Chapter 169: All Parties' Arrangements

Whether true or not, Shisui will not let go of this clue; once he truly tracks down the other's identity, they can respond more calmly.

Yan Shifan nodded in agreement, but it was already late, and the matter could not be rushed for now; they could not revolve around a single issue, so the two deliberated a bit more and then went back to rest.

The next morning, Shisui returned to his post, and it was time to handle some matters.

The first matter, naturally, was his succession ceremony; after the Daimyo's approval, the ceremony should be held to formally inform all parties, and thus the Fifth Hokage's statue would begin to be carved on Hokage Rock.

Shisui sent for the three advisors who had been feigning death at home and Nara Zhuque to the Hokage Building.

He did not strip the three of their positions; they remain senior officials of the Leaf Village, but everyone knows they have lost power—they are no longer Hokage advisors but clan heads.

As for Nara Zhuque, the team previously sent to the capital to meet the Daimyo was led by him and Shui Tuo Men Yan.

The four arrived one after another; Shui Tuo Men Yan and Nara Zhuque were very calm, while Tuan Zang and Zhuan Qin Xiaochun's expressions were so gloomy they could drip water.

Especially Tuan Zang—though still the leader of the Root organization, having left the Dark Section made him not even a Root at all; after Shisui became familiar with each division, the money and people were blocked by Shisui, leaving him unable to act and forced to retire at home.

He was already displeased by being forced into retirement, and now Shisui summoned him again, telling him he was called to discuss the Hokage succession ceremony.

Simply—'Sure enough, a born‑evil Uchiha brat!'

"Kid, what does the succession ceremony have to do with me? If you have nothing else, I'm leaving."

Tuan Zang thought that Uchiha Shisui would certainly never release the Root, and as for the clan, there were hardly any members left; if Uchiha Shisui wasn't afraid of the Hokage's reputation, then he could do as he pleased.

Having said that, Tuan Zang turned and prepared to leave.

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun felt a secret satisfaction; she didn't want to come and wanted to scold Uchiha Shisui, but the Zhuan Qin clan was still quite large, so she had to be cautious.

Seeing this, Shui Tuo Men Yan felt conflicted, not knowing how to speak.

The Dark Section on both sides was stirring; at this time the Dark Section had not yet re‑selected members, still being temporarily filled by village ninjas, and they would not care about Tuan Zang's former status.

Shisui merely smiled and said, "After all, Advisor Tuan Zang was the Third Hokage's trusted partner; I have just become Hokage, and many of Leaf Village's affairs still rely on Advisor Tuan Zang's assistance."

Tuan Zang's interest was piqued; his eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to look at Shisui, deep in thought.

But he had just said he would not concern himself with the succession ceremony, then turned his head and agreed; he couldn't afford to lose face, so he said nothing.

Seeing this, Shisui continued, "Although the three advisors previously had some conflicts with me, after speaking with the Third Hokage I understood that you also acted for Leaf Village's sake. Now that I am Hokage, why not settle old grudges here?"

Shisui's sincere expression made the three of them freeze, unable to believe their ears.

If Yan Shifan were standing before them, they wouldn't believe a single word, but Shisui's reputation remains quite good.

Moreover, Zhuan Qin Xiaochun thought Shisui's words reasonable; Shisui had become Hokage, and preserving her clan before him was already hard work, making it impossible to oppose him. If Shisui were willing to let bygones be bygones, it would only benefit her.

As for Tuan Zang, he merely let out a light hum, feeling nothing.

"I have devoted my life to Leaf Village; why does Rizhan need to explain for me?"

Shisui paused briefly, struggling to keep a smile, and said again, "Then I entrust the Hokage succession ceremony to the three of you."

Shisui wasn't afraid of the three causing trouble; by making such a concession, if they overstepped he would have reason to act directly. Still, if possible, he hoped the other two would be more obedient, as he would later need them to shift hatred.

After discussing details with the three, the timing of the succession was essentially set; due to Leaf Village's financial difficulties, the budget could not be lavish as Yan Shifan imagined, and the ceremony would mainly follow standard procedures.

After the three left, Shisui finally looked at Nara Zhuque.

"Fifth Hokage."

Seeing Shisui's gaze, Nara Zhuque stopped feigning death and stepped forward to speak.

"Thanks to Senior Zhuque for previously making a trip to the capital; the Leaf Village is in a chaotic period, and having a steady person like you eases my burden. Please continue to support the Village's affairs."

