The next day, Uchiha Gen did not report to the Police Force. His appointment as Chief had not yet been formally issued by the Hokage, and until then, there was no need to rush.
That did not mean he was idle. He spent the morning at home, carefully reading through Police Force records and clan documents, familiarizing himself with every detail he would soon oversee.
As for the new mansion, Gen had already decided, he would move only after officially becoming Chief.
At three in the afternoon, the doorbell rang.
Gen rose to greet the visitor, led him inside, and poured two cups of tea, setting them neatly on the table in front of the sofa.
"It's rare for the Great Elder to come to my home in person," Gen said with an easy smile as he settled back into his chair, one leg crossed over the other. "What brings you here today?"
As Clan Head, there was no need to put on excessive courtesy.
Authority had to carry its own weight.
"There is an important matter, Clan Head," Uchiha Setsuna replied in his deep, deliberate voice.
"Please, speak. I'm listening."
Gen gestured casually, then lifted his tea for a slow sip.
"I want to entrust Mikoto to the Clan Head," Setsuna said without preamble.
The words nearly made Gen choke. He swallowed the hot tea with effort, forcing it down only because his throat had long been tempered by Fire Release. He set the cup aside quickly.
"What is the meaning of this, Great Elder? Mikoto-nee already has you. Why talk about entrustment?"
Setsuna sighed, looking every bit his age. "I'm old, and my years in prison haven't been kind. How much longer can I last? When I'm gone, what if Mikoto and the children are bullied? Orphans and a widow, alone?"
Gen's eyes sharpened. "No. With me here, no one in this clan would dare touch Mikoto-nee or her children."
Setsuna coughed lightly, his gaze steady. "Forgive me for being blunt, Clan Head… but what if it is you who bullies them?"
Gen froze for a beat, then frowned. "Me? Bully Mikoto-nee and her family?" He thought for a moment, and then realization dawned. "Ah. You're worried about succession."
"You think I'd target them out of fear of rivals?" He shook his head. "Don't worry. I'm not that petty."
Setsuna's face was grave. "Clan Head, I believe you, now. But hearts change. Today you may think this way; in the future, perhaps not. If you were to turn against them, Mikoto and the children would have nowhere to run. That is why I cannot be at ease."
Gen sighed. "Then what will put you at ease? Should I swear an oath?"
Inwardly, he dismissed the very notion. Why would he waste energy on such petty thoughts? The Uchiha Clan itself was only a stepping stone, the Hokage's chair another step beyond.
His vision was far higher.
If his plans succeeded, his bloodline would become the imperial line, and the Uchiha would stand as the royal clan. What sense would it make to destroy Mikoto or her children? They posed no threat to his succession.
His world would be unified under a single rule, an empire. Why introduce needless instability?
Besides, once order was secured, he would eventually withdraw from worldly matters altogether to pursue higher powers. His mind was already turning toward concepts like spiritual cultivation, reincarnation through perfected Edo Tensei methods, or even passing into his own clones.
The role of emperor was merely a phase, not a shackle.
Setsuna coughed again. "Clan Head, vows are easily broken. In the world of shinobi, treaties crumble overnight. Words fade. Only by having Mikoto, Itachi, and Sasuke at your side can I rest easy."
Gen's lips curved wryly. He didn't dislike the idea, Mikoto was an attractive, virtuous woman he had admired before. But marriage was not a decision to be taken lightly.
Still, it would be unwise to reject outright. Best to test the waters.
"Mikoto-nee is… certainly admirable," he said slowly, feigning reluctance. "But I already have a girlfriend."
"Clan Head," Setsuna said firmly, "the Uchiha are both shinobi and nobility. Monogamy is common, yes, but polygamy is also acceptable."
Gen almost laughed aloud. Why hadn't he said that sooner?
Mikoto's gentle maturity flashed in his mind, sending a brief heat through him. Still, he thought with some mischief, his first time should go to someone else, fair was fair.
"Since you've spoken so openly, if I refuse, it would be disrespectful to both you and Mikoto-nee," he said at last. "Then I agree."
He leaned forward, voice solemn. "Don't worry. I may not treat Itachi and Sasuke as my own blood, but apart from matters of inheritance, they will have a share equal to any of my children in the future."
Setsuna let out a long breath of relief. "In that case, I am at ease. I'll still need your care going forward, Clan Head."
He lifted his cup. "I'll toast you with tea instead of wine."
Gen tapped his cup against the elder's. "To the future." They drank together.
"When do you plan to move?" Setsuna asked afterward.
"After I take office as Chief. The two elders should have submitted the report today. Unless something unexpected happens, approval will come by tomorrow."
Setsuna nodded. "Then I'll arrange for Mikoto, Itachi, Sasuke, and some attendants to move in today. A four-courtyard mansion cannot run with only a handful of people. Proper staff must be assigned."
For many ordinary Uchiha, serving in the Clan Head's household was a coveted position; good pay, respected status, and protection from bullying.
"Thank you, Great Elder," Gen said.
"No trouble at all. Then I'll take my leave."
Gen rose to escort him to the door, showing respect.
After leaving, Setsuna went straight to his daughter's home. He told Mikoto of the arrangement, then dispatched people to assist with the move.
It was the weekend, and the Ninja Academy was on break, so Itachi was at home. He didn't fully understand why they were moving, but he obeyed without complaint.
The old house wasn't abandoned; it would be maintained and cleaned regularly, left ready for their use.
Sasuke understood even less. All he knew was that they were going to a much bigger house with wide courtyards to run through and endless new corners to explore.
By evening, Mikoto had already accepted the new reality. Once they arrived at the mansion, she immediately set about organizing alongside the servants.
When Naruzawa and Yasunari returned later and learned of it, they cursed Setsuna's cunning in private, though they also admired the move.
With this, Setsuna had secured both the safety of his daughter's family and further strengthened his own influence. It cost him some wealth, yes, but the gains far outweighed the loss.
The next morning, word arrived from the Hokage's office; approval granted.
Uchiha Gen was officially recognized as Chief of the Police Force.
That afternoon, Gen went to assume his new post.
Meanwhile, Setsuna's people continued managing the move. Mokui and Mokuna oversaw the details, ensuring everything was placed exactly where it belonged.
By the end of the day, Uchiha Gen was ready to step into his new residence... The home of the Uchiha Clan Head.