Unlike the three elders waiting outside like warriors ready for a signal to unleash battle—and unlike the tense atmosphere filling the Police Force building—
Inside the Minister's Office on the top floor, the three young people who now held the present and future of the Uchiha clan were each occupied with their own thoughts.
The setting sun slanted through the windows.
Uchiha Fugaku stood silently before the massive floor-to-ceiling glass, arms crossed, staring at the distant silhouette of the Hokage Tower, now blurred by dusk.
His brows were tightly furrowed.
His gaze was heavy.
As time passed, the growing unrest and uncertainty weighed on him more and more.
If we hadn't acted so impulsively…
If we had chosen a steadier method…
Could the clan and Konoha's leadership have avoided the worst outcome?
Countless what-ifs flooded his mind.
It felt as though his head might explode.
But as a proud Uchiha, and one of the clan's visible pillars—
The only face he could show the world was calm composure.
It's already come to this. Stop overthinking!
Look at Anlan and Mikoto. Pull yourself together, Fugaku. Don't disgrace yourself.
The Uchiha are not cowards.
Watching his reflection in the glass—where he could faintly see the hesitation and unease within himself—Fugaku clenched his teeth.
Deep inside, a question surfaced.
If I became clan head…
Would I truly have the ability to lead the clan properly?
Uchiha Mikoto sat behind the desk.
With one hand she gently tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear.
With the other, she flipped through the intelligence scrolls spread across the table.
The fading sunlight cast a warm glow across her delicate yet focused expression.
The soft rustling of turning pages filled the room, bringing an odd sense of calm.
Naturally, the Police Force intelligence network now also fell under Mikoto's authority.
Whether war erupted or not—
The work still had to continue.
And the more she learned about the clan…
And the more she understood Konoha…
The more firmly she believed in Anlan.
Between people.
Between factions.
Conflict was eternal.
She had watched her beloved step by step.
He gathered allies within the clan.
Strengthened its foundation.
Improved himself and expanded his influence.
Then the hawk faction and dove faction merged.
Even the wavering clan-head faction was drawn in.
The clan became united.
Now—
With powerful enemies outside Konoha and the village weakened internally—
The Uchiha possessed timing, position, and unity.
Under Anlan's leadership—
They would win.
Mikoto lifted her eyelashes slightly.
Her gaze passed over the edge of the scroll and landed on the figure sitting on the sofa bathed in golden light.
But…
Did this brat already have his eyes on me from the beginning?
Realizing the flaw in her earlier reasoning, Mikoto's lips curved upward slightly before her attention returned to the documents.
Uchiha Anlan, however, didn't notice his fiancée's gaze.
He leaned comfortably against the wide leather sofa.
Outside the window, the sunset clouds burned like flames.
His expression was relaxed.
That morning, they had discussed matters.
By afternoon, they had already taken action.
Such swift execution was almost absurd.
Yet strangely—
It was the first united decision the Uchiha clan had made since Uchiha Madara left.
The entire action had been reckless.
Like hot-headed fools charging forward without thinking about consequences.
No long-term plans.
No careful calculations.
Just a decision made in the heat of the moment—
And they charged ahead.
Whether the final outcome would be good or bad—
No one knew.
But it certainly felt good.
For the first time in years.
Instead of silently enduring humiliation whenever the Hokage's faction slapped them in the face—
Today the clan had vented all of that pent-up frustration.
Everyone felt refreshed.
And Anlan felt refreshed too.
Now I just need to land this safely.
Time is on my side.
Next time will be easier.
We'll slowly test the Hokage's bottom line.
Step by step… until the initiative shifts to us.
While thinking, Anlan glanced toward Fugaku standing by the window.
Fortunately—
Fugaku was not like Uchiha Itachi, the kind who stabbed his own clan in the back.
Right now the Police Force alone has two Kage-level fighters—myself and Fugaku.
There are at least twenty Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan or jōnin strength.
At the clan compound, the three elders are stationed with the Uchiha ninja forces.
Even in the worst case scenario, no matter where Hiruzen attacks, one side can hold long enough for reinforcements.
And with Hiruzen's cautious nature…
Without the agreement of the other clans, he doesn't dare tear things apart completely.
When Anlan finished reviewing every possible scenario in his mind, his eyes opened again.
They were calm.
Soldiers come—
Block them.
Water comes—
Divert it.
There was nothing to fear.
As the final rays of sunlight sank beneath the horizon, the room grew dim.
The office lights flickered on.
Then—
Footsteps sounded outside the door.
Fast.
Clear.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The door was struck three times.
A steady voice followed from outside.
"Lord Anlan. Lord Fugaku. Lady Mikoto."
It was Uchiha Yashiro.
But there was tension in his voice.
"The Hokage… the Third Hokage himself—along with the Hyuga, Nara, and other clan heads—has arrived at the main entrance of the Police Force headquarters."
The news was like a stone dropped into a still lake.
The silence in the room shattered.
By the window, Fugaku lowered his arms.
The shadows hid most of his expression—
But the hesitation in his eyes had vanished.
If it came to it—
They would simply fight.
Behind the desk, Mikoto closed the intelligence scroll gracefully.
She looked up again at Anlan.
Their eyes met.
No words were needed.
Only trust.
On the sofa, Anlan raised an eyebrow slightly.
The relaxed expression on his face faded.
In its place appeared a deep calm.
He slowly stood.
Adjusting the collar of his dark high-collared clan uniform, he spoke casually.
"Let's go."
"The guests are already at the door."
"As hosts, how could we fail to greet them?"
Anlan walked toward the door.
Fugaku and Mikoto followed behind.
Fugaku's steps carried the weight of someone ready to burn his bridges.
Mikoto's steps remained composed.
Outside the office—
More than twenty Uchiha, led by Yashiro, Hazuki, and Yakumi, were already waiting.
No one spoke.
Anlan walked at the front.
The group moved silently through the corridor and down the stairs.
Their footsteps echoed through the empty building.
Outside, faint noise could already be heard.
When Anlan stepped into the first-floor hall—
Night had fallen.
The plaza outside the Police Force building was brightly lit.
Facing the Uchiha guards blocking the entrance stood Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, along with Konoha's leadership and the heads of the major clans.
The two sides confronted each other in silence.
The tension was razor sharp.
Anlan's gaze passed over Shisui, who stood ahead of him.
Then it settled on the old man wearing the Hokage robe and hat.
"Lord Anlan!"
The guards parted automatically as he walked forward.
He nodded slightly.
His voice was calm—
Yet it carried clearly across the entire plaza.
"Hokage-sama has come personally."
"I apologize for failing to welcome you sooner."
"But may I ask…"
"What matter has brought you and the respected clan heads to this humble Police Force headquarters?"
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