Mind Your Position

Uchiha Ren and Uchiha Mikoto were neither of them prone to being love-struck.

After a bout of "taking off without a care for the landing" on the sofa, Ren, feeling that he was becoming a bit terrifying himself, slowly released the slightly swollen cherry lips of the young girl in his arms.

His palm gave two light taps to her peach-like posterior.

The thin loungewear could not block out that soft, springy elasticity.

The sensation was absolutely incredible!

If only he could stand up and have her kick off from behind him; he wondered what kind of soul-stirring pleasure that would be.

"Mikoto, it's getting late."

The water shimmered in Mikoto's eyes, and as he pulled away, she reined in her daze, leaving only a blush on her face that refused to fade for a long time.

She panted slightly while adjusting her collar, lifting her eyes to meet Ren's calm gaze.

"The integration of intelligence should be done sooner rather than later," Ren said softly as he sat up, holding Mikoto. "We should start arranging it first thing tomorrow morning."

"Mm, I know."

Mikoto replied softly, like a virtuous wife carefully straightening the collar she had just wrinkled for her man.

Within her gentle expression, the shrewdness and capability she usually showed to outsiders emerged.

Her red lips moved, her tone steady and clear, "I notified Fugaku-dage this afternoon, and I will have Hazuki contact Yashiro shortly."

"By tomorrow noon, the handover and integration of the clan's intelligence network will be officially completed."

Ren nodded upon hearing this. "You also have the summoning contract for Ayan. After the meeting tomorrow, communicate with Ayan to see if there are any overlaps in the intelligence network."

He paused, his voice dropping a little, carrying an unspoken trust.

"Additionally, I have arranged several tasks through Ayan; it is best if only you know about them."

Mikoto's eyelashes fluttered, and she blinked.

There was no need for more words; she understood in her heart—the little brother-kun beneath her had likely done something else that couldn't be made public.

Mikoto didn't mind.

No matter what Ren did, she believed it was for his own sake or the clan's, and she only needed to trust him.

"To avoid Huoke-grandfather storming over here, I'll head back first."

Ren chuckled and planted a kiss on Mikoto's forehead before nimbly getting up to leave.

As they parted at the entrance, he was ambushed by a lingering Mikoto who stole a kiss.

Ren did not go straight home, but instead detoured to the residence of his grandfather, Uchiha Setsuna.

Sure enough, in the tea room, he found the two elders, Setsuna and Huoke, sitting opposite each other and sipping wine.

Setsuna caught a glimpse of his grandson arriving alone and shot him a look of frustration, a barely audible cold snort escaping his nose.

It was clear he was quite dissatisfied that Ren hadn't "struck while the iron was hot."

The girl had already taken the initiative, so why was the man still dragging his feet?

As for Huoke, who had been somewhat distracted while sipping his wine, he flashed a look of surprise when he saw Ren appear with a straight posture and neat attire.

Immediately, his tense shoulders relaxed, and the recognition and satisfaction in his gaze toward Ren deepened a little more.

Knowing when to advance and retreat, understanding etiquette—he was truly fit to be the patriarch of the Uchiha.

"Grandfather, Elder Huoke."

Ren offered a greeting with his usual expression, as if he were just passing by to pay his respects.

The three of them shared a tacit understanding, chatting briefly about the trivial matters of the Eastern Front and the clan integration; the atmosphere was uncharacteristically peaceful.

Ren did not stay long, and after a moment, he respectfully took his leave.

Leaving Setsuna's residence, the moonlight had already spilled over the bluestone path.

Ren did not stop walking, heading straight for the clan library located deep within the clan grounds.

From the blood and fire of the Warring States period to the hidden past of the founding of Konohagakure.

From the many secrets scattered across the ninja world to all the legacies excluding those listed as forbidden techniques—since the ninja world began recording history with text, the thousand-year history of the Uchiha and the wisdom of their ancestors had all gathered here.

At this moment, the brightly lit and heavily guarded library was not the desolate warehouse of the future, which would be emptied out by Konohagakure's higher-ups under the guise of "organizing and safekeeping" after the night of the clan's annihilation.

The Uchiha of today was still the number one noble clan, standing proudly in the ninja world with an unfathomable foundation!

Just as Ren was engrossed in reading ancient texts under the library lights, Shimura Danzō, having spent the day running about, stepped into the Hokage's office with a body full of hostility.

The half of his face not covered by bandages was so gloomy it was almost frozen, and every wrinkle was etched with suppressed rage.

The polite receptions and perfunctory refusals he had encountered at the various clans during the day were like countless sharp thorns piercing his heart.

He was the "Root" that held the shadows of Konohagakure!

He was the "Darkness of the Ninja World" that made the entire world tremble in fear!

If he were the Hokage, how could he suffer such humiliation!

"Hiruzen, you deserve to die!"

With a loud "bang," Shimura Danzō slammed the door shut with such force that the Anbu ninja guarding in the shadows by the window furrowed his brows in alarm.

In this village, the only person who dared to be so unbridled in front of the Hokage was this high-ranking advisor to the Hokage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up from behind his desk, peering through the swirling smoke at his old friend, knowing full well in his heart that the recruitment efforts had gone poorly.

Reports from the Anbu and the various ninja clans had been piling up on his desk like snowflakes.

"Hiruzen."

Shimura Danzō's voice sounded as if it were squeezed through his teeth, carrying an irrepressible fury, "These ninja clans have no regard for village discipline... it is time to let them see the methods of Root!"

Watching Shimura Danzō, who wanted to strike out with a heavy hand against those within the village, Sarutobi Hiruzen swallowed back the words of appeasement he had prepared, his brows knitting together so tightly they could have crushed a fly.

He tapped his pipe against his knuckles, sending ash fluttering down, his voice carrying an unmistakable warning, "Danzō, watch your position. I do not wish to hear such rhetoric that undermines the unity of the village a second time."

Far from backing down, Shimura Danzō let out a cold sneer from his throat, taking the opportunity to kick the ball back into his court.

"Hiruzen, the major ninja clans refuse to cooperate and are unwilling to serve Konohagakure. Tell me—how should they be dealt with?"

"Without enough elite ninja, wanting to stop the army of Kumogakure is pure wishful thinking."

He knew he was the Hokage's pawn, playing the role of the villain.

Once he finished performing this act of toughness, it would naturally be the Hokage's turn to take the stage, playing the "good guy" who considers the big picture and acts with benevolence.

This old routine of singing in harmony was something the "monkey" before him had mastered to perfection.

The calculations and ploys involved were clear to both of them; who among the upper echelons of Konohagakure and the ninja clans couldn't see through it?

Therefore, until he possessed sufficient power and influence, Shimura Danzō knew his position was incredibly awkward.

All his authority was tied to the single whim of the Third Hokage.

It is time to further collaborate with Orochimaru... the Wood Release experiments must succeed at any cost!

Just as Shimura Danzō made this fierce vow in his heart, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up, just as expected.

"I will personally visit the various clans tomorrow. Once the personnel are assembled, you will depart immediately for the northeastern front. There must be no delays!"