Private Secretary Mikoto, Missing Child Case

Morning light had barely spilled across the rooftops of the Uchiha Compound when the news had already spread through all of Konoha like wildfire.

"Have you heard? That Chiyo Uchiha became the Clan Leader!"

"Really? How old is he? He shouldn't even be nineteen yet, right?"

"It's true. Apparently, a group of Uchiha elders nominated him last night. After all these years, the Uchiha Clan actually has another Clan Leader!"

"..."

At this moment, not only the Uchiha Clan but nearly all of Konoha was discussing Chiyo Uchiha, the Uchiha Clan's newly appointed Clan Leader.

Chiyo Uchiha, who had previously been such an inconspicuous presence in the village, had actually become the Uchiha Clan Leader.

That alone was enough to astonish them for quite some time.

At the entrance to the Uchiha Compound.

Chiyo had shed his usual ninja attire and wore a dark kimono embroidered with the Uchiha Clan Crest. At his side stood the Uchiha Clan's little beauty, Mikoto Uchiha.

Although Mikoto Uchiha still had childishness on her face, standing beside Chiyo Uchiha, she looked unexpectedly well-matched with him.

"Mikoto, you worked hard today."

At Chiyo's voice, Mikoto Uchiha turned around and looked at him with a smile.

"It wasn't hard at all. I'm very happy to be able to help you, Brother Chiyo!~"

Her gentle words were like a babbling mountain stream, refreshing anyone who heard them.

"Alright, then after we're done today, I'll treat you to a meal!"

"Okay!"

Mikoto smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons.

"The Hyuga Clan has arrived!"

Hyuga Sakon approached at an unhurried pace with his eldest son, Hyuga Hiashi, while attendants behind them carried exquisite gift boxes.

"Congratulations, Clan Leader Chiyo."

Hyuga Sakon gave a slight nod, a trace of scrutiny flashing through his Byakugan.

"The Hyuga Clan has prepared some modest gifts. Please accept them."

Chiyo stepped forward and personally accepted the gift box.

His gaze imperceptibly shifted toward Hyuga Hiashi.

Hyuga Hiashi did have rather handsome features.

No wonder he could father two such well-endowed daughters.

"Clan Leader Hyuga is too courteous. As Konoha's two great dojutsu clans, we should support one another."

He deliberately raised his voice.

"After all, we are both part of Konoha."

Those words caused the representatives of the smaller clans around them to reveal looks of surprise. The Uchiha Clan Leader had actually said something like that?

Before they could think further—

"The Senju Clan has arrived!"

When the Senju Clan's delegation appeared, the scene immediately fell a little quieter.

Tsunade walked at the front, her long golden hair gleaming beneath the sunlight, though her face bore a deliberately indifferent expression.

"These are the congratulatory gifts."

She handed over a scroll in a businesslike manner. Her light brown eyes showed no ripple as they swept over Chiyo.

Chiyo understood and likewise kept his distance.

However, as he accepted the scroll, his fingers moved slightly and hooked Tsunade's palm.

"Thank you."

Chiyo knew he could not say more.

There were many Clan Members nearby who disliked the Senju Clan, and this was not the time to aggravate the conflict.

The instant their eyes met, Chiyo gave her a look. Tsunade understood immediately, her face flushing slightly.

Then she imperceptibly winked at Chiyo before turning and leaving.

The Uchiha Clan Members around them secretly let out sighs of relief.

They could not help feeling that the new Clan Leader and this Senju Princess did not seem to be as rumored outside.

They were merely ordinary colleagues.

"Lord Hokage has arrived!"

With that sharp, excited cry—

everyone's attention was immediately drawn over.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, leaned on his pipe, his face full of smiles.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu behind him were likewise sizing Chiyo up.

"Young and promising, Chiyo."

Chiyo bowed deeply.

"It is all thanks to Lord Hokage's guidance."

"You reformed the Guard Unit system, allowing the Uchiha to integrate into the village. You have set a precedent for the Uchiha Clan—truly gratifying!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked as if casually.

"They were merely insignificant adjustments."

Chiyo replied with a smile.

"Everything was for the better service of Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Chiyo and let out a long sigh.

Chiyo knew that he had remembered his old comrade again.

"Lord Hokage, it's hot outside. Please come in!"

"Good!"

Chiyo led Mikoto inside and personally ushered Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others from the Hokage faction in.

Only after getting them settled did he come back out to continue receiving guests.

He was equally careful in receiving representatives from the Inuzuka Clan and other clans that arrived later.

He handled everything personally.

Now that he was the Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan, he had become the face of the clan as well.

An endless stream of visitors came to the Uchiha compound.

