Post-Meeting Discussion

The leaders of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans naturally gathered around Torifu Akimichi.

"Torifu, now that you're on the Council of Elders, you'll need to be more cautious in your actions from now on."

The Nara Clan Leader spoke in a low voice, his fingers unconsciously tracing across the table. "The Hokage has put our three clans directly over the fire. It is both reliance and a test."

The Yamanaka Clan Leader nodded slightly. "Systematic reliance... it sounds good, but what it amounts to will depend on what follows. This new Hokage's way of thinking is... unusual."

Torifu Akimichi put away his smile and said seriously, "I understand. But no matter what, the Hokage has given us his trust and our positions. We must produce results worthy of that trust.

"We must handle the reconstruction well. That is also the foundation upon which our three clans stand." Pragmatism had always been the Ino-Shika-Cho's guiding principle.

On the other side, several influential Uchiha figures approached Kagami Uchiha. They did not speak immediately, and the atmosphere was somewhat delicate.

An elder slowly spoke, his voice low. "Kagami, the Hokage seems to favor you greatly."

Kagami coughed. His face looked even paler beneath the lights, but his eyes remained clear. "Third Elder, the Hokage acknowledges my performance on missions, as well as... the Uchiha's strength.

"'Special Advisor' is only a title. It gives me an opportunity to offer suggestions regarding the village's security."

"Only offer suggestions?"

Another Uchiha Jonin in charge of the Police Force spoke somewhat sternly. "Kagami, you are an Uchiha prodigy, but do not forget where your roots lie.

"The Hokage's intentions may not be so simple."

Kagami lowered his gaze slightly. His voice was not loud, but it was clear. "I have never forgotten. Precisely because I have not forgotten my roots, I must see the road ahead more clearly.

"The Uchiha are also part of Konoha. The Hokage has acknowledged that, has he not? He has not touched the Police Force."

He raised his eyes and calmly met the scrutinizing gazes of his clansmen. "Perhaps this is an opportunity—a beginning that will let the village understand the Uchiha better, and let the Uchiha integrate more fully into the village... I will act with caution."

His words were watertight. They soothed the sensitivity of the hawks within the clan while also aligning with the thoughts of the moderates willing to try a new path.

The elders said nothing more. They merely patted his shoulder, their expressions complicated.

The leaders of other small and mid-sized clans and departments also gathered in twos and threes.

"Looks like future decisions will have to clear the Council of Elders and the advisors first."

"The focus is still compensation and reconstruction. The Hokage is serious about this. We need to hurry back and take stock of our people and resources."

"Kagami Uchiha... tsk. We'll have to be more careful when dealing with him in the future."

"Torifu Akimichi has joined the Council of Elders. The weight of the Ino-Shika-Cho will be different from now on..."

"Lord Danzo sure left quickly..."

The murmur of discussion buzzed on. Some were excited, some worried, some calculating, and some watching.

But regardless, one clear signal had been delivered to everyone: the core of power had been reorganized, and the focus of work had been made clear.

After a brief period of chaos and mourning, the great ship of Konoha had been gripped at the helm by a determined, innovative force and had begun turning toward waters it had never clearly sailed before.

The Nara Clan Leader listened to the discussions around him and looked at the Konoha emblem printed high above the meeting room.

After a long while, he let out a soft sigh. Yet there was not much heaviness in it—rather, it carried the relief of witnessing history and cautious anticipation.

"It seems," he quietly said to his companions, his voice not loud but enough to make several nearby tables fall silent and listen, "Konoha's... new chapter is about to begin."

Like a stone cast into a lake, those words sent ripples slowly spreading through everyone's hearts.

A new Hokage, a new structure, a new focus, new... possibilities.

The meeting was over, but the thoughts, plans, and actions it had sparked had only just ignited within everyone's hearts.

Konoha's night was destined to leave many sleepless. And tomorrow, when the sun rose, this village would begin a silent yet profound transformation.

Night, Hokage Residence

Nangō Kumoi took off the Divine Robe, casually draped it over the back of a chair, and sank into the sofa with a long sigh.

"The first step has finally been taken..." He rubbed the space between his brows.

He replayed the details of the meeting in his mind. Sarutobi had been tied to the war chariot, the Ino-Shika-Cho had been provisionally bound in, Danzo had been temporarily boxed into the system... Most importantly, the piece named Kagami Uchiha had been placed.

"Kagami, Kagami, don't disappoint me."

He murmured to himself as those clear, resolute eyes appeared before him.

"The Uchiha problem runs too deep. Suppression alone or conciliation alone won't work.

"They need a new 'battlefield,' a 'responsibility' they can take pride in, a visible 'path to integration'..."

Starting with the role of Special Advisor, Kagami would participate in public security and efforts to soothe public sentiment, gradually gain access to the core of village affairs, and build prestige.

At the same time, the areas of development Kumoi intended to advance—those requiring refined management and powerful execution, such as security for major projects and precise material distribution—might in the future become new stages where the Uchiha could put their strengths to use.

The premise was that Kagami could withstand the pressure within his clan and truly become a bridge.

"The proud Uchiha need to be handled gently, and they need to feel like it was their own brilliance all along... There's still a long road ahead."

Outside the window, Konoha's lights flickered sporadically through the night. Most areas remained steeped in the bleak desolation left by the war.

"Starting tomorrow, it'll be time to get serious about construction."

He rolled his shoulders, and the exhaustion in his eyes faded, replaced by eager anticipation.

"Compensation payments, housing... Once everyone sees something tangible, only then will this position truly be secure."

Uchiha Compound, Small Family Meeting

Several core elders and Kagami sat around a simple tea room. The atmosphere was far more relaxed than in the shrine's secret chamber.

"Kagami, how are you feeling today?" an elderly clan elder asked with concern, first checking on his health.

"Much better. Thank you for your concern," Kagami replied politely.

"What do you think of the 'Special Advisor' position the Hokage gave you?" another clan uncle asked directly.

Kagami considered his words. "It is an opportunity. It will let us hear what the village truly thinks about public security, and it will also let the Uchiha's voice be heard.

"Kumoi... no, Lord Hokage... He seems to genuinely want to make some changes."

"Change is a good thing," the First Elder said leisurely as he drank his tea. "As long as the Police Force is not touched and the Uchiha's honor and interests are not harmed, we can wait and see.

"Kagami, since you have accepted it, do it well. Listen more, observe more, speak less. Keep the family informed in a timely manner."

"Yes." Kagami nodded.

"That's enough. Kagami's injuries have not fully healed yet. Let him rest early."

The meeting was brief and pragmatic, without any heated arguments. It was more like a family reminding and caring for a younger member beginning a new job.