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Five new chapters uploaded on PATREON.
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The next one chapter on webnovel will be uploaded in the next 2 days.
The next five chapters will be uploaded on Patreon in the next 2 days.
patreon.com/FrancisMWFosterHome
The Hokage Building stood tall at the heart of Konoha — a three-storey symbol of power and authority.
But to one man, its shape and design seemed less majestic. The cylindrical form, red-painted walls, and black cables coiled around it made it look, in his eyes… like a giant rice cooker.
"Duan, what are you staring at?"
Fugaku's calm voice broke the silence as he turned to his brother-in-law, who stood motionless, chin in hand, gazing up at the building.
"If I ever became Hokage," Duan mused with a straight face, "the first thing I'd do is tear down this old pot. I'd rebuild a nine-story tower and call it Tianshou Pavilion. Then I'd stand on top of it with a folding fan in hand… looking down upon all living beings — as a Heavenly Man."
Fugaku's expression stiffened. "Don't talk nonsense."
Thankfully, no one else was nearby.
"Haha, relax, brother-in-law. I'm not interested in becoming Hokage," Duan said with a smirk. But though he said it lightly, his words struck both Fugaku and Shisui deeply.
Was that truly a joke?
The trio entered the grand lobby of the first floor. A female Anbu operative wearing a cat mask approached and bowed politely.
"Captain Fugaku, Hokage-sama and the other clan heads are already assembled. You're the only one yet to arrive."
"Oh?" Fugaku's eyes flicked toward the wall clock. It was only 8:30 — half an hour before the official start.
So eager already?
He smiled coldly to himself. "Very well. Lead the way."
"Please, follow me."
The Anbu kunoichi turned sharply and guided them through the corridors and up to the third floor, toward the council chamber. Beside it was a smaller room — the waiting hall, meant for attendants and guards of the clan leaders.
When they arrived, the kunoichi raised a hand to stop Duan and Shisui.
"Your companions will wait here."
"Don't worry," Fugaku told them quietly. "I'll speak the will of the Uchiha clearly."
Then he followed the Anbu toward the main chamber.
Creak—
Duan pushed the waiting room door open. A low buzz of conversation washed over him.
Inside were nearly thirty shinobi. By the rule that each clan head could bring two aides, that meant more than twenty clan leaders were meeting next door — alongside the Konoha High Council.
Duan's brow lifted slightly. So many families… Konoha truly hides its numbers.
Several sofas lined the room, though not nearly enough for everyone.
Veteran shinobi from noble clans claimed the seats, while others stood chatting in clusters or gazing out the window.
"Move."
The deep, steady voice cut through the noise. Heads turned. Duan strode forward, parting the crowd with sheer presence until he reached the central sofa.
Seated there was a massive man with long brown hair and the kanji for food emblazoned on his robes — unmistakably from the Akimichi clan.
"You're taking up the space of three people," Duan said flatly. "Don't you feel embarrassed? Get up."
Akimichi Tōdō blinked, surprised by the towering figure before him. "Hey now, you're no thinner than me. I give up my seat, and you think that's fair?"
This was Akimichi Tōdō, a respected war veteran who had fought beside the Fourth Hokage in the Third Great Ninja War, earning honors against the Cloud forces. Most here would call him senpai out of respect.
Duan didn't care. He gestured toward Shisui beside him.
"See this man? He's wounded — lost his sight. You mean to tell me you can't give a seat to a disabled veteran? Where's your Will of Fire, Akimichi? Don't you feel ashamed?"
"Er…" Tōdō faltered, cheeks puffing in embarrassment. Before he could reply, Nara Suzaku beside him tugged his sleeve and murmured, "Just stand, Tōdō."
Grumbling, the Akimichi elder rose and stepped aside.
Duan dropped heavily onto the sofa, folding his arms. "Sit, Shisui."
Hesitant, Shisui obeyed, lowering himself beside him.
The whispers began immediately.
"Is that the Uchiha's giant, Duan? I heard he defeated Shisui himself — said to be their strongest now."
"Heh, Shisui's reputation was always exaggerated. He just killed a few Mist-nin during the war and got overhyped. Probably because he's the clan head's brother-in-law."
"Still, without his eyes, he's no more than a declawed tiger."
Laughter and murmurs filled the space.
But soon, an empty circle formed around the two Uchihas. No one dared sit close.
Partly due to the village's fear of Uchiha, and partly because everyone knew — today's council would decide the fate of their clan and the Police Force.
Nara Suzaku leaned toward Tōdō and whispered, "The Uchiha won't be arrogant for long. That fool doesn't even realize it yet."
Shisui's bandaged eyes narrowed. His hearing had grown sharper since losing his sight — and every venomous word reached him clearly.
He tensed, fearing Duan might snap and unleash hell upon the room.
But to his surprise, Duan simply leaned back, arms crossed, eyes closed — breathing calm and steady.
The giant of Uchiha… was resting.
---
Meanwhile, inside the council chamber.
The moment Fugaku entered, sharp, cold gazes locked onto him from all sides — heavy as blades.
He felt it immediately — the sensation of being surrounded by wolves.
And the alpha sat at the head of the table: Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
The old man's eyes, calm yet unreadable, flickered across Fugaku's face. No one could tell what he was thinking.
Beside him, his long-time rival and adviser Shimura Danzō leaned on his cane, voice low and cutting:
"Captain Fugaku, you're late. Everyone has been waiting for you."
He gestured toward a lonely chair — the farthest seat from the Hokage, tucked into a corner near a water dispenser.
The placement was deliberate, humiliatingly obvious.
The message was clear:
"You are isolated."
Join my Patreon to read advanced chapters.
Five new chapters uploaded on PATREON.
patreon.com/FrancisMWFosterHome
The next one chapter on webnovel will be uploaded in the next 2 days.
The next five chapters will be uploaded on Patreon in the next 2 days.
patreon.com/FrancisMWFosterHome
The scheduled chapter was released earlier.
I hope to see you all reading this book as a subscriber on Patreon. Your $5,$10,$15 or $20 goes a long way for me and my friends who don't have parents. We are not proud of it nor happy but we love ourselves and hide our pain. Thank you