[Bond] Ch 13: Yami vs. Itachi

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The next day, the exams at the Academy started quickly as soon as the students arrived.

To be honest, being a student at the Academy was pretty tough. There was a lot to learn every day, even for first-year students.

The basics of chakra refining, two shuriken-throwing sessions per week, daily taijutsu practice, and at least four periods of academic courses—it was a packed schedule.

Compared to primary school in his past life, this was intense.

The studies were a strange mix too—physics, chemistry, poisons, history, and geography, all crammed together.

Looking at the test paper filled with numbers and symbols, Shimura Yami sighed and began answering.

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Question A: If a ninja is located 30 meters southeast. The wind direction and speed are 10 meters per second from north to south. Plot the projectile arc and describe the approximate throwing force required.

Answer A: Tie an explosive tag to it and throw it however you like. Even if it doesn't hit, he'll die.

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Question B: A target is being protected by three ninjas (positions shown in the diagram). Design a route to successfully assassinate the target and escape.

Answer B: Use the Flying Thunder God Technique, kill all three first, then the target, and teleport back to the village.

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Question C: List three contributions made by the Third Hokage to Konoha.

Answer C: I don't believe there was any to begin with.

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Question D: Write an essay expressing your feelings about the village.

Answer D: Title of the essay→ My Grandpa is Shimura Danzo, the Hokage's Assistant.

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In less than an hour, Yami had finished his test. He didn't bother handing it in early, just waited until time was up to submit it with the rest of the class.

He was about to go grab lunch with Izumi when their teacher, Kazama, stopped him.

"Yami," Kazama said in a friendly tone, "this afternoon, we'll have the shuriken-throwing test. The Third Hokage wants to see your real skills—not your financial capabilities."

"So, please, don't use explosive tags this time."

Ever since the incident where Yami shocked everyone by attaching explosive tags to his shuriken, he had been blowing up targets in every throwing class. And Kazama had never really been able to do anything about it.

But today was different. With the Third Hokage watching, if Yami pulled the same stunt, Kazama might as well resign as a teacher.

"I won't use explosive tags," Yami agreed easily, "but in return, you have to grant me one request." He smiled brightly.

— — —

That afternoon, the first-year students gathered at the training grounds. It didn't take long before Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived, wearing his Hokage robes and accompanied by his guards.

The students immediately became excited, rushing up to him in awe.

Hiruzen held up a hand, signaling his guards to stand down. He greeted the students with a warm smile. If not for his Hokage attire, he would have looked just like a kind old grandpa from the neighborhood.

Yami didn't join the crowd. Instead, he stood at a distance, observing the so-called "The Professor of Ninjutsu."

Although Hiruzen had deep ties to his grandfather, this was actually Yami's first time seeing him in person.

There were still about ten years before the main events of the story began, so Hiruzen didn't have as many wrinkles yet. He wasn't even sixty.

Suddenly, as if sensing Yami's gaze, Hiruzen—who had been chatting with a chubby student—looked up and met his eyes. After a brief pause, recognition flashed across his face, and he immediately started walking toward Yami with his entourage.

"You must be Yami," Hiruzen said with a smile.

"That's me," Yami nodded. "Hey, old monkey."

The surrounding students and teachers froze in shock. Kazama's mouth hung open as a single thought ran through his mind: "I'm doomed. My career as a teacher is over."

"Old monkey?" Hiruzen didn't react with the anger everyone expected. He merely frowned slightly before reaching out and giving Yami's head a light smack.

"That must be something Danzo taught you, right? Don't learn from that old fool," he said, shaking his head with an amused expression.

Yami: "…"

Damn it. The biggest obstacle to his plans for gaining bonds and rewards turned out to be his own grandfather.

The Shadow Hokage's ability to shift blame was terrifying—Hiruzen didn't even hesitate to assume Danzo was responsible for Yami's attitude.

Yami had taken the risk because of his status and because he knew Hiruzen's public persona wouldn't allow him to take offense at a child's words.

But not only did Hiruzen not mind, he also didn't take it seriously at all—meaning Yami gained nothing from their interaction.

Seeing Yami's frustrated expression, Hiruzen chuckled and ruffled his hair.

"I'll be watching your test closely," he said. "If you don't impress me, I'm telling your grandfather."

With that, he walked away, still smiling.

— — —

The test began.

One by one, students stepped forward to throw their shuriken. When it was Itachi's turn, Hiruzen—who had seemed relaxed until now—suddenly focused.

Seeing Itachi launch five shurikens at once, all hitting the bullseye, he stroked his beard and nodded in approval.

"As expected of the Uchiha Clan," he remarked. "Even without the Sharingan, their control over ninja tools is exceptional."

But to his surprise, Yami used the exact same technique.

"Wait… that's the Uchiha throwing technique?" Itachi muttered, visibly shocked.

Even as the son of the Uchiha clan leader, Itachi had no idea that Yami had learned from Shisui. 

Hiruzen whispered something to one of his guards, his expression returning to normal.

Soon, the shuriken test ended, and the next phase—taijutsu duels—began.

Kazama announced, "When I call your names, step forward, form the seal of confrontation, and wait for my signal to start. After the match, you must also perform the seal of reconciliation, just as I taught you."

After explaining the rules, he read the first names:

"First match: Arakawa Kenta vs. Horikawa Koichi."

The two boys stepped forward. As expected, first-year taijutsu duels were pretty underwhelming—like playground fights, just with slightly enhanced speed and strength thanks to chakra. There was almost no technique involved.

After a few moves, Koichi, afraid of getting hurt, quickly gave up, rubbing his stomach with teary eyes as he walked off.

Kazama sighed in exasperation, then glanced at Hiruzen before checking the list.

"Next match: Shimura Yami vs. Uchiha Itachi!"

The entire training field erupted.

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