ninjas.

Furthermore, Samui became a retainer of the Shimura family on the condition that Shimura Gengetsu not approach the vicinity of Kumogakure within a hundred kilometers of the village, provided that Kumogakure did not provoke Konoha.

Shimura Gengetsu grimaced at the sight of these conditions.

He wouldn't go to that godforsaken place even if you asked him to.

Samui seemed to have resigned himself to his fate. Although he remained taciturn, he still carried out Shimura Gengetsu's orders meticulously.

She also helps Misa with housework at home, giving her more time to practice medical ninjutsu and take care of the children.

Another month passed, and the official appointment of Shimura Gengetsu as the captain of the Anbu was finally made.

There were also orders for Uzuki Yugao and Yuhi Kurenai to join the Anbu.

That morning, after the three finished breakfast, they rushed to the training base dedicated to the Third Brigade of the Dark Guard.

The ninjas of the Third Battalion also received the news that they would be welcoming a new battalion commander today.

Inside the spacious venue, when Shimura Gengetsu appeared with two women, all four ANBU squads, all wearing masks, stood in neat rows, silent and without uttering a word.

Shimura Gengetsu remembered that when Uchiha Itachi joined the Anbu at the age of eleven, it seemed to cause some dissatisfaction and commotion. Anbu members were skeptical of his strength and even tried to test him and scare him away.

Why are you being so well-behaved today?

If these secret agents knew what he was thinking, they would only cry out that he was wronged.

Itachi Uchiha joined the Anbu with the reputation of being a genius. Back then, everyone who joined the Anbu was probably a genius, so of course they would be resentful of him.

But Shimura Gengetsu... he's known as the God of Slaughter.

Not convinced?

The lives of hundreds of ninja from Kumogakure will make them obedient and dare not cause trouble.

“｀.......”

"Take off your masks, everyone, so I can recognize you."

Shimura Gengetsu gave the order, and the sixteen ANBU members promptly removed their masks, including Kakashi.

However, his inner thoughts were somewhat complicated.

This kid... actually became his superior.

Gengetsu Shimura only glanced at him before paying no further attention.

His gaze swept over the rest of the ANBU members, including those from the Aburame family, the Yamanaka family, and the Inuzuka family.

Finally, his gaze settled on a square-faced ninja, and he slowly walked over.

"You are Yamato?"

Yamato was taken aback for a moment, but nodded nonetheless. "Reporting, Captain, my codename is Yamato." (Zhao Nuo's)

"But I think... the title 'A' suits you better."

Yamato's expression changed.

Gengetsu Shimura smiled brightly, "I've heard plenty about your exploits from the old man..."

Yamato, formerly codenamed A.