Chapter 81: The Free Weasel

The Leaf Village river flowed gently, cutting through the village and dividing it into north and south.

Dan and Fugaku crossed the stone bridge over the river, walking a distance to the south before they reached a fork in the road.

"By the way, Dan, your Mangekyou Sharingan is ready. Do you want to come with me to get it now, or should I arrange for someone to deliver it to you later?" Fugaku suddenly remembered this matter.

"No rush." Dan waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, I'll have Itachi deliver it to you later," Fugaku said with a smile.

He didn't ask his brother-in-law what he needed the Sharingan for, and he didn't think it was necessary. All he needed to do was trust Dan.

"Okay."

Dan nodded. Speaking of Itachi, it had been a while since he last sparred with his nephew, and his hands were itching for a fight.

"Also, there's something else..."

Fugaku looked at his brother-in-law, hesitated for a moment, but decided to ask, "Dan, have you ever considered moving back to the clan's land? Your sister misses you a lot. When she doesn't see you, she often complains to me, saying that I'm not doing my duty as a brother-in-law."

After saying this, Fugaku sighed and gave a bitter smile.

There had always been rumors in the clan that he, as the clan leader, had forcefully taken Dan's sister, causing Dan to be dissatisfied and move out.

Fugaku wanted to clear up this misunderstanding with Dan.

To show his sincerity as a brother-in-law, he continued without waiting for Dan to respond:

"I know you have a gym business to run, don't worry, I've arranged everything.

After we complete the handover ceremony with the village next week, the Uchiha Police Force building should be vacant. If you're willing to move back, I can arrange for the entire building to be converted into a new Body Modification Department.

This way, it will be more convenient for the clan members to work out. What do you think?"

The Police Force building was originally located in the center of the village for efficient management of the Leaf's security.

However, as the Uchiha clan was pushed to the outskirts of the village, the Police Force had to move as well.

Now that the Leaf's higher-ups are taking back the Police Force, they will definitely re-establish it in the village center.

So, Fugaku decided to make the most of the soon-to-be-abandoned Police Force building by "giving" it to his brother-in-law.

Facing his hopeful brother-in-law, Dan said, "I'll think about it."

He didn't agree on the spot, but he didn't refuse either.

He had originally moved out of the clan's land to avoid the Uchiha clan's disputes and focus on his physical training and body modification.

But now, Dan himself had become the source of chaos, standing at the center of the whirlpool of disputes.

It seemed that it didn't matter where he lived.

Ten minutes later, Dan returned to the gym and saw the Uchiha clan members energetically working out.

"Master!"

Upon seeing Dan's return, everyone quickly put down their dumbbells and barbells and gathered around him.

Dan announced the results of the meeting with a calm face:

"The proposal for the Uchiha clan to collectively resign and withdraw from the Police Force was unanimously approved at the clan leader level meeting. The process was peaceful and smooth."

Upon hearing this, the clan members felt a sense of loss, but more of a sense of relief.

The Uchiha were finally saying goodbye to the Police Force, their companion for many years.

Samui, who was standing to the side, was taken aback by the news and couldn't help but feel disappointed.

After a moment of reflection, Inohi shouted, "Uchiha, body modification!"

He led the clan members back into their vigorous workout, fully immersed in the sweat-inducing training.

Dan looked around the gym. It was indeed a bit crowded with dozens of people training at the same time.

If they could move to the Police Force building, the training space could be expanded by at least five or six times. By then, Dan could even create a real comprehensive training gym.

Thinking about it this way, his brother-in-law's suggestion seemed pretty good.

The news of the Uchiha clan giving up the Police Force spread quickly throughout the village.

The nearly 200,000 villagers of the Leaf Village were overjoyed upon hearing this news, spreading it enthusiastically.

For forty years, ever since the Second Hokage established the Police Force, the Uchiha, a group of annoying people, had been lording over the villagers. Now, they were finally leaving.

It was a great joy to the people.

"Good days are coming."

People were cheering and jumping in the streets, celebrating this historic moment. It was almost as if they were celebrating the New Year.

This showed how much resentment the villagers had accumulated against the Uchiha, who acted like "city management". Now, they could finally vent their frustrations.

In short, the entire Leaf Village was immersed in a celebratory atmosphere, even more lively than the New Year.

In the evening, Itachi returned home.

He had just met with Shisui and learned that his resignation letter had been officially handed over to the Third Hokage and approved.

This meant that Itachi was no longer a member of the ANBU.

Shisui was very happy, believing that the Uchiha had finally reconciled with the village. He also discussed the future of the clan with Itachi.

Of course, Shisui also mentioned that the credit for making this happen mainly belonged to Dan and the clan leader.

