Chapter 162: The Monotonous Work Inside the Hokage Building

The Jonin Council ended, and the news that Shisui Uchiha had been elected to become Muye Cun's Fifth Hokage quickly spread throughout Muye Cun under the push of all parties.

The Uchiha clan lands boiled over; clan members dropped their work and instinctively walked toward Shisui's residence, excitedly discussing the topic with those around them.

"Has the clan head really become Hokage?"

"Our Uchiha finally have a Hokage too, wonderful! I knew it, I knew it!"

"Lord Shisui is such a fine person, he should have been Hokage long ago—wonderful, wonderful!"

Wonderful, wonderful.

Countless emotions turned into praise that rained down and converged in one direction.

Meanwhile, at the western shrine of the clan lands.

Itachi was training under Fugaku's guidance, and beside him lay a lunchbox Itachi had brought, containing the two of their lunch.

"Take a break and eat first."

Fugaku glanced at the time and said,

"Alright, Dad."

Fugaku looked at the sweating Itachi, his expression unusually gentle; after a year in the shrine with fewer worries and more family contact, Fugaku's temperament had shifted a bit, making him appear somewhat affluent, and the father‑son relationship grew much closer.

"Your progress is rapid, but Shisui's advice is correct; you're too young, and over‑training will backfire. The clan's situation doesn't yet require your effort. Shisui is excellent; you must trust that he can solve these problems."

"I understand, Dad. I'll watch my health."

Since Shisui and his father both advised him, Itachi naturally wouldn't act recklessly.

The two set out the food from the box; Fugaku, also hungry, lifted his chopsticks with both hands together, about to eat, when a group suddenly ran from the other side of the shrine to his front, slapping his chopsticks out of his hand and then complained, "You still have time to eat, Shisui is already Hokage!"

The newcomers were several former elders who had been locked in the shrine with Fugaku.

They weren't young; with nothing else to do each day, they spent time chatting, sunbathing, and gathering news from outside.

Although imprisoned here, they had once been elders with many subordinates, so they quickly learned of Shisui becoming Hokage and hurried to tell Fugaku.

Fugaku was startled; his serious face showed a hint of bewilderment, and he instinctively asked, "Who?"

"Shisui! Shisui! He's become the Fifth Hokage, hahaha, I really didn't misjudge him back then; it wasn't in vain that I supported him to become clan head!"

"You're talking nonsense; it was I who supported him to become clan head!"

"What are you guys? Back then I not only supported him to become clan head, I also backed his reforms!"

The few began arguing, then started shoving each other and came to blows.

Fugaku's face darkened as he listened; why were these people constantly stepping on him? Still, curiosity got the better of him, so he snatched the chopsticks from Itachi and said, "Itachi, go check it out."

Itachi did know some inside details and was mentally prepared, though also a bit excited.

"Alright, Dad, I'm going right now!"

Itachi sprang up, vanished, and rushed toward the outside of the clan lands.

At this moment, the news of Shisui's imminent Hokage appointment further fermented, and Muye Cun was imbued with a fresh sense of excitement.

"The Fifth Hokage election is over; I heard it's Shisui Uchiha. I've met that kid—he's a very good person. The New Year is approaching, so let's take the chance to buy the family some new clothes to celebrate."

"Finally we have a Hokage; now the Village should be stable, right? Today we'll treat the family to a good meal to celebrate."

"The Fifth Hokage is confirmed; do we still need to redo the promotion assessment? I want to join the Chunin Exam, eek eek eek~"

Countless topics and questions surrounding the Fifth Hokage sprang up throughout Muye Cun.

Yet Shisui was completely unaware; after the Jonin Council selected the Hokage, everything else was rushed over and ended quickly.

Everyone departed, and Shisui and Yan Shifan, led by Shuihu Menyan, arrived at the Hokage Building.

"Although you've already been approved by the Jonin Council, you're not yet the true Hokage; you still need the Daimyo's nod."

The Daimyo's approval is merely a ceremony, but it must exist; otherwise the name is improper and words falter.

"I understand; I'll handle the Daimyo's matter."

They only briefly discussed the Daimyo and then said nothing more.

Although the Daimyo backs Tuan Zang, he's no longer a hot‑headed youngster; with Muye Cun's outcome already settled, he won't embarrass the future Fifth Hokage over this.

The real trouble lies ahead.

