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"Breath of Stone."
Yashiro returned to the Police Force office and began examining the contents of the scroll.
Jin had originally given him a copy of the Basic Inner Technique, but Yashiro hadn't paid much attention to it at the time and had tossed it into storage.
He hadn't learned it.
Although he had always looked out for Jin, he was still influenced by some within the clan.
This was also why Jin had not spread his techniques widely within the Uchiha clan.
Only after Jin proved himself did Yashiro finally dig it out and start learning.
As he studied the new ninjutsu, he couldn't help but admire Jin's creativity.
Using breathing techniques to form hand signs was truly unprecedented and something no one else would have thought of.
It was clear just from looking that this style of ninjutsu would be powerful.
"Yashiro, what are you looking at?"
At that moment,
Fugaku walked into the Police Force office.
"This? It's a ninjutsu technique Jin gave me." Yashiro waved the scroll in his hand, a smile on his face.
He now felt like a parent whose child had grown up.
To him, the orphans in the Uchiha clan were all like his own children.
Fugaku was silent for a moment.
"You'd better not get too close to Jin."
Yashiro's smile gradually faded as he looked at Fugaku, a gentle expression on his face.
"Fugaku, Jin is a member of the Uchiha, no matter what."
"If you can't even accept Jin, how can you lead the entire clan?"
Although Jin could be a troublemaker at times, in Yashiro's eyes, he was still a good kid who knew how to repay kindness.
He understood that Fugaku and Jin didn't get along well. Just as Jin was good at remembering favors, he also held grudges.
Back when Jin was still regarded as a failure, Fugaku had shown little regard for him. So, how could Jin possibly show him any kindness now?
Listening to Yashiro's advice, Fugaku realized that, in a way, Yashiro was the most suitable person to integrate the clan with the village.
He didn't mention that this was Elder Hokaze's opinion.
"Sorry."
"Being clan head isn't easy."
Yashiro patted Fugaku on the shoulder.
"Yeah," Fugaku responded with a heavy tone.
"Alright, let's not be so gloomy. We've got Sakumo's commendation ceremony soon. Let's lift our spirits."
Yashiro changed the subject, smiling warmly.
Fugaku couldn't see the look in Yashiro's eyes.
...
Outside the Hokage's office.
Half of Konoha's residents had gathered, while there were only a few shinobi present.
After all, it was still wartime, and Konoha had deployed as many shinobi as possible to the front lines.
Jin stood among the crowd.
He listened to the residents around him chatting.
"Why are there so few shinobi?"
The villagers noticed the small group of shinobi occupying one corner of the area.
There were only about a dozen of them.
Although there were also several Uchiha Police Force members present, the villagers were quite wary of the Police Force, so they didn't count them among the shinobi.
"Most of the shinobi are on the front lines, fighting."
"I wonder how my son is doing."
"My daughter hasn't sent any word back either."
"If the front lines fall, will the enemy invade Konoha?"
The residents were anxious.
Some were worried about their children who had become shinobi, while others were concerned about their own safety.
"Don't worry, we have Sakumo-sama. He single-handedly defeated the Sand shinobi."
"Yes, we still have Sakumo-sama."
The crowd was reassured at the mention of Sakumo's name.
One person against an entire village—that was an incredible feat.
"Actually, we also have the Hokage-sama."
Someone mentioned the Hokage, but that statement was quickly drowned out by other comments, causing no ripple of response.
Jin looked at the platform that had been set up at some point.
Sitting in chairs were Hiruzen and the two advisors.
However, Koharu and Homura didn't look too pleased, while Hiruzen had a broad smile as he observed everything.
In the eyes of the shinobi, the Hokage was undoubtedly the strongest. After all, the textbooks still hailed the Third Hokage as the strongest.
But to the villagers of Konoha, it was a different story.
To them, the Hokage was more like a village leader.
After all, in so many battles, Hiruzen hadn't had any notable achievements. His glory days were during the First Shinobi War.
Public opinion has an expiration date, and no one talks about the First Shinobi War anymore.
It was as if it had never existed.
Villagers could celebrate the victories brought by Sakumo, but after some time, if no one mentioned it, it would be forgotten.
But for now,
Without any recent achievements, Hiruzen couldn't provide the villagers with a sense of security.
In reality, the reason Hiruzen didn't enter the battlefield wasn't that he was afraid.
It was because he needed to ensure the village's stability.
If he were to recklessly enter the battlefield, the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Mist, who hadn't fully joined the fight yet, would take the opportunity to attack Konoha, potentially destroying it.
He stayed off the battlefield to maintain a deterrent effect. If he joined the fight,
It would mean Konoha was fully committed to the war.
He might even become a target.
If a Kage were to die, it would be a severe blow to the village.
These were things only shinobi understood, but the villagers of Konoha didn't.
Although they respected the Hokage's position, they didn't see it as particularly useful.
"Sakumo! Sakumo! Sakumo!"
The cheers erupted.
Jin followed the gaze of the crowd and saw Sakumo approaching from the side. He was surprised by the size of the crowd.
No one had informed him of this.
The Hokage had only mentioned a commendation ceremony.
Even though he didn't understand Sarutobi Hiruzen's intentions, he decided to go along with it.
This was unprecedented.
Sakumo could only brace himself and step onto the platform, kneeling on one knee before Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama."
The scene instantly quieted down, and the Police Force began maintaining order.
All it took was for an Uchiha Police Force member to stare at someone for a while, and they would naturally quiet down.
Such was the depth of their authority.
At that moment, Hiruzen stood up and picked up a half-sleeve armband.
He bowed deeply to Sakumo, his face full of sincerity.
"Sakumo, thank you for bringing victory to the village."
"It's my duty."
"This is for your contributions to the village. I hope you will continue to carry on the Will of Fire."
Hiruzen handed the armband to Sakumo.
For once, Sakumo's face showed genuine emotion. His lips quivered slightly as he accepted it with both hands raised above his head.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
He attached the armband to his arm, feeling a bit dazed.
The efforts he had put in over the years were finally acknowledged, and even he was momentarily overwhelmed.
"From today on, you are Konoha's White Fang!"
Hiruzen announced with a smile.
"Sakumo!"
"Konoha's White Fang!"
"Our White Fang-sama!"
At that moment, everyone erupted into cheers.
Feeling the villagers' admiration, Sakumo couldn't suppress the smile on his face.
Perhaps this was the greatest recognition he could receive.
Where the leaves dance, the fire burns ever brighter.
It was at this moment that he finally remembered the question he had wanted to ask at the beginning.
"Hokage-sama."
"Sakumo, if you have a request, just say it."
"I would like to request access to the Scroll of Seals for Uchiha Jin."
Hiruzen's smile froze.
(End of Chapter)