"Uncle Fugaku."
After a moment of thought, Hanekawa asked, "Do you know how many steps it takes to become Hokage?"
"Are you referring to... the process?"
Uchiha Fugaku hesitated before asking.
He didn't quite understand why Hanekawa would ask such a question.
"Exactly."
Hanekawa continued along his line of thought, "To sum it up, it requires the recognition of the Hokage, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, the Jonin, and the villagers."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded slightly.
However, in his view, only the Hokage's recognition was truly important.
The main reason the Uchiha clan had never produced a Hokage was their inability to gain the Hokage's trust.
"My student wants to become Hokage, and these four forms of recognition are indispensable."
Hanekawa spoke slowly, "My teacher and I can help him secure the recognition of the Hokage and the Daimyo, but the recognition of the Jonin and the villagers..."
He paused and looked at Uchiha Fugaku.
"Hanekawa, just say what you want to say directly."
Uchiha Fugaku could sense the underlying meaning in his words.
"The Uchiha clan's reputation in Konoha isn't very good, and that will hinder my student's path to becoming Hokage."
Hanekawa stated bluntly.
Uchiha Fugaku couldn't help but fall into silence.
If he could change the Uchiha clan's reputation, he wouldn't have waited until today.
Even as the clan leader, he found the Uchiha clan difficult to manage.
"The key lies in the Konoha Military Police Force."
Hanekawa continued.
"What do you want to do?"
Uchiha Fugaku's heart skipped a beat, and he frowned as he asked.
He had already guessed Hanekawa's intentions—it was likely about interfering with the Konoha Military Police Force.
In other words, taking his second child as a disciple was part of a deal.
"The reason the Konoha Military Police Force has drawn so much resentment from the villagers is that the Uchiha clan's methods are too rigid."
Hanekawa spoke unhurriedly, "My teacher's idea is to incorporate ninjas from other clans into the Konoha Military Police Force to balance out the approach."
"How many ninjas from other clans would need to be added?"
Uchiha Fugaku's expression turned serious.
"Half would suffice."
Hanekawa explained.
"That's too many!"
Uchiha Fugaku was shocked and said, "Even if I agreed, the Uchiha clan wouldn't!"
"If the Uchiha clan doesn't integrate into Konoha, they will never attain the position of Hokage."
Hanekawa shook his head and said.
"This..."
Uchiha Fugaku hesitated, clearly torn.
"There's no rush for this matter."
Hanekawa changed the subject, "We can start by filling the vacancies in the Konoha Military Police Force."
Due to the heavy losses the Uchiha clan suffered on the battlefield in the Land of Frost, many positions in the Konoha Military Police Force had become vacant.
Using the lack of manpower as a reason, they could recruit ninjas from other clans.
"Itachi, what do you think?"
Hanekawa's gaze shifted downward as he suddenly asked.
Uchiha Itachi was momentarily stunned and instinctively looked at Uchiha Fugaku.
"Since Hanekawa asked, share your thoughts."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded and said.
"The Hokage shouldn't be limited to just one clan or the Konoha Military Police Force. The focus should be on the entire village."
Uchiha Itachi organized his words and spoke solemnly.
Hanekawa wasn't surprised at all.
Although Uchiha Itachi was a traitor in the original story, in his heart, Konoha came first.
For the sake of Konoha, he was even willing to massacre the Uchiha clan.
In a sense, if used correctly, he could become a valuable tool for the Hokage.
"I agree!"
Uchiha Fugaku gritted his teeth and said.
As Uchiha Itachi had said, if they could truly become Hokage, then the Konoha Military Police Force wouldn't matter much.
"Then it's settled, Uncle Fugaku."
Hanekawa's face showed a faint smile.
Uchiha Fugaku let out a sigh.
Although he felt a bit uneasy at this moment, Tsunade wasn't Hiruzen Sarutobi or Danzo Shimura, so it was worth a try.
Moreover, the Konoha Military Police Force wasn't as important as it seemed, mainly because of the ANBU and the Root.
Due to Danzo's suppression and Hiruzen's tacit approval, the ANBU and the Root had taken over many of the Konoha Military Police Force's responsibilities.
Now, recruiting ninjas from other clans might actually be a good thing, as it could help reclaim some of those responsibilities.
Of course, the most important condition was still Hanekawa taking on a disciple.
Uchiha Itachi glanced around and felt a sense of relief.
Influenced by Uchiha Shisui, he had always hoped that the Uchiha clan wouldn't come into conflict with Konoha.
