Uchiha Ryun slowly walked to Danzō Shimura's tent. A shinobi blocked his path. Uchiha Ryun looked up and saw it was Shibi Aburame.
"Friend, what is this?" Uchiha Ryun frowned and asked.
"Sorry, duty calls!" After saying this, Shibi Aburame began to search Uchiha Ryun.
Uchiha Ryun had no choice but to voluntarily hand over his kunai, shuriken, and other weapons. Shibi Aburame nodded and said, "You may enter now. If you need anything, just ask."
Uchiha Ryun nodded, then lifted the tent flap. Danzō Shimura was reading a scroll and did not look up as he asked, "Who is it?"
Hah. Uchiha Ryun did not believe Danzō had not heard his conversation with Shibi Aburame. Even if he hadn't heard clearly, he should have recognized his voice.
So Danzō knew perfectly well it was Uchiha Ryun. But why this attitude? It was a power move, a common tactic used by superiors to assert dominance over subordinates.
Rewards and punishments were tools many leaders employed. Though rewards came first, the core was intimidation. Only by first intimidating subordinates and then giving small favors could one truly control others. It was like the saying, "Strike first, then offer candy."
Uchiha Ryun understood Danzō's intentions but did not expose them. Instead, he played along. He first put on a smile and said, "Commander, it's me, your subordinate, Uchiha Ryun." After speaking, he bowed.
Uchiha Ryun did not act arrogantly because of his contributions or try to leverage his advice as a threat. Instead, he acted humble and flattering, lowering himself. This was wisdom.
Danzō quickly threw the book aside, stood up, and went to support Uchiha Ryun. "Ah, Ryun, you are the deputy commander of this army. Why are you doing this? You humble me too much!"
Though Danzō spoke modestly, Uchiha Ryun noticed the slight upward curve of his lips from the corner of his eye. He knew Danzō was very satisfied with his performance.
"Lord Danzō, I speak the truth. If not for your brilliant command and strategic genius, we would have suffered heavy losses this time!" Uchiha Ryun continued to flatter.
Danzō Shimura laughed. "Ryun, this is all thanks to your advice."
Uchiha Ryun frowned. "Lord Danzō, what do you mean? I never offered any advice. This was all your wisdom and might!"
Uchiha Ryun was making it clear that he had no part in the success and that all credit belonged to Danzō.
Danzō shook his head and smiled. His gaze at Uchiha Ryun softened further. Everyone liked smart people, and capable smart people were even more likable.
"Please, sit." Danzō pointed to the chair opposite him and smiled. "Ryun, your contributions are immense. Tell me, what do you want?"
This was a clear test. But Uchiha Ryun naturally saw through it.
"Lord Elder, this is my duty. I dare not ask for rewards. As a member of Konoha, I should burn myself to light the way forward!" Uchiha Ryun stood and clasped his hands.
Danzō Shimura nodded. If only all Uchiha were like Uchiha Ryun—aware, strategic, and knowing when to advance or retreat—how wonderful that would be.
"But if Lord Elder insists on rewarding me, then... I would like you to write a calligraphy piece for my Uchiha clan, for the shinobi who died." Uchiha Ryun said solemnly.
Danzō Shimura was stunned. A calligraphy piece? That simple? No, this piece must not be easy to write. Still, he asked, "Ryun, what words do you want me to write?"
"Honorable Family." Uchiha Ryun slowly said, looking at Danzō Shimura with sincerity.
"The Uchiha clan mobilized fully. This time, we lost nearly fifty jōnin (exaggerating the losses), and countless chūnin and genin. I want the commander to write these words for them, for my Uchiha clan: Honorable Family."
"I want the village to stop discriminating against the Uchiha clan, to stop isolating us. The Uchiha have truly bled for Konoha! The Uchiha truly wish to integrate into Konoha! Lord Danzō!" At this point, Uchiha Ryun secretly pinched his thigh, forcing tears to fall.
Danzō Shimura's mind buzzed. He could not believe Uchiha Ryun's request was so simple, almost trivial for him. He immediately helped Uchiha Ryun up and slapped the table. "This, I promise you!"
After all, it cost him nothing—just a few words. But he never imagined these few words would greatly elevate the Uchiha clan's reputation in Konoha.
At the same time, he would never have another chance to act against the Uchiha.
Uchiha Ryun, seeing his goal achieved, smiled inwardly. But Danzō Shimura added, "The village will not mistreat the Uchiha clan. I, Danzō Shimura, swear it!"
"Thank you, Lord Danzō!" After speaking, he calmed his emotions. Once he had composed himself, Danzō Shimura smiled. "Ryun, since I'm writing this for you, shouldn't you do something for me in return?"
"Lord Danzō, please speak. If there is any way Uchiha Ryun can be of use, I will spare no effort!" Uchiha Ryun used this phrase.
Danzō Shimura was startled, then overjoyed. This was the first time he had heard this phrase. See, see how cultured Uchiha Ryun was. Only a learned person could speak like this.
"Haha, nothing so serious. Ryun, what do you think we should do now—advance or defend?" Danzō Shimura pointed to the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind on the map and smiled.
Uchiha Ryun frowned. "Lord Danzō, why are we attacking the Land of Wind? What do they have that we need? Sand? Or more sand?"
Danzō Shimura paused, then nodded. Right, what did the Land of Wind have? Endless deserts, dirt poor. Why were they attacking the Land of Wind?
"Moreover, Lord Danzō, if we attack, the Land of Wind's environment is extremely disadvantageous for us but advantageous for the enemy. From every street and alley to mountains and rivers, we only have maps. In the sandy Land of Wind, it's easy to get lost." Uchiha Ryun added, referring to the terrain.
If they attacked, the terrain would favor Konoha's enemies. Danzō nodded, agreeing with Uchiha Ryun's words. "Then, we defend?"
Uchiha Ryun smiled. "Lord, you are wise. Lord..."
Uchiha Ryun wanted to say more, but Danzō waved his hand. "Enough, it's just the two of us here. No need for formalities."
Having resolved the most pressing matter, Danzō Shimura suddenly said, "Ryun, are you hungry? Would you like to eat here?"
Uchiha Ryun understood Danzō's meaning and shook his head. "No, Lord Danzō, I've already eaten. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Danzō Shimura nodded and personally escorted Uchiha Ryun to the tent entrance, watching him leave before returning to prepare his meal.