Half a month passed, and Uchiha Gen had long adapted to the rhythm of life as Hokage.
After establishing new standards and delegating responsibilities, the job felt similar to his previous role as Chief of the Police Department—steady hours, steady workload.
He reorganized several units as well. The squad Itachi belonged to was quietly transferred under the Hokage's direct authority, becoming part of Anbu. The three members were appointed as squad leaders, strengthening Anbu's high-tier capability.
Meanwhile, Akatsuki made several moves of their own. Hidden in the shadows, they captured Yugito, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki of the Hidden Cloud and Fū, the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki of Takigakure.
Upon receiving the information, Uchiha Gen went personally to Akatsuki's base and took direct control of Yugito and Fū.
Controlling four Jinchūriki, one of which a perfect vessel, placed him on a level equivalent to a single-Rinnegan Obito operating the new Six Paths of Pain. If anything, Gen's control was even more fluid, since the Six Paths system relied on corpses and thus carried its own restrictions.
By comparison, single-Rinnegan Obito always struggled. Commanding the Six Paths drained most of his chakra, limiting his ninjutsu and forcing him to rely largely on taijutsu and Kamui.
As for the Three-Tails, Five-Tails, and Eight-Tails, Akatsuki had not yet found an opportunity to abduct them.
But the disappearance of the Two-Tails, Four-Tails, Six-Tails, and Seven-Tails had already sent the four major villages, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Takigakure into full alert.
Security was high. Investigations intensified across the continent.
That day, Uchiha Gen left work earlier than usual. After informing his family, he slipped out of Konoha and headed toward the Hidden Sand Village.
Instead of visiting the Kazekage Building, he went straight to Pakura's home. Her pantry was modest, but he made full use of what she had and prepared a warm dinner.
Around nine in the evening, Pakura returned from overtime, moving with a faint, tired slump to her shoulders. The moment she opened the door, light washed over a table full of dishes and a smiling Uchiha Gen waiting for her.
She froze, blinked… and then broke into a bright, youthful cheer utterly unlike her usual composed self. Dropping her Kazekage dignity at the door, she rushed into his arms.
After a long embrace, she finally looked up at him with a smile that softened her entire expression.
"You're early today. What made you suddenly come?"
Gen brushed her hair back with a gentle hand. "I missed you."
Pakura's eyes shone, but she huffed playfully. "Hmph. I don't believe you. You have plenty of women around you. You must want something."
Gen laughed, guiding her to sit. His voice lowered into a warm murmur.
"I do want something but that doesn't change the fact that I missed you. They are them. You… are you. There's only one Pakura."
Her heart clearly melted at that. She didn't refute him again and sat quietly while he poured wine for them both.
They ate slowly, talking about their days and the weight of their responsibilities. After forty minutes, dinner ended. Working side by side, they washed the dishes, then moved to the sofa with two cups of hot tea, leaning into each other in comfortable closeness.
Pakura lifted her head slightly, resting against his chest.
"So… what did you want to talk about?"
Gen met her gaze, his expression turning serious.
"Unification."
She stilled. She understood the word deeply—he had shared his ideals with her before.
Pakura lowered her eyes for a moment. "So you've finally decided."
"Yes. Once things are settled with you, I'll return to Konoha to unify the high-level leadership. After that, the operation begins."
"You're not unifying the lower ranks first?" she asked quietly.
"We will," Gen replied. "But only after we handle the Five Great Ninja Villages."
He shook his head slightly. "There's no need to mobilize large forces for this stage. It would be far too conspicuous."
Pakura hesitated. "Can Konoha's high-end combat power alone make the Five Great Ninja Villages submit?"
Gen didn't hesitate. "Of course."
He added, calm and certain, "Honestly, I alone would be enough."
Pakura stared up at him, absorbing the conviction in his voice.
"To break their spirit without fighting," Gen continued, "I'll use everything at my disposal. Including hidden forces."
"Hidden forces…?" she echoed.
He stroked her hair gently. "If you're curious, bring a few people and come see for yourself. Then you'll understand that Hidden Sand surrendering first was the wisest decision it ever made."
He gave her a small smile. "You're my woman and Hidden Sand is Konoha's ally. Of course I'll treat your village fairly. In the new nation, there will be no barren desert for you to struggle in. You'll gain advantages no one can imagine."
Pakura sighed softly. "As your woman, I want to support you. But won't I become a Kazekage cursed for generations? The Kazekage who made Hidden Sand Village disappear?"
Gen shook his head.
"No. At first they won't understand but soon they'll see how brilliant your decision was. You won't be their eternal sinner. You'll be the greatest Kazekage Hidden Sand ever had."
Pakura rolled her eyes with affectionate disbelief. "You really know how to sweet-talk me."
"When have I ever lied to you about something important?" he countered.
"If you don't believe me… watch it unfold with your own eyes. And if I ever deceive you, then—"
She shifted playfully, lifting her brows. "Then what?"
Gen thought for a moment. "Then I'll let you be the first to get pregnant."
Her eyes lit up instantly. "Okay! You said it, you can't take it back."
"Never," he said with a quiet seriousness.
She touched his chest lightly. "Alright… what do you need me to do? If I announce that Hidden Sand is merging into Konoha, the entire village will revolt."
"Tomorrow," Gen said, "bring all of Hidden Sand's high-ranking officials and Jōnin to Bear Claw Valley. I'll handle everything."
Bear Claw Valley—vast, barren land shaped like a giant claw carved into the western desert.
Pakura bit her lip. "Fine… but you can't kill them. It's already terrible enough that I'm tricking them into going. If you kill them, I wouldn't be able to face myself."
She leaned forward, kneeling between his legs, her palms pressed gently to his chest—earnest, worried, and hopeful all at once.
Gen placed a reassuring hand over hers. "Don't worry. I won't kill anyone."
He had no intention of doing so in the first place. If anyone refused to cooperate, ocular genjutsu would be more than enough.
With his current abilities, only Otsutsuki Kaguya, Otsutsuki Hagoromo, and Otsutsuki Hamura could resist his eye techniques. Even Hashirama and Madara at their peak would fall under them.
Pakura's shoulders finally relaxed. She gave a small smile. "Mm."
She stood and stretched slightly. "It's late. Let's go bathe."
She paused, glancing down at herself with faux suspicion. "I think things have gotten bigger again. I need to check…"
Gen's gaze dropped instinctively. A small, mischievous curve touched his lips.
"You're impossible," Pakura muttered, shooting him a flustered, teasing glare before turning away and walking slowly, almost invitingly, as though resisting and yielding at the same time.
Gen laughed, stood, swept her into his arms, and carried her toward the bathroom. What followed was warm, private, and left between them.
The next morning, Pakura found a plausible reason and led all of Hidden Sand Village's high-ranking officials and Jōnin toward Bear Claw Valley…