"This matter will be finalized in the upcoming Jonin meeting."
Hanekawa reminded him, "Please be prepared, Uncle Fugaku."
"I understand."
Uchiha Fugaku knew he was referring to the Uchiha clan's reaction to this matter.
Especially the hardliners within the clan, who would undoubtedly push back.
"Itachi, after you graduate, you can join the ANBU."
Hanekawa thought for a moment and said.
Uchiha Itachi was a dangerous individual, and the best way to handle him was to keep him under close watch.
"Thank you, Hanekawa."
Uchiha Fugaku's heart was filled with joy upon hearing this.
Even if he couldn't become a student, joining the ANBU wasn't a bad option.
Hanekawa was now the head of the ANBU, and with his guidance, Uchiha Itachi would surely have a smooth path in the ANBU.
Uchiha Fugaku suddenly thought of a possibility.
His two children—one becoming Hokage and the other leading the ANBU.
Just imagining such a future made him want to laugh out loud.
"Thank you, Big Brother Hanekawa."
Uchiha Itachi bowed deeply.
He knew what kind of organization the ANBU was, so he was more than willing to join.
As night fell, Hanekawa, who had finished dinner, left the Uchiha clan.
He hadn't planned to stay for dinner, but Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto were too insistent.
Plus, having just struck a deal, he couldn't refuse.
Hanekawa went to Tsunade's house.
He told her about the Uchiha clan's situation and helped her prepare dinner.
But he didn't stay the night and instead returned to Kurenai's place.
After all, he hadn't gone back yesterday.
If he didn't return tonight, Kurenai would definitely be upset.
"Lord Hanekawa."
Haru's figure suddenly appeared.
"Is there something urgent?"
Hanekawa stopped and asked.
"Here are the war orphans Konoha has taken in over the past four years."
Haru handed him a scroll.
"Good work. You can head off now."
Hanekawa took the scroll and waved his hand.
"Yes, Lord Hanekawa."
Haru bowed slightly and disappeared.
Hanekawa opened the scroll and read it as he walked.
As a ninja, his senses were sharp, so he could multitask without getting lost or running into a lamppost.
After a moment, Hanekawa's gaze focused as he saw the name "Yakushi Kabuto."
He actually existed?
Hanekawa had thought that without the war between Sunagakure and Konoha, Yakushi Kabuto wouldn't exist.
But upon further reflection, it made sense.
After all, Yakushi Kabuto was a spy for Sasori, a rogue ninja from Sunagakure.
Whether there was a war or not, he would have been sent to Konoha.
Hanekawa pondered.
Although Yakushi Kabuto was a spy, what he cared about most was Yakushi Nono.
In the original story, if Danzo hadn't orchestrated their mutual killing, Yakushi Kabuto wouldn't have turned to darkness.
Now, such a thing wouldn't happen.
As long as Yakushi Nono was alive, Yakushi Kabuto would likely stay in Konoha.
Of course, they would also need to remove Sasori's control over him.
"Is he seven years old now?"
Hanekawa fell into thought.
Yakushi Kabuto's best teacher would be Orochimaru.
But there was no rush. Let Yakushi Nono teach him for a while to change his personality.
Hanekawa suddenly raised an eyebrow.
He heard footsteps approaching from behind.
The next second, his eyes were covered by a pair of hands.
A familiar fragrance wafted over.
Hanekawa calmly put away the scroll. He already knew who it was.
"Guess who I am?"
A deliberately low voice asked.
"What's the reward if I guess correctly?"
Hanekawa blinked and asked.
"I'll treat you to a meal."
The voice replied.
"Kurenai."
Hanekawa said casually.
"How did you guess?"
Kurenai removed her hands, surprised. "Did I give something away?"
"Your scent."
Hanekawa turned around, looked at her, and explained.
"I didn't wear any perfume. What scent?"
Kurenai sniffed herself, puzzled. "Are you lying to me?"
"No."
Hanekawa leaned down slightly, bringing his face closer to hers.
Kurenai's pupils contracted.
"It smells nice."
Hanekawa leaned in closer to her neck and took a whiff.
"R-Really?"
Kurenai's heart skipped a beat as she felt his warm breath, her face turning red.
"Not only does it smell nice, but your skin is also flawless."
Hanekawa admired her delicate neck and complimented.
"I... I..."
Kurenai was at a loss for words.
"I think I want to change the reward."
Hanekawa paused and added, "I've already had dinner at the Uchiha clan."
"To what?"
