Konoha: Offer your heart to the Hokage!

The two strolled through the courtyard and walked into the bamboo forest.

Uchiha Chiri stroked the bamboo pole and couldn't help but sigh, "These bamboos are truly amazing; they're still growing in winter."

Shen Er casually chimed in, "I hope they can grow into century-old bamboo."

It's no surprise that the bamboo grove is thriving after ten years.

After all, the ground contained the bodies of nearly a hundred ninjas.

She even considered transplanting another batch of cherry blossom trees into the courtyard after a while, so that it would create a better atmosphere.

After the cleaning work was completed.

Shen Er followed the two to Nanga Shrine to offer New Year's greetings.

It's still as lively as ever, with a few more unfamiliar children than last year.

Since the end of the Warring States period, the Uchiha clan has enjoyed a full decade of recuperation and development, and has now reached its peak for the next fifty years. However, Shen Er knows in his heart that this vibrant period will not last long.

When Hashirama passed away and Tobirama took over, the First Shinobi World War was about to break out, and such a lively scene would never be seen again.

There will only be fewer and fewer people.

Shen Er glanced around and saw several familiar faces.

That year, Uchiha Kagami was 13 years old, and Uchiha Kenji and Uchiha Sosuke were 12 years old, all of them at the prime of their youth.

He and Chiri walked to a spot on the steps a little away from the crowd and sat down.

Uchiha Chiri chimed in, "Kagami awakened his three-tomoe Sharingan midway through the year, and Ayano says he's now close to being a special Jonin. Kenji and Sosuke are also doing well, having awakened their two-tomoe Sharingan and possessing Chunin-level strength."

"When the village holds the Chunin Exams next year, they will all be officially promoted to Chunin."

“Impressive.” Shen Er nodded in agreement. “A 13-year-old special jonin, whether in today’s world or 50 years from now, would be considered exceptionally talented.”

This is not just polite flattery.

As far as he knew, seventy years from now, in Boruto's era, no one in Konoha would be able to break the record for the youngest Jonin set by Kakashi.

Kakashi became a Jonin at age 12, Hyuga Neji at age 15, and Might Guy at age 16...

A Jonin is a genius among ninjas; a Jonin under the age of 16 is a genius among Jonin.

At the age of 13, Uchiha Kagami already possessed the power of a special Jonin, so it wouldn't be long before he was officially promoted.

If he hadn't been chosen by Tobirama to join his personal guard, perhaps he wouldn't have met such an untimely and mysterious end.

Let's think a little further ahead.

If Kagami had lived peacefully until the Third Hokage's time, Shisui wouldn't have been forced to his death with his grandfather around, Itachi wouldn't have massacred his clan, and Sasuke would have had a normal, happy childhood. Intertwined timelines...

So the real culprit is Tobirama Senju!

It was his recruitment of Uchiha Kagami into the guard that brought about a series of subsequent disasters.

However, now, because of Shen'er's existence, the fates of the Uchiha Golden Sages have already been disrupted.

Uchiha Chiri suddenly spoke up: "Once Kagami graduates from the ninja class, I plan to groom him as a candidate for the next clan leader."

"Hmm?" Shen'er was somewhat surprised. "Why did you suddenly make this decision?"

"It wasn't sudden. My appointment as clan leader was originally a matter of being appointed in a time of crisis. Seeing that there were outstanding younger members in the clan, I naturally had to make preparations in advance."

"..."

Uchiha Chiri rested his chin on his hands: "But it's still early. Kagami is still young, and his experience and strength are not yet enough to convince the elders of the clan. It will take at least five years, and at most seven or eight years."

"By then, Jing should be qualified to take on the position of clan leader."

"After I step down from the position of clan chief, I will be much freer and will have the right to make many choices on my own."

You also want freedom...

She didn't really think about what kind of freedom she was talking about.

Considering it's the New Year, Shen Er instinctively wanted to do something on this special holiday to win people's hearts and establish prestige.

So, Shen took the initiative to say, "As a ninja, I don't really have any special talents. But I do have some insights that might be able to help the young Uchiha clan members grow up faster."

"Please call them over for me. I have some insights I'd like to share with them."

Kagami, Kenji, Sosuke, and many other young Uchiha were summoned to the front.

They sat on the ground and listened to Shen'er's teachings.

Shen Er said, "These are the five oaths that Konoha ninjas should abide by, which I summarized after witnessing life and death at the Gospel Hospital. They are also part of the Will of Fire."

