The Caged Bird Seal was lifted from many branch family members all at once.
Naturally, the main family couldn't possibly be unaware.
After all, there were still some members of the branch house accustomed to having that little "remote control" embedded on their foreheads.
This symbolic leash couldn't be removed so easily.
But what could the main family do?
The current situation they faced was dire.
The overall strength of the branch house had surpassed their own, and their original backer, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had stepped down.
The new Hokage, Hanyu Simu, now supported the branch family instead...
So, the main family was left helpless.
It wasn't as if they hadn't tried to seek help from other clans.
But with a new Hokage in power, no one wanted to be the one to stir up trouble.
Besides the Uchiha and the Ino–Shika–Chō clans, all the other major clans pledged loyalty to Namikaze Minato.
Now, they're all lying low, praying Simu doesn't settle old scores once things calm down.
Who would dare openly criticize him?
As for the civilians—they'd always wanted to see the arrogant Hyuga fall from grace.
So now, the Hyuga main family could only swallow this bitter pill.
And that wasn't all—they now had to deal with the increasingly bold demands from the branch house.
For example: splitting access to the ancient scrolls in the ancestral library.
"We're all descendants of the Hyuga clan—why should only the main family learn advanced Gentle Fist techniques while we can't?"
The once-proud Hyuga clan was unlikely to ever rise again.
Most likely, it would be gradually assimilated by the ever-growing strength of the branch house.
But all of this had little to do with Simu.
This was an internal Hyuga matter—he had left it for Rei (Ling Yi) to handle.
It was already evening by the time Simu returned to the Hokage's office. The sky outside had darkened.
"I'm back. Thanks for your hard work—I brought some Ichiraku ramen," Simu said as he entered, holding two steaming bowls.
But instead of the usual sight, he found Minato fast asleep at the desk.
The towering pile of documents had all been sorted and corrected, neatly organized into categories.
Hearing the door open, Minato stirred and rubbed his eyes.
Simu quickly smiled.
"You've been working hard. Let's eat!"
He pushed a bowl toward Minato. After all, the guy had been helping him all day—it was only fair to treat him to a meal.
"Ichiraku ramen? Sweet. Then I won't hold back!" Minato said, clapping his hands together before eagerly digging in.
It was clear the kid was starving.
A pang of guilt crossed Simu's heart.
After wolfing down both bowls, Minato wiped his mouth and looked over.
"How are things going with the Hyuga clan?"
Simu flopped down on the sofa nearby, answering casually.
"Pretty smooth. At this point, the main family shouldn't be able to stir up any more trouble."
Minato nodded. "That's good. The village will be more stable this way."
"Yeah," Simu stretched and yawned. "I'm dead tired. You should head home and rest too."
Minato's face darkened with irritation.
He had been the one doing most of the work these days!
Just then—knock knock knock.
"Come in," Simu said, resting his legs casually on the table without a hint of concern.
It was his secretary—a kunoichi from the Yamanaka clan, named Yamanaka Tao.
She was a master of Sensory Ninjutsu and the Mind Communication Technique, able to relay Simu's commands instantly and precisely to any department.
She bowed slightly.
"Lord Hokage, the head of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Shihō, requests an audience."
"Let him in," Simu replied, finally lowering his legs and leaning back on the sofa.
Minato quickly stood up from the Hokage's seat. He didn't mind sitting there normally, since he was close to Simu, but it wouldn't look good in front of outsiders. It could hurt Simu's dignity as Hokage.
Even if Simu himself didn't care and often joked that "dignity is something you act out," Minato still had his own standards.
Uchiha Shihō was around the same age as Sarutobi Hiruzen. He stepped in and gave a slight nod.
"Congratulations on your successful handling of the Hyuga situation, Lord Hokage."
As one of Konoha's noble clans, the Uchiha had eyes everywhere. What happened today didn't escape their notice.
Especially since the Uchiha Police Force was responsible for handling conflicts—naturally, they had sent people to mediate the Hyuga affair.
Simu lazily waved a hand.
"That had nothing to do with me. It's an internal matter of the Hyuga clan. As long as no one dies, I'm not interfering."
Seeing Simu's completely unconcerned attitude, Uchiha Shihō chuckled.
