May in Konoha was a season brimming with spring's charm.
The entire village was wrapped in the breath of renewal, alive with vibrant energy and quiet warmth.
Red, pink, and violet peonies intertwined in full bloom, forming a dazzling tapestry of color that seemed almost unreal. Irises stood proudly throughout the village, their petals shaped like delicate tails, displaying elegant shades of pale purple and gentle blue, lending Konoha an air of mystery and refinement.
Pansies bloomed in clusters of red, pink, and violet, each flower small and exquisite, dotting the greenery at the village's entrances and outskirts like scattered gemstones.
And then there were the lily-of-the-valley—Konoha's true heralds of spring. They bloomed quietly in shaded corners, releasing a fresh, subtle fragrance that lingered softly in the air. Their tiny white blossoms were pure and flawless, like drops of snow resting among leaves.
With peonies, irises, pansies, and lilies woven together, the entire village looked like a dreamscape—so beautiful it felt almost unreal, as though one had stepped into a painted world.
At the same time, the Konoha Hero Card Game continued to ferment and spread throughout the village.
Time passed like a galloping horse. Through the joint efforts of Uchiha Ran and Uchiha Inabi, public opinion toward the Uchiha clan had begun—slowly but unmistakably—to shift.
Spring grew stronger by the day, and this particular morning was bathed in brilliant sunshine, perfect for an outing into nature.
Almost as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Kurenai Yuhi invited Uchiha Ran to go on a spring walk together.
Neither of them spoke much that day. They simply strolled side by side, following the gentle path beside a stream.
They were at a tributary of the Naka River, south of Konoha.
The stream flowed slowly, its waters crystal clear to the bottom, smooth as a mirror. A light breeze rippled the surface, reflecting the deep blue sky above.
On both banks of the stream, dense fields of irises bloomed endlessly, their petals painted in countless hues. When the wind brushed across them, the flowers swayed softly, as if breathing.
Dragonflies danced through the air, circling gracefully among the blossoms, lingering as though admiring their beauty. Tall green trees lined the stream, casting cool shade over the iris fields, while birds sang joyfully from the branches.
Nearby lay a flat stone covered in soft moss. Beyond that, to the north, emerald mountains rose under a vast blue sky, where land and heaven blended seamlessly.
Kurenai Yuhi stood quietly by the stream, gazing at the sea of irises before her. It felt as though the scenery itself was lending her courage.
She wore a red-and-white dress, simple yet elegant, her right hand wrapped in clean white bandages.
After spending so much time together, she had come to understand her own feelings. She liked this Uchiha—this boy with glasses, who always wore a gentle smile, who acted with calm efficiency and steady composure.
Her heart was both happy and nervous.
Because today… she intended to confess.
She had liked Uchiha Ran for a long time now. And Konoha's kunoichi were never timid about love. They loved boldly and hated honestly—even if they were still young.
Today, she had decided to be brave.
"Ran," Kurenai suddenly spoke.
"Hm? What is it, Kurenai?" Uchiha Ran was momentarily surprised, but he responded immediately, turning toward her.
With the stream as witness and the iris sea surrounding them, Kurenai took a deep breath, just about to speak—
When suddenly, an ANBU messenger dressed in black appeared before them.
"Uchiha Ran. The Hokage-sama requests your presence immediately," the ANBU said curtly.
Kurenai's heart jolted. But as a ninja, she knew better than anyone that a summons from the Hokage took absolute priority—anytime, anywhere.
Though reluctant—she hadn't even finished her confession—she still forced a smile and said softly,"Ran… you should go. The Hokage-sama is waiting for you."
"Let's go," Uchiha Ran replied.
He glanced at Kurenai and understood, almost instinctively, what she had wanted to say. But he didn't linger. Instead, he nodded once to the ANBU and immediately dashed toward the Hokage Tower.
In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had always been a competent politician.
He firmly believed that he was the true inheritor of the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama's will.
In his younger years, Hiruzen had devoted himself to easing tensions between different ninja clans. Under the influence of his Will of Fire, the Senju clan had gradually merged into the civilian population, becoming an inseparable part of Konoha.
Later, he attempted the same with the Uchiha clan—hoping they could follow the Senju's path.
But Hiruzen understood all too well the Uchiha clan's unique status and influence within the village. He also recognized a fundamental truth: some Uchiha, by virtue of their bloodline alone, were destined to be different.
The Sharingan.
Unlike Wood Release, this kekkei genkai required no lineage purity or training regimen. It awakened purely through intense emotional stimulus.
No matter how diluted their blood became, as long as the stimulus was strong enough, the Sharingan could still awaken.
And in Hiruzen's eyes, the moment the Sharingan awakened, true "integration" had already failed.
Thus, he abandoned the idea of fully merging the Uchiha into the village like the Senju, instead choosing to influence them through ideology—the Will of Fire.
But the Uchiha's pride made them stubborn, resistant. The Will of Fire had far less effect on them than it did on other clans.
That was… until Uchiha Ran appeared.
Hiruzen realized that this unusual Uchiha might be the key to repairing relations between Konoha and the clan.
Ran was gentle in temperament, skilled in communication, sunny and approachable. In Hiruzen's eyes, Ran could offer a new perspective—one that might allow other clans to truly understand the Uchiha's value and contributions.
Compared to Uchiha Fugaku, who desired integration but lacked the means to change his clan's mindset, Ran's actions and results showed real promise. He might truly alter the entrenched prejudice against the Uchiha.
Hiruzen had seen Ran's recent efforts clearly. Through propaganda and public engagement, he had already improved the clan's image externally.
He had done well.
Following Hiruzen's political instincts, the next step would be internal reform—softening the Uchiha from within, further improving their reputation.
If the clan's arrogance could be weakened… then perhaps the Uchiha could yet be wielded.
If their clan-first mentality could be eroded—through politics and war alike—until they were no longer Konoha's largest power… then Hiruzen Sarutobi would consider himself successful.
And now, as the Third Hokage, he had made his decision.
He would push Uchiha Ran higher—into the heart of the clan itself.
He would make Ran the Uchiha's voice.
Creaaak.
The door opened.
"Lord Hokage," Uchiha Ran's voice rang out calmly,"I've arrived."