Shisui's tone was gentle, his words full of gratitude and reliance; Nara Zhuque naturally understood Shisui's intention, and moreover, since he was now Hokage, who else could he help if not Shisui?

She then promptly replied, "Just call me Zhuque, Lord Hokage; as a member of the Leaf Village, these are my duties."

"Very well, Zhuque, as a Jonin, you will still lead the Jonin squad, and additionally, I am preparing to re‑select a group of ninjas for the Dark Section; these matters are entrusted to you."

The Dark Section is not only for protecting the Hokage but also a means of profit distribution; Shisui cannot let all positions be filled by Uchiha members.

This assignment was undoubtedly a sign of trust in Nara Zhuque, who breathed a sigh of relief and promptly accepted.

"Yes!"

After Shisui gave some more details, he sent Nara Zhuque away.

Then Shisui continued handling affairs, awaiting Yan Shifan's arrival.

Near noon, after finishing his tasks, Yan Shifan hurried over.

Shisui, looking at the information in his hand, asked first, "I heard the ninja academy in Xi He Dao has been completed; how are the nobles there reacting?"

"I'm about to tell you that Shan Qi Zhuo Da, though not a major noble, has many connections; in half a month he has already contacted most of the nobles in Xi He Dao, and it's time for us to send teachers."

"However, many of these nobles wish to reach us through Shan Qi Zhuo Da."

The unique geography of Xi He Dao condemns the area to a chaotic environment.

Although wars between ninjas do not affect nobles, that only applies to ninja villages; for wandering ninjas and rogue ninjas, they don't care about nobles.

Thus the continuation of a clan still depends on strong military support.

"We are privately raising funds to train ninjas; this must not be known to the Daimyo, nor should other nobles learn our identity."

"Rest assured, I have already assigned extra personnel to protect Shan Qi Zhuo Da; he will handle these matters."

The meaning of protection is clear to both parties and to Shan Qi Zhuo Da, but for him it is a calculated deal; as long as he cooperates, the intermediary role can yield huge profit.

"As long as he cooperates, there's no need to make things difficult for him."

"As for the teachers," Shisui frowned, feeling a bit of a headache.

"Select three additional Jonin from the clan, then choose a batch of Chunin to send."

Although the Uchiha have many Jonin, they cannot be spread thin like this.

However, the ninja academy in Xi He Dao is more like an expanded garrison than a school; it requires strict secrecy, and nothing inside can be leaked. Therefore, before a new batch of loyal ninjas is trained in the Village, Shisui cannot call upon other Village ninjas for help.

Fortunately, the Dark Section selection is about to begin, and clan members within it can slip away to assist him with tasks outside the Village. Yan Shifan nodded, then produced a file for Shisui.

"Inside are the ninjas who, since the Third Shinobi War, the clan failed to bring back bodies."

Shisui opened the catalog; the list was divided into two sections: one confirming death but unable to retrieve the bodies for various reasons, and the other akin to missing, with the status unconfirmed.

Uchiha Beifeng, Uchiha Tiannan, Uchiha Hong, Uchiha Changyu, Uchiha Daichi

One familiar or unfamiliar name after another is recorded on this list, but the list isn't long; the Uchiha corpses are still important, and in most cases they can be brought back.

Uchiha Obito

Seeing the last name, Shisui's mind was flooded with memories, and he couldn't help showing a hint of regret.

"Is this person very gifted?"

Seeing Shisui's expression, Yan Shifan asked curiously; he recalled that Obito was still young, and that could make him feel regret, so his talent must be decent.

Shisui considered for a moment and replied, "Talent is secondary, but in my impression he was a very kind person and also a student of the Fourth Hokage; had he not died in the war, the Uchiha's situation might have been vastly different."

Yan Shifan realized that if the Fourth Hokage hadn't died, the Hokage's disciples would basically all be eligible candidates; if the Hokage himself also supported them, and with the Uchiha's help, Uchiha Obito's chance of becoming the Fifth Hokage would be very high.

Then Shisui recounted some rumors about Obito, and Yan Shifan glanced at Shisui and couldn't help remarking, "The Uchiha actually still have someone like that, that's surprising."

"From the list I can't find any suspicious target for now; please, teacher, take some time to investigate carefully."

After all, it's been more than two years; it's impossible to uncover the truth in a single night.

"Hmm, let's put this aside for now. By the way, remember to go see the Third Hokage later, and then spread the outcomes of dealing with those three guys."

Shisui quickly caught on, nodding repeatedly, "I understand, teacher."

