The soul of Otsutsuki Isshiki suddenly opened its eyes. Although he currently could not seize Jigen's body, he sensed that power from a thousand years ago, the one that made the Otsutsuki clan tremble in fear.
Only now, that power was still very weak, yet it filled Otsutsuki Isshiki with excitement.
"If I can obtain that power, Kaguya, I will make you submit to me, beneath my..." Before he could finish, his consciousness fell dormant once more.
Jigen touched his own head, gritting his teeth in frustration. Damn it, the guy inside him was getting restless again.
His face darkened. Damn it, he had inexplicably become a vessel for this soul, a symbiotic host. While he gained immortality, he lived in constant fear of being consumed one day.
Yugakure
Uchiha Ryun and Tsunade walked in the direction Danzo had left.
They hadn't gone far when they saw Danzo arriving with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and the other shinobi.
He had originally intended to leave, but after seeing Juzo Biwa come scrambling back, he grew curious. After asking, he learned that Uchiha Ryun had appeared.
He immediately gritted his teeth and, ignoring the danger, charged towards Uchiha Ryun's location.
He had only made it halfway when he saw Uchiha Ryun and Tsunade walking towards them, a smile on their lips. "Danzo, long time no see. How have you been."
"Ryun... Lord Hokage, I am well. Lord Hokage, are you alright. That strange woman." Danzo trailed off.
He had initially wanted to call him Ryun, but considering his own position, Uchiha Ryun's status, and the many shinobi present watching, he opted for 'Lord Hokage'. He also inquired about Uchiha Ryun's physical condition and the situation with that strange woman.
Uchiha Ryun smiled. "It's been resolved, don't worry." He smiled, looking at the young Danzo.
As expected of the handsome man from the original story, he was certainly much easier on the eyes now than in his old age.
Danzo let out a sigh of relief. He did not ask how it was resolved. That was Uchiha Ryun's secret, and by extension, Konoha's secret.
The Kiri-nin watched Uchiha Ryun with awe and reverence. The arrival of this man, the unifier of the Warring States period, the unifier of the ninja world, the true god of shinobi, brought immense pressure to the Kiri-nin, but also a sense of security.
Now that Kirigakure belonged to Konoha, they too were the Hokage's people.
Ao led the way, kneeling on the ground. He shouted, "Long live Lord Hokage."
Upon hearing this, the other Kiri-nin knelt down one after another. "Long live Lord Hokage."
Seeing this, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist nodded helplessly and knelt as well. Although they did not speak, their gesture conveyed their submission.
Uchiha Ryun smiled warmly. "Hello there." He looked at the Kiri-nin, feeling quite pleased. These were all his soldiers.
"Everyone, rise," Uchiha Ryun said calmly.
Only then did the crowd stand up. Their gazes focused on Uchiha Ryun, their eyes filled with reverence.
Uchiha Ryun spoke. "You have all worked hard. For my daughter's matter, you have braved hardships, traveled day and night, and attacked Yugakure. I, Uchiha Ryun, thank you all."
Uchiha Ryun cupped his hands in salute to the Kiri-nin. The Kiri-nin were astonished. They never expected this legendary figure to be so approachable and to actually value them.
He treated them as people, not as tools. Remembering their predecessors, who had to give their lives at a Mizukage's command, superiors who completely disregarded their well-being, Uchiha Ryun's actions were infinitely elevated in their eyes. They looked at Uchiha Ryun, tears welling up.
"Lord Hokage, you honor us too much."
"We pledge to follow Lord Hokage to the death."
"Lord Hokage treats us as people, we will hold Lord Hokage high."
Witnessing this scene, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were taken aback. Even Fuguki Suikazan looked at Uchiha Ryun with a peculiar expression.
Uchiha Ryun, how should one put it, was extremely courteous to his own people, and utterly ruthless to his enemies. He was practically the perfect leader in people's minds.
But precisely because he was too perfect, Fuguki Suikazan felt an unreal quality about him.
He shook his head. He should be happy that Uchiha Ryun was like this.
Beside him, Tsunade watched as the Kiri-nin placed such trust in her husband, feeling a surge of pride.
See? This is my husband, Uchiha Ryun, the number one shinobi in the world.
However, she wouldn't show it, as that would embarrass Uchiha Ryun. As Uchiha Ryun's wife, she naturally had to maintain decorum.
Uchiha Ryun took out a large number of scrolls and handed one to each person. He considered their mission this time as a personal S-rank mission.
Therefore, upon mission completion, rewards were naturally due. This was for seeking justice for his daughter, so he would not be stingy.
Some shinobi couldn't resist and checked their scrolls, gasping in shock. The S-rank mission reward from Konoha was actually ten times that of Kirigakure's.
"Holy cow, the reward for this one mission equals ten years of my income."
The other shinobi couldn't contain their excitement. They began checking their scrolls, all feeling as if they were floating. The reward for this mission was enough for their entire families to live comfortably for ten years.
