Inside the Hokage's conference room, the atmosphere was heavy and tense.
A thick round table stood at the center of the room, and on it rested a document stamped with the bright red seal of the Hokage. The resolution had just been pushed forward across the table, landing with a soft but decisive thud.
The message written on it was simple, but its meaning was enormous.
The Uchiha Clan would be allowed to move into Konoha's central commercial district.
Danzo Shimura's face darkened immediately.
The bandages wrapped around his head made his already stern expression look even more frightening. His old hand tightened around his wooden cane as he stared at the words written on the document.
The veins on his hand bulged.
"Minato," Danzo said slowly, his voice hoarse and sharp, "you are playing with fire."
His single visible eye glared toward the Fourth Hokage.
"Allowing the Uchiha to live in the heart of the village? Have you forgotten what they are capable of? If those people lose control again, who will take responsibility?"
Across the table, Minato Namikaze sat calmly.
His posture was relaxed, hands folded together under his chin, but the air around him carried the quiet pressure of a legendary shinobi.
The Yellow Flash of Konoha was not someone easily shaken.
"Lord Danzo," Minato said gently, though his eyes were firm, "if it wasn't for Uchiha Tsukiko and the Uchiha Clan's full cooperation during last night's incident, we might not even be sitting here today."
His gaze swept across the room.
"Public opinion matters. The villagers saw everything with their own eyes. The people have already expressed their support during the assembly. This decision reflects the will of the entire village."
Silence filled the room.
Next to Minato, Utatane Koharu adjusted her glasses thoughtfully.
She glanced at Danzo, then turned her eyes toward the window where cheers from the villagers could faintly be heard outside.
After a brief moment of thought, she spoke.
"I agree with Minato."
Danzo's expression worsened.
"The reputation of the Uchiha Clan has reached a new peak. If we continue isolating them at the village's edge, it will only provoke unnecessary resentment."
She folded her hands on the table.
"The best strategy now is integration, not exclusion."
Across from her, Homura Mitokado nodded slowly.
"I second that."
He leaned back slightly.
"And regarding the Konoha Police Force, everyone saw their performance last night. Increasing their benefits and status is reasonable."
He chuckled lightly.
"If you want the horse to run fast, you must first feed it well."
Danzo's mustache trembled with anger.
"You people…" he muttered.
For the first time in years, he felt completely outnumbered.
Even the elders had sided with Minato.
Finally, Danzo slammed his cane on the floor with a loud thump.
"Fine!"
His voice was cold.
"I will reserve my opinion. But when something goes wrong in the future, don't say I didn't warn you."
Minato simply smiled.
"Then the matter is settled."
He picked up another document.
"And now, the next issue."
Minato looked down at the paper before him.
"Commendation and promotion for Uchiha Tsukiko."
---
The Village Square
Later that afternoon, the central square of Konoha was filled with people.
A sea of villagers packed the entire plaza.
Excited whispers filled the air.
At the center of the square stood a tall platform where the ceremony would take place.
On that platform stood Uchiha Tsukiko.
She leaned casually against the railing, spinning a kunai lazily in her fingers as if this were the most boring event in the world.
Beside her stood two shinobi from the Hokage's Guard Platoon:
Shiranui Genma and Raidō Namiashi.
Both of them stared at Tsukiko with undisguised envy.
Genma tilted his head and spoke around the senbon stick hanging from his mouth.
"Hey, Tsukiko. Did you hear the news?"
Tsukiko glanced sideways.
"Hm?"
"The Hokage is making an exception this time," Genma whispered. "You're being promoted to Jōnin."
Raidō nodded with a grin.
"And you'll be joining the Hokage's Guard Platoon."
He crossed his arms.
"We'll basically be teammates now."
Genma chuckled.
"You'll have to take care of your seniors, little sister."
But the moment Tsukiko heard the word Jōnin…
Her eyebrows immediately twisted into a deep frown.