As the chief designer of the Will of Fire, Shen Er could naturally add his own personal touches to it at will.

"Don't go on missions on an empty stomach, air out your clothes and blankets on sunny days, be careful of people when walking on Konoha streets, don't rely on others' strength, and don't practice ninjutsu barefoot."

The young Uchiha looked at each other, completely bewildered, even Uchiha Kagami was full of doubt.

What are you saying, Lord Shen?

Only Uchiha Chiri understood the deeper meaning and exclaimed, "Well said, Shinji-kun. I will write this down and have it included in the Will of Fire textbook after the holiday."

Thanks to Shen'er's efforts, students at the Ninja Academy have access to new Will of Fire techniques to learn every year.

...

The next few days.

Shen Er, as usual, wandered around the village and paid New Year's visits.

Senju, Hinata, Sarutobi, Shimura...

Of course, the disciples were not left behind either.

Shen Er went to Matsumoto and Kaori's house to pay New Year's greetings and met her. Also there were her two friends from the ninja academy, Hyuga Kotone and Yamanaka Yuki.

Matsumoto Waka's face grew even paler, and she coughed from time to time.

The house was very clean, but all that was served to the guests was plain water, eggs, and apples.

I even glimpsed a few packets of instant noodles in the corner.

It's the very lifestyle of a mad scientist.

Furthermore, it was noted that both of Matsumoto Kaori's friends came from families with cursed seals.

He immediately realized something; it turned out there was such a story behind the development of the prototype curse seal. He was quite satisfied with the dark will displayed by Matsumoto Kaori.

At the dinner table, he said, "I'm so glad that He Xiang has made friends with you all. If He Xiang does anything wrong, please forgive her. As her teacher, I thank you on He Xiang's behalf."

"The three of you should help each other more in the future."

"The bond of friendship is a ninja's most precious treasure."

The two were deeply moved and developed a deep admiration for Shen Er.

This scene will likely become a story passed down through generations.

Gaining admiration and winning people's hearts is as natural to Shen Er as a person drinking water.

Only Matsumoto Waka was uneasy.

Her initial intention was nothing more than to use her companions and teachers to fulfill her obsession.

The short New Year holiday came to an end quickly.

Intelligence from neighboring small countries was also quickly gathered at the Hokage Building.

...

Chapter 69: Can super intelligence be as useful as super power?

Konoha 10th year.

The Hokage Building has returned to its usual bustling state, even more so than before.

Shen Er had just arrived at his office when he received feedback on the intelligence mission he had assigned before the New Year. The intelligence was almost exactly what he had expected; it was all the information he wanted Konoha to find.

The Konoha intelligence agents really went to great lengths to make so many dumplings just for this plate of vinegar.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Shen Er gathered the intelligence and went to report back.

Inside the Hokage's office.

"Hashirama, Tobirama."

"Shen'er, you've arrived. Please sit down." After Shen'er sat down, Hashirama asked, "Tobirama just handed me the coordinates of the Tailed Beasts. How's your allocation plan coming along?"

"The basic framework has been set; the remaining issue is pricing."

"Okay! Let me take a look."

Two copies of the plan were given to the two brothers.

Before the tailed beasts even appeared, they were already planning how much to sell them for. Only Hashirama had the ability to make such a plan.

Tobira didn't look at the intelligence much, since he was the one who compiled it.

The key point is what the Hokage thinks.

Looking at the scroll in his hand, Hashirama Senju couldn't help but marvel: "The Drum of Liberation? A Sound Release technique? The ninja world is truly full of wonders. I've never even heard of Akatsuki Village in the Land of Rice Fields before."

"The Akatsuki Village was officially established just before the New Year." It was Tobirama who spoke: "It is said that the Daimyo of the Land of Rice Fields even hosted a banquet for the entire city to celebrate."

Upon receiving this information, Tobirama instinctively felt that something was amiss.

Konoha had just started planning to capture and distribute the Tailed Beasts.

In the Land of Rice Fields, a newly established ninja village suddenly appeared, exuding an air of deliberate shoddy work.

However, the information presented was flawless.

Intelligence indicates that Akatsuki, under the leadership of the First Hokage, began eradicating local criminal gangs three years ago. This record appears to be much cleaner than that of a notorious ninja village like Kumogakure, which is known for its thuggish and ruthless nature.

"Not bad, not bad."

As expected, Hashirama praised him repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration for this pacifist junior.

Shen Er added from the side, "The specific tailed beast allocation plan is on the second page."