Uchiha Anlan and Uchiha Mikoto were not the type to lose their heads over romance.
After a round of affectionate teasing on the sofa—so carefree that even Anlan felt slightly alarmed at himself—he slowly released the girl in his arms, her cherry-red lips still faintly swollen from their kiss.
His palm lightly patted the peach-like curve of her hips twice.
Her thin home clothes could hardly conceal the soft elasticity beneath.
The feeling was excellent.
If he could stand behind her and—
Anlan abruptly cut the thought short.
"Mikoto, it's getting late."
Mikoto's eyes shimmered with lingering moisture. When he pulled back, the haze in her gaze gradually faded, leaving only the deep blush still coloring her cheeks.
She took a small breath and straightened her clothing before lifting her eyes to meet Anlan's calm gaze.
"The intelligence integration should start as soon as possible," Anlan said softly, sitting up while still holding her in his arms. "We should begin preparations early tomorrow morning."
"Mhm. I know."
Mikoto answered gently.
Like a virtuous wife, she carefully smoothed the wrinkles in his collar caused by their earlier intimacy.
The warmth in her expression slowly shifted into the capable composure she showed before others.
Her lips parted slightly as she spoke with calm clarity.
"This afternoon I informed Fugaku-nii."
"Later tonight, I'll ask Hazuki to contact Yashiro."
"By tomorrow before noon, the handover and integration of the clan's intelligence network will be officially completed."
Anlan nodded.
"You also have a summoning contract with Ayan. After tomorrow's meeting, talk to her and check whether there are overlapping sections between our intelligence networks."
He paused.
His voice lowered slightly, carrying unspoken trust.
"There are also a few tasks I arranged through Ayan."
"You're the only one who needs to know."
Mikoto blinked softly.
She understood immediately without further explanation.
The younger man sitting beneath her had probably done something… that others should not know about.
Mikoto didn't mind.
Whatever Anlan did, she believed it was for her—or for the clan.
Trust was enough.
"To prevent Grandpa Hokage from storming over here," Anlan said with a soft laugh, "I should head back first."
He leaned forward and placed a light kiss on Mikoto's forehead before standing up neatly and leaving.
At the entrance, Mikoto—still reluctant to let him go—suddenly stole a quick kiss from him.
Instead of going straight home, Anlan detoured toward the residence of his grandfather, Uchiha Setsuna.
As expected, he found both Setsuna and Uchiha Hokage sitting across from each other in the tea room, quietly drinking.
When Setsuna saw his grandson arrive alone, he shot him a sideways glance filled with disappointment.
A faint snort escaped his nose.
Clearly, he was dissatisfied that Anlan hadn't "struck while the iron was hot."
The girl had already taken the initiative.
Why hesitate any further?
Meanwhile, Hokage—who had been absentmindedly sipping wine—looked up and saw Anlan standing there neatly dressed and composed.
A trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.
His tense shoulders gradually relaxed.
The approval and satisfaction in his gaze toward Anlan deepened slightly.
He knew when to advance and when to retreat.
He understood propriety.
Such a person was worthy of becoming the Uchiha clan head.
"Grandfather. Elder Hokage."
Anlan greeted them calmly, as if he had merely stopped by to pay his respects.
The three men shared an unspoken understanding.
They exchanged a few casual remarks about the eastern front and the clan's internal consolidation.
The atmosphere was unusually peaceful.
Anlan did not stay long.
After a short while, he respectfully excused himself and left.
Moonlight had already spilled across the stone pathways when he stepped out of Setsuna's residence.
Without slowing his pace, Anlan headed straight for the Uchiha clan archives deep within the compound.
From the bloody conflicts of the Warring States Era…
To the hidden history surrounding the founding of Konoha…
From scattered secrets across the ninja world…
To every inheritance except those classified as forbidden techniques—
The thousand-year history of the Uchiha clan and the wisdom of their ancestors were all gathered here.
At this moment, the archives were brightly lit and heavily guarded.
This was not the empty shell they would become after the Uchiha Massacre, when Konoha's leadership looted the library under the excuse of "preservation."
The current Uchiha clan still stood proudly at the peak of the ninja world.
A family whose depth and heritage were immeasurable.
While Anlan quietly studied ancient texts beneath the lamplight—
Elsewhere in Konoha…
After a day of fruitless negotiations, Shimura Danzo stormed into the Hokage's office, carrying a suffocating aura of rage.
The half of his face not covered by bandages looked as dark as frozen iron.
Every wrinkle seemed carved with suppressed fury.
Throughout the day, the polite receptions and veiled refusals from the major clans had stabbed at his pride like countless thorns.
He was the leader of Root.
The shadow of Konoha.
The Darkness of the Ninja World feared across nations.
If I were the Hokage—
Would I ever suffer such humiliation?
Hiruzen… you deserve to die.
With a loud bang, Danzo slammed the door shut behind him.
The sound made the ANBU guards hidden near the window frown slightly.
In this village, only one man dared behave so recklessly before the Hokage.
The powerful Advisor of the Hokage.
Behind the desk, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head from the mountain of documents.
Through the curling smoke of his pipe, he looked at his old comrade.
He already knew the result.
The recruitment had gone extremely poorly.
Reports from the ANBU and the various clans had been arriving at his desk like falling snow.
"Hiruzen."
Danzo's voice squeezed through clenched teeth, heavy with restrained anger.
"These arrogant clans who ignore the authority of the village…"
"It's time they experience the methods of Root."
Seeing Danzo preparing to strike internally against the clans, Hiruzen swallowed the comforting words he had intended to say.
His brows knitted together tightly.
He tapped his pipe against the desk.
Ash fell quietly.
"Danzo."
His voice carried unmistakable warning.
"Remember your position."
"I do not wish to hear such words that damage the unity of the village again."
Danzo did not back down.
Instead, he let out a cold laugh and tossed the problem back.
"Hiruzen."
"The major clans refuse to cooperate. They refuse to contribute their strength to Konoha."
"So tell me—how should we deal with them?"
"Without enough elite ninja, stopping Kumogakure's army is nothing but fantasy."
He knew perfectly well that he was merely the Hokage's advance pawn.
His role was to play the villain.
After he delivered the harsh stance, the Hokage would step in and play the benevolent leader concerned with the bigger picture.
It was an old performance.
And Hiruzen played his part like a master.
Both of them understood the scheme.
So did the entire Konoha leadership and the great clans.
Which meant that, without enough power or influence—
Danzo's position was extremely awkward.
All of his authority ultimately depended on the Third Hokage's will.
It's time to deepen my cooperation with Orochimaru…
The Wood Release experiment must succeed—no matter the cost.
Just as Danzo hardened his resolve internally—
Hiruzen spoke exactly as expected.
"Tomorrow, I will personally visit the clans."
"Once sufficient manpower is gathered…"
"You will depart immediately for the northeastern front."
"There must be no delay."