Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

However, ignoring it is definitely not a good idea. This is a valuable Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. If it gets out of control... he doesn't have the ability of the Fourth Hokage to seal the Tailed Beast!

"The Jinchuriki has been in a state of mental instability for a long time... This is not a good thing! Shikaku, do you have any ideas on how to appease this brat?" After thinking it over and over, Akimichi Torifu had no choice but to ask Nara Shikaku again, since he really couldn't come up with any good ideas.

Method?

What could he possibly do?

Nara Shikaku's face looked as if he had eaten a whole bitter melon. Ever since Akimichi Torifu became the Fifth Hokage, he felt like he was pulling out a clump of hair every day. His poor brains would be squeezed dry sooner or later.

"this······"

Nara Shikaku racked his brains, searching for a so-called 'solution'.

at this time,

An ANBU member braved the rain and knelt before Akimichi Torifu, delivering the latest intelligence from the front lines.

[104. Chapter 104 Perhaps the Nine-Tails is the one who needs comforting]

"Lord Hokage, what has happened at the front lines again?" Wearing a straw hat, Hiashi Hyuga couldn't contain his curiosity and wondered what changes had occurred at the front lines. Ever since they received that illegible meeting minutes from the front lines eight days ago, the high-ranking officials of Konoha had been dumbfounded!

The Fourth Mizukage was captured?

Was the Fourth Mizukage manipulated by a mysterious person for a long time?

The mysterious man claimed to be Uchiha Madara?

Was the Nine-Tails attack five years ago related to that mysterious person who claimed to be Uchiha Madara?

The war between Kirigakure and Konoha was also orchestrated behind the scenes by a mysterious figure claiming to be Madara Uchiha...

The meeting minutes, though not long, contained so much information, so astonishing, so unsettling. When Akimichi Torifu saw the name Uchiha Madara, he almost choked. The thought that the man, more terrifying than a demon god, might still be alive made the Fifth Acting Hokage so worried that he lost his appetite!

Okay,

Along with the meeting minutes came a report from Uchiha Munegen, which mainly outlined his personal views on the frontline battles and his speculations about the mysterious person who claimed to be Uchiha Madara, concluding that the mysterious person he encountered was most likely not Uchiha Madara.

Even if Madara Uchiha were truly alive, he would likely no longer be in his prime, otherwise, it's impossible that he would have remained silent for so many years after the First Hokage's death.

As a result, the Fifth Acting Hokage's appetite recovered somewhat.

"It's good news!"

Akimichi Torifu opened the letter and read it quickly, skimming through it.

A smile finally appeared on that troubled face.

"The Fourth Mizukage has agreed to our conditions and is willing to cooperate with us to deal with that mysterious person who claims to be Uchiha Madara and the possible organizations and forces behind him." As he said this, Akimichi Torifu habitually glanced at the people around him.

Regarding the possibility that Madara Uchiha might still be alive, Akimichi Torifu immediately issued a gag order. Apart from the village's high-ranking officials who were qualified to participate in the meeting, he did not want too many people to know this news, as that would not only be unhelpful but might also bring about unsettling panic.

"As expected of Sogen-kun, he has achieved such remarkable results so quickly." Hiashi Hyuga praised with a mix of helplessness and envy. Now he had to admit that, as a clan leader, he was inferior to Uchiha Sogen in both strength and courage.

No, the most important strength.

The gap in strength made him lack the courage of Uchiha Sogen! His efforts to promote internal reforms within the Hyuga clan faced tremendous resistance from the very beginning. Not only did the main family oppose it, but many branch families also did not support him. The system, which had been in place for a thousand years, was deeply ingrained in the bones of most clan members.

The main family members believe that those who split up the family should naturally dedicate everything to protecting the main family.

Many members of the branch family truly regard protecting the main family as the entire meaning of their lives, and even regard it as an honor.

Hiashi Hyuga let out another long sigh; his path of reform was long and arduous!

