I and countless versions of myself simultaneously travel through time.

The Naruto world, Konoha Village, the Fifth Hokage's office.

Ye Yan sat in the seat where the previous Hokage had sat, with the "Fire" banner behind him, his gaze calm and steady.

He had only been the Fifth Hokage for a week, but the changes in Konoha Village were already visible to the naked eye.

The streets are cleaner, the patrol teams are more diligent, and even the villagers have more smiles on their faces.

Ye Yan is not the kind of politician who only shouts slogans. Every word he says and every decision he makes is sincerely for the sake of Konoha and the ninja world to usher in a peaceful and prosperous era.

Every morning at six o'clock, before dawn, Ye Yan would get up on time. After washing up, he would walk out of the Uchiha clan's residence. Along the way, the clansmen would bow their heads to greet him. Although this young Hokage was only eleven years old, he had proven himself with his strength and skill.

In the morning, I handled government affairs in various villages of Konoha, reviewed documents, listened to reports, and coordinated conflicts between departments.

The afternoons are used for training, while shadow clones are used to monitor the movements of the various ninja villages.

I'm busy until 11 p.m. before I can finally lie down and rest.

This schedule is maintained without fail, seven days a week.

Seven days of unpaid, no-rest work!

Seven days!

Konoha Village underwent sweeping reforms this week, and a new "Will of Fire" was established, no longer about mindless sacrifice and dedication, but about "protection and co-prosperity".

In his speeches over seven consecutive days, Ye Yan relentlessly criticized the mistakes and correctness of the first to fourth generations of leaders.

The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, laid the foundation for Konoha, but his idealism was too naive, leaving behind too many hidden dangers. The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, established the Ninja Academy and the Anbu system, which was of great merit, but his prejudice and suppression of the Uchiha clan sowed the seeds of future rebellion. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, reigned the longest, but he also indulged Danzo's Root organization in its rampant activities, causing Konoha to decay from within. The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, died young, unable to realize his ambitions, but his spirit of sacrifice is worthy of respect.

Despite the criticism, Ye Yan never completely dismissed everything.

Affirm what deserves affirmation, criticize what deserves criticism, provide reason and evidence, and convince everyone.

That day, Ye Yan got up as usual. He washed...

After rinsing his mouth, he walked out of the Uchiha compound. The morning sun shone on the streets, and the villagers stopped in their tracks to greet him with smiles: "Good morning, Hokage-sama!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Fifth Hokage!"

Ye Yan nodded in response to each person, a gentle smile on his face, a warm smile that he gave to every Konoha resident.

In just one week, the changes in Konoha were evident to all, but Ye Yan knew in his heart that there was still a big problem that had not been solved: the conflict within the Hyuga clan.

The system of cursed seals between the main family and branch families is a chronic problem that has existed since the founding of Konoha.

The feudal remnant of a family being controlled by the main branch for generations, with its members having no say in their own lives, must be abolished.

Ye Yan follows a moderate democratic approach, but he also employs coercive policies.

He plans to formally propose the Hyuga reform plan at today's high-level meeting.

"Let's go get a bowl of ramen first." Ye Yan turned and walked towards Ichiraku Ramen.

As you lift the curtain, the aroma of steaming hot ramen wafts out.

Naruto and Sasuke were sitting in a corner eating noodles when they saw Ye Yan come in, and Naruto's eyes lit up immediately.

"Senior Ye Yan!" Naruto put down his chopsticks, stood up with a serious expression, and said, "Please stay with me!"

Sasuke's chopsticks froze in mid-air, his lips twitching.

He glanced at Naruto, then at Ye Yan, his expression complex.

Ye Yan paused for a moment, then shook his head and smiled: "I only love this village. Naruto, your bonds are far less than my love for this village."

Naruto opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but Sasuke pressed him back into his seat.

"Don't embarrass yourself," Sasuke said in a low voice.

Ye Yan sat at the bar, and Uncle Tada smiled as he handed her a bowl of his signature miso ramen.

"Lord Hokage, please enjoy your meal."

Ye Yan took a bite; the broth was rich and the noodles were chewy—truly exceptional.

