[Bond] Ch 12: Hatred is the Strongest Bond

— — — — — — — 

The "Green Pepper Feast" turned the orphanage into a lively mess, and Shimura Yami got exactly what he wanted.

In an instant, he established first-stage bonds with over a hundred children. There were so many notification sounds that he couldn't even keep up, and some kids even triggered two rewards at once.

A realization dawned on him.

People always remember hatred far more than they do gratitude.

If he wanted to establish bonds with everyone, making friends with each individual wasn't the fastest way—besides, that was impossible.

Instead... he had to make them hate him, fear him, despise him.

Hatred was the one emotion that united the Five Great Nations. It was the ultimate shared understanding.

For a moment, Yami felt regret. If he had Danzo's reputation, his influence, and—most importantly—the ability to shift the blame onto others...

His bond rewards would have made him invincible in the ninja world by now.

Kabuto watched Yami, who had gone from smiling to indifferent in the blink of an eye. His wariness of him deepened.

"He... is terrifyingly unpredictable. How weird!"

[Host has established a second-stage bond with Yakushi Kabuto. Reward: Special Talent – Research Talent.]

Yami's thoughts were interrupted as he glanced at Kabuto.

What the hell was this kid imagining? How did their bond level up so fast?

— — —

At the Ninja Academy, Kazama's expression was serious.

"Class, tomorrow is our end-of-year exam. This test will evaluate your entire year's progress and consists of two parts: a written exam in the morning and a combat assessment in the afternoon."

"The Third Hokage himself will be attending to observe your performance."

The class immediately erupted.

"The Hokage is coming?!"

"I've only seen the Third Hokage once at the entrance ceremony!"

"This is amazing! If the Hokage praises me, my parents won't dare spank me anymore!"

Even Uchiha Itachi unconsciously sat up straighter at the news.

Kazama waited for the excitement to settle before continuing, "I expect all of you to do your best. Anyone who messes up... will have double homework next semester."

The noisy students instantly fell silent. Only then did Kazama dismiss the class.

---

As usual, Yami took Izumi home first. He had no particular feelings about the Third Hokage coming.

Other than making himself more visible to increase his reputation, he knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen was most likely coming to observe Uchiha Itachi.

Every time a genius emerged from the Uchiha Clan, the village's anxiety spiked. Itachi wasn't just a genius—he was the clan leader's son. Of course, the Hokage would want to keep an eye on him.

"Izumi, I've decided to graduate after this exam."

"Huh?"

The little girl, happily munching on dango, froze. Then she panicked.

"Early graduation? Then I want to graduate too!"

Spending so much time training with Yami, Izumi knew just how strong he was. Forget graduating—he could probably be a Chunin already.

She herself wasn't doing badly either.

For some reason, whenever she trained with Yami, her progress skyrocketed. It felt like her brain worked better, and she improved more in one session with him than in an entire day of solo practice.

By now, she had completely mastered the basic Transformation, Substitution, and Clone Techniques, and she had even learned two Fire Style jutsu.

Her only real weakness was her chakra reserves.

But compared to ordinary people, she had plenty of chakra—more than enough for a Genin.

"Izumi, you can't graduate yet," Yami said seriously. "The war isn't over. Even if you don't go to the front lines, missions will still be dangerous."

"If you wait a couple more years, the situation will be much safer."

"Then you should stay in school with me!" Izumi pleaded, her little face filled with worry. "Let's graduate together after the war ends."

"I won't learn anything new if I stay in school—it would just be a waste of time. And don't worry about me, the village won't assign me any dangerous missions."

— — —

After much persuasion, Yami finally convinced Izumi to delay her graduation.

Right now, he could barely protect himself—he had no energy left to look after her too.

Staying in school meant he couldn't interact with more ninjas or forge new bonds.

And he needed those bonds. He also needed his 'Mother's Love' to reach its second stage so he could enhance his talents.

That's why he had to graduate.

Otherwise, if staying in school was really the fastest way to grow stronger, he'd happily repeat grades until he graduated alongside Hyuga Hanabi.

— — —

Meanwhile, at the Uchiha Clan compound…

Deep in a small grove, several targets were pinned to tree trunks. Uchiha Itachi, who had been practicing his shuriken throws, suddenly stopped, digesting the information he had just received.

A moment later, he opened his eyes.

"The final exam… and the Third Hokage…"

After absorbing the news from his Shadow Clone, Itachi showed no visible reaction. He simply resumed training.

Only when the scent of dinner drifted through the air did he collect his ninja tools and head home.

"Nii-san! Itachi nii-san!"

A tiny figure stumbled out of the house, running straight for him. Itachi's expression softened into a gentle smile as he quickened his pace, scooping the little boy into his arms.

"Sasuke."

"Hehe~~Hug!"

"Alright, I'll hold you."

As he played with Sasuke, Itachi felt this was the happiest part of his day.

From the kitchen, a warm voice called out, "Is that you, Itachi? Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner. And help Sasuke wash up too."

"Got it, Mom." Itachi carried Sasuke into the bathroom.

---

That night, during dinner, Uchiha Fugaku brought up the final exam.

"I heard the Third Hokage will be there. Make sure to represent the Uchiha well."

"Understood," Itachi replied simply, carefully removing the bones from Sasuke's fish before feeding him small bites.

And with that, their conversation ended.

Neither father nor son cared much about the exam. It was too trivial to deserve their attention.

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