The reconstruction of Konoha was proceeding with nearly crazy efficiency.
Broken beams were dragged away, charred walls were pushed down, and new timber and stone materials were continuously transported in.
Ninjas no longer performed those trivial D-rank missions; everyone threw themselves into the reconstruction work.
This was the first iron rule after the new Hokage took office: reconstruction takes precedence over everything.
But beneath this superficial busyness, undercurrents never ceased.
...
Uchiha Clan Grounds, Clan Head's Residence.
The seat that once belonged to Fugaku was now occupied by Kaze.
The furnishings in the room hadn't changed, but the aura in the air was distinctly different.
Less of the stuffy clan rules, more of a... sharp edge.
Uchiha Tekka knelt on one knee, rushing to report without cleaning the dust and bloodstains from his body.
"During our pursuit... in the end, Orochimaru took Sarutobi Asuma away."
"I was incompetent and failed to complete the mission."
Tekka's voice carried a trace of unwillingness.
In the room, several Uchiha elders present.
Yashiro, Inabi... all frowned.
"Orochimaru..."
"Why did this guy, at this time..."
Uchiha Yashiro muttered in a low voice.
"Why did he save Sarutobi Asuma?"
"There shouldn't be any interaction between them."
Natsume spoke in confusion.
Kaze was deep in thought, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, making rhythmic sounds.
Everyone looked at him.
"Orochimaru wouldn't save someone purely for the sake of saving them... perhaps it was a coincidence, or perhaps something else."
Kaze had some understanding of this guy who was brewing the Konoha Crush Plan.
With Orochimaru's personality, he absolutely wouldn't make such a move specifically for a Sarutobi Asuma.
Passing by and encountering him, suddenly becoming interested—such accidental reasons were more probable.
"Then... should we pursue?"
Uchiha Nagasawa didn't quite understand, but still asked.
"No need."
"If Orochimaru wants to hide, you won't find him. If he wants to show himself, he will naturally come to find me."
Kaze shook his head.
"As for Sarutobi Asuma... a piece of trash who can abandon even his own lover, living is more valuable than dying."
Kaze paused, then added.
"Valuable?"
Several people looked at each other.
"Let everyone see what kind of thing the so-called son of the Sandaime Hokage is."
"And let those who still have fantasies about the old era completely give up hope."
Kaze stood up and walked to the window.
Outside the window, Uchiha clansmen were cleaning up the traces left by last night's battle.
Children ran among the ruins, women organized damaged belongings, and young ninjas conducted daily training.
Everything was recovering.
But Kaze knew this was just the beginning.
"Tekka."
"Take a team to strengthen patrols at the border. Orochimaru's appearance means the situation within the village will soon be exposed."
"Perhaps, it won't be long before trouble arises."
Kaze turned around and spoke gravely.
"Yes!"
Tekka nodded seriously, then walked out of the room.
"Nagasawa."
"You are fully responsible for affairs within the clan."
"I want to see a detailed assessment of all Uchiha combat power, including the old, weak, women, and children, within three days."
Kaze looked at this newly appointed Head of the Police Force, Uchiha Vice Clan Head · Uchiha Nagasawa.
"Understood."
Nagasawa looked excited and stood up straight.
"Yashiro, Inabi, you assist Nagasawa."
"In addition, from today on, the internal rules of the Uchiha... change them."
Kaze looked at the two elders and spoke calmly.
"Change the rules?"
Yashiro was somewhat hesitant.
"Yes."
"Abolish all cumbersome clan etiquette, and cancel the one-vote veto power of the Elder Council."
"In the future, Uchiha decisions will be made jointly by the Clan Head and the military leader."
"That means Nagasawa, and me."
Kaze's tone allowed no doubt.
The room was silent.
This was almost... concentrating the Uchiha's power completely into the hands of two people.
But no one dared to oppose.
After last night, no one dared to question any of Kaze's decisions.
"Alright, go."
"In five days, I will summon Ino-Shika-Chō at the Hokage Building."
"Before that, the basic framework of Konoha's reconstruction must be completed."
After Uchiha Kaze finished speaking, he waved his hand.
The crowd bowed and withdrew.
Only Kaze was left in the room.
He sat down again and closed his eyes.
Consciousness sank into the "Breeding Ground" within his body.
In that chaotic space, the Origin of Kyūbi Chakra was like a burning sun, suspended in the center.
After these few days of nurturing, it had begun to take shape...
No longer pure energy, but beginning to reveal a certain... pulsation of life.
[Breeding Progress: 15%]
[Estimated Full Breeding Time: 85 days]
[Obtainable upon completion: Kyūbi · Juvenile Body (Loyalty 100%)]
Kaze could feel that power growing slowly, like a fetus developing in the mother's womb.
"Kyūbi Juvenile Body..."
Kaze muttered to himself.
If he could successfully breed a Bijū completely loyal to himself, then...
"Knock knock."
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
The door pushed open, and a young Uchiha ninja walked in, holding a scroll in his hands.
"Lord Kaze, this is the 'Letter of Allegiance' sent by various major clans."
"Except for the Hyūga clan which is still discussing internally, other clans have already..."
He placed the scroll on the table.
"Hyūga?"
Kaze looked up, a bit of grimness surging in his black eyes.
"Yes."
"Hyūga Hiashi said he needs time to persuade the conservatives within the clan."
Although Uchiha Ha yū answered cautiously, those slightly immature eyes were full of fanaticism for Uchiha Kaze.
"Still living in the old era?"
"Are those old geezers of the Hyūga already so useless under the bubble power of the Main House and Branch House?"
"I will handle this matter."
"You go to work."
Kaze's voice was very light, but carried a chill.
"Yes!"
Uchiha Hayū was not affected by this chill at all; instead, his emotions became even higher.
This was also the performance of most Uchiha now.
A Clan Head who could let them stand firm and possess a reasonable status in the village was the Clan Head they needed!
After Hayū withdrew, Uchiha Kaze unrolled those letters of allegiance.
Aburame, Inuzuka, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Nara...
The clan emblems and signatures of each family were neatly arranged on the scroll.
Submission?
No!
This was just a choice after weighing the pros and cons.
Kaze was very clear that these clans submitting now was not because they genuinely identified with him, but because they feared his power.
Once there was a chance, they might backlash at any time.
So...
"Need to find something for them to do."
"Need to keep them busy, busy enough to have no time to think, no energy to resist."
Kaze muttered in a low voice, looking at the reconstructing Konoha outside the window.
A plan was slowly forming in his mind.