The morning light had just fallen across the rooftops of the Uchiha compound when the news had already spread through all of Konoha like wildfire.
"Did you hear? That Uchiha Chiya became clan head."
"Really? How old is he even? He can't be nineteen yet, right?"
"It's true. Apparently all the Uchiha elders nominated him last night. After so many years, who would have thought the Uchiha clan would have a new clan head."
"..."
At this point it was not only the Uchiha clan. Almost all of Konoha was discussing the newly appointed Uchiha Chiya.
The Uchiha Chiya who had previously existed in the village like a person no one noticed had actually become head of the Uchiha clan.
That alone was enough to leave people surprised for a long time.
At the entrance to the Uchiha compound.
Chiya had set aside his usual ninja attire and wore a dark ink-colored kimono embroidered with the Uchiha clan crest. Standing beside him was the young beauty of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Mikoto.
Although Mikoto's face still held a childlike quality, standing beside Chiya, she gave people an unexpectedly fitting impression, as though the two belonged together.
"Mikoto, thank you for your help today."
Chiya's voice reached her, and Mikoto turned her head, smiling brightly as she looked at him.
"It's no trouble at all. I'm happy to help Chiya-nii."
Her gentle words were like a quietly flowing stream between mountain slopes. Anyone who heard them could not help but feel at ease.
"Good. Once today's business is done, I'll treat you to a meal."
"Okay!"
Mikoto smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
"The Hyuga clan has arrived."
Hyuga Sakusei came walking slowly forward with his eldest son Hiashi at his side. The attendants behind them carried refined gift boxes.
"Congratulations, Clan Head Chiya."
Sakusei gave a slight nod. A hint of scrutiny passed through his Byakugan eyes.
"The Hyuga clan has prepared a small gift. We hope you will accept it."
Chiya stepped forward and personally received the gift boxes.
His gaze moved, almost imperceptibly, toward Hiashi.
'Hiashi has a proper appearance.'
'No wonder he could father two daughters with such strong potential.'
"Clan Head Hyuga, you are too formal. The two great dojutsu clans of Konoha should support each other."
He deliberately raised his voice.
"After all, we are all part of Konoha."
These words caused the representatives of the surrounding smaller clans to reveal expressions of surprise. 'The Uchiha clan head actually said something like that?'
Before they could think further about it.
"The Senju clan has arrived."
When the Senju clan's group appeared, the scene grew noticeably quieter.
Tsunade walked at the front. Her long golden hair shone brilliantly in the sunlight, but her face carried a deliberate coldness.
"This is a congratulatory gift."
She handed over a scroll in a strictly businesslike manner. Her amber-brown eyes passed over Chiya without any visible reaction.
Chiya understood without needing to be told and maintained the same distance.
However, as he received the scroll, his fingers moved slightly and grazed the inside of Tsunade's palm.
"Thank you."
Chiya knew he could not say more.
There were many clan members around him who held a poor view of the Senju clan, and at a time like this, he should not stir up conflict.
In the brief moment their eyes met, Chiya gave her a look. Tsunade understood immediately, and a faint blush crossed her face.
She then blinked at Chiya almost imperceptibly, and immediately turned and walked away.
The Uchiha clan members around them quietly let out a breath of relief.
In their hearts, they could not help but feel that the new clan head and this Senju princess did not seem to be the way the rumors outside described.
It was simply an ordinary collegial relationship.
"The Hokage has arrived."
A sharp and excited voice rang out. It immediately drew everyone's attention.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned on his pipe with a face full of smiles.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane walked behind him and were likewise looking Chiya over.
"Young and capable, Chiya."
Chiya bowed deeply.
"It is entirely thanks to the Hokage's guidance."
"You reformed the Military Police Force system, helped the Uchiha integrate into the village, and broke new ground for the Uchiha. It is most heartening."
Hiruzen asked in what seemed like a casual tone.
"It was only a minor adjustment."
Chiya responded with a smile.
"Everything is in service of Konoha."
Hiruzen looked at Chiya and let out a long, quiet sigh.
Chiya knew he was thinking of his old companion again.
"Hokage, it is hot outside. Please come in."
"Very well."
Chiya, along with Mikoto, personally escorted Hiruzen and the others from the Hokage's circle inside.
After seeing them settled, he came back out to continue receiving guests.
The later arrivals, such as the representatives of the Inuzuka clan and other clans, were likewise received by Chiya with care.
He handled everything personally.
As the head of the Uchiha clan now, he had become the face of the clan.
The people arriving at the Uchiha compound came one after another without stopping.
