Uchiha Mikoto

"Clan Head?"

Xuandou frowned the moment he heard this.

"Since when did our Uchiha clan elect a new clan head?"

The clansman leading the way hurriedly explained:

"Before the previous clan head passed away, he designated Fugaku to succeed him as acting clan head."

Xuandou's gaze darkened slightly. He asked no further questions and followed the man toward Fugaku's residence.

Arriving at a Japanese-style courtyard, Xuandou was led into the reception room.

Two people were already kneeling inside: Fugaku and Uchiha Yashiro.

The two seemed to be discussing something, but seeing Xuandou enter, Fugaku spoke first, his tone steady:

"Xuandou, you've arrived. Sit."

Xuandou nodded. Just as he was about to take his seat, Yashiro's cold, indifferent voice came from the side:

"Do the young people of today not even know how to pay their respects when seeing the clan head?"

He glanced sideways at Xuandou, his tone mocking:

"I truly don't know how the Hokage allowed a junior who doesn't understand hierarchy to be promoted to Jonin, let alone lead a ninja army."

Xuandou's figure stiffened, his movement to sit coming to a halt.

He slowly turned his gaze toward Yashiro, his voice calm:

"I am a junior, that is true. But I led three hundred clansmen to crush Sunagakure, forced them to pay reparations to Konoha, and brought an end to the Third Shinobi World War."

"The Uchiha clan has always relied on strength to earn its reputation in the ninja world, not on seniority."

He took a half-step forward, staring at Yashiro:

"As for you, always harping on about being a senior—may I ask, what contributions have you made for the Uchiha?"

Yashiro's expression stiffened at these words, and he retorted with a stiff neck:

"You... it is not your place to judge my achievements!"

"Achievements?"

Xuandou scoffed:

"You went to the battlefield with the clan head; the clan head died in battle, yet you sit here without a scratch."

"Where were you when the clan head was surrounded? If you can't explain that clearly, I have to wonder if the clan head's death was caused by someone intentionally letting it happen for the sake of the position."

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Yashiro stood up abruptly, his face flushing red.

"How could I possibly..."

"Enough!"

Fugaku interrupted in a low voice, his own expression turning grim.

Xuandou's words were aimed at Yashiro, but were they not also implying something about him?

The clan head had died in battle, and as his guards, their failure to protect him was a dereliction of duty that was difficult to wash away.

Fugaku took a deep breath and waved his hand at Yashiro:

"You go out first. I need to speak with Xuandou alone."

Yashiro glared fiercely at Xuandou before rising and leaving in a huff.

Once the door was pulled shut, Fugaku turned to Xuandou, his tone softening:

"Yashiro is stubborn, but his heart isn't bad. Don't take it to heart."

Xuandou did not take the bait, speaking directly:

"I don't know why you summoned me? If there is nothing urgent, I still need to report to the Hokage."

Before his voice had even faded, the door to the room was gently slid open.

A gentle figure walked in carrying a tea tray.

It was a woman dressed in a deep purple kimono, her jet-black hair tied into a low bun, with a few strands falling softly against her snow-white neck.

Her figure was full and well-proportioned, the kimono sash cinching a slender waist, and a glimpse of fair skin was visible where the collar was slightly open.

Her steps were light and slow as she walked, the curves of her waist and hips swaying naturally with her movements; she possessed a mature charm rarely seen in young girls, yet she remained dignified and elegant.

It was Fugaku's wife, Uchiha Mikoto.

The moment Mikoto appeared, a system notification rang in Xuandou's mind:

[Ding! Suitable dual-cultivation female ninja detected.]

[Name: Uchiha Mikoto

Kekkei Genkai: Three-Tomoe Sharingan]

Strength: Jonin

Comprehensive Rating: S-rank]

Seeing the system prompt for Mikoto, Xuandou's spine straightened instantly.

What?

Even Fugaku's wife, Mikoto, counts as a suitable partner for dual cultivation?

She is a married woman!

Her husband, Fugaku, is sitting right in front of him!

What is the meaning of this system?

Is it asking him to actively poach Fugaku's wife?

Mikoto, however, did not notice anything amiss.

She knelt before the tea table, her movements practiced as she poured tea for the two men.

As her sleeves slipped, a slender wrist was revealed; her fingertips were delicate, and her posture while pouring tea was graceful and composed.

"It is only coarse tea, please forgive the simplicity."

