With the last echoes of battle fading, the central district finally exhaled. The atmosphere—which moments ago had teetered on the edge of civil war—now settled into a strange, bewildered calm.
Shadow-level veterans stepped forward one after another, offering their respects.
Uchiha Shana—usually the sternest face in the clan—grinned so broadly he resembled a blooming chrysanthemum. Even Uchiha Sifang, the most chronically anxious of the elders, flushed like a shy newlywed.
Uchiha Hien, unable to contain his excitement, sprinted back toward the clan compound while projecting his voice with chakra:
"Konoha's Third Hokage is our Uchiha Soren!"
For once, even the dignified elder looked like a child at a festival.
At the fringes of the square, Uchiha Zhili stood quietly behind Soren. The purple-haired captain—eyes shaped like falling petals—watched the young lord receive his congratulations with a glow that was difficult to hide.
She had overheard the elders' matchmaking whispers. And though she held herself with perfect discipline, her chest felt warm and fluttery with unfamiliar emotion. For now, she folded those feelings neatly away—saving them for when the time was right.
Soren accepted every "Congratulations, Hokage-sama" with easy poise.
Then he turned toward Uzumaki Mito, his tone bright:
"Secretary Mito, you know the rites better than we do— I entrust the succession ceremony to you. Is that all right?"
Mito—who had personally acknowledged his rise moments earlier—responded smoothly:
"No problem."
In that instant, the woman who once stood as Konoha's pillar transitioned seamlessly into her new role as his chief administrative hand.
She outlined the schedule with crisp efficiency:
"Preparations will not be complicated. By tomorrow noon, everything will be ready. The formal declaration will be held the following morning, before all villagers."
Soren flashed a dazzling smile.
"Concise and effective—exactly befitting my secretary-general."
Even Senju Ying, the clan's aged veteran, allowed a grudging softening of his expression.
"Also," Soren continued without pause, "the Daimyō's envoy may stir up confusion after last night's events. Secretary Mito, please arrange for them to be pacified."
He smiled lightly.
"Tonight is the banquet honoring the Daimyō's heir. I expect every clan head to attend. There are things I wish to establish as Konoha's new tone."
A Hokage's first three flames—ceremony, diplomacy, policy—had been ignited in a single breath.
With a gesture, Soren dismissed the assembled clans back to their districts.
As for the Sarutobi, Soren performed one final display of official procedure. His jubilant Police Force escorted Sarutobi clansmen through the proper channels so the event had a tidy, public conclusion. With blame shifted firmly onto the Cloud Village, Sarutobi Sasuke accepted the outcome with weary dignity—and bound his clan's loyalty to the Uchiha.
"Sarutobi chief, oversee the repairs. Send the costs to Konoha's treasury—Secretary Mito will authorize the funds."
"I understand, Hokage-sama."
Soren next turned his attention to the two surviving ANBU captains—Tiger and Elephant—standing stiff behind Mito.
"After today," he declared, "all ANBU status will be converted into open public service. Return home and await new orders."
With the new Hokage's authority recognized, the ANBU had no room to resist. They removed their masks one by one, as if shedding old identities.
"Hokage-sama… how will you arrange for them?" Mito asked. Her voice was cautious—careful. The ANBU were Hashirama and Tobirama's legacy.
Soren folded his arms lightly.
"Rest assured. The Uchiha act openly; we disdain hidden tricks."
He gave Tiger and Elephant a reassuring nod.
"If I wanted them dead, I could simply send them on missions—and not bring them back. But that's petty. They're simply not suited for my future covert units. So I will discharge them honorably and rebuild ANBU from scratch."
The sincerity—and the restraint—surprised many. Even the weary ANBU exchanged glances of uneasy hope.
"And," Soren added, "the fallen ANBU will be treated as casualties of the Cloud conflict. Secretary Mito will see to their families."
This time, when Mito bowed and said:
"Understood, Hokage-sama."
—the title carried real weight.
She departed with her retinue.
The ANBU left next, carrying their dead, and at last the street found its breath again—washed clean by the breeze as though the village itself sighed with relief.
Soren remained alone for a moment.
He reflected quietly.
So many of my worries were unnecessary.
People are simple in some ways, complicated in others.
Acting on impulse rarely helps—but decisive action does.
He formed a seal.
A soft poof sounded.
Juno appeared—puffed up, smug, tail swishing like royalty.
Soren grabbed him, pressed his face into the cat's soft fur, inhaled deeply—
—and froze.
"…Juno."
A twitch.
"…Why do you smell like a woman?"
The cat blinked innocently.
"While I'm dismantling enemies," Soren accused, "you're sneaking off to see someone else? You wretched, unfaithful cat!"
"Meow!" Juno protested with perfect innocence.
Soren narrowed his eyes.
"You smell like perfume."
Juno blinked harder.
Do not betray the princess… Do not betray the princess…
Soren raised a brow.
"…Juno?"
"MEOW!"
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/lucarioTL