Ryun talked with the two people for a long time. When Ryun saw them off, they also made a statement. "From now on, the Mitokado clan will be at the Hokage's disposal!" "The Utatane clan is the same!"
Ryun smiled. "Alright, I understand your intentions. As public servants of Konoha, we are all colleagues. Please do not say such things again."
The two looked back at Ryun every few steps, as if he were an old friend they had known for a long time. After the two walked away, Ryun turned around, his expression changing from a smile back to calm.
He walked back into the house and closed the door, saying lightly, "It's good that those two old fellows know what's good for them." A person walked out of the study; it was Uchiha Kiyoshi. "Hokage-sama, you are just letting them go like this? Isn't that a bit too easy on them."
"Kiyoshi, you have been with me for so long, you should know my style. Even a beggar, a disabled person, a piece of tissue paper, or a worn-out rag has its own use. Do not underestimate anyone. No one who has reached this point is simple." Ryun said patiently.
If it weren't for the fact that Uchiha Kiyoshi had been following him since the beginning of the Land of Rain campaign, he wouldn't have let him serve as the squadron leader in the Anbu, second only to Hatake Sakumo.
Uchiha Kiyoshi was first silent, then bowed and saluted Ryun. "Hokage-sama, Kiyoshi has learned."
Ryun nodded. In his heart, although the Uchiha clan's political sensitivity was only relatively strong in the future Uchiha Fugaku, no one could be called normal. Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui were purely fooled and crippled by the Konoha higher-ups.
Later, he would have to keep a good eye on Uchiha Fugaku's children, as well as Uchiha Shisui and that Obito who was fooled and crippled by Black Zetsu.
But the advantage of the Uchiha clan was that if they recognized you, they would be absolutely loyal to you. Now, over eighty percent of the Uchiha clan's shinobi had completely submitted to Ryun's arrangements.
The remaining twenty percent were partly the old guard from Uchiha Hirotomo's line, and partly retainers under the elders, but they were still moving closer to Ryun's side.
Regarding this, Ryun was not surprised. He often emphasized that Clan Leader Hirotomo, like me, has the ability to command everyone.
Uchiha Hirotomo had no objections to this either. With the boost of his Mangekyō ability, he saw the future glory of the Uchiha clan, even surpassing the Senju, surpassing the predecessors from the Warring States Period, and surpassing their progenitor Indra!
Uchiha Kiyoshi handed the evidence he had recently collected on the Mitokado and Utatane clans to Ryun. It contained everything from ten thousand ryo to tens of millions of ryo. Each and every matter was recorded in terrifying detail. Ryun's claws had already infiltrated every department of Konoha.
Ryun opened it, did not look at the process but only looked at the totals. Then he used his mental power to glance at the amounts inside the scroll. He didn't know until he looked, but he was shocked to see it was five hundred million more than the evidence.
Ryun smiled. These two were interesting. He then said, "Kiyoshi, burn the evidence. Deliver these two scrolls to the Finance Department, give them to Mitokado Homura. Tell him he knows how to handle it. Also, stop the surveillance on the Mitokado and Utatane families. However, the monthly account audits are still necessary."
"Yes! I will go handle it right away. These two scrolls will be delivered tomorrow morning." Uchiha Kiyoshi's figure turned into a black shadow and left from the doorway, using the Body Flicker Technique.
Ryun looked in the direction Kiyoshi left, his eyes profound. Then he closed the door, returned to the bedroom, and took out a book. On it was written "Icha Icha Paradise".
"Tsk tsk, Jiraiya's drawing skills are really something. This is absolutely amazing! Tsk tsk." Ryun's eyes and brows carried a smile. He never expected Jiraiya's technique to be arguably no less than some master illustrators from his previous life!
He looked at Icha Icha Paradise until twelve o'clock, then reluctantly closed the book. "I need to find a way to urge him to update, make Jiraiya update ten times a day. I should design an 'Urge Update' button later, so people can urge updates." (I'm not hinting at you reader gentlemen!)
Then he fell asleep. This night, there was no exhilarating great battle, nor any melodious and graceful singing. There was only a clear moon and sparse stars, with insects and birds chirping together.
The next day.
Ryun went to the school. What? You ask about government affairs? Isn't Nara Luming handling it?
He took out his phone. "Hello? Luming, are you busy?" Ryun said with a leisurely laugh. At the moment, he was holding a steamed bun, walking on the road to school while munching on it, his speech somewhat unclear.
But Nara Luming, who was on unusually good terms with him, understood immediately. He unconsciously rolled his eyes, then suddenly thought of something. "In reply to the Hokage, not too busy. By the way, this weekend I would like to invite you to our Nara clan for a family banquet. I wonder if you have time?"
Ryun raised an eyebrow, then thought of the Spirit Transformation Technique he had extracted and given to Yamanaka Inoichi. He then laughed. "Of course I have time. When the time comes, I'm going to eat you three families poor!" Ryun understood the hidden meaning in Nara Luming's words.
Nara Luming's lips curved upward. "No problem. When the time comes, we will use the finest Land of Lightning yak meat, Land of Earth jade plates, Land of Water seasonal seafood, and the Land of Wind's golden cups and jade vessels, along with my Nara clan's original sake to entertain you!"
"Then it's settled. I've used these high-grade ingredients and golden cups and jade vessels before. If they don't meet the standard then, don't blame me for getting angry!" Ryun joked.
"Just wait and see. If even one item is fake, I will commit seppuku to apologize!" Nara Luming also laughed heartily. Then Ryun asked a few more questions about village affairs. Nara Luming picked some important matters and reported them using brief language.
Ryun nodded. "Ah! Luming, really, with your talent, why weren't you put in an important position earlier?"
Nara Luming now became fully alert. He waved his hand to signal the Anbu to close the door and leave. Then he spoke. "Ha, isn't it all thanks to the Hokage's recognition and his appointment of the worthy. The Third Hokage probably had his own considerations. However, I believe the Hokage surpasses him tenfold, a hundredfold."
Employing people wisely, knowing them well and putting them in suitable positions, regardless of background or family status, uniformly selecting people through exams, allowing talented people to use their abilities, creating their own value for Konoha, breaking the monopoly of the shinobi clans and noble families. This kind of daring to be the first, only Ryun could do it.
Ryun smiled. "Luming, you are simply my confidant. You know what I want to ask, and you know how to answer. Alright, I've arrived at the school. Thank you for your hard work. I'll have finance add to your salary later."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Nara Luming said respectfully. After hearing the busy tone from the phone, Nara Luming put down the phone and closed the lid.
He stood by Konoha's floor-to-ceiling window and looked outside. Konoha's tall buildings were under construction. People's clothing, food, and housing were all improving. The corners of his mouth turned up. He felt immensely fortunate to be born in this era, this age where Ryun was the Hokage in power!