Even the most sensational events eventually quiet down with time.
Still, whenever someone mentioned that Uchiha Gen had been officially designated as the Fifth Hokage, the Uchiha Clan couldn't help but beam with pride.
Just bringing it up was enough to make you an honorary friend of the Uchiha Clan or the Police Force. Even minor violations of public order seemed to be punished a little more leniently if you were on good terms with them.
A few mornings later, Uchiha Gen sat behind his desk in the Police Force headquarters, signing off on reports and directives.
"Chief," came a voice from the door, "there's a woman named Yakushi Nonō who wishes to see you."
"Let her in. And serve tea," Gen said casually, glancing up from his papers.
"Yes, Chief."
Two minutes later, Uchiha Sanji entered, escorting a woman in a simple black-and-white nun's habit. Her attire was modest—half-new, half-worn and a white headscarf covered her short, golden hair. Round glasses framed gentle eyes and a kind, maternal face that radiated warmth and calm trust.
"Greetings, Chief," she said softly, bowing with impeccable grace and a serene smile.
"There's no need for that. Please, have a seat," Gen replied, standing from behind his desk. He moved to the sofa, crossed one leg over the other, and gestured for her to sit across from him.
"Thank you, Chief."
Yakushi Nonō sat with her back straight, both hands wrapped around the steaming teacup before taking a polite sip.
"Are you here to thank me?" Gen asked with a faint smile.
"Yes," she said, setting her cup down and standing to bow once more. "Thank you for allowing me to end my life as a spy and return to the Leaf Orphanage, to live peacefully again."
"There's no need for such formality. We had an agreement," Gen said, waving a hand lightly. "Kabuto is an exceptional young man. Truthfully, you could've returned when Danzo disappeared, but at that time my influence with the Third Hokage was… limited. It took until now to make it happen."
Nonō's smile softened. "Being able to return safely is already more than I dared hope for. The orphanage is thriving again. You and Orochimaru are the greatest benefactors we could ever have."
"Oh, by the way," Gen said evenly, "Orochimaru and I won't be sending any more funding to the orphanage."
Nonō froze, eyes widening. "What? Did Kabuto or I do something wrong? Did we offend you or Orochimaru somehow? If that's the case, I—"
Her composure broke instantly. When it came to the orphanage, even a seasoned spy could lose her calm.
Gen chuckled. "Haha, so much for the calm, mysterious 'The Wandering Miko,' hm? Relax... you haven't done anything wrong. It's simply that Kabuto's own income is now more than enough to sustain the orphanage. Didn't he tell you?"
Nonō blinked, then sighed in relief, smiling awkwardly. "I lost my composure. I haven't seen Kabuto since I returned, only exchanged letters. It seems he wanted to surprise me."
"It's a good surprise," Gen said with a nod, and proceeded to explain briefly how Kabuto had entered a three-way business partnership that secured stable funding for the orphanage.
Nonō's eyes brightened as she listened, pride and joy softening every line of her face—the expression of a mother watching her child succeed.
"As they say," Gen continued with a slight grin, "'Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.' From now on, the orphanage can sustain itself without outside help. With Kabuto under my and Orochimaru's guidance, the orphanage effectively has both of us as its shield."
"Danzo is gone. No one will dare to harass you anymore. You can live however you wish."
Tears welled in Nonō's eyes. "Minister, I truly don't know how to thank you enough…"
"Then train more talented shinobi for Konoha," Gen said, smiling gently. "That's the best way to repay me."
It pleased him to see another tragedy quietly rewritten, a knot of fate undone.
"Chief," she said sincerely, "you will be a great Hokage one day. Under your leadership, Konoha will surely reach an era of unmatched brilliance. I believe that."
"Hahaha," Gen laughed softly. "I'll take that as a good omen."
They chatted a little longer before Nonō stood to leave, her steps light and her smile radiant as she returned to the orphanage, the peace she'd long dreamed of finally hers again.
As the saying goes: 'Give a rose, and the fragrance remains on your hand.'
After Nonō's visit, Gen's mood was lifted even higher. His pen moved faster; his mind felt clearer. Paperwork that might've been tedious before now flowed with ease.
That afternoon, Gen returned home for lunch. Except for Itachi—away on a mission—the whole family was gathered.
It was worth noting that ever since Gen had pressured Konoha's leadership and secured his future as the Fifth Hokage, the invisible wall around the Uchiha Clan had finally begun to crumble.
For years, there had been no written decree barring Uchiha from advancement but everyone knew the unspoken rule. The clan's shinobi were confined to the Police Force; few ever served elsewhere.
Only rare exceptions like Gen himself, Shisui, and Itachi had escaped that cage.
Now, however, everything was different.
Uchiha ninja could serve anywhere their talent took them, Anbu, the Interrogation Corps, the Education Department, Administration, even Medical or Research.
It would take time, of course, for the effects to spread. The clan's numbers couldn't fill every vacancy, but the freedom to expand beyond a single division was a victory in itself—a breath of long-denied air.
You win some, you lose some.
When Uchiha shinobi left the Police Force, outsiders would take their place.
But in the long run, this exchange would only make Konoha and the clan stronger.
In the dining room, one man, four women, and one child gathered around the table, the air warm with chatter and laughter.
"Oh, by the way, Gen," Mikoto said with a smile, holding her chopsticks, "Sasuke's old enough to start at the Ninja Academy."
"Then let him go," Gen replied. "You can handle the arrangements."
Mikoto nodded. "Naruto and Karin are also school age. Could you make sure they're placed in the same class as Sasuke?"
"Don't worry," Gen said lightly. "Even without my interference, they'll end up together. The Academy's leadership knows what they're doing. The heirs of all the major clans are always grouped into one class."
After all, the Academy didn't just produce prodigies like Naruto's future team every year. The majority of graduates were average shinobi—foot soldiers, border guards, or support personnel.
Only a handful ever stood out enough to participate in events like the Chunin Exams.
"Can you come with us on registration day?" Mikoto asked. "It's me, Kushina, and Anna—all women—and they haven't really—"
"Alright," Gen interrupted with a small grin. "I'll go."
Privately, he had his own reasons. With the kids busy at school, he'd have far more freedom for… personal matters.
For instance, when visiting Kushina's house, he wouldn't have Naruto constantly underfoot. That meant more time and privacy to talk. Or perhaps… other things.
In the meantime, he also planned to master the full power of his Mangekyō Sharingan, continue cultivating the Origin Initial Sutra, strengthen his body, and refine his elemental transformations.
With all that, he couldn't keep personally running every aspect of the Police Force.
It was time to delegate authority.
Besides, power was easy enough to reclaim whenever he chose.
From now on, he would step back from the day-to-day work, guiding only the larger direction. That would leave him the time he needed for everything else.
A few days later, the Ninja Academy's gates opened for a new term.
While ordinary families queued outside registration offices, Gen accompanied Mikoto, Kushina, and the others directly to the principal's office.
There, with tea served and smiles exchanged, the paperwork was handled quickly and politely—privilege in its most effortless form.
The next morning, after the children's first day of school, Uchiha Gen summoned his three deputies.
He calmly delegated authority, handed out their new responsibilities, and stepped away from the Police Force's routine affairs.
It was time to focus on cultivation—the path ahead was wide open, and Uchiha Gen intended to walk it fully.