Uchiha, the Clan of Love

Tsunade could hardly believe it. The girl before her had a great figure, but she looked no older than sixteen or seventeen, didn't she?

Hiruzen Sarutobi was old enough to be her grandfather!

"Orochimaru! I knew it! That old monkey still hasn't given up! He's already started deceiving innocent young girls!"

Orochimaru's pupils shook as well.

He had been wondering why his teacher had relinquished his authority over the village and temporarily chosen to leave Konoha.

Now, the truth had finally come to light!

It turned out his teacher was no longer content with using a crystal ball to peep into women's bathhouses and had begun going out for practical experience!

Oddly enough, this made Orochimaru breathe a sigh of relief.

This was a good thing!

Before, he had been a menace to the entire village. Now, he was only a menace to a few women—and they were not even women from Konoha, but ones he had tricked into coming back from outside the village!

If Orochimaru had to choose between the former Hiruzen Sarutobi and the current Hiruzen Sarutobi, he would definitely choose the current one!

But Tsunade did not see it that way. Hiruzen Sarutobi was simply too much! Was ruining the village not enough for him? Now he had even gone out to deceive an innocent young girl!

"Lord Hiruzen did not deceive me. I came willingly!"

Miki Xiaoai was not foolish. She knew that some things had to be fought for, which was why she had said she wanted to become Hiruzen Sarutobi's wife as soon as she met Orochimaru and Tsunade.

Sometimes, didn't misunderstandings gradually become reality as they deepened?

Tsunade pressed both hands to her forehead. Thinking of Hiruzen Sarutobi's current appearance—his muscular, upright-looking physique—he really was quite intimidating.

But in Tsunade's heart, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still that lecherous old man from before, full of schemes and responsible for plenty of bad deeds.

She absolutely could not let this innocent girl be deceived!

"Do you know how old Hiruzen Sarutobi is?"

Tsunade took a deep breath and asked Miki Xiaoai this crucial question.

"Huh?" Miki Xiaoai truly did not know Hiruzen Sarutobi's age.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi is Konoha's Third Hokage. He's already in his fifties, nearly sixty! He's old enough to be your grandfather!"

Tsunade was heartbroken. Hiruzen Sarutobi's youngest son, Asuma Sarutobi, was about the same age as the girl before her.

Moreover, everyone already knew that Shinnosuke Sarutobi and Naeko Sarutobi had had a child. They had even gone to the Sarutobi Clan a few days ago to celebrate.

And today, Hiruzen Sarutobi had brought back a young girl to become his wife?

This was outrageous!

Miki Xiaoai had always felt that the name Hiruzen Sarutobi sounded familiar. Only now did she remember—wasn't that the name of Konoha's Hokage?

Seeing Miki Xiaoai's shocked expression, Tsunade nodded in satisfaction.

It seemed the girl before her had realized where the problem lay!

"Lord Hiruzen is actually the Hokage! No wonder he's so strong!"

Miki Xiaoai's eyes practically sparkled with little stars. She clearly did not care about Hiruzen Sarutobi's age at all!

Tsunade took a deep breath. Her fists clenched tight!

When Hiruzen Sarutobi returned, she would definitely let him have a taste of the Monster Strength Fist!

That dirty old man ought to end up like Jiraiya, lying in the hospital for half a month!

Jiraiya had definitely become what he was today because of Hiruzen Sarutobi's influence!

Her love of gambling was surely because of her teacher as well!

And Orochimaru had become such a pervert because of Hiruzen Sarutobi too!

"Enough, Tsunade. Let's not interfere with our teacher's affairs."

After speaking, Orochimaru looked at Miki Xiaoai.

"I'll have someone take you to our teacher's home. The Sarutobi Clan still owns quite a few houses and businesses in Konoha. Go find Shinnosuke Sarutobi and have him arrange a job for you."

Tsunade took a deep breath and held back what she wanted to say. After all, Orochimaru was now the Fifth Hokage.

ANBU took Miki Xiaoai away, and Tsunade finally could not hold back any longer.

"Orochimaru, that old man has gone too far! We can't let him keep doing whatever he wants out there!"

Orochimaru shook his head. His thoughts differed from Tsunade's; he even felt remarkably relieved.

"Isn't this good? Do you want him to return to Konoha and interfere with our work? He has already given up all the authority in his hands, so let him do as he pleases."

Orochimaru's mindset now was much like Li Shimin's after successfully seizing the throne. As long as Li Yuan did not interfere with his reign, he could do whatever he wanted and have as many children as he pleased!

Of course, with a new ruler came a new court. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to influence village policy as he had before, it was no longer possible.

Root and the Elders' Council had both been brought under his control. The major ninja clans of Konoha clearly recognized Orochimaru more now.

After hearing Orochimaru's words, Tsunade's expression became extremely complicated. She was also someone who considered the bigger picture and knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions were actually harmless. Miki Xiaoai was merely an ordinary girl.

Perhaps her only advantage was her especially good figure. Even Tsunade had not possessed such a figure in her youth.

"Hmph. We'll talk when he gets back!"

Orochimaru shook his head and began reading the documents in his hands.

Shikaku Nara, beside him, had not spoken throughout the entire exchange. In his heart, however, he admired Hiruzen Sarutobi. He was a henpecked husband himself, yet the Third Hokage had managed to charm such a beautiful young girl. As expected of the Hokage!

"Itachi Uchiha of the Uchiha Clan has applied to graduate early."

Orochimaru looked at the application with great interest.

He had heard that this Itachi Uchiha was a genius no less gifted than Shisui.

Recently, his research into the Sharingan had made considerable progress. He had conducted extensive research on Obito's Mangekyo Sharingan.

However, transplanting the Sharingan into anyone other than a member of the Uchiha Clan came with severe side effects. So far, there had been only one exception: an experimental subject named "Shin," someone who could receive any organ transplant without rejection.

Danzo's arm had been transplanted from Shin.

Yet while Shin suffered no rejection, even after receiving the Sharingan, he was still far inferior to members of the Uchiha Clan.

There seemed to be some kind of energy and strange genetic fragment hidden within the Uchiha Clan's genes, capable of releasing immense power when their emotions fluctuated.

The Uchiha Clan, the Clan of Love!

To obtain more information, it would be best to observe the Uchiha Clan.

Perhaps this Itachi Uchiha would be a good choice.

"Shikaku, approve his application. I'll personally assess him."

"Understood."

Shikaku Nara's opinion of the Uchiha Clan had also changed greatly recently.

The Uchiha Clan's relationship with the village had improved considerably, and they had begun integrating into it.

Shikaku Nara believed this might be the most correct choice. The Second Hokage had feared the Uchiha Clan's power, but what if the Uchiha Clan formed deep bonds with the people of the village?

Then when the village faced enemies in the future, might the Uchiha Clan become its strongest force?

It seemed the Second Hokage had truly been wrong. Even Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi, whom he had cultivated, had been wrong.