He ate while thinking about the village.

The Uchiha Madara sealed within Ye Yan's body is currently silently observing Ye Yan's every move in his consciousness space.

Ban listened to Ye Yan's words, "I only like this village."

Suddenly, I remembered the grand ambition I made with Hashirama when we stood on the mountaintop, overlooking the newly built Konoha Village.

Hashirama said he wanted to create a peaceful world where children wouldn't have to go to war.

Ban said he would protect this village at all costs.

Back then, they genuinely loved the village.

Later, Hashirama became Hokage, Madara was marginalized, and the two drifted apart, eventually becoming enemies.

Madara looked at Ye Yan, his heart filled with mixed feelings. This kid was indeed seriously working on the village. He had both political acumen and strength, unlike Madara who was arrogant and domineering back then. Madara thought he would sweep across the ninja world like Madara.

Moreover, Ye Yan, despite being of Uchiha blood, was able to suppress the dissenting voices of others in the clan with force. Even Madara admired this skill.

Why didn't he follow him back then?

Sasuke sat in the corner, staring at Ye Yan in disbelief. He remembered clearly that less than three months ago, Ye Yan was an eleven-year-old ninja in the Uchiha clan with mediocre talent and unremarkable appearance.

In that short period of time, he not only became the Fifth Hokage, but also took Sasuke's brother Itachi Uchiha away, saying that he was "arranged to go to a more important place." Sasuke didn't know exactly what that place was.

"Hail, Hokage!" The voice of the middle-aged man pulled Sasuke back to reality.

Ye Yan left the money, put on the Hokage robe, and walked towards the Hokage Building. The four large characters "Fifth Hokage" were written on the back of the white robe, which were particularly eye-catching in the sunlight.

Nara Shikaku was already waiting at the office door, holding a thick stack of documents.

Upon seeing Ye Yan approach, he immediately went to greet him: "Lord Hokage, this is the letter of authorization sent by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. Please take a look."

Ye Yan took the document and began to look through it.

Shikaku observed his expression, secretly speculating in his mind.

After a week of working as a strategist, he had gained some understanding of the young Hokage's decision-making abilities. Ye Yan was not the impulsive type, but he was not a puppet to be manipulated either. Of the four former high-ranking officials of Konoha, one had retired, two were frontline ninjas, and one had died.

He listens to opinions from all sides before making decisions, but ultimately, he always makes the final decision himself.

Shikaku thought Naruto would get angry, after all, people from the Uchiha clan tend to have extreme emotions, and although Ye Yan has Uchiha blood, he is not a pure Uchiha.

But after a week, he found that Ye Yan's emotions were frighteningly stable. He never lost his temper in public, nor did he ever boss his subordinates around.

This composure doesn't seem like that of an eleven-year-old child, but rather like that of an old man who has experienced many hardships.

Ye Yan finished reading the power of attorney and smiled.

He shook his head and tossed the documents onto the table: "Just a puppet regime. Does the Fire Country Daimyo want Konoha to continue being his ATM? Dream on."

Shikaku's eyelids twitched: "What does the Hokage mean...?"

"From this day forward, Konoha Village will be an independent nation." Ye Yan tapped the table, his voice soft but resounding. "The Daimyo of the Land of Fire should also be changed. Damn it, these people have turned the Land of Fire into a mess, with corrupt officials running rampant and the people suffering. Rather than letting these useless bastards ride roughshod over Konoha, we should take matters into our own hands. How can Konoha become great while surrounded by these vermin?!"

Shika took a deep breath and did not refute.

He admitted that Ye Yan's decision, though radical, was not without reason.

The Fire Country Daimyo's control over Konoha has long been nominal. Rather than maintaining this false subordinate relationship, it's better to break off the facade directly.

"Lu Jiu, send out the announcement," Ye Yan said. "Perfect timing, I just got back from my end."

As soon as he finished speaking, the office door was pushed open, and another Ye Yan walked in—his shadow clone.

The shadow clone nodded to the main body, deactivated the transformation technique, and disappeared in a wisp of white smoke.

