ANBU Commander-in-Chief

"When Orochimaru defected, he had already been researching a forbidden technique. This technique allowed his soul to continuously reincarnate into other bodies. It was called Living Corpse Reincarnation.

"He probably had not completed the technique at the time. It seemed he had mastered it now.

"Based on what you described, Orochimaru had most likely transferred his soul into the body of the missing Uchiha Clan rogue ninja."

Minato spoke to Ye Wuyue and the others with a grave expression. Orochimaru, having obtained the Sharingan, would undoubtedly be even stronger than before. The existence of this Konoha rogue ninja truly gave Minato a headache; he could not think of any good way to deal with him.

"Then Orochimaru must have mastered that forbidden technique, just as Lord Hokage said. But if that is the case, do we need to capture Orochimaru as well in order to capture that Uchiha Clan rogue ninja?"

Shisui asked Minato. If they truly had to capture Orochimaru as well in order to fulfill their original agreement, then all of the Uchiha Clan's rights in Konoha would effectively be revoked. After all, that agreement had been made before the clan heads of every family in Konoha and Konoha's higher-ups. Even Minato could not change it lightly.

There were less than two years left until the deadline. Capturing a rogue ninja whom all of Konoha had failed to catch for nearly a decade within those two years was not very realistic.

And just as Minato had said, the ninja world was vast. As long as Orochimaru kept hiding, it would be virtually impossible for anyone to catch him.

Minato lowered his head and pondered for a while before saying, "There is no need. If the current Orochimaru is included, then the agreement would be far too harsh.

"Since Orochimaru has taken over that Uchiha Clan rogue ninja's body, it can also be said that the rogue ninja is already dead. Although it does not count as a successful capture, it still means that all the Uchiha Clan members who defected back then have been dealt with.

"Consider the original agreement fulfilled. I believe the other clans can see the changes the Uchiha Clan has made over the past few years. There should not be many objections."

Ever since Uchiha Setsuna had taken away many of the radical faction within the Uchiha Clan, Fugaku and the other conservatives' influence within the clan had risen sharply. Through their efforts, the remaining radicals had also lost their power within the clan.

Afterward, Fugaku began reforming the Uchiha Clan from within. Anyone who treated villagers poorly while carrying out missions would be severely punished. After several years of this, the Uchiha Clan's reputation in Konoha underwent a complete transformation. Most villagers no longer turned pale at the mere mention of the Uchiha Clan.

At those words, Shisui let out a long breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Revoking the Uchiha Clan's rights within the village would not have had much impact on people like them. After all, most ninja income came from mission payments. But it was different for the Uchiha Clan as a whole. It could very well give rise to more radicals like Uchiha Setsuna, and all of Fugaku's efforts over the past few years might be wasted.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"

Shisui sincerely thanked Minato, and Ye Wuyue and Itachi did the same.

Minato smiled gently at this. "There is no need to thank me. You have earned this. On the contrary, as Hokage, I should apologize for failing to secure the benefits you deserved. I also hope that all of you will still be willing to continue serving Konoha in the future."

Hearing Minato's words, Ye Wuyue was truly won over by his broad-mindedness. For a leader, recognizing talent and employing people well, as well as being able to tolerate others, were both exceptional qualities. Minato possessed both.

How many leaders throughout history had indiscriminately killed loyal and worthy subordinates because they could not tolerate them? The same was true in this world. Konoha's White Fang and Sunagakure's Pakura had both devoted themselves to their villages and willingly risked their lives, yet in the end, because their accomplishments threatened those above them, one committed suicide amid verbal attacks while the other died in a foreign land.

It was indeed rather ironic. If not for Konoha's solid foundation, then after Orochimaru launched the Konoha Crush Plan in the original story, Konoha would likely have ended up like Sunagakure, with no one left to use.

"Please rest assured, Lord Hokage. The village is our shared home. I believe everyone in the village is willing to serve it. As long as you have need of me, I will never refuse," Shisui said firmly.

Shisui had still considered the village even when facing persecution from Danzo. His loyalty now went without saying.

"Since you put it that way, I happen to have something I need you to do," Minato said, his smile fading as he spoke to Shisui with slight seriousness. At the same time, Minato glanced at Ye Wuyue and the others. Itachi immediately understood and led Ye Wuyue and Sai out of the Hokage's office, closing the door behind them.

Shikaku Nara and Inoichi Yamanaka knew what was coming next and did not move.

"Please give your orders, Lord Hokage," Shisui said to Minato after Ye Wuyue and the others had left.

"Since the mission to hunt down the Uchiha Clan rogue ninja has been completed, I hope you can return and serve as commander-in-chief of my direct ANBU."

Minato's words stunned Shisui. He had thought Minato would assign him a mission, but he had not expected a position instead—and one with considerable authority, commanding the Hokage's direct ANBU.

Back then, White Fang had also held the position of ANBU commander-in-chief.

For a moment, Shisui did not know what to say. This trust left him both flattered and overwhelmed.

"Of course, if you are unwilling, then forget it. I will not force you," Minato said when Shisui remained silent.

Upon hearing Minato's words, Shisui immediately dropped to one knee and lowered his head.

"Thank you for your trust, Lord Hokage. I am willing!" Shisui said firmly...

After waiting outside the Hokage Building for more than ten minutes, Ye Wuyue and the others finally saw Shisui come down.

Sai had already left. Ye Wuyue and Itachi tacitly chose not to ask Shisui what had been discussed in the Hokage's office, and Shisui did not mention it either.

"Brother, are your eyes all right?" Ye Wuyue asked Itachi as they walked.

Although he knew the Mangekyō Sharingan would be fine as long as it was not used too frequently, he was still somewhat worried.

"They felt a little tired yesterday, but there is nothing wrong today," Itachi said, touching his eyes.

"It is best not to use that power too often. The backlash it brings will only grow stronger," Shisui reminded Itachi from the side.

"Mm, I will be careful," Itachi replied.

After arriving at the Uchiha Clan compound, Shisui parted ways with the two of them. Ye Wuyue and Itachi went straight home as well. Fugaku had just returned at that time, so Ye Wuyue told him that Itachi had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"What? You awakened it too..."

Fugaku realized his voice was a little too loud, then lowered it and continued, "The Mangekyō Sharingan?"