The next second, the Kiri-nin knelt once more. "We are willing to go through fire and water for Lord Hokage, without hesitation."
Even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist couldn't help but gasp. Their rewards were even greater. They were about to announce it when Fuguki Suikazan glared at them, and they held back.
In this world, the problem is not scarcity, but inequality. If the other shinobi knew about this, they might not say anything to his face, but they would resent Uchiha Ryun behind his back.
That would be disastrous.
Uchiha Ryun noticed Fuguki Suikazan's actions and gaze, thinking to himself, this man is talented. If there's a chance in the future, he could let him succeed as Mizukage.
Finally, after Uchiha Ryun had comforted everyone, Danzo led the shinobi back to Kirigakure.
Uchiha Ryun and Tsunade headed towards Konoha. Once they were out of sight, Uchiha Ryun put his arm around Tsunade's waist and performed the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The two instantly appeared in the villa's courtyard. The next moment, two kunai flew at them. Uchiha Ryun swatted them aside with his hand, and the kunai fell to the ground.
Kunai of this level, it must be Rou Rou. Rou Rou was awake.
Uchiha Ryun looked towards the roof, only to see Uchiha Ju pouting as she jumped down from the rooftop. "Boring. Is this the strength of a Hokage."
She had just been praised by Uchiha Itachi, who said her Uchiha shurikenjutsu had greatly improved, that even a regular chuunin couldn't block it, and there was a high probability of a one-hit kill.
Yet, her father had simply slapped it down. Itachi-nii was definitely lying to her.
If Uchiha Itachi knew Uchiha Ju's real thoughts, his mouth would probably twitch.
Using chuunin-level throwing techniques against Uchiha Ryun. This, this, this was a bit...
Uchiha Ryun looked at Uchiha Ju and patted her head. "You performed very well. That move would likely be unblockable for a chuunin."
"Hmph, you still just slapped it down." Having said that, Uchiha Ju threw herself into Tsunade's arms. "Mommy, did you miss Rou Rou."
Tsunade's eyes softened. Looking at the fruit of her and Uchiha Ryun's love, their little princess, she said, "Of course, Rou Rou, Mommy missed you so much. You must not overexert yourself like that again."
Tsunade crouched down and pinched Uchiha Ju's cheeks. Uchiha Ju pouted.
Daddy didn't save face for her. Daddy is bad.
Mommy cares about her. Mommy is good.
"Mommy." Uchiha Ju pressed her cheek against Tsunade's and hugged her neck.
Seeing mother and daughter getting along so harmoniously, Uchiha Ryun couldn't help but smile. He walked towards the house.
Because the moment he reached the door, he sensed three powerful chakra presences inside.
When he entered, three people were sitting on the sofa, all looking towards the door.
Uchiha Madara sat in the center, taking a sip from his wine glass. "Oh. Lord Hokage has arrived."
Hashirma Senju and Uchiha Izuna looked at Uchiha Ryun with serious eyes.
Uchiha Ryun suddenly felt as if he had stepped into a trap. He was a bit confused. "You all, what is this."
"I heard you let my great-great-granddaughter overexert herself." Hashirama slowly stood up, staring directly at Uchiha Ryun.
Uchiha Ryun gasped. "That wasn't my fault, it was Hidan..."
Uchiha Izuna slammed the table. "It's just a Hidan. With so many of us here, if we all went at him together, we wouldn't fear a waste from some minor hidden village."
Uchiha Madara looked at Uchiha Ryun. Uchiha Ryun's mouth twitched. This was a damn tribunal. He was having a hard time handling it.
Suddenly, he noticed Uchiha Itachi trembling in the kitchen. His eyes lit up. "Brat, since you like my daughter so much, it's not too much to take some heat for her old man, right."
Uchiha Ryun used the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside Uchiha Itachi, then brought him out. "Speak. Tell us exactly what the situation was that day. Let these three elders hear it. I'm telling you, you better not lie. Tell the truth, based on facts."
Uchiha Ryun said with a smile, then sat down next to Uchiha Madara, smiling as he poured tea for them.
They snorted and accepted the tea, drinking it. Uchiha Ryun wiped his sweat. "This hurdle is passed."
Uchiha Madara looked at Uchiha Itachi. Uchiha Itachi took a deep breath and bowed. "I'm sorry, seniors. It was my fault for not protecting Ju properly. Otherwise, Ju wouldn't have lost control because of my death."
Uchiha Madara did not speak. After thinking it over, he said, "You like Ju. Is that why you were willing to die for her." Uchiha Madara had naturally learned the whole story before coming.
He now looked at Uchiha Itachi, his gaze carrying a scrutinizing meaning.
Uchiha Itachi nodded. "That's right. I like Ju. Dying for Ju, I am willing."
Seeing the youth so resolute, the others fell silent. Hashirama and Uchiha Izuna both looked at Uchiha Madara.
Uchiha Ryun also looked at Uchiha Madara. He wondered what Great-grandfather would do.