Uchiha Jin understood instantly.
Kakashi wanted to end the mission; he felt continuing would be pointless.
Jin didn't object—after all, you can't underestimate people's ingenuity. Just like Uzumaki Nagato's parents: only after Nagato rose to power did everyone learn they were from the Uzumaki Clan.
And before that?
Any sane person would hide that red hair!
The same went for other clans. Their enemies were too strong, so to survive they hid themselves—even from their own children, never revealing their origins or the truth!
"Fine, got it."
"End the mission, then. Tsunade, help these newcomers integrate into the Village."
"I believe in you—go for it!"
Uchiha Jin was blunt.
He had no time to waste on trifles, and Tsunade bristled at the order.
Exactly!
The Tsunade who joined New Konoha was nothing like her counterpart in the original story.
Without Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado undermining her, the Village ran smoothly, so she wasn't half as irritable—she'd even kicked her drinking habit.
Apart from an occasional wager when she was in a good mood, she had no bad habits left.
Still… hearing Jin dump another task on her irked her reflexively.
Before she could protest, Jin stood. "Just remembered something at home—everyone, get back to work."
With that,
he prepared to bolt.
Kakashi blocked him. "Hokage-sama…"
"Something wrong?" Jin blinked.
Kakashi rubbed his forehead. "What about Old Konoha—do we make arrangements?"
To that,
Jin rolled his eyes. "No need. Let Hiruzen overthink it."
"Trust in Hiruzen's talent for stupidity—he'll wreck things on his own. We just wait."
Then,
he clapped Kakashi's shoulder and strolled out of the Hokage Office.
Kakashi and Tsunade were used to it.
Unlike previous Hokage, Jin had no interest in desk duty; he dropped by once a day and left.
As he put it, he only handled the big picture.
Small stuff bored him.
He'd rather craft a sound system so everyone could do what they excelled at; he wouldn't micromanage like his predecessors.
Human energy is finite—cultivation came first.
Routine Village affairs were delegated; only dire emergencies or major decisions drew his attention… Meanwhile,
arriving at the new compound, Jin saw every clansman smiling and felt a surge of pride.
Since the Village's founding, Uchiha had shunned the power structure.
They no longer schemed for high posts or even wanted the Police Force.
Uchiha Setsuna said it best: before gaining power he craved it daily,
yet once he had it, it felt hollow!
At first Uchiha still staffed the departments, but within months resignation letters piled up.
Paperwork gave them headaches—they wanted to smash every desk.
Too painful!
Jin understood: the clan's hunger for power had only been born of oppression.
Now things were different!
In New Konoha no one distrusted them; respect replaced resentment, and without grievance they lost interest in authority.
By nature Uchiha weren't cut out for clerical life.
They'd rather fight and kill than sit behind a desk.
So nowadays,
apart from Jin as Hokage and Fugaku heading the Police Force, every Uchiha was a free Ninja doing missions or training.
"Hokage-sama!"
"If you have a moment, may I bother you?"
While Jin mused, someone called out behind him.
He turned.
Seeing the mature Shisui holding tiny Itachi, Jin grew thoughtful.
"Well, rare sight!"
"So you two finally accept me as Hokage?"
"Two years—about time!"
His words made Shisui and Itachi flush with embarrassment.
No helping it—
it was a slap in the face.
They'd once believed the clan too narrow-minded and that only full integration could change things, while Jin's methods were too radical.
Two years ago, even with clans joining and Kakashi and Tsunade on board, they'd tried to fool themselves.
But now?
Jin's New Konoha proved Uchiha weren't freaks—they could coexist with other clans and civilians. In Old Konoha they'd simply been bullied too viciously.
Now, having left Old Konoha and viewing it from New Konoha's perspective, they found the old place repulsive.
Previously inside the game, now outside, the contrast was stark.
They couldn't lie to themselves—they'd been wrong.
However,
before they could speak, Jin took Sasuke.
He played with the child a bit, then said, "Ask whatever you want."
Right.
He was more curious about Sasuke than about Shisui or Itachi.
A living reincarnation of Indra!
Tiny Sasuke was adorable—far cuter than Shisui or Itachi.
Itachi hugged his precious brother protectively; had it been anyone but Jin, he'd have attacked.
Meanwhile,
Shisui asked in a weary yet solemn voice, "Is power really that important? Even now I can't understand why Hiruzen and the others clung to it so desperately."
Jin fell silent at the question.
In the end,
he handed little Sasuke back to the relieved Itachi, glanced at him, and spoke with utmost gravity.
"Power matters, of course!"
"Because with power comes control over resources."
"On a small scale, the thrill of life-and-death decisions is irresistible; on a grand scale it secures wealth for descendants and ensures a clan's survival and growth."
"But in this world something outranks power."
"That something is—strength."
"With enough strength you can overpower authority. Uchiha care little for power only because strength backs them."
"An awakened Uchiha can instantly kill three peers."
"That's why, even as Hokage, I skip the desk—strength trumps power."
"Hiruzen and company chase power because they can't obtain strength."
"They hit their ceiling twenty years ago and were forced down the path of power."
"…"