"Lately the Village's affairs have been handled by me and Xiaochun, but they've piled up for various reasons; the work is both numerous and messy, so the handover may take time. You can start with the ANBU."

Since you've already pledged to the Uchiha, after Shuihu Menyan got through the period of turmoil, things became much easier, and he hasn't hidden anything.

Shisui followed Shuihu Menyan's gaze and saw stacks of files piled like mountains, his complexion instantly paling.

"The Hokage's work handover isn't urgent; first spread the news, then summon the various ninja units."

Yan Shifan reminded that Muye Cun, having shed its military duties, is essentially a small county of three hundred thousand people; county affairs are a simple matter for him, and confirming the title is the priority now.

"Then I'd trouble Consultant Yan to first gather the people inside the building for me."

Upon hearing that, Shuihu Menyan exhaled in relief; Shisui still called him consultant, which indicated the other party didn't intend to replace him, finally providing some security.

"Understood."

Shuihu Menyan lowered his head, then turned and left.

"Teacher, after the title is confirmed, we should be in command of the army, right?"

Both Yan Shifan and Sima Yi have mentioned these things before, and Shisui still remembers.

"Indeed, I've already informed Gongping to lead a team here; they'll temporarily serve as the ANBU, and we should call the former ANBU members first."

In addition to the ANBU, there are Police forces, Medical corps, Interrogation units, the Education Department, the Barrier Unit, and the Root.

Muye Cun is essentially a military base; all divisions are linked to the army.

These are all things Shisui will need to understand and control one by one.

However, Shisui's advantage over the Fourth Hokage is far greater; with the entire Uchiha's support, he can form his own ANBU as soon as he passes selection, making future tasks much easier.

"Teacher, do you think Tuan Zang and his group should be dealt with immediately?"

Yan Shifan shook his head, "You're already Hokage; everything requires a proper title and timing. Though we now hold evidence, we've just entered the Hokage Building, and acting immediately would inevitably give those people a grudge that seeks revenge."

First spare their lives, just send people to keep watch; the top priority remains to control the forces of all Konoha divisions and secure our position.

"The teacher said that, I understand."

Shisui nodded, pondering carefully.

While speaking, Gongping had already arrived with his men; behind him were not only Uchiha ninjas but also other ninja from clans that had pledged to the Uchiha.

After all, the Uchiha clan lands also need someone to watch over them; having seen the future the panel presented to him, Shisui has always been concerned about the clan's defenses. "Fifth Hokage!"

Gongping was somewhat excited; he hadn't expected the Uchiha to actually produce a Hokage, a fifty‑year‑long aspiration of the Uchiha! It was finally realized! Not only him, but everyone of Uchiha behind him was extremely thrilled.

Shisui looked at the crowd, feeling equally emotional, but he did not forget the matter at hand; first he helped Gongping to his feet and said warmly, "I am where I am today because of your support; thank you all!"

Gongping felt heat surge in his chest; everyone behind him, regardless of rank, was fervently passionate, and he quickly said, "I am willing to serve the Hokage!"

"Today is only a nomination, not yet approved by the Daimyo, so it does not count as a true Hokage, but the Village's affairs cannot be neglected. I ask everyone to temporarily act for the ANBU and inform the ninjas of each division for me."

"Yes!"

Shisui delegated the matters one by one, then waited inside the Hokage Office for the personnel of each division to arrive.

Taking advantage of the lull, Shisui carefully surveyed the interior; the accumulation of many documents made the office exceedingly cluttered.

Yan Shifan also stood nearby observing; if in a previous life someone had assigned him such a chaotic office, he would have already cut people down.

Nevertheless, people's adaptability is strong; after a few months he had already become accustomed to this broken‑yet‑new place.

"Konoha is merely a camp of three hundred thousand people; the only major matters are the military and finances. Let the other affairs be handled by clerks and then presented to you for review; do not waste too much time on these matters."

Seeing Shisui walk to the pile of documents and flip through them, Yan Shifan frowned and said.

Shisui paused his movements and replied, "Thank you, teacher, for the guidance; I will be careful."

As the two spoke, Mizuto Monen entered, knocking on the door with a few people.

The Hokage Building, after all, is an extremely important structure; naturally it cannot contain only the Hokage and the ANBU, but also many people who work here, such as those handling mission reception and dispatch, as well as those responsible for document organization and transport, and so on.

However, Shisui had no special orders for them; after a brief introduction and a few words of encouragement, he let them leave.