Inside her mind, alarm bells rang violently.
What?!
Promotion?!
Her thoughts exploded.
Are they insane?!
Her system depended on defeating stronger opponents.
If she became a Jōnin…
Then most enemies she fought would no longer count as higher-level opponents!
Which meant—
Less rewards.
Less power growth.
Less fun.
Her heart screamed.
No way! I absolutely cannot accept this promotion!
At that moment, Minato stepped forward onto the stage.
His clear voice echoed across the entire square.
"In recognition of Uchiha Tsukiko's heroic actions during the mysterious attacker incident, the village leadership has unanimously decided—"
He raised the document.
"—to promote Uchiha Tsukiko to the rank of Jōnin and appoint her as an Honorary Member of the Hokage's Guard Platoon."
"Let us applaud our hero!"
The crowd erupted instantly.
Thunderous applause shook the square.
Cheers filled the air.
Tsukiko stared at the flak jacket Raidō was about to place on her shoulders.
Then—
She jumped backward like a startled cat.
"WAIT!"
The square fell silent.
Even Minato froze mid-sentence.
"Kuren— Tsukiko?" Minato blinked. "What's wrong?"
Tsukiko took a deep breath.
Then she put on the most righteous expression imaginable.
"Lord Hokage! Fellow villagers!"
She placed her hand dramatically on her chest.
"I refuse this promotion!"
The entire crowd exploded.
"What?!"
"Did she just reject becoming a Jōnin?!"
Genma's senbon fell out of his mouth.
Raidō stared in disbelief.
Minato rubbed his forehead.
"Tsukiko… why?"
Tsukiko straightened her posture and spoke with solemn seriousness.
"Because I am not mature enough yet."
Everyone blinked.
"Jōnin is not merely a title," she continued passionately. "It carries great responsibility!"
"I may have achieved some accomplishments last night, but in terms of experience and seniority, I still have much to learn."
She clenched her fist dramatically.
"If I become a Jōnin too early, I might grow arrogant! I might lose sight of the true spirit of a shinobi!"
Her eyes burned with determination.
"Therefore—"
"I request to remain a Genin!"
Gasps spread across the crowd.
"I want to continue learning from the grassroots level! I want to experience the life of ordinary shinobi!"
She raised her fist proudly.
"This is my Ninja Way!"
"Forever young, forever Genin!"
Complete silence followed.
Minato's lips twitched.
He knew Tsukiko far too well.
Something about this explanation smelled extremely suspicious.
But when he looked into her stubborn eyes…
He sighed.
"Very well."
"The village respects your decision."
"But the Hokage Guard Platoon position will remain reserved for you."
Tsukiko's face lit up instantly.
"That's fine!"
She happily accepted the Guard Platoon armband—
And pushed the Jōnin vest away.
Below the stage, Danzo snorted coldly.
"Hmph."
"At least this brat knows her place."
But Tsukiko was secretly laughing inside.
You old fox.
As long as I stay Genin…
Every Jōnin and Kage I fight becomes a reward jackpot.
Huge profit.
---
Uchiha Clan Celebration
Later that night, the Uchiha Clan held a massive celebration near the Naka Shrine.
Long tables filled the clearing.
Sushi, barbecue, and sake covered every surface.
Clan banners fluttered proudly in the wind.
At the top of the steps stood Uchiha Fugaku.
He raised a sake cup and looked down at the gathered clan members.
Tonight felt different.
For years, their gatherings had been filled with frustration and resentment.
But today…
There was pride.
There was hope.
"Everyone," Fugaku said.
The crowd quieted instantly.
"Today is a day the Uchiha Clan will remember."
"But acceptance from the village does not mean we can act recklessly."
His gaze sharpened.
"The homes in the central district are a privilege."
"But it also means the entire village will be watching us."
He pointed toward the crowd.
"Starting tomorrow, I do not want to see anyone walking around like they own the world."
"No glaring at shopkeepers with the Sharingan."
