Chapter 210

A month later, Tsunade received news from a certain traveler that Kumogakure had been ravaged by the Two-Tails.

In the spring of April, the earth awakens, and everything renews.

Cherry blossoms drifted gently outside the Hokage office window, carried by the breeze. Inside, Shikaku Nara, standing before Tsunade and hearing this news, struggled to suppress a laugh.

As part of the trusted advisors, maintaining a straight face was essential.

After contemplating how to express his inner joy, Shikaku finally found a suitable phrase, looking at the falling cherry blossoms with a sigh of relief.

"It seems Konoha's harsh winter is finally over."

This comment perfectly matched the scene and metaphorically suggested that Konoha had weathered the storm. Even Tsunade couldn't help but internally praise Shikaku's eloquence.

"But let's move on from that," Tsunade said, putting down the report sent by Jiraiya via ninja toad. She crossed her hands under her chin and looked up at Shikaku with piercing eyes.

"Today, I need to tell you a secret that even the Third Hokage and the senior advisors don't know."

Shikaku was stunned. A secret unknown to Konoha's highest authorities, and the Hokage was about to tell him? What did this mean? Did it signify that the new Hokage genuinely trusted him? He was both honored and shocked.

He quickly assured her that she need not be so formal, stating that his brain existed solely for the Hokage and Konoha.

"Kakashi, Shisui, come in," Tsunade called.

As soon as she spoke, Kakashi, who had officially become a member of the Hokage's Anbu, and Uchiha Shisui, who was on the verge of joining, entered the room.

"Hokage-sama," they both said respectfully.

Especially Shisui, who held high expectations for this new, resolute Hokage, believing she would bring change to the Uchiha clan.

"Have the codebreakers deciphered the ruins?" Tsunade asked directly.

"Yes, it's all deciphered," Kakashi replied, stepping forward and handing over a scroll.

As Tsunade read the scroll, her frown deepened until she finally sighed, rubbing her forehead.

"So, it's like this..."

"What is it, Hokage-sama?" Shikaku asked urgently, eager to assist.

"Although it's just a part, you should all see this. Shisui, Kakashi, you too. After all, Shisui found the ruins, and Kakashi, you've met him."

Still puzzled, the three took turns reading the scroll's brief but thought-provoking content.

The scroll mentioned concepts like "abandon the world's evil," "praise humanity's goodness," "humanity's salvation," and "Angra Mainyu."

Summarized, it suggested that humanity should reject evil, praise their goodness, and find salvation.

"Is this some kind of religious doctrine?" Shikaku quickly deduced, given the terms used.

"Yes, it's an ancient religion that existed long before the Sage of Six Paths, around six thousand years ago, which has now disappeared."

"Six thousand years before the Sage of Six Paths?" Shikaku was astonished, then caught a key word. "But you said it's already gone, so why..."

"The religion may have vanished, but one of their relics, which has saved humanity multiple times, has reappeared in our era."

"Saved humanity multiple times?" Shikaku was bewildered by Tsunade's words.

Seeing their confusion, Tsunade sighed again. "I predict other ruins will surface sooner or later, so I might as well tell you now."

Tsunade recounted her dream, possibly linked by some unseen force, and the story she heard from the blue-haired youth, detailing Angra Mainyu, the embodiment of all the world's evil.

After hearing the full story, the three were left speechless, unsure how to respond.

"Far-fetched as it sounds, it's likely true. If you ask why, it's because Angra Mainyu has already emerged..."

"What?!" they exclaimed, wide-eyed and shocked.

...

Uchiha Fugaku, the current head of the Uchiha clan and a newly appointed Hokage advisor, stood in the forest behind Konoha's orphanage, watching the three children training from the shadows.

One was his genius son, while the other two were from the orphanage. The gray-green-haired boy had made bold claims at the Hokage inauguration, and the bespectacled one was named Kabuto Yakushi.

But these details didn't matter much now.

A month ago, Fugaku had been stunned to be appointed as a Hokage advisor.

A Hokage advisor, one of the highest positions in the village!

The Uchiha, long distrusted by the village's upper echelons, had never had such access!

Fugaku knew that Uchiha Kagami had once been close to the advisors, but this new Hokage had directly given him such a high position, defying all opposition.

He was overjoyed, inwardly ecstatic!

Though the Hyuga clan head was also promoted, Fugaku understood it as a balancing act and didn't mind.

This new Hokage not only accepted the Uchiha's request to keep their current district but also included him in Konoha's top decision-making body.

What did this mean? It indicated that after this transition, Konoha's stance towards the Uchiha had shifted from rejection to acceptance!

Fugaku was thrilled, believing this would silence the clan's radicals.

But his excitement was short-lived. On his first day, proudly heading to the Hokage office amidst the clan's cheers, Fugaku was disillusioned.

Where was the promised decision-making power for Hokage advisors?

He quickly realized the new Hokage had stripped the advisors of their power, unlike the previous compassionate Fourth Hokage and the indecisive Third Hokage.

Even the Third Hokage's Anbu had been disbanded, some becoming regular ninjas, others joining the Hokage's own Anbu.

The Third was sent into retirement, without even an advisory role, reportedly spending his days gardening.

The two old advisors were also forced to relinquish their power, retaining only knowledge and proposal rights.

She had done it all ruthlessly!

The Hokage office was now a place where Tsunade alone held sway, her word was law, and all decision-making power was firmly in her grasp!

Fugaku admired her strong leadership but felt a twinge of disappointment. He had hoped for a role with significant influence and decision-making authority.

Instead, his duties were limited to advising, analyzing situations, and assigning tasks to ninjas.

Still, the title alone had silenced many of the clan's radicals.

And over a month, Fugaku noticed that while Tsunade held ultimate authority, she seriously considered the advisors' suggestions.

In many meetings, she often asked for his opinion, which... was enough.

"Uchiha is Konoha's Uchiha."

This was what Tsunade said, patting his shoulder after a meeting, implying that while Konoha (the Hokage) was willing to trust and cooperate with the Uchiha, the clan's internal issues were his responsibility.

Handling the internal dissent was not the Hokage's job but his as the clan head. She had already helped, and the rest was up to him.

Understanding Tsunade's message and her efforts, Fugaku decided he would soon have a serious talk with the more rebellious members of the clan.

...

Seeing Itachi sprain his ankle during training, Fugaku instinctively revealed himself out of concern.

But before he could approach, he saw the bespectacled boy using medical ninjutsu to heal his son.

Konoha truly had many geniuses, Fugaku thought, genuinely impressed.

"Thank you, Kabuto," Itachi said sincerely, feeling fully healed.

"Hmph! No need to thank me!" Kabuto replied, turning away in a huff. If it weren't for his little brother not minding you, I wouldn't have cared!

"Dad!"

Noticing Fugaku's approach, Itachi called out excitedly. His father was now the pride and hope of the Uchiha clan!

After all, he worked in the Hokage office!

"Work finished?"

"Yes." Fugaku nodded, glancing at Kabuto and Kuroi. "If you want to bring friends home, just inform your mother or me."

Itachi's eyes sparkled with joy, and he nodded eagerly.

"Yes!"

But the happiest was Kuroi. His efforts to befriend this Uchiha kid were paying off. Soon, he would meet his nephew's reincarnation!

Nephew, your uncle really misses you!