Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

"No, no, Fuyu is still too young. How can he shoulder such a heavy responsibility? This is such a demanding job for the lord, I should take care of it!"

The thought of his life of wealth and luxury soon slipping away made Uchiha Izuna's expression turn serious. He frantically winked at his son, who was stunned by the unexpected joy, trying to get the brat to step down and avoid the Seven Wolves' torment.

"Dear Father."

Uchiha Tomoya looked at his father, who was making exaggerated facial expressions, with great difficulty, and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

With his grandfather on one side and his father on the other, the young and wealthy man found himself in a dilemma.

"Hmph! You brat, don't think I don't know what you're thinking."

A cold snort rang out, and Uchiha Izuna's expression froze. He looked up and saw Uchiha Tajima staring at him with an unfriendly look.

"Father, you misunderstand. Fuyu is the next clan head I have carefully groomed. If he comes to the Land of Waves and becomes the daimyo, who will govern the Uchiha clan of Konoha?"

While the Land of Waves' development is certainly remarkable, the Uchiha clan of Konoha cannot afford to let things drift aimlessly.

"What about Fugaku? Why not just let him become the head of the Uchiha clan in Konoha?"

"Huh? But Fugaku is only five years old!"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Izuna's vision went black. His youngest son couldn't even use the Great Fireball Technique. How could he be the clan leader?

That's your problem.

In short, Uchiha Tajima was determined to have his eldest grandson inherit the position of daimyo, and no amount of persuasion from Uchiha Izuna could change his mind. He could only watch helplessly as his son took the place that rightfully belonged to him.

"Little cousin, cheer up. At least you're still an emperor emeritus, aren't you?"

Seeing Izuna's grief-stricken expression, Uchiha Gin stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder to comfort him.

"Hmm, now that you put it that way, it doesn't seem so unacceptable."

Hearing this, Uchiha Izuna breathed a sigh of relief, and the frustration in his heart immediately dissipated.

The reunited family chatted until late at night. Just before resting, Uchiha Izuna, looking preoccupied, approached Uchiha Gin, who was preparing to go out hunting in the wild.

"Big brother, I plan to stay in the Land of Waves with Fu You for a while."

"Although this is a long-term mission, if you stay outside for too long, those guys in Konoha might not behave themselves."

"I've already given up the Hokage position, what else could they possibly be dissatisfied with?"

Uchiha Izuna frowned slightly. He knew who Uchiha Gin was talking about, but he had already given up the power he had gained. Why were those parasites still not at ease?

"Although you are no longer the Hokage, you haven't taken back the power you hold."

"You mean the mission lobby?"

During his tenure, Madara Uchiha delegated the management of the Konoha Mission Hall to his younger brother, and even after his disappearance, this coveted power was never revoked.

"Otherwise, there's plenty of profit to be made here, and those guys who suffered heavy losses are all eyeing it eagerly."

Mission rewards are the main source of income for ordinary ninjas. Controlling the mission issuance system is equivalent to holding the lifeline of most ninjas in one's hands; it is the most lucrative job among ninjas.

"Big cousin, you mean..."

"Let them go. If they want it, give it to them."

The Uchiha clan no longer needs mission rewards to make a living. Clinging to the mission hall will only invite the newly powerful Ninja Alliance to target them. It would be better to throw this hot potato back to them and let them fight amongst themselves.

"Okay, then I'll go back first after the mission is over, take care of this matter, and then come back to continue to enjoy my time and fulfill my filial duty to my father."

Uchiha Izuna, who always listened to his cousin the most, nodded without any hesitation.

He's not stupid. Why would he give up the wealth and luxury of the Land of Waves to go back to Konoha and continue being a slave?

Joyful times always pass too quickly, and the deadline for this escort mission was fast approaching. Standing on the ship, Uchiha Izuna reluctantly bid farewell to his father on the shore, his eyes filled with not only familial affection but also a lingering attachment to the luxurious experience.

"Father, I will come back to take care of you as soon as I finish my business."

"It's good that Xiao Fu is back, but you brat, don't come."

Uchiha Tajima unceremoniously crushed the filial piety offered by Uchiha Izuna into pieces.

"A tonic!"

"Uncle, don't be so quick to refuse. My younger cousin is actually quite capable. Wouldn't it be better to let him take charge of the search for my older cousin when he comes back?"