She spoke softly, nodding slightly toward Xuandou with a gentle smile on her lips, before rising and walking away with measured steps.

Xuandou lifted the teacup, took a light sip, and savored the flavor.

Fugaku spoke then, pulling the conversation back:

"Seven days from now, the clan will hold a meeting at Naka Shrine to elect a new clan head."

He looked at Xuandou, his tone sincere:

"Xuandou, your war achievements are illustrious, and your reputation is at its peak. I hope you will support me in succeeding to the position of clan head."

After a brief pause, Fugaku threw out his terms:

"If I become clan head, the position of captain of the Konoha Military Police Force will be yours."

He finished speaking and looked at Xuandou quietly, his gaze carrying a hint of certainty, as if he had already offered a sufficiently generous price.

Xuandou, however, kept his eyes lowered, sipping his tea, unmoved.

Fugaku's brows furrowed slightly, and he added:

"When I eventually step down, I will also fully support you in succeeding as clan head. How about that?"

Xuandou finally raised his head.

Fugaku thought his terms had moved Xuandou, but to his surprise, Xuandou simply said:

"This time, I will also be running for clan head."

The room fell silent in an instant.

Fugaku was stunned, unable to respond for a long moment.

Xuandou, seemingly oblivious to the stagnant atmosphere, let his gaze drift toward the door, wanting to catch another glimpse of Mikoto.

To his surprise, he saw a small face peeking out from behind the gap in the paper door—a boy of about seven years old, with black hair and black eyes, his gaze quiet and revealing early wisdom.

It was Uchiha Itachi.

A flash of deep meaning crossed Xuandou's eyes, and he stood up:

"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

He gave Fugaku a slight nod, turned, and slid the door open to exit.

As soon as Xuandou left, Yashiro flashed into the room, fuming:

"Clan head! That brat doesn't know what's good for him!"

"When you secure the position of clan head, you must show him a thing or two."

Fugaku stared at the swaying door curtain and said softly:

"The confirmation of the clan head position requires the nod of the three elders."

"It is known that the Great Elder Zong Yan explicitly supports him in taking over the position of clan head."

Fugaku was silent for a moment, then whispered:

"The hero who ended the war... Heh."

On the other side, Xuandou left the Uchiha Clan Grounds and headed straight for the Hokage Office Building.

Inside the Hokage Office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was puffing on his pipe, discussing something with the two advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

Seeing Xuandou enter, the two advisors stopped talking simultaneously, their gazes falling upon him with complex expressions.

The news of Konoha's crushing victory over Sunagakure and the forced signing of the peace treaty had already spread throughout the ninja world.

Along with it came that staggering amount of war spoils and reparations.

It could be said that many of the ninja clans in Konoha had filled their pockets to the brim this time.

However, none of this had anything to do with the clans standing behind them.

Because of this, the gazes they directed at Xuandou could hardly be called friendly.

Hiruzen, however, wore a smile and beckoned him over:

"Xuandou, you've returned."

"Lord Hokage, I have come to report the results of this campaign."

"No rush."

Hiruzen said kindly.

"You've just returned to the village; there is no harm in resting for a few days. Everyone in the village is calling you the hero who ended the war."

Xuandou lowered his head modestly:

"It was the result of everyone working together; I was merely fortunate."

As he spoke, Xuandou took three scrolls from his robes and handed them to Hiruzen.

The moment the three scrolls appeared, they immediately drew the eyes of everyone present.

They all knew that it was time to distribute the spoils of war!

Xuandou continued his report:

"The total wealth obtained within the Land of Wind amounts to 5.6 billion ryo. The ninja clans that participated in the battle took half, leaving 2.8 billion ryo remaining."

Utatane Koharu's eyes twitched, and she felt immense jealousy toward the major ninja clans.

That was 2.8 billion ryo!

Even if they only received a small portion, it would be enough to propel a clan's strength forward and cultivate a large batch of new ninjas.

Yet now, all this money had fallen into the pockets of other clans!

She couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret that she hadn't allowed her clan's ninjas to participate in this war.

On the other side, Mitokado Homura was equally consumed by jealousy.

Consequently, he put on a stern expression and criticized Xuandou:

"Commander Xuandou, this money should have been turned over to the village in its entirety for unified distribution. By allocating it to the various clans on your own authority, I fear... it is not in accordance with the rules."