"If Danzō could be even half as reasonable as the two of you, Konoha would have no trouble becoming even more prosperous."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and sighed softly, setting his pipe down on the desk with a crisp tap.
"In these turbulent times, Konoha needs the strength of the Uchiha."
The two advisors exchanged a glance and nodded.
Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses filled with complicated emotions.
"Five Kage-level Uchiha… more than fifty three-tomoe Uchiha… dozens of jōnin… and over two hundred chūnin."
"That kind of overwhelming strength is truly extraordinary."
"No wonder Teacher Tobirama insisted on suppressing them."
"If the Ninja Academy hadn't produced a large number of talented ninja over the years…"
"The true master of Konoha might not have been who it is today."
"When Teacher Tobirama established the Konoha Police Force for the Uchiha, it was precisely to keep them under watch."
Koharu Utatane turned toward Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen, allowing the Uchiha to leave the village this time is a risky move."
"Let's hope that among the Uchiha heading to the battlefield… none awaken those evil eyes."
"Which is why the war must end quickly," Hiruzen replied firmly, staring at the map on the table.
"We absolutely cannot allow the conflict to drag on."
"The priority is to create chaos among the other four great ninja villages."
"That way we can avoid a situation where Konoha truly faces four enemies at once."
His finger slid across the border of the Hidden Sand Village.
"I will secretly dispatch Orochimaru ahead of time."
"He will coordinate with Jiraiya to eliminate the weakest opponent first—Sunagakure."
"At the same time, ANBU units will disguise themselves as Iwagakure ninja and assassinate Kumogakure forces."
"The details will depend on how the battlefield evolves."
"Excellent."
Both advisors nodded in agreement.
Moonlight flowed like water across the Uchiha clan compound.
When Uchiha Anlan and Uchiha Mikoto returned side by side from the training forest—
Two familiar figures were already standing on the stone path at the entrance of the compound.
One smiling warmly.
The other looking rather helpless.
Uchiha Setsuna.
And Uchiha Hokori.
"Grandfather Hokori!"
Mikoto's cheeks were already slightly flushed from the intimate moment she had shared with Anlan in the forest.
Under the bright moonlight, the faint blush made her look even more radiant.
When she noticed the two elders looking at them—
She hurriedly let go of Anlan's hand like a startled deer.
Then she quickly moved to stand beside Hokori, lowering her head slightly in embarrassment.
She didn't care much about the gazes of clan members or subordinates.
But the attention of these two elders—
That made her shy.
"Now the entire Uchiha clan knows about your relationship."
"So why are you suddenly feeling embarrassed?"
Hokori looked at his granddaughter, whose face was blooming like peach blossoms.
He couldn't help feeling both amused and a little melancholic.
He had known that his granddaughter had been in contact with Setsuna's grandson.
But he had never expected—
That the moment their relationship became public, they would already be lovers.
That afternoon he had been chatting with Setsuna about old times and the future.
Then that evening Uchiha Hazuki had come to report the outcome of the clan meeting—
Along with the news about these two.
For a moment Hokori thought he had misheard.
Meanwhile, Setsuna had laughed so hard he could barely keep his eyes open.
Without hesitation, he dragged Hokori to the entrance of the clan compound, insisting they personally wait for the young pair to return.
Now, seeing them walk back hand in hand—
Hokori had already accepted his granddaughter's choice.
But still…
Thinking about how the girl he had raised so carefully had been silently "stolen" by the grandson of his old rival—
Left a strange discomfort in his chest.
"Grandfather…"
Mikoto called softly.
Then she politely added,
"Grandfather Setsuna."
The girl's sweet voice seemed to carry a magical charm.
The fierce old hawk of the Uchiha clan immediately smiled from ear to ear.
What do you mean "Grandfather Setsuna"? You only have one grandfather—me!
Hokori glared fiercely at Setsuna, who was grinning like a blooming chrysanthemum.
He really wanted to punch that old face.
"Good child."
Setsuna laughed loudly without the slightest restraint.
"If Anlan ever dares bully you in the future, just tell me."
"I'll break his legs."
"Anlan would never bully me."
Mikoto smiled brightly.
Sweet happiness filled the corners of her eyes.
Hokori, caught between the two of them, was just about to say something—
When he saw Anlan walk over with a calm smile.
The old man immediately snorted and turned away.
"Mikoto. Let's go back."
"There are some things I need to tell you."
"Grandfather Setsuna, Anlan, I'll take my leave first."
Knowing she needed to give her grandfather some dignity, Mikoto waved lightly.
Before leaving, she secretly shot Anlan a playful glance.
Moonlight chased her departing figure, dancing across her flowing hair.
Watching her gradually disappear into the distance—
Setsuna turned around and solemnly patted Anlan on the shoulder.
"Mikoto is a good child. We watched her grow up."
"She will surely become a gentle and considerate wife."
"You must treat her well."
"Do not betray her feelings."
Moonlight shone across Anlan's handsome face.
He looked firmly back at his grandfather.
"Don't worry, Grandfather."
"I will treat Mikoto well for the rest of my life."
"Good."
"In that case, go back and eat dinner by yourself."
"I won't be keeping you."
Watching his grandfather stroll away humming an off-key tune, Anlan stood there helplessly shaking his head.
The night breeze brushed through his hair.
A warm smile appeared in his eyes.
Then he turned and walked toward his home.
Meanwhile, Hokori led Mikoto back to their residence.
Under the old man's "confess honestly or face strict punishment" stare—
His granddaughter sat at the dining table and began hesitatingly explaining.
"Well… it's like this… and then like that… and then because of that…"
Her vague explanations left Hokori both amused and exasperated.
In the end, he waved his hand.
"Since I allowed you to follow your own path during the clan meeting…"
"I had already anticipated something like this."
Seeing the uncontrollable joy in her eyes—
Hokori secretly clenched his teeth.
He had intended to tease her a little more.
But he feared making his precious granddaughter unhappy.
So he suppressed his smile and forced a stern expression.
"Your relationship with Anlan…"
"You may decide for yourself."
Before he could finish—
Mikoto had already jumped up from her seat.
Her eyes curved into bright crescents.
"Thank you, Grandfather!"
She had made her relationship with Anlan widely known partly because of a small calculation in her heart.
She hoped that her grandfather, as the leader of the Dove faction, would be forced to acknowledge the relationship.
She had truly worried that the conflict between the Hawk faction and the Dove faction might prevent her family from blessing their love.
But now—
Hearing her grandfather's acceptance with her own ears—
The heavy stone in her heart finally lifted.
Joy surged through her like a spring.
"Enough. Let me finish speaking," Hokori said irritably.
"How many things are you still hiding from me about you and Anlan?"
"For example…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Why did you suddenly start supporting the orphanage a few years ago?"
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