At the crucial moment, it was Uchiha Gin who stepped forward and found a suitable reason for his younger cousin, which finally convinced Uchiha Tajima to reluctantly agree.

"Since you've said so, A-Yin, I'll hand over the Ghost Squad to him when he returns."

Uchiha Tajima was the kind of man who had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Although he told his son not to come, he actually entrusted him with the management of the strongest army in the Land of Waves.

"Thanks, Dad!"

Leaf Village

Inside the secret meeting room of the Ninja Clan Alliance, Sarutobi Sasuke, his face flushed, sat in the center, flanked by his beloved son, who had just succeeded to the Hokage position. Around the large round table sat representatives from various ninja clans, their expressions varied, each carrying a mix of joy and sorrow.

"The main purpose of this meeting today is to thank everyone for their strong support. Without your help, my son Hiruzen would not have been able to succeed to the position of Hokage so smoothly. It can be said that everyone has a share in this position of Hokage."

A radiant Sarutobi Sasuke launched into a long, rambling speech, though it contained little substance. Yet, everyone present responded and echoed his sentiments with great enthusiasm.

"Sasuke, you're too kind. We've practically grown up together."

"Exactly, exactly. I knew Hiruzen was going to amount to something since he was a kid, and sure enough, he's become the village chief now!"

Everyone chimed in, praising Hiruzen Sarutobi to the skies, saying things that even made him blush.

"Please be quiet. Besides thanking everyone for their help, I have another very important thing to say."

Of course, Sarutobi Sasuke convened this meeting not simply as a thank-you event.

"I've found out who rigged the vote."

"Huh? Who is it?!"

"Sasuke, tell me quickly, I'll smash his windows tonight."

"They must be severely punished!"

Seeing the agitated crowd, a ruthless glint flashed in Sarutobi Sasuke's eyes.

"They're from the Senju clan!"

"ha?"

Upon hearing this answer, everyone was in an uproar. They had initially thought there was a traitor within their ranks, but it turned out to be a trap set by their partner.

"Sasuke, could something be wrong? The Senju clan should be the least willing to see Uchiha Izuna succeed him."

When someone raised a question, Sarutobi Sasuke shook his head.

"It's absolutely true, I have enough evidence."

The so-called sufficient evidence was nothing more than the drunken ramblings of a Senju clan member, but it was enough to prove the Senju clan's suspicion in this matter.

"That's the Senju clan, Sasuke, what are you going to do about it?"

"So what if they're from the Senju clan?"

Without the Senju brothers, the Senju clan is like a tiger with its teeth pulled. Coupled with the bankruptcy crisis of the past few years, the entire Senju clan is like a crumbling building, awaiting its collapse.

"Those who cheated us will have to pay the price!"

Thus, a secret retaliatory operation against the Senju clan was launched. This was the first time the ninja alliance, which had been lying low for many years, had shown its true colors. They intended to use this operation to announce to the entire Hidden Leaf Village that their era was about to begin.

"If everyone has nothing else to say, then the meeting is adjourned."

After a long and heated discussion, everyone prepared to leave and go home for dinner. However, before everyone could stand up, a large, obese figure emerged from the crowd.

"Sasuke, do you remember your promise?"

Kenjiro Shimura raised his hand with a serious expression, his tone carrying a hint of accusation.

"What promise?"

Sarutobi Sasuke frowned; he remembered that he should have returned the money he spent on drinking and carousing to Shimura Kenichi.

"Stop playing dumb, Mission Hall! Where is the Mission Hall you promised to give to our Shimura clan?"

The Shimura clan has put in a tremendous amount of effort for this election, spending a full 50 billion yen, but to no avail. Now, hundreds of mouths in the clan are waiting for their turn, so how could the clan leader not be anxious?

Hiruzen, Mission Hall

Sarutobi Sasuke turned to look at his son, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who quickly provided the answer.

"The Mission Hall is still under the control of Uchiha Izuna."

Compared to Kenichi Shimura's sour face, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression wasn't much better. He had been full of confidence and ready to make great strides, only to find himself a lone commander upon taking office.

Since the Hokage is the leader in charge of external affairs, the current peaceful situation leaves him no opportunity to realize his ambitions, while village affairs are entirely handled by Uchiha Kagami, who is extremely busy every day.

In addition, many departments in the village are still controlled by the Uchiha clan, including some highly lucrative ones, such as the mission hall and the street security team, etc.

"Hiruzen, you're Hokage now, taking back the power of these departments is just a matter of a word."

