Uchiha Clan Meeting

That night, the Uchiha Clan's senior members and all its jōnin gathered at Fugaku's home. Even eight-year-old Shisui was in attendance at the clan meeting! He wore a robe identical in style to Obito's, with a conspicuous number two on the back. No one present dared to underestimate him. Anyone with eyes could tell that Shisui was one of Obito's trusted confidants.

"Lord Obito!"

"Lord Obito!"

When Obito entered the room, everyone who had been talking stood up and bowed. Fugaku also rose to greet him.

Obito nodded and sat down. Everyone sat up straight and waited silently for him to speak.

The Uchiha Clan revered the strong. Obito had brought enormous changes to the clan over the years. Not only had he led them in developing various industries and growing their wealth, but, more importantly, he had united the clan as never before. Fugaku could never have achieved that kind of cohesion.

"What's with all of you? Why so serious?" Obito asked, ruffling Shisui's hair.

"Lord Obito, today's appointment by the Third Hokage was clearly meant to shut us out. Everyone in the village knows he'll be stepping down soon. As a candidate, you—"

"Enough. I'm here to tell you not to make any trouble. Konoha is the Third Hokage's village, but it's ours too! I have my own plans, so there's no need to worry. Our job is to secure tangible benefits amid all this upheaval! The weapons factory and Explosive Tag plant under the clan's control are to run at full capacity! Recruit as many of the war's displaced as possible. Double their overtime pay, and make sure their benefits are up to par!"

"Yes!" After Obito had made one sound decision after another, everyone had grown accustomed to following his orders.

Uchiha Yashiro looked like he wanted to say something. Obito could hardly fail to notice.

"Yashiro, speak your mind. Don't sit there looking constipated, all right?"

Obito's joke eased the tension, and everyone turned to look at Uchiha Yashiro.

Within the clan, Uchiha Yashiro held a position much like Homura's in the village: he was its resident strategist.

"Lord Obito, since you've asked, I'll speak. If what I say displeases you, please forgive me."

"Your relationship with Lady Tsunade may already have been used by the Third Hokage. No matter what he does, with Lady Tsunade involved, you won't act too rashly..."

"I know. There's no need for any of you to worry. I promised Tsunade that Konoha would always stand. That's all." Obito cut Yashiro off.

"I was overthinking it..." Uchiha Yashiro said.

"You've done well. I'm no perfect man, and I make mistakes too. We share the same blood, so I trust you. Don't hold back in the future. If you have a good reason, I'll take it into consideration."

"Yes!" Everyone felt a surge of recognition.

Fugaku sighed inwardly. Obito has taken complete control of the Uchiha wagon's reins. Whether that's a blessing or a curse...

"Yashiro, send a few reliable informants to Amegakure. Find a man named Yahiko and establish a Rain branch of Xiaoxiaosheng Publishing House. Tell them I sent them."

"All right. I'll make the arrangements at once," Yashiro said.

After the clan meeting, Obito returned home. Shizune had gone to play with Rin. The two had become close friends who shared everything.

The little girl Kaguya had angrily ended her summoning after he refused to give her a massage, and gone back to being the Rabbit Queen.

Obito returned home without turning on the lights. But it made no difference to him whether the lights were on or not.

After changing, he went into the bedroom. Tsunade lay on her side beneath a thin blanket, but it did nothing to hide her full, rounded rear, like a full moon.

Obito slipped under the covers and snuggled up against her, wrapping his arms around her. "Stop pretending to be asleep. You don't sleep this gracefully..."

Tsunade showed her displeasure by smacking his hand, then laid her palm over his and laced their fingers together.

Obito understood some of Tsunade's inner conflict. On one side was the man she loved; on the other was the village her grandfather had founded. What left him speechless, though, was how thoroughly the Second and Third Hokage had brainwashed her. Deep down, she believed the Uchiha Clan would threaten the village...

"Don't worry. I just attended the clan meeting, and I've convinced everyone not to object to the Third Hokage's decision. We'll just do our part," Obito whispered in Tsunade's ear.

The weight that had kept Tsunade worried all night finally lifted. She was happy, yet also felt guilty and sad. Obito was willing to give up the clan's interests for her, while she had become someone used to keep him in check... But the Senju Clan had only this village left. Without Konoha, the last trace of the Senju Clan in this world would disappear with her death.

Tsunade turned and nestled into Obito's arms, offering him a kiss. It said more than words ever could.

"You think too much. It's true that your grandfather founded Konoha, but the Uchiha Clan contributed half of it too. Konoha is the home we all share. And you, my love, are here. How could I ever do anything to hurt the village?" Obito said, patting Tsunade's rear.

"I trust you. I still want to learn a foreign language, Teacher Obito~" Tsunade said coyly.

"Heh heh. Today, Teacher Obito will teach you a secret phrase. Come closer."

Tsunade leaned her ear toward Obito's mouth. He whispered, "Good fortune and prosperity. Leave out the last four words."

Tsunade: "???"

Tsunade stared at Obito in confusion.

Obito held back a laugh and leaned close to Tsunade's ear to explain in a whisper.

Tsunade's expression grew more and more complicated. At last, her eyes flashed with anger, and she punched at Obito. "You little rascal! How dare you insult me!"

Obito caught Tsunade's fist. With her hand restrained, she rose, trying to sit on top of him. Obito flipped her over with a hard shove. Unable to overpower him, Tsunade fell back onto the bed and kicked at his face.

Love was sometimes like unpredictable weather. Just moments ago, the sun had been shining brightly, blazing with heat.

Then a cloud rolled in, and rain came pouring down. Without enough patience and stamina, it was hard to run the long race of love far enough.

And Obito and Tsunade both had patience and stamina to spare.

Tsunade loved their quiet moments together. Obito held her sweaty body and gently stroked her, brushing the stray hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear. They fell asleep in each other's arms.