"Good heavens! Lord Kai has established something called the Divine Court! He's become the Divine Lord and is going to rule the entire shinobi world! Konoha is going to be the center of the world from now on!"
"Uchiha! Uchiha! Uchiha!"
The streets, training grounds, and taverns were filled with excited discussions among shinobi and civilians alike.
The expressions on their faces went from shock, to disbelief, and finally transformed into fanatical admiration and unparalleled pride.
The law of the shinobi world had always been survival of the fittest.
And now, Konoha had produced the strongest predator of all—a supreme king capable of crushing the entire shinobi world through his own power.
Every resident of Konoha felt honored by association.
Among this celebration that swept through the entire village, the happiest and most triumphant group was undoubtedly the Uchiha Clan.
The Uchiha compound, once a clan pushed aside, distrusted, and relocated to the outskirts of the village over the past several decades, had now become the most dazzling holy land in all of Konoha—and perhaps the entire shinobi world.
The compound gates were packed with visitors.
Carriages came and went without end.
The great clans that had once ignored the Uchiha—or even secretly looked down on them—now arrived carrying their finest gifts and wearing their most humble smiles.
They lined up outside, all seeking an audience with the newly appointed Executive Officer of the Divine Court, Uchiha Fugaku.
Fugaku stood atop the roof of the clan's main residence, overlooking the flattering and ingratiating faces below.
Listening to the genuine cheers and laughter of his clansmen, a smile unlike any he had ever shown appeared on his normally stern face.
His fists clenched tightly.
The frustration and resentment that had been buried in his heart for decades were completely swept away.
He had done it.
No.
His son, Kai, had done it.
He had accomplished a feat beyond anything Fugaku had ever dared imagine.
Not by seizing the Hokage position through a coup amidst the village's suspicion.
But by standing above the entire world and placing the whole shinobi world beneath his feet.
This was the glory the Uchiha Clan deserved.
"Lord Father, the head of the Hyūga Clan, Hyūga Hiashi, has come to seek an audience."
An excited clansman hurried forward to report.
"Hyūga Hiashi?"
Fugaku raised an eyebrow slightly.
A meaningful smile appeared on his lips.
The Hyūga Clan.
Konoha's other great dōjutsu clan.
For years they had competed openly and secretly against the Uchiha while proclaiming themselves the noblest bloodline in Konoha.
"Let him in."
Fugaku spoke calmly, carrying the composure of a victor.
Soon afterward, Hiashi entered the Uchiha council hall under the guidance of attendants.
Dressed in formal white robes, his expression was solemn.
Behind him followed two clan members carefully carrying large gift boxes.
"Clan Head Fugaku—no, I should address you as Executive Officer now."
Without the slightest hesitation, Hiashi bowed deeply.
His posture was exceptionally humble.
Fugaku calmly accepted the bow before speaking.
"Clan Head Hiashi, there is no need for such formality. What brings you here today?"
Hiashi straightened himself.
A deeply serious expression appeared on his face.
"I have come today on behalf of the entire Hyūga Clan to express our highest respect and... absolute loyalty to the Divine Lord and to Executive Officer Fugaku."
He waved his hand.
The two clansmen behind him immediately opened the gift boxes.
One contained the Hyūga Clan's finest treasured tea leaves, said to prolong life.
The other contained an ancient scroll that radiated age and significance.
Recorded within were portions of the Hyūga Clan's Gentle Fist secrets.
This was practically offering a portion of the clan's foundation itself.
"A modest gift, not worthy of mention."
Hiashi's tone grew even more respectful.
"The Divine Lord's rise over the shinobi world is the will of heaven itself. The Hyūga Clan is willing to brave fire and water for the Divine Lord for generations to come, without hesitation."
Even as he spoke, it seemed he felt this was not enough.
Gritting his teeth, he revealed an even more explosive proposal.
"To demonstrate our sincerity, the Hyūga Clan is willing to send my daughters, Hinata or Hanabi, into the Divine Court to serve by the Divine Lord's side."
"For the honor of continuing the Divine Lord's bloodline, our Hyūga Clan would consider it the highest possible glory."
Even Fugaku was surprised by those words.
He looked deeply at Hiashi.
As expected.
A true leader who knew when to bend and when to stand firm.
For the continuation of his clan, he was willing to offer even his own daughters as bargaining chips.
After a moment of consideration, Fugaku slowly spoke.
"Clan Head Hiashi's sincerity will be understood by the Divine Lord."
"As for Hinata and Hanabi, they are still young. Matters of service can be discussed in the future."
"The loyalty of the Hyūga Clan has been acknowledged."
"Not by the Uchiha..."
"But by the Divine Court."
"Thank you, Executive Officer!"
"Thank you, Executive Officer!"
Hiashi bowed deeply once more, as if a tremendous burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
He knew he had made the correct choice.
From this day onward, the Hyūga Clan had secured the strongest backing in the entire shinobi world.
The Hyūga Clan's public submission completely ignited the enthusiasm of every clan in Konoha.
The Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, and other traditional noble clans all delivered valuable gifts and declared their unwavering support for the Divine Court.
The smaller clans that had once wavered rushed forward even more eagerly to pledge loyalty, afraid that a single step behind would leave them abandoned by the new era.
On this day, Konoha's entire power structure was completely reshuffled.
The Uchiha Clan had transformed from a marginalized clan into the imperial family ruling the entire shinobi world.
A grand celebration centered around Uchiha Kai was unfolding throughout every corner of Konoha.
The old order had collapsed.
A new legend was rising.
Yet while all of Konoha was immersed in the carnival of shifting power, the man at the center of it all, Uchiha Kai, remained alone inside his newly established office atop the Hokage Tower.
The room was larger than the former Hokage's office and offered an even broader view.
Through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, the entire village of Konoha could be seen.
But Kai's interest clearly lay elsewhere.
He pulled out an ancient-looking scroll from his ninja pouch.
Casually unrolling it, he injected a trace of chakra into its surface.
Buzz.
Ripples spread across the scroll like water.
Soon, the image of a breathtakingly beautiful and alluring woman appeared clearly before him.
It was Mei Terumi, far away in the Land of Water.
The Mei within the projection had shed her previous battle attire and changed into a perfectly fitted blue dress that highlighted her mature charm to the fullest.
The moment she saw Kai's face, her emerald eyes immediately filled with fanatical admiration and sincere reverence.
Without the slightest hesitation, she dropped to one knee before the projection and respectfully lowered her proud head.
"My Divine Lord."
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