Time flew like water, and more than three years passed in a flash.
Spring of Konoha 61.
At this time, there was only a year and a half until the original story officially began and the Twelve Rookie Nine graduated.
The Ninja World had been remarkably peaceful in these past few years.
Hidden Sand Village was busy with something unknown.
In Hidden Mist Village, Yagura passed away two years ago, and Mei Terumī became the Fifth Mizukage.
Iwagakure was even more peaceful after Deidara left.
Under Darui's leadership, Kumogakure finally paid off its debts and was completely liberated.
Konoha Village had new things appearing from time to time in recent years, which then became popular in the Ninja World, but they didn't attract much attention from other Ninja Villages, as they were all small gadgets aimed at ordinary people.
The only first-tier group that would cause trouble in the future, due to the death of Eight Tails Gyūki, was extraordinarily low-key, diligently performing various missions to save money.
Yuuki couldn't understand what Nagato was thinking; if he sought peace, wasn't the world already peaceful now?
Konoha Ninja Village.
"I wonder if it's true, but it seems like Department Head-sama is going to give another speech this noon!"
"It should be true. It's been three months since Department Head-sama last spoke, so I think it's highly probable!"
"It's just the timing that's a bit strange. Why is it at noon? It used to always be in the evening!"
"If you can't figure it out, don't bother. I wonder what new thing Department Head-sama will announce this time. I'm really looking forward to it!"
"Indeed, I hope it's something as good as the retirement pension system!"
"Sigh, now my old man says I'm slacking off every day. As a Ninja, I don't earn as much as he gets every month. He doesn't even consider if learning Ninjutsu costs money!"
"Your old man has good foresight! He applied and was selected when Department Head-sama established the first factory. Since he retired last year, his life has truly been enviable!"
"You're right, my old man has been boasting ever since the pension increased this year!"
"It's also hard to get missions in the Village now. Every time one comes out, a bunch of people rush for it. Too many wolves, too little meat!"
"Sigh, I don't know what Department Head-sama is thinking. The factory doesn't want Ninja, otherwise I would have wanted to work there!"
"Do you think Department Head-sama's speech tonight might be about allowing Ninja to work in factories?"
"Unlikely. After all, everyone has jointly applied for this many times, but Department Head-sama just won't budge."
"How about we guess what Department Head-sama's speech will be about tonight?"
"Okay, what's the prize?"
"How about the 60-year Konoha white wine we snatched last time? We each have a bottle."
"Tch, that's you. I managed to grab another bottle later, and it's a collector's edition!"
"Why say that? Are you in or not?"
"I'm in! I bet it's about ordinary Villagers!"
"Then I bet it's about Ninja!"
"....."
Such discussions between the two were common everywhere in Konoha.
After several years of development, "Department Head-sama" had become a specific reference to Yuuki. Department heads of other Konoha departments were always referred to with their specific department, such as "Mission Department Head-sama."
And "Department Head-sama" without any qualifier referred to Yuuki, which was a consensus among everyone in Konoha.
Yuuki had finally achieved his goal. Now, whether Ninja or ordinary people, almost everyone in Konoha was inseparable from the Military Police Force.
With the widespread use of chemical fertilizers, perhaps in ten or twenty years, food production might decrease due to declining soil fertility.
However, in these initial years, the Land of Fire first experienced a great harvest, and then other countries either introduced or imitated chemical fertilizers.
This directly led to a significant increase in the Ninja World's food production. More food didn't just mean fewer people starving.
When the granaries are full, people learn etiquette.
With enough to eat, the number of bandits and brigands in the Ninja World also greatly decreased.
This resulted in a reduction of missions for Ninja Villages and a much greater reliance on the Daimyo.
The only exception was Konoha Village. Although Ninja had fewer missions in the Village, the Military Police Force had more tasks.
With the gradually expanding commercial territory, every transaction required Ninja escorts. Not only in Ninjutsu, but also financially.
Konoha's Ninja also gradually began to rely on the Military Police Force.
As for ordinary people, there was even less to say. Large areas of barren land in Konoha were leveled, and factories sprang up one after another.
