Ling knew that changing the Uchiha Clan would be difficult, perhaps even a repeated struggle, but she was confident she could correct it.
"That's good. Just proceed in an orderly fashion. Once the Security Force matter is handled, we can initiate the third phase of the plan. Shisui, I'll need you to keep an eye on things to ensure no mishaps."
Although Ling had self-proclaimed herself the Director of the Uchiha Mental Hospital, she still needed Uchiha Shisui as the attending physician, using suppression by strength as the primary healing method, supplemented by guiding the Uchiha towards positive changes. She believed Shisui would handle it well.
"Ling, don't worry, I won't let your efforts go to waste."
Shisui knew Ling didn't care much about the Uchiha. If it weren't for Granny Zhili and him having the idea to change the Uchiha but lacking the ability and method, Ling probably wouldn't have interfered with Uchiha matters.
So, Ling was willing to treat the decaying Uchiha Clan out of consideration for him and Granny Zhili, Shisui felt a small wave of emotion within him.
Ling didn't know Shisui was having another self-congratulatory moment, otherwise she would have been speechless.
"Ling, get some good rest. I will assist you and look after the Uchiha. Good night, Ling."
Shisui looked at the girl in rabbit pajamas, who was yawning occasionally, with resolute eyes, noticing the tears that welled up in her eyes from yawning.
He knew Ling was very tired. The Jonin who had returned to the Uchiha Clan Land were also exhausted, and when he inquired about Ling, they were extremely impatient.
Given Ling's age, she must be even more tired. Yet, she gently took the time to comfort him. He shouldn't disturb Ling's rest.
Ling was indeed a bit sleepy, her eyes half-closed as she watched Shisui bid farewell and leave the room. Ling subconsciously waved goodbye and wished him good night.
She didn't know that her adorable appearance almost made Shisui reluctant to leave. Ultimately, he overcame it with immense willpower, left Ling's home, and returned to the Uchiha Clan Land.
With the help of a Shadow Clone, Ling groggily finished dinner, washed up, and went back to bed to sleep.
The next morning, Ling energetically pulled open her door. Today was her day to report to Anbu. Getting a position at such a young age, it truly made others envious—not at all!
Ling didn't want to work at all. That annoying old monkey teacher insisted on using child labor. There was nothing she could do; to get by in Konoha, she had to bow her head.
With Danzo, that troublemaker, gone from Konoha, Ling truly felt the air was fresher. Indeed, only after removing the bad elements can things be revitalized.
Of course, the main reason was that from now on, only a small snake and a White Zetsu would be tracking and monitoring her.
Uh, she got off-topic. All of this was just Ling's own feeling. In reality, Konoha residents were unaware of Danzo's defection.
Although Konoha was decaying, it could still keep secrets. Konoha still maintained its prosperous and stable appearance.
Greeting acquaintances along the way, she headed towards the Hokage Building. On the way, Ling also saw Uchiha Mikoto and Kushina shopping.
Ling didn't expect this 'ladies' diplomacy' to start so soon. However, this time, a one or two-year-old child was following Uchiha Mikoto.
Looking at this little brat whose hair was as rarely soft as her own, Ling immediately guessed that this was the legendary weasel cub.
Uchiha Itachi in his childhood was also very quiet, only occasionally looking at the dango shop nearby.
Ling didn't expect Itachi to like dango so much even when he was so young. But in the original story, this was one of the few sweet things he tasted in his life.
Ling went to the dango shop and bought four boxes of various mochi dango, planning to feed the still very cute young Itachi.
"Kushina, Sister Mikoto, good morning."
Ling quickly ran behind Kushina and patted their shoulders. Along the way, an Anbu monitoring the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki tried to stop her, but was pulled back by another Anbu.
"Don't make trouble. That's the Third Hokage's disciple, and her strength is much greater than yours."
Clearly, the Anbu who stopped his teammate was likely one of the Anbu who had previously pursued Danzo with Ling.
Ling's voice had long been recognized by Kushina and Mikoto, so they both turned with smiles, looking at the cute, tiny Ling.
"Ling, good morning. Are you treating us to dango?"
Kushina bent down and ruffled Ling's soft black hair. Mikoto also smiled, her eyes narrowed. She was also a rare Uchiha with naturally soft hair.
"Haha, I saw that Sister Mikoto's child seemed to really like dango, constantly looking at them, so I decided to treat you all to dango as well."
Ling held up the convenience bag in her hand and shook it in front of Itachi. Itachi's eyes first followed the dango, then he came to his senses and stopped looking at them.
Itachi, with his head bowed, had already flushed red. He felt very embarrassed that this beautiful older sister had discovered his fondness for dango.
Ling handed two of the dango boxes to Kushina and Mikoto, then took out one box and shook it in front of Itachi.
"Here, tell older sister what your name is? How old are you? If you tell older sister, older sister will give you the dango, okay?"
Ling squatted down, her eyes narrowed, her head tilted, looking gently at the young Itachi.
Uchiha Itachi first looked up happily, then looked up at his mother. After noticing his mother's encouraging gaze, he focused on the most beautiful older sister he had ever seen.
"Older sister, my name is Uchiha Itachi, and I am one and a half years old this year."
Itachi could speak and walk fluently at one and a half years old. Children in the Ninja World were truly different; in her previous life, children at one and a half still needed help walking.
"Here, for you, Itachi. Do you like it? My name is Uchiha Ling, you can call me Ling."
Ling handed the dango to Itachi and then stroked Itachi's soft hair. She felt that stroking the heads of the Four Great Laughers was truly comfortable.
Ding! Achievement unlocked: Stroked the head of a Four Great Laugher. Current progress: 2/4. Stable emotion provider +1.
She had now stroked the heads of Uchiha Itachi and Shisui, and Obito's head—well, if punching counts as stroking.
Counting, she still hadn't stroked the heads of the not-yet-born Sasuke and the dying Madara. But those two probably had the prickliest hair.
Ling remembered that Sasuke was born not long after Madara died, so it seemed that to stroke Madara's head, she would probably have to wait until the Fourth Great Ninja War.
However, after stroking Sasuke's head, and then Naruto's head, she could achieve a new accomplishment: stroking the heads of the Six Paths Sage's sons.
After that, she could also collect achievements for stroking the heads of the Nine Tailed Beasts, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and the Five Kage. In short, there were many achievements Ling needed to collect.
"Thank you, Ling." Itachi shyly lowered his head, feeling the soft little hand stroking the top of his head, which felt even more comfortable than his mother's hand.
"Well, Kushina, Sister Mikoto, and Itachi, I'm off to work now. You all take your time shopping."
Ling picked up her portion of dango, took a bite, and decided that grilled meat tasted better. It was too sweet, Ling didn't like it much.
Arriving at the Hokage Office, Ling knocked on the door and entered. Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's tired appearance, it seemed he had been working overtime all night handling official business.
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