At noon that day, Shisui led a group to visit the Sarutobi Clan's lands again, then swaggered away.

In the afternoon, the three advisors took over the Hokage succession ceremony, and the news spread.

"It means the Third Hokage, right? I didn't expect the Third Hokage's influence on the Fifth to be so great, that he even retained their advisor positions."

"That's definitely not the Fifth Hokage's intention, but the Village has become like this; can't the Third just heal properly? Why must he intervene?"

The ninja debated Shisui's actions, but soon the Jonin's attention was drawn to the news of the ANBU selection.

As for the Third Hokage's ANBU team, Shisui split it into two groups; younger and familiar ninjas such as Kakashi were placed directly into the new ANBU to handle domestic missions, while the remaining members, though still part of ANBU, were assigned only overseas missions.

This way they could avoid influencing the Village.

Then Shisui became busy with various matters, shuttling daily between the Hokage Tower and his clan, handling affairs and training, as time flew by.

In the blink of an eye a month passed; the succession ceremony began on the seventh day after Shisui's return. Though it didn't satisfy Yan Shifan, all the required procedures were complete, and the three didn't cause any trouble.

All the ninja villages sent representatives to the ceremony, but the Daimyo didn't attend; he only sent his son Enshiki to Konoha to congratulate.

In response, Shisui's reaction was unusually calm; he didn't have much interaction with him, whereas Yan Shifan personally spent two days with the other party.

As for the ANBU selection, there are set regulations; Shisui only needs to pick from the final list.

However, Konoha has been on a decline; the ANBU's level drops each generation, and by the Second Hokage's standards they could never meet the numbers.

Shisui had to lower the standards; the various ninja clans pitched in, and with the Uchiha providing eight Jonin, they barely filled the new ANBU.

Things proceeded methodically; with the new Hokage's official appearance, people's minds settled, and Konoha gradually stabilized.

"Lord Hokage, the ninja academy will open in two days; as usual, the Hokage needs to go to the academy to give a speech."

At the Hokage Tower, Nara Suzaku stood nearby holding a document, reminding them.

Meanwhile, Shisui was perusing the intelligence on surrounding countries gathered by the ANBU; he delegated other minor matters to Nara Suzaku.

Hearing that, Shisui recalled that the Hokage also serves as the ninja academy's principal; although the academy's affairs are usually handled by the vice‑principal, such a move to rally public sentiment cannot be missed, and it's time to promote the Will of Fire.

"Make the arrangements and remind me when the time comes."

"Understood."

That night, Shisui returned home and discussed with Yan Shifan, "Teacher, the ninja academy can't undergo large‑scale changes for now, but adding some courses is fine. I plan to recruit some teachers from the clan to teach the academy's children about Konoha's history and spread the Will of Fire."

Yan Shifan naturally understood Shisui's intent, nodded immediately, and with a solemn expression said, "The work of education endures for millennia; this move is splendid!"

As long as no extra ninjutsu is taught, those ninja clans won't reveal themselves.

"Also, teacher, which of Hachidai, Inabi, and Izayoi would be more suitable to take over the Police Department?"

"In terms of loyalty, Hachidai falls short of Inabi; in temperament, Izayoi is currently not steady enough. In my view, Inabi is the more suitable choice."

Shisui nodded; Yan Shifan's thought matched his.

"Then give it to Ten."

With the private salt trade on the Tokaido gone, the clan's income dropped sharply; Shisui couldn't even spare much funding for Orochimaru's assistance, and felt embarrassed to send Fugaku for the First Generation cell transplantation.

Yan Shifan warned, "If Izayoi leaves alone, that mysterious ninja might seize the chance to strike."

"No problem; his ability is strange but not unbreakable. I've already given the forbidden technique scroll to Izayoi; with his current power, even if he's outmatched he can depart safely.

Moreover, we will eventually have to face that person; the more we clash with him, the better we'll understand him, and later we can kill him!"

When I was at 3,600 words I originally wanted to take a break; it wasn't that I couldn't finish, but there was a constant sense of tedium, feeling that what I wrote was boring, not knowing what I was writing, and I didn't really want to keep padding to meet a word count. If you see the total is over 4,000 plus a few dozen, that usually means the intended content is finished and the rest is forced padding.

But after thinking, since I was already short a chapter, I forced myself to finish it.

I think it's mainly because I was continuously busy for three weeks, and didn't have time to flesh out the later plot.

By next Tuesday my report will be done, so there should be fewer things to handle; I hope to get back on track.

(End of Chapter)