Everyone's Thoughts After the Battle

With all dust settled, the tense atmosphere between both sides immediately vanished.

Kage Level powerhouses came forward one after another to offer congratulations. Setsuna Uchiha, beaming with smiles, his usually grim old face creased into a grin like a blooming chrysanthemum.

Even Uchiha Shikata, who often wore a worried frown over the clan's future within his own home, had a happy blush on his face.

Kaku Uchiha scurried towards the Uchiha compound, shouting with his Chakra, "Konoha's Third Hokage is our clan's Uchiha Takeyasu!" He completely lost his usual dignified and composed elder demeanor.

Uchiha Naori stood quietly behind Uchiha Takeyasu, the image of the handsome youth being flattered by everyone reflected in her eyes, causing ripples in the young girl's heart.

As the most outstanding girl in the clan and of the perfect age, Setsuna Uchiha and Kaku Uchiha had secretly approached her to talk about Uchiha Takeyasu.

Parental arrangement, matchmaker's words.

Seeing the two elders paving the way for her, with the other party being the clan's handsome Young Lord, and having witnessed the majestic might of Susanoo, a maiden's heart couldn't help but flutter and blossom.

However, beneath the girl's delicate and tender face, Uchiha Naori felt a bit too shy to approach Uchiha Takeyasu.

In their current interactions, her behavior was always proper and by the book, and she didn't know how to express her feelings.

(I'll ask the elders about it later.)

Uchiha Naori thought silently in her heart.

Unaware of the purple-haired girl's thoughts, Uchiha Takeyasu smiled as he accepted the congratulations of "Congratulations, Hokage-sama" from everyone. His gaze then fell upon Mito Uzumaki, and he said refreshingly.

"Secretary-General Mito, you are more familiar with the Hokage succession ceremony than the Uchiha. I'll entrust the entire matter to you, is that alright?"

"No problem."

Since she acknowledged Uchiha Takeyasu's identity as Hokage, Mito Uzumaki quickly adjusted her attitude, placing herself in the subordinate's position, and presented her plan.

"The preparations for the succession ceremony are not complicated. They will be ready by noon tomorrow, and the morning after tomorrow, Hokage-sama can officially become the Third Hokage with all the villagers as witnesses."

"Concise and efficient, as expected of my Secretary-General."

Uchiha Takeyasu, basking in his success, showered her with praise without restraint. This caused Mukai Senju, standing behind Mito Uzumaki with a grim and displeased expression, to soften his demeanor considerably.

"Oh, right. Because of this sparring match, there might be some commotion from the Daimyo's envoy. Secretary-General Mito, please arrange for someone to appease them."

Uchiha Takeyasu declared the reason for the disturbance without batting an eye, then continued.

"Also, there's a banquet tonight hosted for the heir of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. Everyone will gather together then. I have some things I want to discuss with everyone, which will set the tone for Konoha's future development."

(Here it comes!)

A new official comes in with three fires. Although the Ninja World didn't have this saying, it didn't stop everyone from understanding the implication.

With a wave of Uchiha Takeyasu's hand, everyone returned to their respective clan grounds, each with their own thoughts.

Regarding the Sarutobi Clan, Uchiha Takeyasu decided to go through the motions. He arranged for the jubilant Uchiha Police Force to escort some of the Sarutobi Clan members away, considering it a formality to bring the matter to a proper close.

Seeing his entire clan safely alive, and Uchiha Takeyasu having successfully become the Third Hokage as he wished, Sasuke Sarutobi had already decided to attribute Hiruzen Sarutobi's death to Kumogakure.

This "hatred" would also be passed down to his grandson, Shinnosuke Sarutobi.

From now on, the Sarutobi Clan would be loyal followers of the Uchiha Clan.

"Clan Head Sarutobi, the repair work in this area will be your responsibility. For the expenses, please find Secretary-General Mito later, and they will be deducted from Konoha's accounts."

"This old man understands, Hokage-sama."

Seeing Sasuke Sarutobi with a bit more vitality, Uchiha Takeyasu smiled with satisfaction. He then looked at the two Anbu captains, [Tiger, Elephant], who were still standing behind Mito Uzumaki.

"After today's events, the identities of all Anbu members will be changed from clandestine to overt. Everyone is to return home and await new orders."

Facing the orders from the legitimate, reasoned, and elected Third Hokage, [Tiger, Elephant] had no right to refuse.

They obediently removed their masks, revealing bewildered and fearful expressions on their darkened faces. Many placed their hopes on Mito Uzumaki.

"Hokage-sama, how will you arrange for them?"

The current Anbu were elites painstakingly trained by Hashirama Senju and Senju Tobirama during their tenures. Mito Uzumaki couldn't just ignore them, but her current position made her tone carry a hint of the caution a subordinate would show to a superior.

"Don't worry."

Uchiha Takeyasu clearly understood their thoughts and said frankly, "As I said before, the Uchiha Clan acts with integrity and disdain for double-dealing."

"If I wanted to kill them, wouldn't it be easier to let them continue as Anbu?"

"Just assign them a mission to leave the village, and killing them would be simple, wouldn't it?"

"The reason I'm having them remove their masks now is simply because they are no longer suitable to be my Anbu."

Uchiha Takeyasu looked calmly at the Anbu, whose numbers were still at five or six-tenths of their original strength, especially with two Kage Level captains among them, his tone carrying a hint of regret.

"If I let them continue as my Anbu, they might not adapt, but I certainly would be uncomfortable. It's better to let them all go and recruit a new batch."

"I haven't decided what they should do next, so I'll let them rest at home for a few days first. They've been working on Anbu missions for years; they must be tired."

The Anbu members looked at Uchiha Takeyasu in surprise. These few unhurried sentences caused many of them to see Uchiha Takeyasu in a new light, with some even feeling the urge to die for him.

The same words, spoken by different people, could have vastly different effects.

It was like if the Emperor said that sweet tofu pudding tasted good, then sweet tofu pudding was indeed good, and anything anyone else said would be considered treasonous nonsense.

"Furthermore, the Anbu members who died today will be counted among the casualties in the battle against Kumogakure. Secretary-General Mito will arrange the appropriate compensation."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

In the grateful gazes of the Anbu members, Mito Uzumaki's call of "Hokage-sama" this time held a bit more sincerity, no longer just a polite formality out of duty.

"You should go back too. Remember to keep an eye on the Senju and don't do anything that would make me regret it."

Mito Uzumaki's expression turned serious. Without another word, she bowed and left with her people.

The Anbu member, with a wave from Uchiha Takeyasu, also respectfully completed his bow before leaving with the bodies of the fallen.

A gentle breeze blew through the street, as if carrying away the previous slaughter and death.

Uchiha Takeyasu pondered for a while—he thought a lot, but then found that many of his thoughts were foolishly superfluous.

The world is simple, yet people are both complex and simple.

Therefore, he performed the Summoning Jutsu, summoning Tachibana, whose expression on her cat face was somewhat pleased. Without a second thought, he buried his head in the soft cat.

After taking a deep inhale, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

Uchiha Takeyasu looked up, his face filled with incredulous shock, and exclaimed, "Tachibana, why do you smell like a woman!"

"While I was dealing with the enemy, you went off to find someone else behind my back!"

"You scummy cat!"

"Meow!"