"Stone Breathing."
Yashiro returned to the Police Force and began reviewing the contents of the document.
The Basic Internal Energy Technique and the Four Styles invented by Kin—he actually had a copy, given to him by Kin early on.
But at first, he hadn't taken it seriously and simply tossed it into storage.
He never bothered to learn it.
Though he had always looked after Uchiha Kin, he was still influenced by some of the clan's biases.
This was also why Kin hadn't spread the techniques within the Uchiha clan.
It wasn't until Kin proved himself that Yashiro dug it out and started learning.
Now, as he looked at the new ninjutsu content in his hands, he couldn't help but marvel at Kin's ingenuity.
Using breathing to perform hand seals—it was unheard of, something no one else would have thought of.
The taijutsu-ninjutsu hybrid created by this method was clearly powerful at a glance.
"Yashiro, what are you looking at?"
At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku walked into the Police Force headquarters.
"This? A taijutsu-ninjutsu technique Kin gave me." Yashiro waved the scroll in his hand, a smile on his face.
Now, he felt a sense of pride, as if watching his own child grow up.
In his eyes, all the parentless orphans in the clan were like his own children.
Fugaku fell silent for a moment.
"You shouldn't get too close to Uchiha Kin."
Yashiro's smile faded slightly as he turned to Fugaku, though his expression remained gentle.
"Fugaku, no matter what, Kin is still a member of the Uchiha clan."
"If you can't even tolerate Kin, how do you expect to lead the entire clan?"
Though Uchiha Kin could be a troublemaker at times, in Yashiro's eyes, he was still a good kid who repaid kindness with kindness.
He understood why Fugaku and Kin didn't get along—just as Kin remembered favors, he also held grudges.
Back when Kin was still called a "good-for-nothing," Fugaku had treated him poorly. Naturally, Kin wouldn't give him a friendly attitude now.
Fugaku listened to Yashiro's advice. In a way, Yashiro was the most suitable person to bridge the gap between the clan and the village.
He didn't mention that this was Elder Hokaku's intention.
"...Sorry."
"Being clan head isn't easy."
Yashiro patted Fugaku on the shoulder.
"Yeah." Fugaku responded gloomily.
"Come on, don't be so down. The commendation ceremony for White Fang is about to start—cheer up."
Yashiro changed the subject, his smile returning, though his eyes remained hidden.
Fugaku couldn't see Yashiro's expression.
Outside the Hokage's office, a large crowd of Konoha's residents had gathered. In contrast, the number of ninja present was pitifully small.
After all, the village was still at war, and most of its shinobi had been deployed to the front lines.
Kin stood among the crowd, listening to the villagers' murmurs.
"Why are there so few ninja here?"
A villager glanced at the small group of shinobi gathered in one corner—barely more than a dozen.
Even with the Uchiha Police Force present, the villagers feared them too much to consider them part of the celebration.
"With the war going on, most of them are at the front lines."
"I wonder how my son is doing..."
"My daughter hasn't sent any news back either."
"What if the front lines collapse? Will they attack Konoha?"
The villagers were anxious—some worried about their children, others about their own safety.
"Don't worry, we have White Fang! He single-handedly defeated Sunagakure!"
"That's right, we still have White Fang!"
The mention of White Fang's name calmed the crowd.
A man who could take on an entire village—that was an incredible feat.
"...And the Hokage, too."
Someone muttered this, but their voice was quickly drowned out by the chatter, leaving no impression.
Kin's gaze shifted to the newly erected platform.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the two elders sat on chairs, though Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's expressions were grim. Only Hiruzen smiled warmly at the scene.
To ninja, the Hokage was undoubtedly the strongest—after all, the textbooks still hailed him as the "God of Shinobi."
But to the villagers, it was a different story.
To them, the Hokage was more like a village mayor.
Hiruzen had no notable achievements in recent battles; his reputation stemmed from the First War.
But public memory was short. No one talked about the First War anymore—it might as well have never happened.
The villagers could rejoice in White Fang's victory today, but if no one spoke of it later, it would be forgotten.
For now, though, Hiruzen's lack of recent accomplishments meant he couldn't provide the villagers with a sense of security.
In truth, Hiruzen didn't avoid the battlefield out of cowardice.
He needed to ensure the village's stability.
If he recklessly joined the front lines, Kumogakure and Kirigakure—who hadn't fully committed yet—would seize the chance to attack Konoha itself.
His presence in the village was a deterrent. If he left, it would signal total war.
And he would become a prime target.
The death of a Kage would devastate a village.
Only the ninja understood this. The villagers didn't.
Though they respected the Hokage's position, to them, it meant little in practical terms.
"White Fang! White Fang! White Fang!"
Cheers erupted as the crowd's attention turned to the approaching figure of Hatake Sakumo.
Even Sakumo himself seemed surprised by the turnout—no one had warned him it would be this big.
The Hokage had only mentioned a "small commendation ceremony."
This kind of event was unprecedented, but Sakumo had accepted anyway.
Now, he had no choice but to step onto the platform and kneel before Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama."
The crowd fell silent as the Police Force maintained order.
A single glare from an Uchiha was enough to quiet anyone.
Their authority was deeply ingrained.
Hiruzen stood, holding a half-sleeve armband. He bowed deeply to Sakumo, his expression sincere.
"Hatake Sakumo, thank you for bringing victory to the village."
"It was my duty."
"This is in recognition of your contributions. May you carry the Will of Fire forward."
Hiruzen handed the armband to Sakumo.
For once, Sakumo's usually stoic face showed emotion. His lips trembled slightly as he raised his hands to accept it.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
As he fastened the armband to his sleeve, Sakumo felt dazed.
After all these years of effort, he was finally being acknowledged. It was overwhelming.
"From today onward, you shall be known as Konoha's White Fang!"
Hiruzen announced with a smile.
"White Fang!"
"Konoha's White Fang!"
"Our White Fang-sama!"
The crowd erupted in cheers once more.
Bathed in the villagers' adoration, Sakumo couldn't suppress a smile.
Perhaps this was the greatest validation he could receive.
Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal.
But now, he remembered the question he had meant to ask earlier.
"Hokage-sama."
"Speak, Sakumo."
"I would like to request permission for Uchiha Kin to view the Scroll of Seals."
Hiruzen's smile froze.
...
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(End of Chapter)