Scientific technology is the primary productive force, and this statement holds true in the Ninja World.
All sorts of things that didn't exist before, or existed but were now improved, appeared in laboratories.
And some of these were put into factories for production. With astonishingly high profit margins, wages were also astonishingly high.
It became a consensus among Konoha Villagers that nothing in Konoha was better than working in the Military Police Force's factories.
On average, two out of every three ordinary families had at least one person working in a Military Police Force factory.
As the head of the Military Police Force, Yuuki had almost become the head of everyone in Konoha, both Ninja and civilians.
And after achieving this feat, Yuuki no longer intended to delay.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had served as acting Hokage for ten years; it was time for him to step down!
At this time, if Yuuki's age was stretched a bit, he could be considered 20 years old. Coupled with his soaring prestige in Konoha, it was impossible for anyone to stand in his way anymore.
Neither Tsunade nor Jiraiya.
In front of the current Yuuki, they were almost certainly to be crushed.
After letting the rumors spread last night, Yuuki woke up early this morning and carefully prepared himself.
What was he preparing?
His image, of course. Everything today had to be perfectly presented.
In the morning, after eating at home, Yuuki, uncharacteristically, didn't go to the Military Police Force to clock in today.
He waited quietly at home for noon to arrive.
When it was eleven o'clock, Yuuki left.
Today, Yuuki wore a pure white Hokage robe, the same style as Minato Namikaze, but instead of red clouds, it was embroidered with golden clouds!
Wearing a red cloud style Hokage robe wasn't forbidden, as long as it wasn't embroidered with 'Xth Hokage' on the back, it wasn't a big problem. After all, Jiraiya wore a red cloud robe when he was young.
The reason for choosing gold was Yuuki's personal preference.
When flames burn, they are not just red; they are also golden!
When Yuuki walked out of the clan grounds, dense ranks of Uchiha Clan Ninja and Military Police Force Ninja were already standing behind him.
However, at this time, the Uchiha Clan members were not wearing Military Police Force uniforms, but rather uniform black robes, with the Uchiha Clan crest embroidered on both arms and their backs.
Upon arriving at the Hyuga Clan grounds.
Hiashi, who had been waiting, now led the Hyuga Clan members to join the procession.
The contrast between the Uchiha's black and the Hyuga's white was very striking. Hiashi walked slightly a half-step behind Yuuki, on his left side.
Aburame Clan.
Inuzuka Clan.
Nara Clan.
Yes, that's right, the Nara Clan. Last night, Yuuki directly approached the three clans, explained his intentions, and asked them to make a choice.
Without exception, the three clans also chose Yuuki.
Gekko, Shiranui, Kurama...
Yuuki spent an hour beforehand circling Konoha, followed by the clan heads and Ninja of various Konoha clans. The massive procession also attracted the curiosity of many civilian Ninja and ordinary Villagers.
The procession grew larger and larger, colorful and vibrant, with each clan uniformly dressed in robes instead of combat uniforms.
Those civilian Ninja and Villagers, recalling the news they had heard earlier, all followed along.
As for danger?
Following behind Department Head-sama, there couldn't possibly be any danger, right?
Noon, twelve o'clock.
He arrived at the Hokage Building almost exactly on time.
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was accompanied by a few solitary Anbu Ninja, standing ready.
Yuuki's grand actions were never meant to be hidden. Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have anticipated his fate.
"Is this what you've been preparing for all these years, Uchiha Tomoki?!"
Yuuki walked unhurriedly, step by step, until he stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Behind Yuuki, Ninja filled the space, encompassing almost all of Konoha's Ninja Clans, along with countless civilian Ninja and ordinary Villagers at the back of the procession.
The entire Konoha stood behind Yuuki!
And Yuuki and Hiruzen Sarutobi now formed a stark contrast.
Yuuki was like the dazzling midday sun, radiating brilliance, while Hiruzen Sarutobi was like a burnt-out, withered tree, utterly dim.
Then.
Yuuki activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, using Shinatsuhiko to control his voice.
He slowly began to speak, and Yuuki's voice reached the ears of everyone in Konoha.
"Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, I declare that you have betrayed the will of fire!"
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