As the centerpiece of this day's gathering, Chiya truly spent the day fully occupied.
When the last group of guests departed, Chiya went alone to the clan head's residence.
After the two of them had finished their meal.
Mikoto thoughtfully brought over tea.
"Clan Head, you worked hard today."
Hearing her playful tone, Chiya smiled at her.
He patted the spot beside him. Mikoto walked over obediently and sat down, curious.
"I still prefer it when you call me Chiya-nii."
Chiya raised his arm and pulled her into his embrace.
Mikoto's face flushed red from the sudden move.
Even her breathing became a little unsteady.
"Chiya-nii, Grandfather is still outside."
Hearing her quiet reminder, Chiya looked down and met her gaze.
Mikoto's dark pupils were now full of warmth.
"Mikoto."
"Yes? What is it, Chiya-nii?"
"Before long, why don't you become my personal secretary."
"Secretary?"
Mikoto pulled herself free from Chiya's hold. Her eyes held a mix of delight and worry as she looked at him.
"Chiya-nii, I have never done work like that before. I am afraid I might not be able to handle it right away."
Chiya reached out and patted her on the head.
"I will teach you."
Hearing Chiya say that, Mikoto agreed.
"Alright, Chiya-nii, I will work hard. I will definitely not let you down."
Chiya looked at Mikoto, whose face had regained its confidence, and smiled as he lightly flicked the tip of her delicate nose.
"Mikoto, you are the person I trust most. You can absolutely do it. The future direction of the Uchiha is entirely in your hands."
Chiya gave her a little push of encouragement and watched the determined expression settle on Mikoto's face.
'It seems the effect is quite good.'
Ahem!
A cough came from the entrance. Chiya knew it was Mikoto's grandfather urging him to leave.
He leaned toward Mikoto and lightly tapped her on the forehead.
"Chiya-nii."
Looking at the budding beauty before him, her eyes soft and glimmering, Chiya felt more than a little stirred.
Too bad that old man outside was watching too closely.
But Chiya was in no hurry. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
After she grew a few more years, that would be when Mikoto was at her most pure and captivating.
"Mikoto, you have been on your feet all day. Head home and rest. Don't keep your grandfather waiting."
Mikoto lowered her head shyly, her hands twisting the hem of her clothing.
"Alright, Chiya-nii, you should rest too. See you tomorrow."
After saying this, Mikoto worked up her courage, raised her head, stood on her toes, and lightly pressed her lips to Chiya's cheek.
Then she spun around immediately and ran outside.
Watching that retreating figure flee in a fluster, Chiya reached up with some surprise and touched the warm, damp spot on his cheek.
'Mikoto has actually become this bold?'
Chiya watched the pair of them, the old man and the young girl, until they disappeared beyond the residence.
Only then did he sit down and begin going through the Uchiha clan's records.
Just as Chiya was deep in thought, the window made a soft sound.
Tsunade leaped in through the window with ease. Gone was her daytime coldness. She went straight into his arms.
"Keeping up that act all day, I'm exhausted."
She muttered, breathing in Chiya's presence greedily.
Chiya wrapped his arm around her slender waist and said with a quiet laugh.
"Thanks for playing along. If those stubborn old ones found out about us..."
"If it weren't for you becoming clan head today, and the worry it might ruin your mood by setting off those people who don't know how to read the room, I wouldn't have cared about any of it."
Tsunade poked him in the chest.
"By the way, now that you are clan head, you have authority over the Military Police Force too, right?"
"Of course. Why bring that up suddenly?"
Tsunade let out a sigh.
"Do you know about the missing child case recently?"
"?"
Tsunade looked at Chiya's blank expression, then explained the whole matter from beginning to end.
Chiya listened carefully and understood the general picture.
A ninja from the Senju clan, one of Tsunade's uncles by generation, had gotten married to an ordinary villager this year and had a child.
With the war pressing hard, driven by the pride of the Senju clan, he had gone to the front lines to fight against Amegakure.
Without any surprise, he was taken down in a single blow by Hanzo's poison and had not come back to the village alive.
But after Tsunade returned to the village.
Word had recently come that his child had gone missing.
Chiya looked toward the moonlight outside the window and murmured quietly.
"A missing child. This matter is probably not so straightforward. Have you looked into it?"
Tsunade nodded.
"I found some things. It seems like it was done by a spy from another village."
"A spy?"
Chiya paused. That was certainly one possibility.
However, Chiya seemed more inclined toward a different thought.
"This matter is probably not as simple as that. Tomorrow I will go to the Military Police Force archives to investigate. Wait for my news."