_________ POV Narration _________

After the end of the Chunin Exams, festivities ensued.

Unlike previous years where everyone just went their own ways, and the exams were used only really to scope out potential threats of potential enemies, this was now something made among allies only.

The investors and the participants were now finding themselves enjoying a festival in the middle of Konoha, it was to celebrate both the Chunin Exams, and the union of the many powers of the Alliance.

Needless to say, it all left a very good image in the eyes of the investors, one that couldn't have been faked. True unity.

Sure, the Raikage and the Uzukage seemed to not like each other, but they were in good terms with everyone else, and they all seemed to appreciate seeing the younger generations interact with each other.

Many were expecting Ken to be the quiet man overseeing everything, but he was in fact the one binge drinking with Mifune and the Raikge in the middle of the street.

It had become a contest between the three of them at some point.

The first one to lose was Mifune, his stomach somewhat smaller than his opponents.

The Raikage and Ken drank and laughed for the rest of the night, both of them were more beast than human in many ways it seemed.

A maybe couldn't transform or anything like that, but his body had long since transcended that of regular humans through constant tempering and use of the Lightning Cloak.

Takehiko stuck close to his teacher/mentor, sometimes glancing at Ken with a bit of fear in his eyes.

He now knew that comparing himself to Ken was foolish, but he hoped that his outburst from the preliminaries hadn't offended Ken too badly.

Unbeknownst to him, Ken hadn't been offended at all. He wanted to help him learn more about the world. He. much like Yorihikko, saw the potential within the young Uzumaki prodigy.

But unlike Yorihikko, Ken also could 'see' the flaws within the young man. He knew that letting him go into the world with his mindset would only lead to his untimely death.

In the past, he wouldn't have really cared. Even if the Uzumaki were his allies currently, things could change in the future, and he wouldn't have felt the need to go out of his way to help their future generation grow stronger.

But, as he was currently, he understood that having allies was something to cherish, not something to act weary about.

Even snakes could become loyal forever if fed properly. And having an ally out in the world always gave one more leisure and options in the face of adversity.

Even Saburo, despite being with the Brotherhood only for his own reasons, he had proven his loyalty time and time again.

He was still only there because it was most convenient, but Ken could trust that he wouldn't ever leave at that point. He had tied every facet of his life to the lab within the Dark Brotherhood's compound.

He had already managed to stick himself to the strongest person around, he had no rhyme or reason to ever leave.

Ken had already proven that he could fight back even if the entire world turned against him. Saburo trusted his strength so much that he didn't even feel the need to have an escape plan like he had in the Grass Village.

He had become a reliable ally. Much like everyone else within the Three Corners Alliance.

And finally, Ken could see his goal almost completed. Temporary peace. Now it was all about maintaining that peace.

They had a monopoly over power in the Elemental Nations, but they still needed to sustain themselves.

Trade routes were already being established, and it was just a matter of time before they became truly self-sufficient.

Every investor could see and understand that when feeling the unity of the Alliance during the Chunin Exams.

And so, they were incentivized to try and prove their allegiance to the Three Corners Alliance as well, by providing them with contracts, donations and help with expanding the trade routes.

Things were already snowballing, and by the time Ken and the Dark Brotherhood left for their Compound, everything was looking great. To the point where even the sanctions that some nobles tried to put on them weren't going to matter anymore.

Reaching the compound was much easier, as Tosho and Saburo were able to just Reverse Summon them there instantly.

The children of the brotherhood rejoiced when seeing their siblings and father return, a small celebration happened there as well, but everyone quieted down when Ken clapped his hands.

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"As you all know, the Chunin Exam winner is none other than our Tatsukio, Number 1 between you children." Ken's calming voice soothed the ears of the many listeners, as he paced on a small earthen podium that Tosho, the First Blade, had risen underneath him.

The children cheered once more when hearing that, many looking at Tatsukio with pride. He, much like all of them, started from the ground. No even worse due to his disability.

But despite all of that, he was able to become what was essentially the best in his generation within the Three Corners Alliance.

Even the new recruits had taken to seeing him as a role model. An example that, no matter how bad things were, they could always get better.

"Talent notwithstanding, Tatsukio would not have gotten anywhere were it not for his hard work, determination and character.

Unlike many who would use their disability as an excuse, he has overcome it and even manages to use it to his advantage.

This is something that even I admire."

Ken's speech voiced out the thoughts of the children perfectly. Those in the older generations had seen it and had passed down the tales to the younger ones.

But starting up, Tatsukio was struggling to even stand on his own, let alone fight.

And yet, through tears, gritted teeth and sheer determination, he had now become the best among them.

No matter how talented one was, without the right mindset they would never get far. Tosho was a good example of that, his talent had been completely wasted before Ken found him and polished him into a fine gem.

"It is due to this, due to your hard work and character, that I have decided to officially promote you to the status of the '4th Blade'.