"So the war is going to end?"

Uchiha Genji asked.

He didn't have many complicated thoughts; he just missed his grandson and granddaughter, whom he hadn't seen for almost half a month.

"Not so fast!"

Autumn wind shakes its head.

"The Fourth Mizukage's situation is too special. It's possible, no, it's certain, that there will be unidentified individuals causing trouble in the cooperation between the village and the Mist Ninja. It will probably take some effort to get the war over. But no matter what, we have already won a decisive victory in this war against the Mist Ninja!"

At this point, Akimichi Torifu's expression became even more cheerful.

This was even more encouraging than the intelligence from eight days ago. He shook the letter in his hand, signaling the spies with lights and umbrellas nearby to come closer. He then carefully read through the text again, before falling into deep thought.

Although the fighting on the front lines is not over, it is foreseeable that unless some earth-shattering event occurs, victory is inevitable.

This will also be his achievement and glory as the Fifth Acting Hokage.

"Shikaku, draft an order for me later. Tell Uchiha Munegen that I allow him to exercise the authority of the Hokage on his behalf. I will endorse all his decisions and actions on the front lines. Make it clear to him that I need an undeniable victory to shut up a bunch of annoying old bastards."

The fact that Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were stripped of their advisor and elder status does not mean that Konoha no longer has elders. An organization called the Council of Elders has always existed, which brings together a group of old guys who survived World War II and World War III. Akimichi Torifu was once a member of it.

To be honest, these old people don't have much real power, and their strength has diminished to almost nothing over the years. However, they are still the old people who have made contributions to the village in the past, otherwise they wouldn't be able to enter this council of elders, which is mainly used for retirement. There are still a few old relics among them who are older than Akimichi Torifu.

Once they open their mouths to speak, even if you don't like what you're hearing, you have to pretend to listen. Recently, these people have been instigated by someone to pick a fight with Akimichi Torifu, saying that he is ambitious and willing to start a war with the Kirigakure for personal glory, without caring about the deaths and injuries of his comrades in the village, and so on.

Upon hearing this,

Not only was Nara Shikaku taken aback, but Hyuga Hiashi, Uchiha Genji, and the others also stared in astonishment at the Fifth Acting Hokage. Giving such an order in front of everyone meant that he was completely tied to Uchiha Munen, sharing both glory and ruin.

"Lord Hokage?"

"Let's do it this way."

Akimichi Torifu interrupted Nara Shikaku's unspoken words of advice.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Nara Shikaku hesitated for a moment, but under Akimichi Torifu's serious gaze, he finally lowered his head and agreed, thinking to himself that since the victory at the front was already secured, this matter should not cause any trouble.

Having settled the issues concerning the front lines, Akimichi Torifu's attention once again turned to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

"Shikaku, have you come up with any way to appease the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"

Nara Shikaku's face immediately fell again.

What can he do?

The first two Jinchuriki of Konoha were both legitimate members of the Uzumaki clan. Mito Uzumaki, the wife of the First Hokage, was a given, and she could handle the Nine-Tails with ease. Kushina Uzumaki was no less formidable, and her Adamantine Sealing Chains effectively bound the Nine-Tails.

There's no need to soothe their mental state; perhaps it's Kurama (the Nine-Tails) who needs comforting.

strictly speaking,

Naruto Uzumaki inherited half of the Uzumaki clan's bloodline, but the problem is that he did not inherit the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques. Moreover, to be honest, he is too young, so even if he did inherit them, it would be useless. The most troublesome thing now is that he cannot find any familiar people with whom he can talk to.

Otherwise, what if one of them goes up and accidentally provokes the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to lose control?

Even if the possibility is very small,

But that doesn't mean everyone is willing to take that risk.

In the past, because of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Naruto's social network was so thin that it was almost non-existent. Only Hiruzen Sarutobi would visit Naruto from time to time. We can't just dig up Hiruzen Sarutobi, who has already been buried, now, can we?

