The Hokage Office was filled with an air of tranquility.
Akashi Sora sat with one leg crossed over the other, casually flipping through the Konoha Sewer System Renovation Plan in his hands, reading with great interest.
[Tsk tsk. Uchiha Fugaku really is wasted as a clan head.]
[These sewer blueprints are drawn in more detail than any subway planning map I ever saw in my previous life.]
[What a talent!]
Nara Shikaku pushed the door open, his face carrying the exhaustion of someone recovering from a hangover. He placed a scroll on Sora's desk.
"It's done."
Sora set the plan aside and picked up the scroll, which still carried the fresh scent of ink.
The Konoha–Suna Peace, Friendship, and Mutual Assistance Treaty.
He scanned it at a glance.
War reparations: thirty percent of Suna Village's fiscal revenue for the next ten years.
Resource cession: permanent fifty percent mining rights to all chakra ore veins within the Land of Wind, with Konoha having priority purchase at thirty percent of market price.
Talent exchange: Suna shinobi Temari and Kankurō to remain at Konoha Ninja Academy for at least three years of "friendly study."
…
Every clause dripped with blood and tears.
Every word screamed "inequality."
"Shikaku-senpai, thank you for your hard work." Sora rolled the scroll back up, a look of approval on his face. "I knew something this small wouldn't trouble you."
"What a drag." Shikaku flopped onto the sofa, turning his back to him. "That old man Ebizō cried his eyes out last night — snot and tears everywhere. Almost got my clothes dirty."
[Forcing a Kage-level advisor to break down sobbing — Shikaku-senpai, you're quite the talent yourself.]
Sora silently gave him a thumbs-up in his heart, but his voice took on a tone of sorrowful compassion.
"Sigh… war is always cruel. I hope this lesson helps them truly understand the value of peace."
He stood up and walked to the window, looking down at the plaza below where several Suna envoys, escorted by Konoha Anbu, were preparing to depart.
At their head, Ebizō seemed to have aged another twenty years overnight. All his spirit and energy had been drained away.
"Kaede." Sora called without turning his head.
"Here." Yamanaka Kaede's figure appeared silently.
"Go tell the Suna envoys that I, the Fifth Hokage, will personally see them off in front of the Hokage Tower in ten minutes."
Kaede paused for a moment, then bowed and withdrew.
Shikaku sat up from the sofa, frowning.
"You're still going to rub salt in their wounds?"
"No." Sora turned around, his face breaking into a bright, sunshine-like smile capable of melting ice and snow.
"This is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate Konoha's magnanimity as a great nation and our benevolence."
…
Ten minutes later.
In front of the Hokage Tower, crowds had gathered.
Countless villagers had come of their own accord. They watched the dejected Suna shinobi with expressions full of satisfaction and pride.
Akashi Sora, clad in the ceremonial robe embroidered with "Fifth," slowly walked toward Ebizō under the gaze of thousands.
He did not adopt the posture of a victor. Instead, he extended his hand first, his face wearing a sincere and gentle smile.
"Elder Ebizō, safe travels."
Ebizō looked at the face that was far too young, at those clear amber eyes. His body trembled uncontrollably.
He stretched out his withered hand and gave Sora's a light clasp.
"I hope our two villages will take this as a lesson, maintain friendship for generations, and never go to war again." Sora's voice, amplified by chakra, rang clearly across the entire plaza.
"On behalf of Konoha, I forgive the mistakes you have committed."
"Go back and tell your future Kazekage: the gates of Konoha will always be open to friends."
With that, he released the handshake and gave a carefree wave to everyone present.
"OHHHH!!!"
"Long live Lord Fifth!"
"Long live Konoha!"
A tsunami of cheers instantly drowned out everything else.
The villagers looked at their young Hokage — his upright posture, his broad-minded generosity, his merciful words — and many were moved to tears of excitement.
What spirit!
This was the true leader of their Konoha!
Amid the deafening noise, Ebizō was "escorted" away from Konoha in a daze.
Every single word from that young man felt like a gentle knife, slicing repeatedly across his heart.
Killing the body was one thing — but killing the spirit?
This Fifth Hokage was a devil.
…
Back in the office.
Sora took off the ceremonial robe and tossed it carelessly onto the sofa. He collapsed into his chair and let out a long breath.
[Acting is exhausting.]
[But the effect was pretty good. After that performance, my reputation among the villagers probably just hit the daily limit.]
"Notify Uchiha Fugaku to come to my office." He spoke tiredly into the air.
Soon after, Uchiha Fugaku appeared, dressed in full clan head attire, expression solemn.
"Lord Fifth." He bowed respectfully.
"Clan Head Fugaku, no need for formalities. Sit." Sora pointed to the chair opposite him.
He pushed the Konoha Sewer System Renovation Plan across the desk.
"You did this?"
