It really felt amazing.
Uchiha Ren stood among the crowd, listening to the thunderous waves of cheers. His vanity was completely satisfied.
Even he, who considered himself morally flexible, had to admit that those noble parasites had done far worse things than he ever had.
The people in front of him had already been pushed into double shifts, even triple shifts, yet they still looked at him with gratitude.
If this were his previous world, someone like him—a capitalist… ahem, a "people's entrepreneur"—would probably be trending online getting torn apart.
But this was the ninja world.
At this rate, he might even be rated as one of the "Top Ten Good People" here.
The workers were being exploited happily, and he was enjoying the exploitation thoroughly.
This wave… was a perfect two-way rush.
Uzumaki Ashina was deeply shaken by what he had just witnessed.
Uchiha Ren's prestige in Konoha had already reached the level of the First Hokage. No—even the First Hokage had never achieved something like this.
To make ordinary people sincerely shout "Long live" to a ninja—
That was something unprecedented.
When the people share the same will, victory is assured.
At this moment, even if the other four great ninja villages joined forces to attack Konoha, they would not be able to win.
Uzumaki Ashina made up his mind.
This thigh—he would hold onto it tightly.
Uchiha Ren as a son-in-law… the Uzumaki clan must secure him.
Even if the Sage of Six Paths came, he wouldn't be able to take him away!
Hokage-sama clearly liked women.
Rumor had it that when Uchiha Ren first went to visit the daimyo, he brought back a pair of twin beauties to serve as maids.
As long as the girls of his clan were a bit more proactive, a bit more outstanding—
They would definitely be able to win Uchiha Ren over.
After leaving Uchiha Ren, Uzumaki Ashina returned to the Senju compound, preparing to have a serious talk with Uzumaki Yangyue.
For the future of the Uzumaki clan—
And for her own happiness in the second half of her life.
As the future Nine-Tails jinchūriki, the best possible outcome for her was naturally to marry the Hokage.
Just like Uzumaki Mito.
As the Hokage's wife, who would dare treat her like a mere weapon?
He only hoped Yangyue would be sensible.
Be more proactive.
Visit Uchiha Ren's house more often.
Listen to his teachings during the day—
And at night… be filled with the Will of Fire.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ren returned to the Hokage's office and resumed his usual leisurely routine.
Inside the Hokage building, everyone else was busy.
The end of the year was approaching, and everyone was working hard to clear their tasks.
After all, no one wanted to be stuck working overtime during the New Year.
Who wouldn't want to spend the holiday at home with their wife and children, enjoying the warmth of the bed—and maybe even planning for a second or third child?
"Hokage-sama, the date for the Five Kage Summit has been finalized."
"It's scheduled for February next year."
Nara Shikaku reported as usual.
Among all the matters, this was the only one that made Uchiha Ren pay a bit more attention.
Aside from Sunagakure, the other villages were all in turmoil due to the deaths of their Second Kage.
The newly appointed Kage were busy suppressing internal factions and stabilizing their villages, causing the summit to be delayed again and again.
After all, no one wanted to leave for a meeting only to come back and find their position gone.
Kirigakure was especially chaotic.
The bloodline clans were restless, and there were even rumors of an assassination attempt on the Third Mizukage.
Whether true or not, strange rumors began to spread—
That bloodline users were cursed bringers of disaster.
As for Iwagakure and Kumogakure, things were relatively calmer, but reconstruction was slow.
Without money, nothing could be done.
They were still begging their daimyo for funding, instead of using force to "negotiate."
As for Sunagakure—
Even if they killed their daimyo, it wouldn't help.
They were just that poor.
After finishing the report, Shikaku moved on to routine matters.
Holiday schedules.
Bonuses.
"Hokage-sama, I have a suggestion."
"Should we hold a grand New Year celebration?"
"This is your first year as Hokage—it should be done in a big way."
Uchiha Ren smiled.
"Approved."
To enhance the effect, he even emphasized propaganda.
Banners must be hung across the village.
Without the Third Hokage, there would be no good life today.
Konoha rises like the sun…
These slogans would subtly influence generations, especially students.
"Hokage-sama's kindness can never be repaid."
Shikaku quickly wrote everything down.
The decorations, the celebrations, the fireworks—
All must be in place.
Most importantly—
The money must be real.
Words meant nothing without action.
This year, ninja bonuses would be doubled.
Factory workers would receive meat.
After all, what kind of New Year was it without meat?
Time passed quickly.
Soon, only two days remained before the New Year.
The celebrations began.
Konoha entered a full festival atmosphere.
Lights and decorations filled every street.
The banners praising Uchiha Ren were everywhere.
And no one questioned them—
Because every promise he made had been fulfilled.
Ninja spent their bonuses happily.
Merchants worked tirelessly, earning more in a day than they used to in two or three.
Workers, too, got a short break.
With their saved wages, they bought new clothes.
They even received meat from the Hokage.
Of course, meat without alcohol wasn't enough—
So they went to buy drinks.
That day, Uchiha Ren also took a break.
But his house was full of visitors.
Uchiha clan members came one after another.
Even Uchiha Kagami, who had been bedridden for months after being cut down by Ren, showed up.
There was a faint sense of reconciliation.
Back then, when Kagami learned that Hiruzen and Danzō had died and Ren had become Hokage, he had been devastated.
But now…
Konoha was thriving more than ever.
He had no choice but to accept reality.
"You are more suited to be Hokage than Hiruzen."
After saying that, he left.
The only thing troubling Ren—
Was the clan elders.
They were extremely satisfied with him.
But—
He wasn't married.
At seventeen, he still had no wife.
The two girls at home didn't count.
They were just… for enjoyment.
As the clan head and Hokage, he needed a proper wife.
From the clan.
Someone with status, beauty, and talent.
The elders were ready to offer anyone—from young girls to mature women.
No one would refuse to become the Hokage's wife.
Ren hesitated.
He was already used to his current lifestyle.
Adding more people…
Would take some adjustment.
At that moment—
More visitors arrived.
Hyuga Hiashi brought Hyuga Asuka.
Uzumaki Ashina brought Uzumaki Yangyue.
Nara Shikaku… brought gifts.
At the door, Ashina and Hiashi exchanged a glance.
Instant understanding.
They were rivals.
Hearing that the Uchiha elders were arranging a marriage—
They immediately formed an alliance.
"Hokage-sama must focus on Konoha!"
"He cannot be distracted by romance!"
One after another, they spoke passionately.
The elders were forced to retreat.
Shameless old men.
Still, they didn't mind too much.
As long as the child carried the Uchiha name—
It was fine.
Ren hosted them for the afternoon.
Shikaku felt awkward.
He was the only one who hadn't brought a girl.
Wrong timing.
Ashina and Hiashi were frustrated.
They never got a chance to leave Ren alone with their daughters.
By evening, the guests finally left.
At night, Ren went to the underground lab.
Even during the New Year—
Tobirama was still working.
Inside, he heard his voice teaching.
And there was Orochimaru.
Tobirama looked the same as always.
But Orochimaru—
Looked exhausted, with heavy dark circles.
Yet his eyes were shining.
"Maybe you should rest?"
Ren asked.
"Do you even remember the last time you saw sunlight?"
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"No need, Hokage-sama."
"I feel… perfectly fine."
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