"Lord Hokage, we need a way to communicate with Naruto," Nara Shikaku said helplessly. Even if they wanted to soothe Naruto's mental state, they had to communicate with him first. Otherwise, what were they supposed to do, just stand here and use their mental powers?

"Who has ever dealt with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"

Qiu Dao turned around and asked, "What is the wind?"

Then, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. In the past, everyone had kept their distance from the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and no one had expected things to turn out this way. The rain continued to fall, but no one spoke.

Genji Uchiha stroked his beard, wondering if he could be considered to have had any dealings with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. This blond brat was friends with Fujika, and he'd visited their house a few times, even sharing a meal with them...

The problem is that he doesn't really like this kid. It's not because of his status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but simply because he doesn't like the little cockroach that gets close to his precious granddaughter.

He considered it for a while, and ultimately chose to remain silent.

I won't be the one to stick my neck out.

It's best to avoid getting involved with something as troublesome as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. To be honest, the Uchiha clan is already dazzling enough; there's no need to add any more reasons for people to be jealous!

However, trouble is something you can't simply avoid.

"Elder Xuanshi, if I remember correctly, Naruto and your granddaughter are close friends. He should know you too, right?" The first to speak was Aburame Shiki, who was usually the most taciturn. This clan leader of the Aburame clan wore sunglasses and had a poker face, but in reality, she was one of the few people here who were genuinely worried about Naruto's safety.

He wouldn't have said something that dragged the Uchiha down if he wasn't worried that Naruto might really lose control and be punished, or even have his life in danger.

Seeing that everyone was looking over, even Akimichi Torifu cast an inquiring glance his way.

"I can try, but I can't guarantee the results."

Unable to shirk responsibility, Genji Uchiha could only try to distance himself from the issue beforehand. If that blond brat really went out of control and went berserk, he would absolutely not bear any responsibility.

"This is a decision we all made together. Even if something unexpected happens, it will never be your fault alone." Akimichi Torifu waved his hand magnanimously, signaling Uchiha Genji to go ahead and use his abilities. If anything goes wrong, everyone will share the responsibility.

No one objected to the Fifth Hokage's statement regarding his appointment as acting Hokage.

"Senior Xuanshi, I'm begging you."

Hiashi Hyuga said politely.

With such an example set by others, the rest also spoke up, expressing their attitude that they would all share the burden if something went wrong.

I hope everything goes well!

Genji Uchiha sighed, then leaped off the roof and headed towards the center of the park.

[Chapter 105. She is my only friend]

The rain poured down, as if the sky had been cracked open. The white raindrops were almost in a continuous line. Uchiha Genji's straw hat was being hit by raindrops the size of soybeans, making a crackling sound. Fortunately, Konoha Village's drainage system was built quite well under the supervision of the Second Hokage, and the rainwater was quickly drained away, so he didn't have to waste his chakra walking through the water.

He arrived at the slide, raised his head slightly, and met Naruto's gaze as Naruto sat on the platform with his knees drawn up.

Seemingly not expecting to encounter someone at this time and in this place, he stared blankly at Uchiha Genji who appeared before him for a while, until Uchiha Genji spoke before he came back to his senses.

"Hey kid, what are you doing hiding here?"

Uchiha Genji asked.

Their attitude was anything but friendly.

“...Grandpa Fujika?” Naruto recognized the face of Uchiha Genji under the straw hat, a face he had seen a few times before. He immediately became flustered. With his keen and sensitive intuition, he knew from their first meeting that Uchiha Genji didn’t like him very much.

However, this dislike was different from the hatred he had encountered in the past. Although he didn't understand the difference, he knew clearly that Uchiha Genji was Fujika's grandfather. Even if it was just to protect his only friend, he would learn to use a smile to please the old man.

"I, I, I'm taking shelter from the rain here."

Naruto mumbled something, managing to come up with a reason that sounded obviously fake.