Freeing Himself from Clan Head Duties

Uchiha Clan, clan head's office.

Upon hearing that Clan Head Uchiha Gōka intended to resume running Yehuo Snack Shop,

the elder council, including Uchiha Setsuna, all wore expressions of shock and confusion.

Uchiha Setsuna's face darkened as he struggled to understand:

"Clan Head Karmic Fire, our Uchiha Clan is about to move into the bustling central district of the village."

"How can you suddenly... leave the position of clan head to become some snack shop owner?"

In Uchiha Setsuna's heart,

Uchiha Gōka was a genius of the Uchiha Clan.

He was a heroic figure capable of leading the Uchiha Clan toward revival.

After finally finding such an outstanding clan head, how could they possibly let Clan Head Karmic Fire leave so easily?

The Great Elder tried to persuade him:

"Right now, our entire Uchiha Clan is relocating."

"There are many matters that require the clan head to show us the way."

"At a time like this, Clan Head, you cannot leave."

Uchiha Yashiro could not hold himself back either and stepped forward:

"Clan Head, the Uchiha Clan does not merely need you now."

"In the future, we will still need your leadership."

Elders such as Uchiha Inabi, Tekka, and Yakumi all stepped forward in turn:

"Clan Head, you cannot leave us."

In everyone's eyes, although Yehuo Snack Shop was renowned far and wide,

how could it compare to the importance of being clan head of the Uchiha Clan?

Watching them chatter endlessly as they desperately tried to keep him,

Uchiha Gōka raised a hand.

Everyone immediately fell silent.

Uchiha Gōka said:

"Even if I go run Yehuo Snack Shop, I will still be the clan head of the Uchiha Clan."

"You need not be anxious or worried."

"After I leave, the affairs of the Uchiha Clan will be decided jointly by the Great Elder and Setsuna."

Upon hearing Clan Head Karmic Fire entrust the Uchiha Clan's affairs to the Great Elder and himself,

Uchiha Setsuna felt how highly Clan Head Karmic Fire regarded him, and a trace of emotion flashed through his eyes:

"Clan Head, I'm worried... that I won't be able to handle the clan's affairs well."

"There won't be any problem. Setsuna, I believe in you!"

Uchiha Gōka gave Uchiha Setsuna an affirming look.

Uchiha Setsuna was deeply moved and encouraged by Karmic Fire's words.

In the past, because Uchiha Setsuna's political views conflicted with Uchiha Fugaku's, he had been pushed to the fringes of the clan and repeatedly neglected.

That was also why Uchiha Setsuna had long worn such a gloomy expression and trusted almost no one.

However, ever since he became friends with Uchiha Gōka and Karmic Fire became clan head,

Uchiha Setsuna had received unprecedented importance within the clan and had seen hope for reviving the Uchiha Clan.

It could be said that Uchiha Setsuna's life had been completely transformed because of Uchiha Gōka.

Uchiha Setsuna was filled with gratitude toward Uchiha Gōka.

Likewise, in the Great Elder's eyes, Uchiha Gōka was a rare genius of the Uchiha Clan.

The aged and elderly Great Elder had already placed his hopes for the Uchiha Clan's revival on this young man, Uchiha Gōka.

With Clan Head Karmic Fire intending to leave, how could Great Elder Uchiha Hōka simply let it go?

The Great Elder still tried his utmost to persuade him, speaking earnestly:

"Clan Head, you usually devote your energy to Yehuo Snack Shop."

"I'm worried that you won't be able to attend to the clan's affairs."

"I think... you should close Yehuo Snack Shop for a few more days..."

Unable to withstand the endless persuasion of the Great Elder, Uchiha Setsuna, and the others, Uchiha Gōka said:

"If there are any problems you cannot solve, come find me."

"I will also make time from time to time to come to the clan head's office and check on the progress of your work."

"Also... do you know why so many jōnin and clan heads supported my proposal at Konoha's regular meeting today?"

Everyone looked at Clan Head Karmic Fire with puzzled expressions.

Uchiha Gōka explained to the Great Elder, Setsuna, and the others the agreement and consensus he had reached with Might Duy, Hatake Sakumo, and the rest.

A person had to keep his word and value integrity.

Since he had promised Might Duy, Hatake Sakumo, and the others, he had to follow through.

Seeing that Clan Head Karmic Fire had made up his mind, everyone found it difficult to continue trying to keep him.

Uchiha Gōka knew that the Uchiha Clan's greatest issue at present was the "relocation of the entire clan."

Relocating the entire clan would certainly require a great deal of money.

Uchiha Gōka wanted to clearly understand the clan's financial situation:

"Great Elder, how much money does the Uchiha Clan currently have in its accounts?"

"Uh, the funds in our accounts are barely enough to support this clan-wide relocation and the construction of homes on the former Senju Clan grounds."

"Mm. Use the clan's funds to ensure this relocation as much as possible. Let the clan members settle smoothly in the village center."

"Yes, Clan Head."

Great Elder Uchiha Hōka nodded lightly and obeyed the clan head's orders.

Next, Uchiha Gōka went over the clan's affairs one by one with the Great Elder and Uchiha Setsuna.

The clan's affairs kept them busy for an entire day.

By evening,

Uchiha Gōka held Tsunade's hand and left the clan head's office.

At Uchiha Gōka's home, night had already fallen.

Tsunade sat by the window, gazing at the stars in the night sky as her thoughts drifted away.

She thought of her younger brother, Nawaki.

Uchiha Gōka seemed to see through Tsunade's thoughts:

"In recent days, I haven't slackened in my research on the Resurrection Technique."

"And I've gained some new insights as well."

"Now that I've put aside the clan's complicated affairs,"

"I will have more time to study the Resurrection Technique."

Hearing Uchiha Gōka's words, Tsunade felt much more at ease:

"I really want to see my little brother Nawaki again!"

"Mm. Once my physical and spiritual energy recover, I'll take you to the Pure Land to see Nawaki."

Tsunade smiled knowingly. As she looked at Uchiha Gōka, her gaze held a little more feminine tenderness.

Perhaps neither of them had realized it.

Although they had not yet become husband and wife in body,

the way they got along now, and the roles they played in each other's lives, were not much different from those of a married couple.

After night fell, the two went to sleep separately.

The next morning,

Uchiha Gōka and Tsunade headed to Yehuo Snack Shop together.

On the way to Yehuo Snack Shop,

Uchiha Gōka vaguely sensed that someone seemed to be nearby.

However, after scanning his surroundings, he found no trace of anyone.

After pondering it for a moment, Uchiha Gōka realized it was ANBU ninja:

"Tsunade, I vaguely sense that ANBU is following us."

"What! That old man Hiruzen Sarutobi actually dared to send ANBU to follow us!"

Tsunade immediately felt somewhat furious.

After all, Uchiha Gōka was secretly researching the Resurrection Technique at home.

If ANBU kept an eye on them and followed them every day,

then if they discovered the secret of the Resurrection Technique,

her wish to see her younger brother in the Pure Land, or even revive him, might be disrupted.

That was why Tsunade was so angry.

As the two continued walking, they drew closer and closer to the snack shop.

When they approached Yehuo Snack Shop,

Karmic Fire and Tsunade were surprised to find that a large group of people had gathered outside its entrance.

Taking a closer look, they saw that they were Might Duy, Hatake Sakumo, Yūhi Shinku, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and the others.

They were the very people who had gone to Uchiha Gōka's home that day and demanded that Yehuo Snack Shop resume normal business.