"The daimyo of the Land of Fire has been dealt with." Ye Yan said calmly, "The Kaleidoscope Illusion Technique is quite effective at handling a few dozen obedient people."

Lu Jiu then realized, good heavens, Ye Yan had already made his move.

This is how the Uchiha clan handles things.

Shikaku nodded.

This Uchiha flavor is just right.

You disagree?

Use illusion magic.

Lu Jiu smiled wryly. After serving as an advisor for so many years, this was the first time he felt he couldn't keep up with his leader's pace.

"Second Generation, what's your opinion?" Ye Yan turned to look at a figure standing in the corner.

Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, has now been resurrected by Ye Yan in some way and appointed as the head of the Uchiha clan. This arrangement itself is full of dark humor.

Tobirama opened his three-tomoe Sharingan, his eyes glowing red.

He's grown to like the Uchiha bloodline more and more lately, not because the Sharingan is useful.

He brought the three-tomoe Sharingan to its fullest potential!

Such powerful strength!

He praised it highly.

It's because Ye Yan, this Uchiha, is much more reliable than his brother Hashirama. Ye Yan possesses the strength of Uchiha Madara and the corresponding intellect.

"Hokage brat, I have a question for you." Tobirama walked to the desk, arms crossed, "What's your opinion on the historical relationship between the Fire Country's Daimyo and the Hokage?"

Ye Yan leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table: "Second Hokage, I am the Hokage. Remember your position—you are the head of the Uchiha clan, not the Hokage's advisor."

Fugaku, standing to the side, almost couldn't hold back.

He, the dignified head of the Uchiha clan, has now been arranged by Ye Yan to become the "vice head of the clan," while Tobirama, an outsider, has become the head of the clan.

What kind of situation is this?

But he didn't dare to object, because Ye Yan's strength was undeniable.

Tobirama snorted, but wasn't angry.

He has recently become quite adept at handling the Uchiha clan issue, after all, he was the one who orchestrated the Uchiha Guard system back then, and he understands the Uchiha clan members' thoughts very well.

Unfortunately, the hawks never recognized him.

There are too few clansmen who support Tobirama; he is only a "half-clan leader."

"Hokage, you need to think this through," Tobirama sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness.

Ye Yan raised an eyebrow: "You've been secretly mimicking me again?"

Tobirama's lips twitched, too lazy to respond.

Ye Yan stood up and walked to the long table in the conference room.

Representatives from the Hyuga clan, the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, and other ninja clans have all arrived.

Ye Yan looked around and distributed the documents in his hand to everyone.

"I've clearly defined the distinction between Konoha's people and troublemakers," Ye Yan's voice turned cold. "The darkness in this ninja village runs too deep; we must strike hard. These are no longer ordinary villagers; they are termites whose hearts have been corrupted by the decadent ideologies of the old era. From today onward, the security force will strictly monitor every villager, verifying whether they are truly people or troublemakers. The execution of the new Will of Fire doesn't need slogans; it needs action."

Tobirama stood to the side, looking at Ye Yan's young yet composed face, and a complex emotion suddenly welled up in his heart.

He recalled the time when he assisted Hashirama in establishing Konoha, a time when he too was full of confidence, believing he could create a bright future. But in the end, the village went in the direction he least wanted to see.

"Fine." Tobirama shook his head. "Whatever. I hope you can do what we couldn't back then."

Ye Yan stood in the center of the conference room, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. His voice wasn't loud, but every word was firm and resolute: "Listen up, everyone. Enforce the law with a smile, no violence allowed. Anyone involved in corruption or illegal activities, whether you're a ninja clan leader or a commoner, will be thoroughly investigated! Investigate to the end! Even I will treat everyone equally, without any leniency!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fugaku Uchiha was the first to stand up, bowing respectfully and saying, "Hokage-sama, your insight is brilliant! Such fairness and selflessness are truly a blessing for Konoha!"

Before he could finish speaking, he found Ye Yan looking at him with a smile that was so gentle it sent chills down his spine.

"Since Fugaku has already said it's a 'brilliant idea,' let's start the investigation from you," Ye Yan added casually.

Fugaku's smile froze instantly: "Huh?"