Morning.
Mmm…
After a long moment, their lips parted. Feng's cheeks were flushed, a faint pink spreading down her neck—whether from shyness or lack of air was hard to tell.
A good morning kiss.
For such a small request from Uchiha Ren, Feng and Ling agreed without hesitation.
"Your turn, Ling."
Ren leaned in again, eyes falling on her soft, rosy lips.
Their lips met briefly before separating.
"Come back early," they said softly.
"Mm."
Ren nodded, then stepped out and headed for the Hokage Tower to begin the day's work.
Office.
"Now that the funds have arrived, the Academy needs to resume full enrollment. How is this year's intake plan?"
Ren looked at Nara Shikaku in front of him.
Years of war had nearly wiped out a generation of shinobi.
Relying solely on clans was no longer sustainable.
The Academy existed to cultivate civilian shinobi on a large scale.
In the future, they would become the backbone of Konoha.
Their average quality might be lower than clan shinobi, but their numbers made up for it.
And among them, exceptional talents would always emerge.
"Previously, enrollment was around eight hundred," Shikaku explained.
"Due to funding issues, it dropped to five hundred."
"Given current losses, I propose expanding to fourteen hundred."
Resources weren't the issue—money could solve that.
"The real problem… is teachers."
Shikaku sighed.
The strong were all on the battlefield.
Those left behind were mostly injured or unfit.
"At best, mid-level chunin… and even they're not in peak condition."
High-quality instructors were urgently needed.
"The best option is still the clans," he continued.
"Experienced, reliable—but they won't give people up easily."
Ren understood.
He had just cut their funding—asking for manpower now would not be welcomed.
"I'll have the Uchiha send some instructors," Ren said calmly.
"As for the rest…"
"Send word to Hyūga Takuma. There will be four Hokage aides—one seat is his."
"He'll know what to do."
Power in exchange for cooperation.
A fair trade.
"And inform Senju Momoma. He'll have a seat as well."
"The Senju should contribute too."
Balance had to be maintained.
The Senju could not be excluded.
"Notify Uchiha Raizen—he'll take the third position."
"He is to reorganize ANBU completely."
ANBU must belong to the Hokage alone.
That control could not remain with the Senju.
"Lastly…"
Ren looked at Shikaku .
"The fourth position—goes to you."
Shikaku froze.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Ren's tone was firm.
"I trust your ability. The Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans—Konoha needs your support."
Shikaku 's face flushed.
This level of trust was unexpected.
"Then we will not fail you," he said seriously.
"The three clans will fully support Konoha."
"Good."
Ren smiled.
"Action matters more than words."
Shikaku immediately demonstrated his loyalty.
"The three clans will send elite members as Academy instructors."
"And we'll also enroll our core descendants into the Academy."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
After a long day of work, Ren finally finished all documents.
By evening, he headed to a hidden chamber within the Uchiha district.
This was a secret known only to clan heads.
It housed the clan's most important techniques.
But today, that wasn't his goal.
Inside the chamber, two death row prisoners lay bound.
Sealing markings covered the ground beneath them.
Ren knocked one unconscious and dragged him aside.
Then he turned to the other.
Forming hand seals, he activated the forbidden technique.
"Rise again… my Hashirama!"
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