"Shimura, the purpose of the shuriken training class is to improve your throwing accuracy. Wouldn't it be meaningless to use explosive tags?"
Even though Yami's background wasn't simple, Kazama Shuichi still couldn't help but lecture him.
The cost of an explosive tag was around 300 ryō, and during wartime, the price would rise due to material shortages.
Three hundred ryō could buy three bowls of Ichiraku Ramen, not exactly a small amount.
Most shinobi only carried a few hundred ryō when they went on missions. Equipping each shuriken with an explosive tag would be far too extravagant. The mission rewards wouldn't even cover the expenses.
Yami waved his hand dismissively. "Sensei, as long as I achieve my goal, does it matter how I do it? It's just an explosive tag. I can afford tens of thousands of them."
Kazama Shuichi was momentarily speechless.
[Host establishes a bond with Kazama Shuichi: "I Have a Rich Student"—Reward: Earth Release Chakra (Good).]
[Host establishes a Fear Bond with Classmate A—Reward: 0.1 Standard Genin Chakra.]
[Host achieves a Speechless Bond with Classmate B—Reward: Swordsmanship Talent (Normal).]
The system notifications rang one after another, and Yami narrowed his eyes in amusement.
Of course, he had already mastered shuriken throwing—it could even be considered one of his better skills.
But in order to grow stronger and leave a lasting impression, Yami had to do something unexpected.
By now, he had almost completed all the first-stage bond achievements in class.
Yami glanced at Itachi, who remained expressionless, and narrowed his eyes slightly.
As expected of Itachi, the boy who started contemplating the meaning of life at four years old. His emotions were remarkably stable.
In the blink of an eye, school was over.
Yami, Izumi, and Itachi walked out of the academy together. At Izumi's invitation, Yami was heading to her house for dinner.
The two chatted and laughed along the way, completely ignoring Itachi, who was walking silently beside them.
Yami was well aware of Itachi's family situation, it wasn't exactly ideal.
Izumi's father had been an outsider, a foreign shinobi who had married into the Uchiha clan. He had died protecting her during the Nine-Tails' attack.
Her mother was just an ordinary Uchiha, with only Chūnin-level strength, and she hadn't even awakened the Sharingan.
Clans like Uchiha and Hyūga placed great importance on preserving their bloodlines, leading to frequent intermarriages.
If Izumi's father hadn't married into the family, there would've been no possibility between them at all. Even so, their family still wasn't well received by the other Uchiha, often facing exclusion.
"Stop right there! This is Uchiha territory, outsiders are not allowed to enter!"
Two Uchiha guards stood at the entrance like gatekeepers, blocking Yami and Izumi with arrogant expressions, as if they were the rulers of the world.
There were reasons why the Uchiha clan had a bad reputation.
Beyond the fear and schemes of the higher-ups, the Uchiha themselves contributed to the issue. They looked down on others as if the rest of Konoha were beneath them.
Who would like people like that?
"Senpai, Yami is my friend," Izumi quickly explained, but the two guards simply shook their heads coldly.
"Rules are rules. He can't enter. You can go in by yourself."
Yami chuckled. "If someone knew nothing, they'd think Uchiha owns Konoha. But I can walk into the Hokage's office whenever I want, are you guys planning to declare independence?"
The two guards' faces darkened instantly, and even Itachi, walking behind them, had a subtle change in expression.
Before he could speak, a deep and authoritative voice came from the entrance:
"You must be joking. The Uchiha are, of course, part of Konoha, and we always welcome friends."
The guards turned around, only to break out in cold sweat when they saw who had arrived.
With stiff postures, they bowed their heads respectfully. "Clan Head Fugaku."
"Father," Itachi greeted.
Fugaku merely nodded at his son before walking past the two guards. With a friendly smile, he approached Yami and Izumi, his tone warm.
"You must be Shimura Yami. Itachi often mentions you. Welcome to the Uchiha clan."
"Really?" Yami tilted his head with a look of innocent confusion. "Then why were those two uncles so mean?"
"They misunderstood my intentions," Fugaku quickly explained. "The guards are here to identify potential spies, not to keep out friends."
"Tsk." Yami shook his head and sighed. "What's the point of having subordinates who don't even understand orders? Maybe I should ask my grandfather to train them for a few days. I guarantee they'll follow orders properly after that—he's really good at this kind of thing."
Fugaku's smile stiffened.
Let Danzo train them?
If those two guards went through Danzo's training, they'd probably come back blind or worse.
"No need to trouble Lord Danzo. I'll discipline them myself," Fugaku said quickly. He then turned to glare at the two guards, his Sharingan nearly activating out of frustration.
[Host establishes a Hostile Bond with Uchiha Hiro—Reward: Yin Release Chakra (Good).]
[Host establishes a Hostile Bond with Uchiha Takashi—Reward: Yin Release Chakra (Good).]
[Host establishes a Bond with Uchiha Fugaku—Reward: Yin Release Chakra (Genius).]
[Host establishes a Bond with Uchiha Itachi—Reward: Special Talent: 'One-on-Seven Combat Talent.']
Yami's body tensed as the notifications came in.
He quickly instructed the system to hold off on merging the rewards for now, keeping his composure as he smiled at Fugaku. Then, he turned his gaze toward Itachi, his eyes gleaming with interest.
If Kakashi was known as "50-50" for being evenly matched with nearly anyone he fought...
Then Uchiha Itachi was the exact opposite.
Against weaker opponents, he could annihilate them instantly. Against stronger foes, he could use his Mangekyō Sharingan and exceptional tactical intelligence to turn the tide of battle—or even claim victory.
The Mangekyō Sharingan certainly played a key role, but his pure combat talent shouldn't be underestimated either.
Sasuke had ruined his eyes after just two days of using the Mangekyō, yet Itachi had endured for years. That difference was telling.
Even if Yami wasn't fond of Itachi's "dutiful son" persona, he had to admit—it was undeniable.
Uchiha Itachi, like Namikaze Minato, had reached the peak of Kage-level strength.