March 15th, Year 60 of the Konoha Calendar
More than a month had passed since Tsunade had been appointed the Fifth Hokage.
Under the guidance of Uchiha Hikaru and Tsunade, Orochimaru publicly announced his return to Konoha two weeks ago. The S-rank criminal warrant against him was officially revoked, legitimizing his return to the village.
Many of Orochimaru's former subordinates had returned to his side, reuniting with their once-feared Lord Orochimaru.
Anko had even specially dressed in black thigh-high combat stockings—something Uchiha Hikaru had long fantasized about—and engaged him in a night of intense passion.
Of course, that's beside the point.
Over the past month, Tsunade had been buried in the aftermath left by Danzo's disbanded Root and the corruption of Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
The Medical Corps was facing a financial black hole, and the Civil Affairs Department's infrastructure and housing conditions were appalling. Tsunade was completely overwhelmed.
Unable to handle the burden alone, she finally accepted Uchiha Hikaru's suggestion to appoint Shizune as her secretary.
With the combined efforts of the master-apprentice duo and Uchiha Hikaru, the reform blueprint for the medical and public welfare systems was finalized in under a month.
And today—it was time for the results to be announced at Konoha's high council meeting.
The Hyuga Clan, the Ino-Shika-Cho Alliance, the Inuzuka Clan, the Aburame Clan, and many mid- and small-tier families were already watching this development with interest.
They had caught wind of it through their own intelligence networks and informants.
Not that Tsunade or Uchiha Hikaru had tried to hide it.
If you want a horse to run fast, you have to feed it well.
As for unruly horses? Let them weed themselves out. Those who don't measure up don't deserve the best feed or treatment.
The others will drive them away, even without intervention from the Hokage.
After all, fewer mouths at the table means a larger share for the rest.
—
On the second floor of the Hokage Building, inside the meeting hall.
All the major clan leaders of Konoha were already seated. Each one was a prominent figure in the village:
Nara Shikaku – Clan Head of the Nara, leader of the Jonin corps, and administrator of over half of Konoha's medical resources.
Yamanaka Inoichi – Clan Head of the Yamanaka, ANBU Intelligence Division leader, and controller of Konoha's entire flower and plant cultivation economy.
Akimichi Choza – Clan Head of the Akimichi. Although he held no administrative post due to his straightforward nature, his clan monopolized Konoha's food industry. After all, who knew food better than the Akimichi?
Hyuga Hiashi – Head of the Hyuga Clan, leader of Konoha's reconnaissance division, and commander of the village's border defenses. His clan also held a monopoly over Konoha's funeral and memorial services. Ninja missions were inherently dangerous, and when tragedy struck, the Hyuga—known for their impeccable sense of tradition and etiquette—were entrusted with all posthumous rites.
Also present were clan leaders like Aburame Shibi, Inuzuka Tsume, and even the elders Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
Everyone was seated on either side of the long conference table, leaving the head seats vacant in anticipation.
Time ticked on.
Finally, just as the brown clock on the wall neared nine o'clock, Tsunade stepped into the chamber.
Behind her were Uchiha Hikaru, whose name had soared in Konoha's ranks over the past six months, and the cold-eyed Orochimaru, who had only recently returned to the village.
Wearing her iconic green haori, Tsunade calmly took the head seat.
Uchiha Hikaru and Orochimaru sat to her right and left, respectively.
As for Jiraiya…
It wasn't that Uchiha Hikaru hadn't invited him. That guy simply turned up his nose, saying politics were too troublesome and not worth his time.
He only wanted to focus on Naruto, ignoring even the Great Toad Sage's prophecy.
Then again, Uchiha Hikaru understood. Naruto's surgery had only concluded two months ago. The boy was still young and needed at least another six months of rest before resuming his long-awaited training.
Jiraiya had been restless ever since. Naruto's body might be down for now—but his mouth certainly wasn't.
And knowing Naruto… even his words could one day shake Obito to the core.
So now Jiraiya had his hands full.
Still…
Hikaru couldn't help but smirk. Does that mean my Word Release ability also counts as mouth persuasion? Maybe even stronger than Naruto's…
Maybe it was just the soul of a transmigrator at work.
After all, I have a system. And I'm the protagonist, aren't I? Using persuasive jutsu should be second nature.
A voice snapped him back to reality.
"The first high-level council meeting convened by Fifth Hokage Tsunade is now in session!"
The clerk's announcement rang through the silent hall, returning Uchiha Hikaru to the moment.
The meeting began with Tsunade delivering a summary of the past four Hokage administrations—naturally, a manuscript written by Uchiha Hikaru.
First Hokage – Hashirama Senju: Founded the hidden village system alongside the Uchiha, ushering peace and building Konoha.
Second Hokage – Tobirama Senju: Created the ranking system, lowered ninja casualty rates, increased mission success rates, developed forbidden jutsu, left behind the Scroll of Seals, and optimized the village's administrative system.
Third Hokage – Sarutobi Hiruzen: Appointed during wartime, stabilized Konoha during the Shinobi Wars, and abdicated after the Third Great Ninja War, managing its aftermath.
Fourth Hokage – Namikaze Minato: The "Yellow Flash" of Konoha, sacrificed himself during the Nine-Tails' attack, a heroic yet tragic figure.
Though Tsunade's overview was succinct, it hit all the major points.
And behind his low gaze, Hiruzen's face darkened.
Yes… after decades of power, his legacy had become the most unremarkable.
The clan heads exchanged glances, picking up on the subtle jab in Tsunade's delivery.
Every Hokage had been a genius in their own right. But Hiruzen's entry sounded… uninspired.
That wasn't just disappointing—it was dangerous.
Because mediocrity, for a Hokage, was a sin.
A tense silence hung in the air.
Across the hall, many clan leaders began reflecting. Had they gotten too cozy with the Sarutobi?
Even the smaller families now wore complicated expressions—resentment, disappointment, uncertainty.
Just the opening statement had already drawn a dividing line between the ambitious and the unworthy.
Tsunade hadn't even laid out any reforms yet, and half the room was already on edge.
-------
Send Power Stones
Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
---------------------
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your Support is Truly Appreciated 🫂