Kurenai was momentarily stunned.
Hanekawa lowered his head and kissed her neck.
Kurenai's body stiffened, and she quickly realized what had happened, her face turning crimson.
"That's it."
Hanekawa took half a step back, took her hand, and said, "Let's go home."
"Okay."
Kurenai's mind went blank as she followed him in a daze.
"Did you have dinner?"
Hanekawa asked.
But after a few seconds, there was no response.
He turned to look at Kurenai and couldn't help but smile. She really was adorable.
Hanekawa thought for a moment and began playing with her hand.
"W-What did you say just now?"
Kurenai felt the gentle squeezing of her hand and snapped back to reality.
"Did you have dinner?"
Hanekawa stroked her slender fingers and asked.
"Yes."
Kurenai tried to suppress her shyness.
Holding hands was one thing, but having her hand played with like this was rare.
"So Uncle Shinku is home?"
Hanekawa asked casually.
If Kurenai's father wasn't home, she would wait for him to return before eating.
"Yes."
Kurenai nodded.
"That's a bit of a shame."
Hanekawa said with a smile.
"W-What's a shame?"
Kurenai's heart skipped a beat, her voice trembling slightly.
"What are you thinking about?"
Hanekawa's gaze fell on her face, where two blushes like peach blossoms made her look even more beautiful.
"N-Nothing... nothing at all."
Kurenai didn't dare look at him and instinctively lowered her head.
Hanekawa smiled and patted her head, saying nothing more.
As September passed, October arrived.
The excitement from the victory in the Great Ninja War had gradually faded in Konoha.
In October, two major events took place in the village.
The first was the wedding of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
Both of them held special positions—Minato was Jiraiya's student, and Kushina was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Their wedding naturally drew the attention of the entire village.
The second was Tsunade's first official Jonin meeting as the Fourth Hokage.
This Jonin meeting garnered even more attention than Minato and Kushina's wedding.
After all, it directly affected the interests of many.
Especially Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, who had been losing sleep lately, fearing that Tsunade might remove them from their positions as Hokage advisors.
They had even sought help from Hiruzen Sarutobi, but he refused.
His excuse was that he had retired and could no longer interfere in Konoha's affairs.
This was clearly a lie.
After Danzo's death, Hiruzen had come to understand Tsunade's style.
Persuasion wouldn't work, so he didn't bother getting involved.
This left Homura and Koharu furious, but there was nothing they could do about it.
ANBU Base.
Hanekawa stood in an open area, forming hand seals.
Wood Style: Four Pillar House!
Chakra surged, and the ground rose as countless tree roots churned.
In an instant, they formed wooden pillars, which then combined to create a wooden house.
"This is amazing."
Hanekawa couldn't help but marvel.
He opened the door and entered the living room.
"Even the furniture is included?"
Hanekawa didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Chakra really is omnipotent."
Although Wood Style: Four Pillar House wasn't an offensive jutsu, it was incredibly useful.
For example, when out on missions, they wouldn't have to sleep in tents anymore.
Hanekawa walked around the house and was quite satisfied.
Aside from the lack of a kitchen, it had everything one could need.
Wood Style: Four Pillar House was the fourth Wood Style jutsu Hanekawa had learned.
In addition, he had also mastered Wood Style: Advent of a World of Trees, Wood Style: Great Forest Technique, and Wood Style: Wood Clone.
As for Wood Style: Wood Human Technique, he was still learning it, but judging by the progress bar, it would take several more months to master.
Therefore, Hanekawa decided to learn a few simpler Wood Style jutsu to use in the meantime.
Of course, the most important jutsu was still the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Hanekawa estimated that he would master it within the next month or two.
Once he did, he could go anywhere in the ninja world.
Hanekawa dispelled the wooden house and heard a familiar voice.
"Hanekawa!"
Kurenai ran up to him.
Along with her was Rin Nohara.
"The wedding is about to start!"
Kurenai said excitedly. "Let's hurry over!"
"We still have half an hour. There's plenty of time."
Hanekawa smiled.
"Let's go!"
Kurenai grabbed Hanekawa's hand and pulled him along.
Today was Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki's wedding.
By the time the three of them arrived, the venue was almost full.
But Hanekawa didn't mind.
After all, it wasn't his wedding. His only task today was to eat heartily.
However, unlike before, he couldn't sit at the kids' table anymore.
Now that he was the Hokage's assistant and a high-ranking official in Konoha, he couldn't sit with Kurenai, Kakashi, and the others.
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