Ryuka: He didn't understand, but he was deeply impressed

Inside the office.

Danzo exchanged a glance with Hiruzen Sarutobi, then turned away with a cold snort. "Forget I said anything!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared darkly at Danzo.

After a long while.

He spoke. "There is no point discussing this right now. We are discussing the Uchiha problem. How exactly should we resolve it?"

"..."

Silence fell over the office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

The Uchiha of the past had looked vicious, like a tiger sleeping beside Konoha's bed.

But... as long as he knew their weak spot, they were easy enough to handle.

Kagami Uchiha was an excellent example.

His original plan had been to follow his teacher, Tobirama Senju, boiling a frog slowly to gradually change the Uchiha and make them drop their guard completely.

Like spring rain nurturing the earth, they would peacefully become part of the village.

That was why he had approached Shisui years ago, hoping to replicate his success with Kagami Uchiha... only to discover that Shisui's views were rather unorthodox...

Later, he had approached Uchiha Itachi. Itachi's talent and intelligence rivaled Shisui's, and his understanding of the Will of Fire and the nature of opposing conflicts was clear and profound.

He hated war, loved peace, and kept his deep thoughts hidden beneath the surface. He was an excellent successor to Kagami Uchiha.

But he was still young.

He needed more tempering before he could be put to use...

Along the way.

He had approached Shinji Uchiha on the off chance that something might come of it.

Yet he had never expected that he, the Hokage himself, would be played by a seventeen-year-old boy! Too fast! He had moved far too fast! So fast that Hiruzen had no time to react!

He had said he would become clan head within three to five years.

Instead, it had taken less than three days!

Last night, Uchiha Itachi had delivered an almost word-for-word account of the clan meeting to him. On the surface, Shinji Uchiha had been advocating peace.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi understood.

They were in serious trouble!

Shinji Uchiha was nothing like Fugaku.

The boy's leadership, formidable strength, unconventional ideas, and ability to read the situation...

Every one of those qualities left the aging Hiruzen Sarutobi feeling a thorn in his back.

If he were thirty years younger.

He would have been confident that he could keep Shinji Uchiha in check.

Unfortunately.

He was old!

Most importantly, judging by Shinji Uchiha's behavior last night, he had known all along that Root had killed his parents! And the order to surround the Uchiha Clan Compound had come from Hiruzen Sarutobi himself!

Everyone knew that!

A "child" who could conceal his hatred for nearly ten years?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's scalp prickled!

"Haah..."

Sarutobi sighed. "Why is everyone silent? Homura, you speak."

Mitokado Homura glanced at Utatane Koharu, then at the grim-faced Danzo, and shook his head. "I haven't worked anything out yet..."

"There's only one way!"

Danzo suddenly spoke, his voice sinister. "He's only seventeen, and he's already pulled off something this big. If we let him run the clan for another few years and consolidate his power, I'm afraid it won't be anything as simple as that laughable coup under Fugaku!"

"What I'm saying is..."

He turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Eliminate him for good!"

When Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.

Danzo added, "Even if we can't get rid of him, we must find a way to drive him out of the clan head's seat!"

Mitokado Homura's eyes lit up. "Exactly! But if the Hokage's faction directly interferes in a clan's internal affairs, the other major clans will grow wary. They will band together to resist us and become estranged from the village. So..."

"So we must win over allies and pressure the Uchiha together."

Utatane Koharu picked up where he left off. "After all, the Uchiha Clan has never been well-liked in the village. They have no one to turn to!"

The four exchanged glances. Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Danzo, do everything you can. Make sure it is clean and decisive. Leave nothing that can be used against us, and no scandals!"

Danzo froze.

He was stunned. Had those words really come from Hiruzen Sarutobi?

"Understood!" He was extraordinarily excited.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Meanwhile, we'll pursue both approaches."

"Kakashi!"

"Lord Hokage!"

"Notify the heads of the major shinobi clans. Tell them I have something to discuss and ask them to come to the Hokage Building."

"Yes!"

"Nii-san! Did you really become clan head?"

Uchiha Nobihi circled around Shinji, his eyes sparkling.

Shinji came back to his senses and sighed helplessly. "Yes, yes, yes... but don't disturb me right now. I'm thinking."

"About what?"

"The Uchiha's future..."

"Yeah!"

Watching Nobihi race about like a wild horse let loose, happy beyond measure.

An unreadable look entered Shinji's eyes.

Nobihi, Nobihi...

"Forget it... I'll take things one step at a time."

Shinji Uchiha raised a hand to his eyes, feeling his Mangekyo Sharingan rapidly evolve under the influence of his SS-rank Yin Release. He hoped this damned system would pull its weight.

He let out a soft breath.

Shinji murmured, "Yin Release is at SS now. Yang Release needs to catch up. Balancing the two will keep me from becoming lopsided and lay a solid foundation for the future."

With that, he decisively spent 2,500 gold coins on Yang Release, raising it from S-rank to SS-rank.

His newly replenished supply of gold coins instantly dwindled to 151.

But...

The vitality of Shinji's cells surged once again!

SS-rank mastery of yin release chakra's nature combined with SS-rank mastery of yang release chakra's nature.

It not only gave Shinji enormous potential for physical strength, spiritual energy, and a powerful physique, but also increased his growth rate, immense vitality, chakra reserves, and physical recovery!

It also meant that, when battle came.

He could convert an immense amount of chakra in an instant!

And that was without even mentioning the Uzumaki Clan bloodline he had integrated just last night!

1 + 1 > 3!

What delighted Shinji most was that a new S-rank talent had appeared on his talent screen!

—Hand-Seal-Less Healing!

"So I'm gradually becoming more like Hashirama Senju? No... that's not right. Aside from enormous chakra reserves, powerful self-healing, and a strong physique, nothing feels particularly special..."

"So why was Hashirama Senju said to have a sage's body?"

"Was it just Wood Release?"

Shinji rubbed his chin and pondered for a moment.

"Well, forget it. I can figure it out slowly later!"

Shinji stretched.

He changed out of his lounging robe and into an outfit bearing the Uchiha Clan's clan crest.

Then he hung his Tachi from the specially made clasp on his leather belt.

He checked himself in the mirror.

Looking at the unnervingly sharp expression reflected there, Shinji spread his thumb and index finger and pressed them against the corners of his mouth, forcing out a gentle smile.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Perfect."

"Clan head!"

Just then, Ryuka's voice rang out. "The Third wants you at the Hokage Building for a meeting!"

Shinji turned to Ryuka with a gentle smile, apparently unsurprised.

"Where's Shisui?"

Ryuka laughed.

"Him? He's busy. Our combat division has it a little easier, but that kid Shisui is really swamped now. Kei practically points at his big nose and curses him out. He spends all day in the office, looking as aggrieved as a bullied young bride!"

Shinji shook his head.

"Shisui has talent. He'll quickly learn how to be a good leader. You... had better not fall behind, or I'll train you myself!"

Ryuka's smile froze, his earlier swagger vanishing.

"Uh, clan head, you'd better head to the Hokage Building..." he stammered. "Should we bring some men to secure the area?"

"No need."

Shinji shook his head with a chuckle. "If anyone makes a move, it'll be me first. If Hiruzen Sarutobi dares to act before I do, Konoha is finished."

"Oh, okay!"

Uchiha Ryuka scratched his head.

He didn't understand, but he was deeply impressed.