Chapter 205: Jiraiya Wants to Stay, I Have No Objection
Soon after, Sasuke and Naruto dashed out of the bathroom, racing each other to the dining table.
"Eat slowly, alright?"
Mikoto smiled gently, taking three bottles of fresh milk from the refrigerator and placing one in front of each of them — Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto.
After breakfast, Itachi went to take a bath, while Fugaku led Sasuke and Naruto out of the house.
Once they left the Uchiha compound, they split up at the intersection — the two boys headed for the Ninja Academy, and Fugaku made his way toward the Hokage Building.
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Not long after Fugaku arrived at his office, Kakashi appeared, bringing along Kisame Hoshigaki — who had just officially joined the Anbu — to introduce him to the Hokage.
Kakashi also mentioned that Kisame wished to serve directly under Fugaku's command.
Even though both of them wore masks, Fugaku instantly recognized the towering, broad-shouldered man behind Kakashi. Kisame's blue skin was unmistakable.
"Hokage-sama!"
Kisame called out respectfully.
Fugaku nodded with a faint smile. Kakashi didn't linger — after delivering Kisame, he quietly took his leave.
Excited to finally serve the Hokage directly, Kisame stood by attentively, ready to carry out orders at any moment.
However, Fugaku had no urgent matters that morning. He created a Shadow Clone to continue writing his serialized novel Battle Through the Heavens, while his real body retreated into the inner office to take a much-needed nap.
After all, last night's activities had drained a lot of his energy.
Kisame didn't quite understand why the Hokage was suddenly sleeping during work hours, but he didn't question it.
The Hokage-sama must have his own plans, he thought. I just need to follow orders.
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About an hour later, Nara Shikaku entered the office, holding a scroll.
He walked straight toward the Hokage's desk — unaware that the man sitting there was actually a Shadow Clone.
"Hokage-sama, this is the original Uzumaki scroll. I plan to give the copy to the Sealing Arts Division for research. What do you think?"
The Shadow Clone replied calmly, "No problem. Do as you see fit."
Shikaku nodded and placed the scroll on the desk before leaving, still none the wiser.
There was much to do — last night's operations had not only destroyed the Daimyō's residence in the Land of Lightning but also the one in the Land of Fire.
Though Shikaku had foreseen that Fugaku might eventually act against the Fire Daimyō, he hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
Unlike the chaos in the Land of Lightning, the Land of Fire remained relatively peaceful. Konoha shinobi maintained strict order, preventing riots or unrest.
With Fugaku abolishing several of the Daimyō's oppressive policies, the people had actually begun to revere him.
The two Advisors were assigned to count the post-war resources, while Shikaku's task was to close the administrative gaps left by the Daimyō's downfall.
From now on, Konoha would replace the Fire Capital as the new administrative center of the Land of Fire.
The title of supreme ruler would no longer belong to the Daimyō — it would belong to the Hokage.
Henceforth, the Land of Fire would only recognize one authority: the Hokage.
Shikaku also dispatched teams to secure all the Daimyō's former mission channels. In the future, clients wouldn't need to go through middlemen to issue missions — they would come directly to Konoha.
Konoha would handle everything.
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Just as Shikaku reached the door, he remembered something and turned back.
The Shadow Clone looked up. "Is there something else?"
Shikaku replied, "Yes — Jiraiya helped us unseal the box and recover the Uzumaki scrolls. We promised to grant him one request in return.
His request… is to stay in the village. We haven't given him an answer yet and wanted to ask your opinion."
The Shadow Clone answered casually, "I have no objection."
"Understood. I'll go inform him then."
Shikaku nodded and left the office.
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Meanwhile, in the adjacent Advisors' Office, the two elder Advisors were also buried in work.
Despite working through the night, their shinobi stamina allowed them to appear as energetic as ever.
The day passed quietly.
Fugaku, on the other hand, enjoyed a completely relaxed schedule. He slept most of the morning, went home for lunch at noon, took another nap until mid-afternoon, and then returned to the Hokage Building — where his Shadow Clone continued writing the novel diligently.
Before clocking out, he dispelled the clone and reviewed the progress. The clone had written over thirty thousand characters — impressive speed, thanks to the prepared plot framework.
At this rate, the first volume would be ready for printing within a few days.
Satisfied, Fugaku dismissed Kisame for the day and headed home.
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It was just about dismissal time at the Ninja Academy, so he stopped by to pick up Sasuke and Naruto.
After a short wait, the two boys came running out — Sasuke spotted him first and immediately brightened.
"Father!"
Sasuke called out happily, rushing forward.
Fugaku smiled, gently patting his son's head.
Naruto followed right after, grinning. "Uncle!"
Fugaku ruffled Naruto's blond hair as well. "Come on, let's go home."
As the three walked together through the village streets, countless villagers greeted them respectfully.
Fugaku accepted their bows and smiles with quiet composure, but Sasuke and Naruto couldn't hide their excitement.
To them, this admiration felt incredible — a glimpse of the respect that came with true power.
Naruto, who had grown up with the Byakugan, could see the sincerity in the villagers' eyes. Even though the admiration wasn't for him, he still felt deeply moved.
Someday, Naruto thought, those looks will be for me.
He clenched his fists in determination. His father — the Fourth Hokage — had achieved it, and now his uncle was the Fifth.
There was no reason why he couldn't become the Sixth Hokage of Konoha.
But he didn't notice the quiet determination in Sasuke's eyes beside him.
That same night, when he saw his father returning home, greeted and cheered by the entire village — a seed had been planted deep in Sasuke's young heart.
And now, that seed had quietly begun to sprout.
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