The two held milk in their hands as they wandered around. Uchiha Ryun bought Tsunade a few pieces of clothing and jewelry. By evening, they strolled through the village streets, eating snacks like takoyaki, tri-colored dango, and sakura shrimp crackers.
When the curfew approached, Uchiha Ryun escorted Tsunade home.
At the entrance of the Senju clan's compound, Tsunade tugged on Uchiha Ryun's sleeve, pouting with reluctance. "How about... how about you stay at my place tonight, Ryun? It's late, and it might not be safe to go back!"
As soon as Tsunade said this, the hidden Anbu twitched their lips. What kind of excuse was that? Uchiha Ryun in danger? The man who had slain a thousand with a single sword and smashed the Third Kazekage with iron sand—would he be unsafe in Konoha?
Uchiha Ryun gently patted Tsunade's head and said softly, "Be good. Now isn't the right time. Staying at your place wouldn't be proper and might invite gossip."
At this point, he couldn't spend the night at the Senju clan's residence.
Previously, it was because he had fainted and was still an unknown figure. Bringing him back then wouldn't have drawn attention. But now, whether in the village or the Uchiha clan, he was an absolute high-ranking figure. Every move, every word, was under scrutiny.
"What gossip? Who dares to talk about us? I'll tell Grandma—" Tsunade grumbled.
Uchiha Ryun chuckled. "Alright, alright. Tsunade, it's not like we won't see each other tomorrow!" After some coaxing, Tsunade finally let go of Uchiha Ryun.
She understood the reasoning. She just... just didn't want to part with him and wanted to be pampered! In the end, Uchiha Ryun gave her a quick peck on the lips, hugged her for a while, then waved goodbye and left.
Tsunade watched until Uchiha Ryun's figure disappeared from sight before sighing. She really wanted to get married! Then, she returned to her usual demeanor, pushing the gate open forcefully—only for a yelp to follow.
"Ouch!" Nawaki, who had been leaning against the door, fell on his backside, clutching his rear with a pained hiss. Then came Tsunade's death glare. "Huh? What are you doing, Nawaki?" Her cold tone carried the weight of sibling dominance.
"I... my beautiful, kind, and gentle elder sister, I was just passing by. Believe me?" Nawaki wasn't lying. He really had been passing by, but when he heard his sister and Ryun's voices, he stopped to eavesdrop.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, thinking to herself: This brother is better off gone. But since she was in a good mood today, she'd spare him. "Tch! Next time, don't eavesdrop. Listen openly if you want!" Then she turned and headed to her room.
Nawaki exhaled in relief. Thankfully, his sister was in a good mood today. But he really admired Ryun. To handle a sister with such a fiery—no, gentle and kind—temper, Ryun was truly impressive.
As for "listening openly" next time? No way. If he actually did that, he might get beaten beyond recognition! The adult world was so complicated. Ah, better go read Jiraiya's new book. Heard it was selling well!
Humming a tune, Nawaki headed to his room. The siblings lived in separate directions—not too close, not too far.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ryun walked through the night. Normally, anyone out at this hour would be stopped by the Konoha Military Police or escorted home.
But who would dare stop, question, or arrest Uchiha Ryun?
When he arrived at the Uchiha clan's gates, the guards immediately opened them, their eyes burning with admiration. Every major war produced legendary shinobi, and right now, the most famous was Uchiha Ryun—the Military God, the Crimson Gold Slayer.
He had brought pride to the Uchiha, integrated them into Konoha, and become one of the youngest elders in the village's leadership.
"Elder, please come in. The clan head has summoned all high-ranking members for a meeting. They've been waiting for you since this afternoon," one guard said respectfully.
Only a figure like Uchiha Ryun could make the clan head, elders, and elite fighters wait for him all afternoon. Uchiha Ryun blinked. "Got it. You two have worked hard."
Then he pulled out two 2,000-ryō bills and handed them over.
"T-This is too much, Sixth Elder!" The guards waved their hands in refusal.
Uchiha Ryun frowned. "Take it. We're of the same clan. No need to be so distant."
The two guards exchanged glances, then bowed deeply. "Understood. Thank you, Sixth Elder!"
Uchiha Ryun nodded and entered. One guard led him to the meeting hall, announcing at the door, "The Sixth Elder has arrived!"
The Uchiha inside immediately straightened, their eyes blazing with excitement and joy. He's here. He's here. The man who carries the clan's glory has arrived.
Uchiha Hirotomo observed the scene and nodded. For the first time, the Uchiha were united—no factions, no divisions—all patiently waiting for Uchiha Ryun. This meant his prestige now surpassed even the clan head's.
But Hirotomo felt no resentment. Instead, he was pleased. As long as the Uchiha stood together, they would be unstoppable.
Uchiha Ryun pushed open the doors of the meeting hall, his Mangekyō Sharingan active. The Uchiha shouted in unison, "Sixth Elder!"
The silent hall erupted with voices full of reverence.
Uchiha Ryun simply nodded with an "Mm," then looked for his seat only to find the only empty spot was a cushion beside Uchiha Hirotomo.
His pupils contracted. He knew exactly what this meant. Seeing his surprise, Hirotomo smiled. He was serious. From now on, Uchiha Ryun's status would be equal to his own.
Amidst the clan's fervent support, Uchiha Ryun knelt on the cushion. Scanning the room, he saw no dissatisfaction or defiance—only respect, respect, and still more respect.
Uchiha Hirotomo cleared his throat. "Now that Ryun is here, I declare the meeting officially begun."
Everyone clapped, including Uchiha Ryun, who felt a little embarrassed. After the Hokage's meeting, he had spent the whole day out, while the clan had been waiting for him. Hirotomo should've at least notified me.
Unaware of his thoughts, Hirotomo began the meeting. "This is a summary of the Second War, a milestone for the Uchiha in this new era."
"In the Second Shinobi World War, on the Suna front, our clan deployed a thousand shinobi, losing only two hundred. Among them, forty were jonin, sixty chunin, and a hundred genin. This pains us." The Uchiha lowered their heads.
"However! We annihilated over two thousand enemies! A casualty ratio of one to ten! Including Ryun's personal kills, the total exceeds five thousand, one to twenty-five! This battle has cemented the Uchiha as the greatest clan in the shinobi world! Moreover, we are now fully integrated into Konoha, a double blessing!"
The Uchiha's gazes burned toward Ryun, their eyes filled with fanaticism.
Without Uchiha Ryun, there would be no glory for the Uchiha, no integration into Konoha. All these benefits stemmed from him.
Uchiha Ryun waved his hand.
"This was possible only because of the clan head's trust and the brothers who entrusted me with their lives. The result isn't mine alone—it belongs to all of us!"
The Uchiha erupted in applause. Hirotomo looked at Ryun deeply, satisfaction in his eyes.
Then, he announced, "Therefore, I have decided to entrust the Konoha Military Police Force entirely to Ryun. I believe that under his leadership as a Konoha elder, Uchiha elder, Military God, and Crimson Gold Slayer, the Uchiha's police force will only grow stronger!"
Uchiha Ryun was stunned. So sudden?