Ryun hung up the phone. How could he not feel fortunate to have a strategist like Nara Luming willing to pledge loyalty to him and work for him? Governing a village was not enough with just a capable Hokage alone.
It also needed the support of the people, the support of the clans, and the support and assistance of the subordinate officials, as well as capable ministers and brave generals.
Ryun never thought that just because he possessed strength, he could look down on everything. He also never considered himself the protagonist of this world. Everyone was a protagonist, each with their own strengths and their own brilliance.
What Ryun needed to do wasto discover the strengths of capable people, appoint the worthy and the talented, develop the village, and let the villagers live prosperous lives.
Strength was for external use, not for internal use. If powerful enemies came to attack, Ryun would surely lead from the front and eliminate all invaders. (This character wasn't intentional, believe me or not? Doge head for survival!)
He arrived at the school gate. Coming back to his senses, he sorted out his mood and thoughts, and entered the school. This time was not yet when students had class, but rather the time when teachers were arriving at the school.
Kazamidori Ikado had just come in at this moment, somewhat hurriedly, and bumped into Ryun. Ryun was startled and looked over. Kazamidori Ikado also looked back and quickly apologized, "Sorry, sorry, I bumped into you. Are you okay?"
"You, don't you know me?" Ryun was somewhat puzzled. Judging from Kazamidori Ikado's expression, he really didn't seem to know him.
Kazamidori Ikado was taken aback upon hearing this. "Sorry, this teacher, I don't know you. How about this, my name is Kazamidori Ikado. After school, I'll treat you to ramen, okay?"
He wore a simple and honest smile on his face, with a trace of apology between his brows, as if feeling sorry and blaming himself for his actions just now.
Kazamidori Ikado? Ryun was stunned by this name. If he remembered correctly, this was the name of the future Crown Prince's Tutor's father! The father of Kazamidori Iruka!
"It's fine, don't worry about it. You seem to be in a hurry, go attend to your matters first. As for treating me, next time." Ryun smiled and didn't take the matter to heart.
"This, anyway, my sincerest apologies. I still need to prepare my lesson. Sorry, really sorry!" Kazamidori Ikado apologized again. Ryun shook his head, "Hurry up and go!"
"Okay!" Gratitude showed in Kazamidori Ikado's eyes. Although he had prepared his lesson yesterday, he always came to school very early to first lecture to the empty classroom himself, in order to present the perfect class to his students.
However, he had never told anyone these words, because he felt it was something a teacher should do. As the teacher of the students, he naturally should let everyone learn solid things.
Ryun, meanwhile his aura and followed behind him. He wanted to see what this Kazamidori Ikado was going to do. After watching his lecture, he couldn't help but sigh, truly worthy of being Kazamidori Iruka's father. His teaching ability was streets ahead of many other teachers!
He decided to give this teacher a raise! So he quietly left afterwards and headed towards his own classroom.
Danzo happened to be sitting on the podium looking at his teaching plan, his brows sometimes relaxing, sometimes furrowing. Wearing a pair of glasses, he very much gave the feeling of a scholar!
Ryun knocked on the door. Danzo looked up, looked over, then stood up and walked to Ryun. "Hokage-sama!" He greeted, a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Ryun shook his head. "In the future, in non-public situations, you can call me Ryun or Ryun-kun!" He gave Danzo respect and trust.
Upon hearing this, Danzo's expression warmed. "Yes, Ryun-kun!"
"Ryun-kun, why are you so early today?" Danzo was puzzled because the practical combat class was in the afternoon. Ryun could have come after noon.
Ryun chuckled. "Danzo, my wife has gone out to purchase medical equipment. I had nothing to do at home anyway. As for the Hokage's office, Nara Luming is watching it. If there's anything major, he'll notify me anytime, and I can get there instantly with Flying Thunder God."
Danzo nodded upon hearing this, then smiled. "Ryun-kun, have you eaten? My wife packed me breakfast. I can't finish it all. How about we eat together?"
Danzo took out two metal lunch boxes and opened them. One contained rice, the other contained seafood sashimi and fried pork cutlet. Ryun clearly wanted to refuse, but the smell was too enticing. He couldn't help but say, "Ahem, well then, thank you, Danzo. And thank your wife for me too."
Danzo shook his head. "Ryun-kun, you are the first person to trust me so much, to be so at ease with me. You not only gave me status and power, but also a Tailed Beast and respect. So I am truly grateful to you."
"Once I thought that becoming Hokage, attaining that supreme position, would make my life worthwhile. But your appearance made me understand that everyone has their own mission. Compared to you, I fall far short. But it is precisely because it's you that I can respect you so much and willingly let go of the ambitions I once held in my heart."
Danzo spoke from his heart. Ryun was also deeply moved. He hadn't expected that everything he had done was remembered by Danzo, who held gratitude in his heart and was willing to give up his personal ambitions and desires for him.
"Danzo, actually, both you and I are for the prosperity of Konoha. I understand it all. I have taken note of these heartfelt words you told me today. From now on, we must still join hands to create that number one village in the ninja world, the strongest Konoha!" Ryun put down his chopsticks and said solemnly.
Danzo was moved. "Yes! Ryun-kun, let us work hard together!" He seemed to be looking at his light, the one who allowed him not to lurk in the depths of Konoha as its root, doing those unsavory things.
Bathing in the sunlight is always more comfortable than hiding in a dark, damp root room...
"By the way, Danzo, there is one matter..." Ryun recounted the matter about Kazamidori Ikado. Danzo nodded and immediately decided, "Having such a teacher in the school is the school's honor. I think the raise you mentioned is not enough. I also want to make him the Head of Teaching! What do you think?"
Here, Danzo used a term of respect. A superior's words can be said casually, but a subordinate's opinion should be presented to a superior with a respectful term and an inquiring attitude.
Ryun laughed. "Danzo, don't be so formal. You are the vice-principal of this school. You have the final say on all matters. I trust you."
My god! Who knew how impactful this 'I trust you' was, along with the sentiment of letting Danzo decide for himself.
It made Danzo's heart burn with a feeling of 'a man should die for those who understand his worth'. "Yes! Ryun-kun, I will go take care of it now!"
"Hey! Danzo, your food~" Ryun reached out his right hand, wanting to stop Danzo.
Danzo smiled. "It's fine, I'm not hungry. Ryun-kun, I'm full. You can eat the rest!" Then he walked towards the office.
Ryun swallowed his saliva and muttered to himself, "Wasting is shameful!" Then he ate this plate of nutritious, exquisite breakfast clean, a smile spreading across his face!