"And absolutely no intimidating villagers while buying groceries."
Laughter spread through the crowd.
Some younger Uchiha scratched their heads awkwardly.
Fugaku raised his cup.
"Remember this."
"This honor was earned by the courage of our clan…"
"…and by Uchiha Tsukiko's sacrifice and leadership."
He lifted the cup high.
"For the future of the Uchiha Clan!"
Everyone shouted together.
"FOR THE UCHIHA!"
Sake cups clashed loudly.
Cheers filled the night.
---
Inside Fugaku's Home
Meanwhile, inside the clan leader's house…
Chaos ruled.
Tsukiko sat cross-legged on the floor holding baby Sasuke in one arm.
With the other hand, she shook a rattle toward a nearby cradle where baby Naruto lay giggling.
"Aiya, Sasuke! Don't cry!"
"Your big sister is just showing you love!"
Baby Sasuke attempted to chew on her finger with his tiny gums.
Naruto drooled happily in the cradle.
Across the room, Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki laughed uncontrollably.
"That girl Tsukiko really has a talent with children," Kushina said.
"If Naruto ever becomes troublesome, I might have to send him to her."
Mikoto nodded.
"Sasuke usually only lets Itachi hold him."
"But today he stayed quiet in Tsukiko's arms for this long."
"That's a miracle."
Tsukiko grinned proudly.
"This is called love education!"
She gently patted Sasuke's tiny bottom.
"Right, Second Pillar?"
"This is your big brother Naruto!"
"You must behave!"
From the corridor, Itachi Uchiha sighed while peeling an orange.
"Tsukiko… don't confuse them."
"Sasuke should probably be the older brother type."
Tsukiko smirked.
"Oh really?"
She wiped Sasuke's drool on Itachi's shirt.
"You mean the type who says 'Forgive me… next time.'?"
Itachi shivered instinctively.
"Please don't wipe drool on me."
---
Suddenly—
Both babies began crying.
Loudly.
Kushina jumped up.
"Oh no! Maybe Naruto's diaper is wet!"
Mikoto grabbed Sasuke.
"Or maybe he's hungry!"
Tsukiko quietly slipped away behind Itachi.
"Phew… raising kids is harder than fighting Danzo."
The room descended into noisy chaos.
And when Itachi turned around—
Tsukiko had already vanished.
Only a faint ripple of Flying Thunder God space-time chakra remained.
---
Outside Konoha
Far away, deep within a fog-covered forest…
Uchiha Tsukiko landed on a moss-covered tree branch.
In front of her stood a dark cave.
"Come out already, Orochimaru."
Her voice echoed calmly.
"Playing hide-and-seek every time is boring."
A chilling laugh echoed from the darkness.
"Keh keh keh…"
Orochimaru emerged slowly.
"You always arrive with interesting gifts, Tsukiko-chan."
Tsukiko pulled out a glowing green vial.
"This will interest you."
She tossed it toward him.
"A sample of life evolution beyond chakra."
Orochimaru caught it.
The moment the vial touched his skin—
A terrifying energy surged through his body.
His pupils shrank.
This was not chakra.
It felt like something from a higher dimension.
Orochimaru looked up at Tsukiko with shock.
"This… is incredible."
Tsukiko smiled.
"I only want one thing."
"A partnership."
Her eyes gleamed sharply.
"Help me observe the truth behind this world."
"Become my research partner."
Orochimaru laughed softly.
"It seems I've fallen into your script."
Tsukiko turned away.
"My next mission is much more important."
She grinned.
"I'm going back to Mikoto-aunt's house."
"The red bean soup there is amazing."
In the next instant—
Flying Thunder God activated.
Tsukiko disappeared.
Orochimaru watched the empty space.
A rare smile appeared on his face.
"Truly…"
"The most fascinating research subject in the world."
----------------------------------
Extra chapters available on patreon
patreon.com/Samurai492 🔥🔥🔥
__________________________________