You will, from now on, lead a squad of numbered of your own, into missions of your choosing. You have earned my trust."

As he spoke, Ken slowly pulled out a mask from his coat, a white mask with 4 red slashes painted on it, going right down the middle.

Upon seeing it, Tatsukio couldn't help but tear up. It was gratifying, all of his efforts being rewarded with the recognition he very much deserved.

He was so emotional, that he hadn't even realized that Ken was sitting in front of him, with the mask extended for what must've been a full minute.

"What are you doing jackass? Take your mask!"

A voice broke him out of his trance, it was none other than Morita, who patted him on the back with a smile on his face.

Out of everyone, he knew best just how much Tatsukio deserved the promotion, he deserved to become one of the Blades.

Putting aside all of their competition for Ken's attention, all of the bad emotions that Mortia might've had in the past... The Number 2 Assassin still held a huge amount of respect for his rival.

Hearing his voice, Tatsukio couldn't help but smile underneath his currently blank mask.

He slowly reached out and took the mask from his father's outstretched palm.

"Congratulations! Let us celebrate, the birth of a new Blade!" Ken immediately rose his hand to the other children, who were essentially just waiting for the queue to break into cheers.

Dozens rushed Tatuskio, picking him up and throwing him in the air with smiles on their now unmasked faces.

The 4th Blade now also took off his empty mask, and laughed with his siblings, a happy smile stretching across his face.

The festivities lasted for a full day, the children were all exempt from training, and they were allowed to enjoy a buffet of good food, courtesy of Saburo's now-improved cooking skills.

For drinks they had homemade grape juice, they were bought grapes, of course, but the Brotherhood was certainly going to have its own vineyard, seeing as the children all liked grape juice, and Ken liked wine, which was just old grape juice.

After the festivities were all over Ken took Tatsukio to the side, they both walked through a maze of underground tunnels, reinforced with support pillars and stonework that seemed to be made by artists.

They eventually reached a door, guarded by two intimidating-looking masked men. Two of Saburo's strongest clones were on either side of that door.

And it seemed that the gigantic stone door was so heavy that it required Ken himself to step forward and open it up.

Tatsukio walked into what could've only been called a weapon nut's wet dream.

A gigantic room filled with all manner of strange mechanisms and weapons. Blades of varying qualities adorned the walls, all shining and reflecting as the room itself seemed to be lit up by strange stones stuck to the roof of it.

The collection easily held a few thousand weapons, far more than there were hands to use them within the Brotherhood... At least for now.

"Welcome, 4th Blade, to the new and improved Dark Brotherhood Armory." Ken officially addressed Tatsukio by his title as he continued walking deeper into the armoury.

They eventually reached the furthest corner of the room, and 4 distinct blades were placed on display, on different pedestals. There were 7 pedestals in total, but some were missing.

"The Nuibari(Sewing Needle), The Kiba(Twin Swords/Fangs), The Kabutowari(Helmet Splitter), and the Shibuki(Scroll Blade).

Take your pick, as an official blade, you have the option of choosing one of our greatest weapons." Ken's voice broke Tatsukio out of his musings, as he admired the masterpieces that were currently in front of him.

"The Nuibari? I thought that was Yue's blade..." The 4th Blade mused whilst studying the Sewing Needle with a curious gaze.

"It has been confiscated from her temporarily as a punishment. I'm sure you know that she is currently under house arrest for her outbursts."

Ken had called taking the Nuibari away a temporary measure. But he wouldn't mind giving it to Tosho, maybe it could serve as a good lesson for Yue after all.

But the Blind Swordsman already knew that Tatsukio wasn't going to pick the Sewing needle, it simply wasn't his style.

Tatsukio paced the room a bit, inspecting all of the blades, before reaching for and picking up the one that Ken expected the least...

"So it's the Explosive Scroll Blade in the end, huh?" Ken smiled underneath his mask, already imagining the types of moves one could pull of with Tatsukio's fighting style coupled with the blade's explosions.

"It just seems like the best option here, Father." Tatsukio nodded, still referring to Ken as his Father. That fact hadn't changed despite his raise in rank.

The two of them were closer than ever now, Ken really did see him as his own son, not that he saw the other children in the brotherhood much differently, but he was as proud as one could be when 'looking' at Tatsukio.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said about Yue. Who was so bitter about her punishment that she hadn't even bothered to celebrate Tatskuio's advancement with the others.

Ken sighed when sensing her brooding in her own room, looking at the pile of books that she now had to read as an assignment.

'I'll leave her alone for now... Try to put my mind elsewhere.'

Ken slowly paced his office, the gigantic clipboard on the side of the room was filled with notes about each and every ally that Ken had gathered, information, likes and dislikes.

Everything was noted down perfectly, and eventually, his hand traced a note that had little details.

'I guess it's time to fill in some blanks, huh.'

And that note was regarding his biological family...