"Breath of Stone."
Yashiro returned to the police department and began looking through the contents handed to him.
The basic internal energy technique and the four forms that Jin had created—Yashiro actually had copies of these, originally given to him by Jin.
At the time, he hadn't thought much of them, so he just tossed them into storage.
He never learned them.
Although he had always taken care of Uchiha Jin, he still couldn't avoid being influenced by part of the clan.
This was also why Jin never spread these techniques widely within the Uchiha clan.
It wasn't until Jin had proven himself that Yashiro dug them out and started learning.
Looking at the new ninjutsu techniques in his hands, Yashiro couldn't help but admire Jin's creativity.
Using breathing as a form of sealing technique? It was truly unheard of; no one would think of that.
The resulting Taijutsu from this technique was evidently powerful.
"Yashiro, what are you looking at?"
At this moment, Uchiha Fugaku walked into the police department.
"Oh, this? It's a Taijutsu technique that Jin gave me," Yashiro said, waving the scroll in his hand, a smile appearing on his face.
Right now, he felt like a father whose child had finally grown up.
All the orphans who lost their parents within the clan were like his own children to him.
Fugaku fell silent for a moment.
"It would be best if you didn't get too close to Uchiha Jin."
The smile slowly faded from Yashiro's face. He then looked towards Fugaku, his expression turning gentle.
"Fugaku, no matter what, Jin is still a part of the Uchiha clan."
"If you can't even accept Jin, how can you lead the entire clan?"
Although Uchiha Jin could be quite a troublemaker at times, in Yashiro's eyes, he was still a child who knew how to repay kindness.
He understood why Fugaku and Jin clashed so much; just as Jin could be grateful, he also held grudges.
When Jin was still known as a failure, Fugaku showed disdain for him. There was no way Jin would ever show him a friendly face.
Listening to Yashiro's advice, Fugaku realized that, in a way, Yashiro was the one most suited to bridge the clan and the village.
But Fugaku said nothing about this being the will of the elder Hakan.
"I apologize," Fugaku said. "Being clan head isn't easy."
Yashiro patted Fugaku's shoulder. "Indeed."
"Alright, don't look so downcast. There's White Fang's commendation ceremony coming up soon—cheer up," Yashiro changed the subject, smiling brightly.
Fugaku, however, didn't see the look in Yashiro's eyes.
---
At the base of the Hokage's office.
A large crowd of Konoha's residents had gathered, while there were only a handful of shinobi present.
After all, it was still wartime, and Konoha had deployed as many shinobi as possible to the frontlines.
Jin stood among the crowd, listening to the villagers talking among themselves.
"Why are there so few shinobi here?"
The villagers looked over at the small number of shinobi gathered in a corner—only about a dozen or so.
Even though there were still quite a few Uchiha from the police department, the villagers were generally terrified of the police force.
They didn't count them as part of the group.
"They're all at the frontlines. Most of our shinobi have been deployed there."
"I just hope my son is alright."
"There's been no word from my daughter either."
"If we lose at the frontlines, do you think they'll come attack Konoha?"
The villagers were clearly worried—some for their shinobi children, others for their own safety.
"Don't worry, we have White Fang on our side. He defeated the Sand Village all by himself!"
"Yes, we still have White Fang."
The crowd calmed down at the mention of White Fang's name.
Facing off against an entire village alone—that was no small feat.
"And we also have the Hokage."
One voice spoke up, but it was quickly drowned out by other conversations, not stirring up any response.
Jin looked towards the platform that had been erected.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two advisors were seated on chairs. Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado both looked displeased, while Hiruzen was smiling warmly.
To the shinobi, the Hokage was unquestionably the strongest. After all, textbooks still proclaimed the Third Hokage as the strongest.
But to the villagers of Konoha, things were a bit different.
The Hokage was more like a village chief.
After all, despite all the battles that had taken place, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no recent accomplishments—his feats were from the First Shinobi War.
Public sentiment has a time limit; nowadays, no one even talked about the First War anymore.
It was as if it had never happened.
Villagers could celebrate White Fang's victories, but over time, without anyone bringing it up, they'd forget.
Right now, though, Hiruzen Sarutobi, lacking fresh victories, couldn't provide the psychological comfort the villagers needed.
The truth was, Hiruzen hadn't gone to the battlefield, not because he was afraid—but because he needed to ensure stability in the village.
If he recklessly joined the battlefield, the yet-to-be-involved Cloud and Mist Villages would feel free to strike Konoha, razing it to the ground.
His decision to stay away from the frontlines was meant to be a deterrent. If he entered the fight, it would mean Konoha was fully at war.
And worse, he'd be targeted himself.
If a Kage died, it would be a devastating blow to the village.
Shinobi understood these matters, but the villagers didn't.
Despite their respect for the Hokage, he seemed useless in their eyes.
"White Fang! White Fang! White Fang!"
The cheers erupted.
Jin looked in the same direction as everyone else and saw White Fang approaching from the other side. He too was surprised at the size of the crowd.
No one had told him.
The Hokage had merely mentioned wanting to hold a commendation ceremony for him.
Although he didn't fully understand what Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions were, White Fang chose to accept it.
After all, they had never had something like this before.
So White Fang stepped onto the platform, kneeling before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Lord Hokage."
The crowd instantly quieted down, while the police began maintaining order.
If an Uchiha from the police department stared at someone for a while, that person would naturally quiet down.
Their authority was deeply ingrained in everyone's mind.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, holding a short-sleeved armband.
He bowed deeply to White Fang, his expression utterly sincere.
"Sakumo Hatake, thank you for bringing victory to the village."
"It was my duty."
"This is in recognition of your contributions to the village. I hope you can carry on the Will of Fire."
Hiruzen handed the armband to White Fang.
For once, White Fang looked genuinely moved; his lips trembled slightly as he raised both hands to receive it.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
As he put on the armband, White Fang seemed dazed.
The recognition for all his years of effort had finally arrived—even for him, it was overwhelming.
"From this day forward, you shall be known as Konoha's White Fang!"
Hiruzen announced with a smile.
"White Fang!"
"Konoha's White Fang!"
"Our Lord White Fang!"
At that moment, everyone cheered.
Feeling the villagers' adoration, White Fang couldn't help but smile.
Perhaps this was the greatest acknowledgment he could ever receive.
Wherever the leaves dance, the fire will continue to burn.
At this moment, White Fang finally remembered what he had wanted to ask at the start.
"Lord Hokage."
"Speak, Sakumo."
"I would like to request permission for Uchiha Jin to access the Scroll of Seals."
Hiruzen's smile froze.
---
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