"Right. It's just that the medical techniques at Konoha Hospital are so good these days… that those branch family members only needed a quick physical exam for the Caged Bird Seal to mysteriously vanish."
Simu grinned.
"After all, Konoha Hospital is under the care of Senior Tsunade, so it's only natural that it's a bit exceptional."
Minato sighed instantly when he heard the conversation between these two men.
These two were even more full of nonsense than the others.
"Master Hokage, Patriarch of the Quartet, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
"Go, go, have a good rest, and come early tomorrow."
Simu smiled and waved.
Hearing that he had to come tomorrow, Minato almost staggered.
After Minato left, Uchiha Sifang said frankly,
"I don't know what plans Hokage-sama has for the Uchiha clan next?"
"The Uchiha, as one of the two founding families of Konoha, have always been dedicated to inheriting the Will of Fire from the First Hokage. Now, we also hope to shine in various positions and contribute more to Konoha."
Simu picked his nose with his pinky finger and scoffed at the Uchiha Quartet's claims.
If it weren't for the Uchiha's current reputation and the lack of suitable candidates, you guys would be running for Hokage already, right?
"Alright, Patriarch Sifang, no need to say such things."
Simu got up from the sofa and sat down heavily in the Hokage's big chair.
"Right now, the security force of Konoha is fully under the responsibility of the Uchiha clan. Isn't that enough?"
The Uchiha Quartet smiled.
"Master Hokage, please don't joke. Don't you know what the current guard is like?"
"The Uchiha clan's main appeal is to let Uchiha ninjas join Anbu."
Compared to the police force, which only handles civil disputes, Anbu is the core of power in Konoha.
Especially now that the roots are about to be disbanded.
Simu grinned seeing that the old fox was no longer beating around the bush.
"That's easy to handle. I'm preparing some personnel adjustments."
Simu threw a list onto the table.
Candidates for each position were clearly indicated.
Uchiha Sifang opened it carefully, then his eyes widened.
"What? You're putting the Sarutobi and Shimura clans in charge of the guard?!"
Simu nodded slightly.
His new plan was to transfer former Anbu Minister Sarutobi Shinnosuke and his wife Sarutobi Doma to captain and deputy captain of the Konoha Guard.
The entire guard would be under the Sarutobi and Shimura clans.
This way, not only would the resentment the Uchiha have accumulated over the years be eased,
but also the positions of Anbu Minister and Deputy Minister would be freed up.
After all, Sarutobi Shinnosuke did nothing wrong, so it would be unreasonable to just dismiss him.
Uchiha Sifang narrowed his eyes.
"If you want to deprive the Uchiha clan of guard duties, then you'd better hand over the Anbu Minister position to Fugaku."
Simu shook his head.
"The Anbu Minister position must belong to Minato, and the deputy minister is the biggest promise I've made to the Uchiha family."
"If the Patriarch of the Quartet is dissatisfied, he can refuse the appointment and let Fugaku continue as guard captain."
Uchiha stared at Simu with narrowed eyes.
Simu smiled back.
Finally, Uchiha Sifang smiled and said,
"Forget it. Master Hokage must have his reasons. So be it."
"If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
The Uchiha turned and pushed open the door.
He stopped suddenly and turned back to look at Simu.
"One thing I forgot."
Uchiha's somewhat aged eyes became as sharp as a sword in the dim light.
"Take good care of Mikoto. Otherwise, I will never let you off, old man."
Only then did Simu realize the scheming patriarch in front of him was his father-in-law.
Faced with his father-in-law's threat, he hurriedly bowed and said,
"I promise!"
"Go well, Tao, go slowly."
The good-natured old man—how could Simu be disrespectful?
Even thinking about that wasn't enough; Simu waved his hand, ready to send Anbu ninjas to escort Uchiha Sifang home.
But was interrupted by Uchiha Quartet.
"Well, I'm not so old I can't walk."
Seeing the changed Simu, Uchiha Sifang shook his head helplessly.
He never thought that one day he would have to rely on his daughter's face.
Simu isn't just all talk—he really means it.
For him, the patriarch of the Uchiha clan and the father of Uchiha Mikoto—
Naturally, the latter is more important.
The former is just an old man with some power.
The latter is family and elder.
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