Naruto: Becoming Stronger through Bonds

Chapter 3: Potential to be a Hokage!

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The next day.

Since it was a day off, Ervin slept in and didn't wake up until noon.

Ebikin wouldn't be visiting today, but Ervin had no intention of being idle.

Heading to the village to establish bonds was inefficient; he decided it was better to focus on training at home.

The system required three conditions to form a bond:

1. Both parties must meet face-to-face.

2. Both parties must know each other's names.

3. Ervin must leave a deep impression on the other party.

So far, the only exceptions to these rules were the rewards left behind by his parents.

To most adults, Ervin was just a child, unworthy of serious attention. This made achieving the third condition particularly difficult.

For example, even the two guards assigned to him, Aburame Seiji and Yamanaka Ryo, had yet to form the most basic bond with him. To them, Ervin was merely a mission target, not someone significant.

Currently, the best place to form bonds was the ninja academy.

It was at school that he had acquired his fire attribute. Perhaps one day he might collect all five attributes—or even the Yin attribute.

Heading to the courtyard, Ervin picked up a specially crafted children's dagger and began practicing basic slashing techniques.

In this world, there was no clear distinction between swords and knives. To Shimura, they were all essentially knives, even the so-called Kusanagi sword. However, he saw no need to correct anyone's terminology.

Given his natural talent for swordsmanship, which could reach the Ultimate level when he became a Genin, it would be a waste not to hone this skill.

In the Naruto world, most individuals were still fundamentally mortal, regardless of their strength. Efficiency in combat often favored weapons over ninjutsu. A well-placed slash could kill an enemy as effectively as a jutsu—if not more so.

Ordinary ninjas didn't master many jutsu and relied heavily on physical skills and ninja tools in battle. Ninjutsu was typically used to establish an advantage or achieve a decisive strike.

Not everyone could treat their techniques like Naruto's flat-out spam of devastating attacks.

---

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

The rhythmic sound of swinging echoed through the courtyard as warm sunlight filtered down from the clear blue sky, illuminating Ervin's forehead. Beads of sweat glistened like tiny jewels.

He continued his practice from after lunch until the sun began to set.

It wasn't until he heard a low voice behind him that Ervin stopped.

"Ervin."

Turning around, Ervin saw a tall, wrinkled old man approaching.

A bandage covered the area above his left eye, and his face exuded a gloomy, cold aura. Yet, when he looked at Ervin, a stiff smile broke through the darkness.

Perhaps because he rarely smiled, it appeared awkward and unnatural.

This man was none other than Shimura Danzō—renowned as the Dark of the Ninja World, the 5.5th Hokage, and history's most infamous "Nabekage."

"Old man, you're back," Ervin greeted him casually.

From the moment he had learned to speak, Ervin had always referred to Danzo as "old man," never once calling him "grandpa."

Danzo didn't seem to mind—or, more likely, he understood that caring wouldn't change anything.

To outsiders, he was cold and calculating, willing to scheme against anyone to achieve his goals. But when it came to Ervin, he was different.

Ervin was his only living relative, the continuation of his bloodline.

More than that, Danzo had placed all his hopes on Ervin. He not only wanted his grandson to inherit the leadership of Root but also dreamed of him one day becoming Hokage.

Ervin's talent did not disappoint Danzo. It was almost on par with Kakashi's in the past. Not long after starting school, Ervin had already reached the graduation standard.

However, it was a pity... there was no bloodline limit.

Danzo's single eye dimmed. In his mind, no matter how strong an ordinary ninja became, there was always a limit.

Only the Sharingan or Wood Style could make Ervin—and by extension, himself—truly stronger.

Thinking about the village's recent situation, Danzo's thoughts turned inward.

Meanwhile, Ervin, who had greeted him moments earlier, stood frozen in a daze.

The moment he saw Danzo, the system issued two notifications in rapid succession:

> [Host activates family bond with Shimura Danzō and receives reward: Wind Attribute (Genius)]

[Host and Shimura Danzō reach the second stage of the bond and receive reward: Wind Attribute Nature Transformation (Grandmaster)]

Since this was the first time Ervin had met Danzo after the system activated, it wasn't surprising that he received the rewards now.

The two rewards merged automatically, making Ervin's temperament noticeably sharper.

Especially with the mastery of Wind Attribute Nature Transformation, Ervin was aware that Danzo was currently the strongest Wind Style user in Konoha, and likely among the top in the entire ninja world.

Not everyone could sever Susanoo using wind-imbued shuriken.

Danzo, too, noticed Ervin's sudden change in demeanor. Snapping out of his thoughts, he walked slowly into the courtyard and stood in the open space.

"I have some time today. I haven't checked your progress in a while. Let's see how far you've come."

"Ah? Oh."

Ervin didn't hesitate. Tightening his grip on the sword, he charged forward without warning.

A faint distortion of air swirled around the blade, catching Danzo's eye.

Nature Transformation?!

Danzo's gaze lit up with approval.

- Good, very good.

- Mastering Nature Transformation at the age of six? My grandson has the potential to become Hokage!

In an instant, Ervin reached Danzo and slashed downward with his short sword.

Danzo merely shifted slightly to the side, effortlessly dodging the strike. As Ervin's right leg swept violently toward him, Danzo raised his arm to block. Using the momentum, Gengetsu spun away, creating distance, before charging forward again.

Despite the effort, Danzo, at the very least an Elite Jōnin, was far beyond Ervin's current level. Even if Ervin gave it his all, he couldn't pose a real threat.

Ervin, however, had no intention of holding back. He unleashed his full strength, combining swordsmanship and ninjutsu seamlessly.

After all, with the bond rewards from the second stage, the one person least likely to harm him in this world was Danzo.

Fifteen minutes later, Ervin stopped, panting heavily, his chakra nearly depleted.

"Well done, Ervin. But don't get complacent. You're just a genius, not yet a true powerhouse."

Danzo's face softened into a rare smile. Ervin's performance had far exceeded his expectations.

The boy used wind-natured chakra transformations with remarkable skill, and his Fire Style ninjutsu was also impressive.

If only he could gain new eyes...

The future of Konoha would undoubtedly belong to the Shimura family.

Buoyed by the thought, Danzo led Ervin into the house.

"Hey, old man," Ervin began, mid-meal, suddenly remembering something. He looked up and asked, "You didn't seem in a good mood when you got back. Did someone upset you?"

Danzo, nonchalantly eating a bite of rice, replied, "Who else could it be? Sarutobi Hiruzen, that old fool. My attempt to assassinate him failed today. Looks like the day I become Hokage will have to wait."

Ervin: "..."