He felt ashamed that he had only witnessed this process.

Itachi wanted to tell Shisui not to be too optimistic, because he didn't believe at all that everything his uncle did was for the peace of the clan and the village.

However, seeing how happy Shisui was, Itachi didn't say anything in the end.

"Brother!"

As soon as Itachi arrived home, a not-so-pleasant voice reached his ears, but it made him smile as if he had heard heavenly music.

"Sasuke."

Itachi watched as his little brother ran towards him, extended two fingers, and poked the latter's forehead.

His eyes were full of affection.

Sasuke was the best.

Itachi felt that when he was with Shisui, they would always talk about clan matters, and when he was with Izumi, he cared too much about her feelings. And when he was with his uncle...

Forget it, let's not talk about it.

It was a nightmare.

Only when he was with his little brother could Itachi truly feel relaxed and at ease.

"Brother, will you practice shuriken with me?" Sasuke asked, rubbing his poked forehead and looking up at Itachi with an expectant face.

"Sure."

Itachi nodded, his face full of smiles.

Now that he had left the ANBU, he didn't have as many missions to worry about, so he could spend more time with Sasuke.

So, the two brothers began their practice in the courtyard.

During this time, Sasuke couldn't help but complain that he didn't learn much useful stuff at school and that training with his brother was much better. However, something happened today that made him happy.

"What happened?" Itachi asked curiously.

"There's a guy in our class named Naruto Uzumaki. Everyone says he's the reincarnation of the Nine-Tails and a big disaster. No one likes him. So, today, an ANBU ninja came and took him away. Everyone was so happy," Sasuke said with a look of disgust when he mentioned Naruto.

Upon hearing this, Itachi frowned, showing a thoughtful expression.

The Nine-Tails kid, the ANBU... what was the hidden story behind this?

Never mind, he was no longer part of the ANBU, why should he worry about this?

Thinking this, Itachi shook his head.

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open, and Fugaku, the father of the two brothers, returned home.

"Itachi, come to my study," Fugaku instructed his eldest son.

Itachi patted Sasuke's head and handed him the shuriken, "Sasuke, practice on your own for a while. I'll check on you later."

After saying this, he followed his father into the study.

"Itachi, after you leave the ANBU, you should follow your uncle closely and learn from him," Fugaku looked at his promising eldest son and earnestly advised, "Dan said that you're eleven this year, which is the best age to start bodybuilding. So you must train seriously, so that you can have a body like Dan's in the future and become stronger."

Fugaku had high expectations for Itachi.

"Yes, father," Itachi nodded in agreement, but felt a sense of resistance in his heart.

Thinking about his uncle's terrifying physique and explosive muscles, especially the ghost face on his back... Itachi didn't want to train to look like that at all.

Not only because of personal aesthetic reasons, but also because of Sasuke.

Itachi hadn't forgotten that the last time his uncle visited their home, he scared Sasuke to tears without saying a word.

He didn't want to be disliked by his little brother one day because he had built up a muscular body.

"By the way, you're free now, right? Take this to your uncle," Fugaku said, opening a safe and taking out a glass container.

Inside was a scarlet Mangekyou Sharingan, quietly floating in a solution.

Itachi carefully took the Sharingan. Although he was puzzled, he didn't ask any questions.

He turned around and left, following his father's instructions to deliver the item to the gym.

The setting sun hung in the sky, bathing the entire Leaf Village in a golden glow, creating a peaceful scene.

In the gentle evening breeze, a master and servant appeared at the entrance of the village, looking travel-worn.

It was a blond nobleman wearing glasses and a green coat, who appeared gentle and refined, and his modest and quiet maid.

Their handsome appearance attracted the curious eyes of many passers-by.

"Shizune, why are these villagers so happy? Did something great happen in the Leaf Village? Did they discover a gold mine and everyone got a gold bar?" The blond nobleman looked around and asked his maid.

"Lord Tsunade, why don't we find a place to inquire about the news?" Shizune suggested, also curious.

"If I remember correctly, there's a tavern in the alley ahead. I wonder if it still tastes the same after all these years," the nobleman muttered, turning into the alley. He was also hungry.

This man was Tsunade.

Many people thought that Tsunade had never returned to the Leaf Village since she left over a decade ago.

In the rumors, she left this place of heartbreak after losing her lover and younger brother.

Others whispered that Tsunade left out of dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage and other higher-ups due to the demise of the Senju clan. As long as the Third Hokage was alive, she would never return to the Leaf Village.

Therefore, whenever Tsunade racked up a mountain of debt and was chased all over by her creditors, she would quietly hide in the Leaf Village to lay low for a while.

After all, her foolish creditors would never think of this.