Naruto: Offend Entire Shinobi World By Strengthening Bonds

Chapter 4: Assassinating the Hokage Is a Way to Strengthen Relationships

After listening to Danzo's account, Shimura Gengetsu finally understood the full story.

So that's why the old man had disappeared for a while—he had been secretly plotting to assassinate the Hokage!

Danzo's "Brilliant" Plan

After the Nine-Tails Rebellion, the youngest and most talented Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, had perished.

With no immediate successor, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had stepped up once again to stabilize the village.

However, he showed no intention of selecting a new Hokage.

Traditionally, a newly appointed Hokage needed to visit the daimyo of the Land of Fire to receive formal approval.

But due to the chaos left by the attack on Konoha, Hiruzen had delayed his journey until recently.

Danzo, having caught wind of this, had secretly mobilized all of Root's forces to eliminate Hiruzen today.

The good news? The assassination was successful.

The bad news? The "Hiruzen" Danzo killed was actually Kakashi in disguise.

The real Sarutobi Hiruzen had already seen through Danzo's conspiracy.

So just as Danzo sat down on the Hokage's throne, basking in his supposed victory…

Hiruzen suddenly appeared.

Danzo had never been more terrified in his life.

Though Hiruzen ultimately chose not to punish him, his patronizing and dismissive attitude had severely bruised Danzo's ego.

And what infuriated Danzo even more?

He had finally found a Wood Style ninja, but Hiruzen had lured him away using Kakashi!

Even now, just talking about it, Danzo couldn't stop cursing.

He even dragged Sarutobi Biwako's name into his rant—despite the fact that she had already passed away.

Gengetsu, who had been listening quietly, couldn't help but feel exasperated.

"Old man, don't push your luck. If anyone else attempted to assassinate the Hokage, they'd be executed on the spot. The Third Hokage has already been more than generous by letting you keep your position as the leader of Root."

Danzo scoffed, his face filled with pride.

"Does he even have the authority to do that?"

"Technically, Root operates under Anbu, but Hiruzen has no real control over us. Even if I were dismissed, those under my command would still obey me."

"That is what it means to be a truly qualified tool."

Gengetsu sighed.

"Then at least stop throwing your life away. I still have to attend ninja school—that's his territory."

Danzo waved off his concerns.

"He won't touch you. It's just an assassination—it's not like I haven't tried before."

"When he first became Hokage, I attempted to assassinate him. Later, I tried again."

Gengetsu: "..."

What kind of twisted dynamic is this?!

To any normal person, assassinating the Hokage would be a life-or-death situation.

But for Danzo, it had become a way to "strengthen his relationship" with Sarutobi Hiruzen?!

Gengetsu had no words.

Forget it.

As long as it didn't affect him, he didn't care about the never-ending feud between these two old men.

After dinner, Gengetsu returned to his room to refine his chakra, while Danzo went back to Root's underground base.

Danzo tapped his wooden cane lightly against the ground.

Immediately, two masked Root ninjas appeared, kneeling on one knee.

Danzo remained silent for a while, deep in thought, before issuing his order in a cold voice.

"Gather as much information as possible on sword techniques from Konoha and other ninja villages. Organize and compile everything you find. Also, instruct our operatives in the Land of Water to investigate whether we can acquire one of the Seven Ninja Swords."

"Understood." One of the ninjas bowed and swiftly disappeared.

Danzo then turned to the other ninja.

"What has Orochimaru been up to lately?"

The masked ninja hesitated before responding.

"Orochimaru entered his lab half a month ago and hasn't come out since. Either that… or my subordinates aren't skilled enough to track him."

Danzo snorted but didn't reprimand him.

Monitoring Orochimaru was beyond their capability.

Of all the Sannin, he was the most unpredictable—especially since the departure of Jiraiya and Tsunade had drastically altered his personality.

Right now, their relationship was one of mutual benefit, but Danzo was already planning to betray him.

To get back at Hiruzen, Danzo intended to expose Orochimaru's human experimentation, forcing him to flee Konoha.

After all, even Hiruzen couldn't protect him if the truth got out.

But before that, Danzo still had one last use for Orochimaru.

If Gengetsu liked swordsmanship, then as his grandfather, it was his duty to provide the best possible resources for him.

But a sword alone wasn't enough.

It had to be a legendary blade.

Danzo's Target: Legendary Swords

Danzo's first choice was the Thunder God Sword, once wielded by his teacher, the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

Currently, the sword was in Hiruzen's possession—not easy to acquire.

His second option was one of Orochimaru's Kusanagi Swords.

Contrary to popular belief, "Kusanagi" was not a single blade but a classification of legendary swords.

Rumor had it that Orochimaru possessed more than one.

Danzo was definitely interested.

"Let's go."

He slowly walked out of Root's base, his movements sluggish like an old man on the verge of collapse.

"Time to visit Orochimaru. I still owe Gengetsu a sixth birthday present…"

Back to the Ninja Academy

In the blink of an eye, it was time for Gengetsu to return to ninja school.

Carrying his schoolbag, he made his way toward the academy.

The Shimura Clan's estate was located outside Konoha, so as he passed through the village, many clan members greeted him respectfully.

Gengetsu casually acknowledged them and in doing so, gained several new bonds.

—

[+0.1 Standard Chūnin Chakra]

[+0.2 Standard Chūnin Chakra]

[...]

—

The system's power was becoming evident.

One standard Chūnin's chakra was equal to ten ordinary Genin.

By the time he left the clan grounds, Gengetsu's chakra reserves had reached 1.3 Standard Chūnin, and he had also acquired several Wind attribute talents.

Although he hadn't yet broken through to the Ultimate level, his affinity was clearly improving.

As he entered the ninja academy, several students visibly tensed upon seeing him—some looked like they were about to cry.

Gengetsu glanced at them indifferently before heading straight to the back row by the window.

These were the same students who had once mocked him for being an orphan.

He had beaten them so badly that it took over a week for them to recover.

Was that the end of his revenge?

Of course not.

If their parents were ninjas, they'd probably die gloriously on the battlefield within the year.

Then, they'd understand what it truly meant to be an orphan.

If their parents weren't ninjas?

Even easier.

"Gengetsu!"

Just as he was spacing out, staring at the sparrows outside, a cute girl with long black hair ran into the classroom.

The moment she saw him, her eyes lit up, and she rushed over to sit beside him.

Gengetsu smiled and gently ruffled her hair.

"Izumi."