Fugaku was momentarily stunned, then nodded. "Yes. The security force reconstruction plan is quite complex, and I'm still working on it. So I first organized some of my immature ideas regarding the village's infrastructure."
"No, this is very mature." Sora said in genuine admiration. "Clan Head Fugaku, you are a born urban planner."
[Being stuck as security minister is really beneath you.]
[Once I've completely dealt with those two old fossils, I'll establish a 'Konoha Urban Construction and Development Committee' and make you the director.]
Uchiha Fugaku was caught off guard by the sudden praise.
"I've reviewed the security force reconstruction plan. The general direction is excellent." Sora brought the conversation back on track.
"But as you know, the newly reorganized security force will not be composed solely of Uchiha clansmen."
"So, I plan to appoint two deputy commanders."
Fugaku's expression sharpened. He listened attentively.
Sora raised two fingers and spoke slowly:
"One from the Hyūga clan. The other from the Aburame clan."
Fugaku's pupils contracted slightly — almost imperceptibly.
Hyūga and Aburame.
One was Konoha's other major dōjutsu powerhouse; the other was renowned for secret techniques and reconnaissance.
Placing them in high positions within the security force would undoubtedly dilute Uchiha dominance.
Sora observed the subtle shift in Fugaku's expression. His smile remained unchanged, but his inner commentary was already flooding the screen.
[Let them fight among themselves. A dogfight leaves everyone covered in fur — and only then can this Hokage sit securely.]
[Balance of power — basic imperial technique. Don't overthink it.]
"Lord Fifth is far-sighted. I have no objections."
Uchiha Fugaku quickly grasped the underlying logic and responded in a deep voice.
If they truly wanted to integrate fully into the village, they could no longer treat the security force as the Uchiha's private domain.
Checks and balances were necessary for trust.
"Excellent." Sora nodded in satisfaction. "I'm glad Clan Head Fugaku understands."
He changed the subject, his smile growing even brighter.
"By the way… a few years ago, when I was still just a small Anbu squad leader, didn't I make an agreement with you? I asked you to cultivate more civilian personnel within the clan."
Uchiha Fugaku's heart jolted.
Of course he remembered.
All these years, following Sora's instructions, he had carefully selected intelligent young clansmen and trained them in law, administration, and economics — instead of focusing solely on ninjutsu.
This had always been the clan's highest secret.
He had thought it was merely a long-term, idle move Sora had prepared for the future.
He never imagined the boy would cash it in so soon.
"Yes, Lord Fifth." Fugaku's voice carried a barely suppressed excitement. "Those children are now ready to stand on their own."
"Good." Sora stood up from his chair and walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window, turning his back to Fugaku.
"It's time to put them to use."
"As you know, all the reconstruction and reform funding this time is coming through me."
Sora's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.
"So, I plan to establish a brand-new department — the Konoha Development and Reform Commission."
"This commission will be independent of all existing village departments and report directly to me. Its sole function is to coordinate, plan, and supervise the use of this massive sum — ensuring every reconstruction and reform project proceeds efficiently and incorruptibly."
Fugaku's breathing stopped completely in that moment.
His mind raced at lightning speed.
Independent of all departments?
Reporting directly to the Hokage?
Controlling all reform funds?
This… this was establishing an entirely new power structure outside the two advisor elders and the old village system!
It was pulling the carpet out from under them!
It was naked power seizure!
"And the main members of this commission…"
Sora slowly turned around. His amber eyes calmly met those of the utterly shocked Uchiha Fugaku.
"…will be filled by those civilian personnel from your Uchiha clan — the ones I had you cultivate in advance."
BOOM!
It was as though billions of thunderbolts exploded simultaneously inside Fugaku's mind!
He stared fixedly at the boy before him — that young face wearing a gentle smile now appeared no different from a god in his eyes!
He understood.
He finally understood completely!
The security force was only the beginning — a gesture to bring the Uchiha back to the center of village power.
But this "Development and Reform Commission" was the true core!
This was binding the entire Uchiha clan irrevocably to the war chariot of the Fifth Hokage — becoming the sharpest and most loyal blade in his hand!
A blade to sever every shackle of the old era!
[Those two old fossils' power… it's time to peel it away, bit by bit.]
[Perfect. Let Fugaku, the natural contractor, fully exercise his talents — and turn my money into a brand-new Konoha.]
"Lord… Fifth…"
Fugaku's voice was dry and hoarse. His body trembled slightly from sheer, overwhelming excitement.
He had thought Sora was promising the Uchiha a bright future.
But he never imagined that future would be this glorious… and so close at hand!
Sora looked at him, smile unchanged.
"Clan Head Fugaku, would you be willing to let Itachi serve as the first chairman of this commission?"
Uchiha Fugaku could no longer maintain the restraint and dignity of a clan head.
He stepped forward abruptly and dropped to one knee before Sora in solemn reverence.
"Uchiha Fugaku is willing to serve Lord Fifth with my life and soul — until death!"