As the star of this banquet, Chiyo had truly had a fulfilling day.

After the final group of guests departed, Chiyo went alone to the Clan Leader's residence.

After the two had eaten.

Mikoto thoughtfully brought over some tea.

"Clan Leader, you worked hard today."

Hearing her playful words, Chiyo smiled at her.

He pointed to the seat beside him, and Mikoto obediently and curiously walked over to sit down.

"I still prefer it when you call me Chiyo-niichan!~"

Chiyo raised a hand and pulled her into his arms.

Mikoto's face flushed at the sudden gesture.

Even her breathing became a little hurried.

"Chiyo-niichan, Grandpa is still outside..."

Hearing her soft reminder, Chiyo lowered his head and met her gaze.

Mikoto's dark eyes were now filled with tenderness.

"Mikoto."

"Hmm? What is it, Chiyo-niichan!"

"After a while, become my personal secretary."

"A secretary?"

Mikoto struggled free from Chiyo's embrace, looking at him with mingled delight and concern.

"Chiyo-niichan, I've never done this kind of work before. I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it right away..."

Chiyo reached out and patted her head.

"I'll teach you!"

Only after hearing Chiyo say that did Mikoto agree.

"Alright, Chiyo-niichan, I'll work hard! I definitely won't disappoint you!"

Seeing Mikoto's confidence return, Chiyo smiled and lightly scraped her delicate nose.

"Mikoto, you're the person I trust most. You can definitely do it. The future direction of the Uchiha Clan will be entirely in your hands!"

Chiyo took the opportunity to lay on a little emotional manipulation, watching the determined expression on Mikoto's face.

It seemed the effect was quite good!

Ahem, ahem.

A cough came from the doorway. Chiyo knew that Mikoto's Grandpa was urging them.

He stepped up to Mikoto and gently tapped her on the forehead.

"Brother Chiyo!"

Looking at the budding beauty before him, her eyes brimming with allure, Chiyo could not help but feel somewhat stirred.

Unfortunately, that old man outside was watching too closely.

Still, Chiyo was in no hurry. There would be plenty of opportunities later.

In a few more years, Mikoto would be at her purest and most captivating.

"Mikoto, you've been tired all day. Go back and rest early! Don't keep Grandpa waiting too long!"

Mikoto lowered her head shyly, her hands twisting the hem of her clothes.

"Mm, Brother Chiyo, you too! Get some rest early! See you tomorrow!"

After saying that, Mikoto gathered her courage, raised her head, and stood on tiptoe to plant a quick kiss on Chiyo's cheek.

Then she quickly turned around and ran outside.

Watching her flee in embarrassment, Chiyo raised a hand in surprise and touched the lingering warmth and dampness on his cheek.

"Mikoto has gotten so bold?"

Chiyo watched until the old man and the young girl disappeared beyond the residence.

Only then did he sit down and begin leafing through the Uchiha Clan's records.

Just as Chiyo was deep in thought, the window gave a soft sound.

Tsunade nimbly climbed in through the window. Gone was her daytime aloofness; she threw herself straight into his arms.

"I've been putting on an act all day. I'm exhausted!"

She muttered as she greedily breathed in Chiyo's scent.

Chiyo wrapped an arm around her slender waist and chuckled.

"Thanks to your cooperation. If those old fossils found out about us..."

"If you hadn't become Clan Leader today, and if I weren't worried those people would overstep themselves and ruin your mood, I wouldn't care about anything else."

Tsunade poked him in the chest.

"By the way, now that you're the Clan Leader, the Guard Unit is under your command too, right?"

"Of course! Why bring that up all of a sudden?"

Tsunade sighed.

"Do you know about the recent child disappearances?"

"?"

Seeing Chiyo's confused expression, Tsunade explained the whole matter from beginning to end.

Chiyo listened carefully and roughly understood.

One of the Senju Clan's ninja from Tsunade's uncle's generation had married an ordinary villager this year, and they had a child.

Driven by the glory of the Senju Clan amid the urgent war situation, he had gone to the front lines to fight Amegakure.

As expected, he had been killed by Hanzō's poison in a single sweep and never returned to the village alive.

But after Tsunade returned to the village...

She recently heard that his child had gone missing.

Chiyo looked out at the moonlight and murmured to himself.

"This child disappearance case is probably not that simple! Did you investigate it?"

Tsunade nodded.

"I found some clues. It seems like spies from another village were responsible."

"Spies?"

Chiyo froze. That was indeed possible.

However, Chiyo seemed more inclined to believe...

"This matter is probably not so simple! Tomorrow, I'll investigate the Guard Unit archives. Wait for my news!"