After breakfast, Xia Yu and Kurenai Yuhi walked hand in hand toward the entrance of the Uchiha Clan Compound.
People came and went, and passersby were very surprised to see that Xia Yu and Kurenai had suddenly become a couple.
"My God, wasn't Kurenai Yuhi dating Lord Hokage's son, Asuma Sarutobi?"
"Who would've thought one of the village's beauties would fall for Uchiha Xia Yu's charms too?"
"Ugh... when will us single guys ever get our chance?"
"What else can we do? Get stronger! Honestly, when I saw Xia Yu's Blue Giant yesterday, I really wished I were a woman..."
"Come on, brother, no need to go that far..."
There was plenty of gossip, some pleasant and some nasty, but Xia Yu paid it no mind.
He had heard far too much of this sort of talk ever since he began seeking wives.
This was Kurenai Yuhi's first time experiencing anything like this, and honestly, she was rather embarrassed.
From time to time, she stole glances at Xia Yu's expression.
Xia Yu's composure made Kurenai think even more highly of him.
This man really is so steady. Of course, despite being so powerful, he's endured humiliation and shouldered his burdens all this time. That's simply beyond an ordinary person...
Kurenai Yuhi's love for Xia Yu grew ever stronger...
Before long, they were almost at the Uchiha Clan Compound.
Whenever he returned to the Clan Compound, he would pass a certain place.
The Konoha Military Police Force.
The Uchiha Clan had once been responsible for running it, and for an easier commute, the police force building stood very close to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
After the massacre, with no one from the Uchiha Clan left available, Ibiki Morino, captain of the Interrogation Department, and his subordinates had temporarily taken over the place.
Xia Yu stopped and looked at the police force's entrance before him, seemingly thinking of something.
"What's wrong, Xia Yu?"
"Kurenai, come inside with me. I want to see how Danzo's interrogation is progressing."
"Oh, sure..."
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door to Ibiki Morino's office.
"Come in."
Ibiki Morino was a little puzzled. The workday had only just begun. Who had come to see him so early?
Uchiha Xia Yu and Kurenai Yuhi pushed the door open and entered.
"Oh, Xia Yu. Huh? Kurenai? Why are you...?"
Ibiki Morino froze. Why had these two people, who had nothing to do with each other, come to see him together?
He did not dwell on it. After all, Kurenai Yuhi was Asuma Sarutobi's girlfriend.
Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined that Kurenai Yuhi now had a different husband.
His attitude toward Uchiha Xia Yu had now undergone a complete reversal.
Respecting the strong was only natural.
Xia Yu got straight to the point, asking evenly, "Mr. Ibiki, you should have the results of Danzo's interrogation by now, right?"
"Uh... not yet. To be honest, we've made zero progress on Danzo's interrogation so far."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because he's gone mad... so the interrogation has been put on hold for now."
"Mad? You're saying that old bastard Danzo has gone mad???"
What an absurd joke.
How could Xia Yu believe such a thing!
"That's not right. Being mad doesn't stop him from being interrogated! I know perfectly well what Inoichi can do! As long as Danzo is alive, Inoichi can drag out every last one of his dirty secrets!"
"Well... I know that too, but..." Ibiki Morino's eyes shifted evasively as he replied haltingly, "Sigh, um... the higher-ups won't let the Intelligence Department take over."
"..."
Xia Yu understood. It all became clear.
This had to be Hiruzen Sarutobi's doing.
That day, he had repeatedly promised to uncover the truth and give the Uchiha justice, yet the result was...
Heh.
Surprisingly, Xia Yu was not angry.
He should have thought of it sooner. Those two old foxes were in the same boat. Hiruzen Sarutobi would never bring Danzo's affairs out into the open.
To fully expose Danzo's evil to the world, he would have to bring both of them down at once.
Dealing with Danzo was easy, and Xia Yu had successfully made him pay.
But when it came to dealing with Hiruzen Sarutobi, Xia Yu knew that his current resources were not enough.
Strength, power, and public support-he could not do without any of them.
Growing stronger was simple. He just needed to keep having children. With both the number and quality of his wives increasing, Xia Yu believed that within a few years, his strength would surely surpass that of every ninja currently in Konoha.
As for power and public support, he would have to employ some tactics.
Xia Yu pondered for a moment, and a gleam flashed through his eyes.
Since he intended to reach for power, laying a solid foundation was especially crucial!
First, he had to take back the power that had once belonged to the Uchiha!
Namely, the police force right beneath his feet!
As long as he became chief of the police force, he would have a measure of influence at the center of power.
Moreover, the police force differed from other departments of power: it had the most direct contact with the villagers.
Everyone could see things clearly.
If he did well, he could win all their support.
If he did poorly, he would lose all their support too.
As long as he fulfilled his duties and promptly addressed the people's troubles, it would be hard to do a bad job even if he tried!
"Kurenai, come to the Hokage's office with me."
"Uh... I..." Kurenai Yuhi hesitated. After all, she had once been the Hokage's son's girlfriend.
Seeing this, Xia Yu smiled, took Kurenai's hand, and kissed her cheek. "If you feel awkward, you can wait outside the building. I'll come out once I've finished talking with the Hokage."
That kiss instantly went to Kurenai Yuhi's head.
Since I'm Xia Yu's woman now, Lord Hokage will find out sooner or later. What am I afraid of? Asuma dumped me first anyway!
Steeling herself, Kurenai Yuhi said outright, "No, Xia Yu. I'll go in with you to see Lord Hokage."
"All right~ let's go."
"Yes!"
The two walked out of the office, leaving Ibiki Morino alone in bewilderment.
"What... what on earth is going on here!"
Before you continue