Undeterred, Kenichi Shimura attempted to provoke Hiruzen Sarutobi into reclaiming his lost gains, a display of exceptional malice.

I will do what I can.

Hiruzen Sarutobi twitched his lips bitterly. If he were to ask Izuna Uchiha for access to the mission hall, he would probably go in vertically and come out cut in two.

If only Uchiha Izuna weren't here.

"Then I'll wait for your good news."

Kenichi Shimura made the biggest contribution to Hiruzen Sarutobi's purchase of the Hokage position. If he couldn't gain even the slightest benefit from this, the Shimura clan might have to sever ties with the Sarutobi clan.

"Father, what should we do?"

After everyone had left, Hiruzen Sarutobi, his face contorted with worry, asked his equally troubled father, "Since I became Hokage, I haven't had a single peaceful day. Pressure from all sides has been relentless."

"This matter requires careful consideration. Why don't you ask Uchiha Kagami first and find out the Uchiha clan's attitude?"

The more experienced Sarutobi Sasuke pondered for a moment and then offered a more appropriate suggestion.

"Jing, I have something I want to ask you."

The next day, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at the office early and, seeing Kagami Uchiha enter, handed him the Honey Ice Cream he had bought in advance.

"Thank you."

Uchiha Kagami, who had held a clan meeting all night, looked somewhat dejected. He took the iced Americano from Hiruzen Sarutobi with a hint of surprise, then suddenly remembered something Izuna Uchiha had instructed him to do, and continued speaking.

"I also have something to tell you."

"You go first."

Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated for a moment, then decided to let Kagami Uchiha speak first while he mentally prepared his response.

"Lord Izuna and the others returned last night."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart tightened upon hearing this, realizing that Izuna Uchiha had returned so quickly.

As the Hokage, the fact that there were ninjas in the village stronger than him made him feel that his position as Hokage lacked authority.

"Yes, Lord Izuna returned quite suddenly, and immediately convened a clan meeting upon his return."

Slurp~

After taking a bite of an ice-cold Americano, Uchiha Kagami's weary mind regained some vitality.

"You guys had a meeting too?"

"Huh? Yes, Lord Izuna is preparing to return the authority of the mission hall to the village, and specifically arranged for me to organize the previous list."

The word "also" in Hiruzen Sarutobi's words puzzled Kagami Uchiha. Could it be that holding meetings at night has become a trend now?

They really don't treat cattle and horses like human beings!

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was also sympathizing with Uchiha Kagami during the evening meeting, was stunned for a moment, his face instantly showing disbelief.

Uchiha Izuna actually gave up the most lucrative department, the Mission Hall.

Could there be some kind of trap?

"Really!?"

"Absolutely true. What was discussed in the meeting was not something to be joked about."

Uchiha Kagami shook his head and explained with absolute certainty,

"Then why did he do that?"

"To offer such a lucrative position, Izuna Uchiha must have ulterior motives," Hiruzen Sarutobi cautiously pressed.

"Lord Izuna is preparing to leave the village to personally search for the clan chief's whereabouts."

"I see."

Now Hiruzen Sarutobi understood. Whether it was Izuna Uchiha giving up the Hokage position before, or now relinquishing control of the Mission Hall, it was all for the sake of his missing older brother.

In the eyes of the Uchiha clan, emotions always outweigh desires.

"Hiruzen, I need to ask you for a favor."

Just as he was sighing inwardly, Uchiha Kagami suddenly spoke, pulling Hiruzen Sarutobi back to reality.

"We're like family, everything is negotiable except for the issue of repaying the money."

"I have way too much work to do right now. Hiruzen, could you help me manage the tasks in the mission hall?"

"Well, since you've already asked, Jing, how could I possibly refuse?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was secretly overjoyed, showed no delight on his face. Instead, he feigned hesitation and, after a long pause, "reluctantly" agreed.

"Thank you so much."

"This is what I, as the Hokage, should do."

In the Uchiha clan compound, Uchiha Izuna, who was enjoying tea with Uchiha Gin, looked up and asked Uchiha Kagami, who had just entered.

"Jing, how's the matter I asked you to handle?"

Uchiha Kagami pondered for a moment. As a ninja with keen senses, he could clearly perceive the joy in Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression when he agreed.

"Hiruzen happily agreed."

"Hehe, as long as you're happy. Just don't blame us if anything goes wrong." (End of Chapter)