After the smoke and blood of war had been largely cleared, the prisoners settled, and the defensive lines reorganized—
Two days passed.
Infinity City, Shogunate Building — Eighth Floor.
It was early afternoon. The pale sunlight of approaching winter streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the spacious office in brilliant clarity.
Light flowed across the polished dark marble floor like liquid, reflecting drifting motes of dust in the air, casting a warm, golden glow over this space—the very heart of power.
The atmosphere was solemn—
Yet carried a subtle ease born of victory.
At this moment, a small council—restricted to the core members of the Uchiha—was underway.
At the center of the room, facing south and bathed in the best light, stood a wide, comfortable crimson double sofa.
Uchiha Anlan reclined upon it, posture relaxed. His sharply tailored casual attire had replaced his rigid military uniform—less cold, more composed, like a man who now commanded the board rather than fought upon it.
Days of labor had left no fatigue on his face.
If anything, with the outcome decided, his presence seemed even more radiant.
His calm gaze swept across those present.
Beside him sat Uchiha Mikoto.
Her hair was neatly styled, her attire soft in tone. Though faint traces of exhaustion lingered in her expression from managing complex affairs, they were overshadowed by the quiet satisfaction in her eyes.
She leaned ever so slightly toward her husband.
No overt intimacy—
Yet the silent understanding between them was unmistakable.
On either side of the room, sofas and armchairs were arranged symmetrically.
On one side—
The elders.
Uchiha Setsuna. Honoka.
Veterans of the Warring States Era and the founding of Konoha.
Their postures varied, but their gazes carried the weight of iron and blood.
On the other side—
The core strength.
Uchiha Fugaku, Yashiro, Tekka, Inabi…
Men in their prime, or rising talents, their presence sharp and refined after the crucible of war.
Further back sat Shisui—
Newly awakened Mangekyō.
His posture slightly restrained, but his eyes steady.
Already the bearing of a true powerhouse.
Sunlight divided the room—
Marking generations—
Different experiences—
Yet all bearing the same name.
Uchiha.
The past divisions—
Hawk, dove, clan head factions—
Were gone.
Reduced to dust.
"Report your gains and losses."
Anlan leaned forward slightly.
"Fugaku. Start."
Fugaku nodded.
"Red Guard—primary assault force."
"Achievements: broke through Kirigakure's core formation, destroyed command structure."
"Successfully deployed and rotated the Four Red Yang Formation in live combat, sealing the Six-Tails Jinchūriki."
"Captured Mei Terumī."
"Shisui subdued and controlled the Three-Tails, forcing the Six-Tails into submission."
"Secured critical battlefield control."
He paused.
His voice grew heavier.
"Casualties: 20 dead. 29 severely injured. Over 100 lightly injured."
"Among the fallen—5 jonin, 15 chunin."
"Primary losses occurred during initial engagement with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and the sudden descent of the Three-Tails."
Silence fell.
Victory's warmth faded.
Heavy reality replaced it.
Twenty dead.
Dozens critically wounded.
Without victory—
Half the clan would already be in mourning.
Setsuna coughed lightly, breaking the silence.
"War… has always been like this."
"Either you die—or I do."
His voice hardened.
"Desiring peace… is not weakness."
"But when survival is at stake—"
"When retreat means handing your family's fate to others—"
"When only the blade can carve out a future—"
"Then that battle…"
"…is necessary."
"It is duty."
"It is destiny."
Each word struck like steel.
"With today's blood—we buy tomorrow's road."
Silence broke.
Spines straightened.
Resolve returned.
Anlan shifted his gaze.
"Yashiro."
Yashiro spoke calmly.
"Volcano Corps—fire support and battlefield control."
"Suppressed Kirigakure mid-rear forces. Prevented regrouping."
"Eliminated at least 11 jonin."
"Cooperated with Kisame—killed Raiga."
"Casualties: 170 dead. 18 severely injured."
Next—
Tekka.
"Wind-Forest Corps—mobility and pursuit."
"Disrupted enemy structure. Isolated key targets."
"High casualties due to direct engagement—238 dead. 25 severely injured."
The cost—
Heavy.
Over 400 dead between the two forces.
Then—
Mikoto.
Her voice remained gentle.
"Righteous Army—special role."
"Visible achievements: acted as bait, weakened enemy elites, killed Kushimaru."
"Hidden achievements: successful deception and psychological warfare."
She paused.
"Losses… severe."
"Over 60% casualties."
"Leaders Fuguki and Jūzō—dead."
"Remaining: 180, most injured."
"And yet…"
She added softly—
"Morale is high."
Silence followed.
Numbers—
Victory—
Sacrifice—
All laid bare.
Anlan spoke.
"Compensation for the fallen—must be exceptional."
"All who bled for Infinity City—Uchiha or otherwise—shall be honored equally."
"Highest-tier rewards."
"Family care. Children's upbringing. Honors."
"Mikoto—you will lead this. Draft within three days."
Honoka nodded.
"The Uchiha tradition—never lets heroes bleed in vain."
Agreement spread.
Then—
Anlan's tone shifted.
"This victory is only the beginning."
"Strength must grow."
He looked at Fugaku, Yashiro, Tekka.
"Red Guard—expand to 400. Elite only."
"Volcano and Wind-Forest—expand to 1,000 each."
"Recruit from outside—mercenaries, civilians, loyal forces."
Then—
"Righteous Army…"
He paused.
"No longer expendable."
"They are now a formal army."
Equal status.
Equal pay.
Equal honor.
No one objected.
"Commander—Kisame."
A perfect choice.
Strength.
Origin.
Authority.
"Force size: 500."
"400 selected from prisoners."
A murmur of approval.
A brilliant move.
"Three criteria: loyalty, no deep hatred, usable strength."
"This will strengthen us—"
"Show mercy—"
"And turn enemies into allies."
The logic was flawless.
Mikoto would oversee implementation.
Five days.
Then—
A faint emotional ripple—
Through their shared link.
Fatigue.
Complaint.
Burden.
Anlan remained expressionless.
But inwardly—
He sighed.
Everyone here—
Was a warrior.
None—
A true administrator.
No strategist of governance.
No "prime minister."
'This won't work long-term.'
But for now—
They had strength.
And Mikoto.
That was enough.
"For now—this concludes the meeting."
Anlan rose.
"Shisui stays. The rest—execute your orders."
The council ended.
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