[Bond] Ch 6: The Fat Sheep, Uchiha Itachi

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"Yami-kun, the purpose of shuriken training is to improve your throwing accuracy. If you use explosive tags, doesn't that defeat the purpose?"

Even though Shimura Yami had a special background, Kazama couldn't help but lecture him a little.

A single explosive tag cost around 300 ryo, and during wartime, the price could go even higher due to supply shortages.

With 300 ryo, you could buy three bowls of Ichiraku Ramen—it was definitely not a small sum.

Most ninjas only carried around a dozen explosive tags at most during missions. If they attached one to every shuriken, they'd burn through their mission earnings in no time.

Yami waved a hand dismissively. "Sensei, as long as I achieve the goal, does it really matter how I do it? It's just an explosive tag—I can afford tens of thousands of them."

Shuichi Kazama was speechless.

The whole class was stunned by Yami's blatant flex.

[Bond Established: "I Have a Rich Student" with Shuichi Kazama. Reward: Earth Chakra (Good)]

[Bond Established: "Fear" with Classmate A. Reward: 0.1 Standard Genin Chakra]

[Bond Established: "Speechless" with Classmate B. Reward: Swordsmanship Talent (Basic)]

[...]

A series of notifications rang in his mind, making Yami squint in satisfaction.

Of course, he had already mastered shuriken throwing quite well.

But if he wanted to get stronger and make himself more memorable, sometimes he had to do things that surprised people.

Now, he had pretty much triggered the first level of bonds with everyone in class.

Except…

Yami glanced at Uchiha Itachi, who stood there with a completely neutral expression.

As expected of a kid who started contemplating the meaning of life at four years old—his emotional control was insane.

Before long, school was over.

Yami left the academy with Uchiha Izumi. She had invited him over for dinner, and he happily accepted.

The two chatted and laughed along the way, completely ignoring the fact that Uchiha Itachi was walking the same route behind them.

Yami had a decent understanding of Izumi's family situation.

Her father was an outsider—a non-Uchiha ninja who had married into the clan. He died during the Nine-Tails attack while protecting her.

Her mother was a regular Uchiha with only chunin-level skills—she didn't even awaken the Sharingan.

Clans like the Uchiha and Hyuga usually valued bloodline purity and mostly married within their own clan.

If Izumi's father hadn't married in, the two of them wouldn't have been possible. Even so, the other Uchiha didn't treat their family well, often isolating them.

"Stop right there! This is Uchiha territory. Outsiders are not allowed!"

Two Uchiha guards stood like statues at the entrance, blocking Yami and Izumi with arrogance written all over their faces.

If you needed a reference for their attitude, just picture Sasuke in his edgelord phase—especially when he got moody.

There was a reason the Uchiha weren't well-liked.

Aside from the political tension and power struggles, their own attitude played a big role.

With their superior-than-thou demeanor, they treated anyone outside their clan like garbage.

Who would like people like that?

"Senpai, Yami is my friend," Izumi quickly explained.

But the two guards just shook their heads coldly. "Rules are rules. You can go in, but he stays out."

Yami chuckled. "So, what, the Uchiha own Konoha now? If I can walk into the Hokage's office whenever I want, are you guys planning on breaking away from Konoha?"

The guards' expressions darkened instantly. Even Itachi, who had been following silently, tensed up.

Before anyone could respond, a deep, authoritative voice came from inside the gates:

"That's quite the joke, young one. The Uchiha are, of course, a part of Konoha, and we welcome friends as guests."

The two guards turned around and immediately broke into a cold sweat.

They bowed their heads respectfully.

"Clan Leader Fugaku."

"Father," Itachi greeted, stepping to his side.

Fugaku gave his son a nod but didn't acknowledge the guards.

Instead, he walked straight to Yami and Izumi, his expression softening into a warm smile.

"So you're Shimura Yami. I've heard Itachi mention you before. Welcome to the Uchiha."

"Really?" Yami blinked innocently. "Then why were these two uncles so mean to me?"

"They misunderstood my intentions." Fugaku quickly found an excuse. "Their job is to identify spies, not turn away friends."

"Tch." Yami sighed dramatically. "If they can't even follow basic orders, what's the point of keeping them around?"

"How about letting my grandfather train them for a few days? I guarantee they'll be completely obedient when they come back. He's very good at that kind of thing."

Fugaku's smile froze.

Let Danzo train them?

He had no doubt they'd return blind—if they came back at all.

"No need to trouble Lord Danzo," Fugaku replied, his tone a little stiff. "I'll discipline them myself."

Then he shot the two guards a sharp glare, barely stopping short of activating his Sharingan.

[Ding!]

[Bond Established: "Hostility" with Uchiha Hiro. Reward: Yin Chakra (Good)]

[Bond Established: "Hostility" with Uchiha Ryu. Reward: Yin Chakra (Good)]

[Bond Established: "Bond" with Uchiha Fugaku. Reward: Yin Chakra (Genius)]

[Bond Established: "Bond" with Uchiha Itachi. Reward: Special Talent – '1v7 Combat Genius']

Yami's body trembled slightly, and he quickly told the system to hold off on merging the new power.

Outwardly, he remained calm, flashing a bright smile at Fugaku before turning to Itachi.

His eyes practically sparkled.

A fat sheep…

If Kakashi was the ultimate "even match" ninja, always fighting opponents to a standstill…

Then Uchiha Itachi was the complete opposite.

Against weaker enemies, he instantly crushed them. Against stronger ones, he could hold his own using sheer tactical brilliance, sometimes even winning.

Sure, the Mangekyō Sharingan played a huge role, but his raw combat talent was undeniable.

Sasuke's eyes barely lasted a few battles before wearing out, but Itachi held on for years. The gap between them was obvious.

Even if Yami didn't care for Itachi's "dutiful son" personality, he had to admit—Itachi and Minato were among the strongest Kage-level fighters.

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