Next came the ANBU members.

They had originally been stationed in the Sarutobi Clan lands, but they learned the result of the Hokage selection a step earlier than others, so they rushed here early; lacking a summons from the Hokage, they could only wait nearby.

Now, having received Gongping's notice, the four ANBU squad leaders immediately entered the Hokage Building; one of them, with striking silver hair, was Kakashi Hatake.

Shisui was still quite familiar with these people, even though they wore masks.

"Fifth Hokage!"

After the few entered, they immediately saluted; they are the Hokage's direct guard unit, whose purpose is to protect the Hokage, so they have no sense of resistance.

"Xiang, you take your men and continue the mission to protect the Third's objective."

"Yes!"

"Zhu, you take your men and resolve the special missions the ANBU have accumulated during this period."

"Yes!"

"Que, you take your men to contact the various defensive lines and gather intelligence; I want to know the surrounding situation, especially matters in the north."

"Yes!"

"As for Kakashi, you stay here for now and also be in charge of training ANBU candidates."

"Yes"

Kakashi looked up at Shisui; the Uchiha had actually produced a Hokage, which reminded him of a friend.

After briefing the ANBU matters, the members of the other units quickly arrived one after another.

The Interrogation Department's Sen Noyi Bixi, the Medical Department's Zhuanqin Yamei, the Barrier Department's Shan Zhong Haiyi, the Police Department's Uchiha Da Huo, the Education Department's Kishi Fumio, and the Jonin Squad Leader Nara Zhuque.

As for the Root's Tuan Zang, Shisui did not have anyone notify him; he believes the other side will not come.

In fact, Zhuanqin Xiaochun also did not want Zhuanqin Yamei to come; however, today is Shisui's first day entering the Hokage Building, and if Zhuanqin Yamei does not come, it would be a clear defiance against the new Hokage, giving Shisui a reason to act directly.

Before Shisui became Hokage, they were no match for him; after he became Hokage, how could they contend? For the future of the clan, they had to compromise.

"Hokage!"

Zhuanqin Yamei lowered her posture, half‑kneeling together with the others.

Shisui only gave her a glance and then stopped looking, not deliberately targeting her,

"Each division should continue operating as per past practice; now the Village is in a state of reconstruction with many affairs, thank you all for your hard work."

With Yan Shifan's reminder, Shisui did not intervene much; after speaking individually with each person and learning some basic tasks of each division, he let them perform their duties and continue maintaining them.

After this batch left, Shisui saw many more people; during the conversations, before he knew it, evening was approaching.

When Shisui finally had free time, he saw Mizuto Monen and Yan Shifan sitting nearby, whispering to each other.

"We still need to meet the Daimyo's envoy; the Daimyo's side still requires proper handling."

Even though the relations between the two sides are slightly strained, Konoha cannot currently part from the Daimyo.

Having talked all afternoon, Shisui hadn't even had lunch,

Yan Shifan, hearing this, glanced at Mizuto Monen and then said, "I heard the Third Hokage has already revived; we should go see him."

Shisui, upon hearing that, instantly cleared his mind and exclaimed, "The teacher reminded us that we should go see the Third Lord."

The transition between old and new is inevitable; meeting the Third once can also soothe the elders cultivated by the Third Hokage.

Shisui has always been a man of action; after forming the idea, he quickly met with the Daimyo's envoy.

Facing Shisui, now bearing the Hokage title, the Daimyo's envoy was very proper, and his speech showed no hint of dissatisfaction.

He even went out of his way to praise Shisui as a youthful hero, earning great admiration from the Daimyo.

Shisui remained gentle in his responses, modest and courteous, with measured conduct; however, the topics between them were meaningless, merely a meeting of etiquette and procedure.

After the meeting ended, the Daimyo's envoy left Konoha overnight, accompanied by several ninja guards.

"They left without notice; it seems they're very dissatisfied with us. Send people to follow them and make sure nothing happens to them."

"Yes!"

Yan Shifan and Shisui, on their way to the Sarutobi Clan lands, learned that the other side had left and couldn't help but laugh.

"Does the teacher think they'll get into trouble?"

"It might happen."

Shisui was startled, then recovered and praised, "The teacher really thought it through."

"Hahaha, let's go, the Sarutobi Clan lands are just ahead."

Finally it's over; my head's a bit dizzy. I only gave it a quick check, any typos I'll fix tomorrow.

(End of Chapter)