After speaking with Uchiha Hirotomo for a while, Uchiha Ryun headed back to his residence.
His mind was filled with countless thoughts, all of which dissipated as he pulled the blanket over his head.
The next day, Uchiha Ryun woke up at 7 a.m. without needing anyone to call him. He then dragged Uchiha Hirotomo along with him to the Hokage's office.
It was still early, and the doors downstairs were not yet open. Two shinobi were guarding the entrance. When they saw Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Ryun arrive, they immediately bowed in greeting.
One was the head of the most prominent clan, and the other was a legendary shinobi of Konoha. Their status was undeniably significant. One of the guards even asked if they should notify the Hokage.
Uchiha Ryun waved his hand and smiled, "No need, no need. It's not urgent. The Hokage is extremely busy and already overworked. How could we disturb him with such trivial matters?"
Though he said this, the Anbu had already taken action. At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was eating at home. His ears twitched, and he chuckled, "Biwako, I'm done eating. I'll head out now!"
Sarutobi Biwako nodded. "Alright. Why do you have to work so hard? The war just ended, and you don't even take time to stay home with your son."
As she spoke, she glanced at Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who was eating a chicken leg, her eyes filled with maternal affection.
"Haha, the teacher entrusted me with this position during a crisis. I was only afraid I wouldn't be capable enough to live up to his expectations. Now, thanks to the support of all the clans in Konoha, the war has just ended, but there are still many things that require my attention as Hokage. How can I slack off?"
With that, Hiruzen put on his Hokage robe, straightened his back, and stretched out his arms.
Sarutobi Biwako smiled and stood up to adjust his clothes, tying his belt as she said, "Take care of your health."
"Don't worry, I'm still strong. I might even live to be a hundred!" Hiruzen grinned.
In front of the villagers, he was the stern Third Hokage, but at home, he was a husband and a father.
"You and your jokes. Alright, go on. Come back early tonight! Oh, and don't let me catch you peeking into the women's bathhouse again!" Biwako snorted.
She knew exactly how unruly Hiruzen had been in his younger days.
Choked by his wife's words, Hiruzen coughed and said, "I know, I know. Stop listening to rumors. I'm the Hokage! How could I peek into the women's bathhouse?" His tone was firm, though not entirely convincing.
Hiruzen stepped out and closed the door behind him. As he turned around, two figures appeared, kneeling before him.
"If there's something to report, say it outside." Hiruzen said calmly, then walked toward the gate.
The two Anbu followed closely behind him.
Once Hiruzen reached the street, he suddenly stopped and tilted his head slightly. "Well? What is it that you're reporting so early in the morning?"
At this moment, the authority of a leader was fully displayed. His kindness was reserved for the villagers and shinobi, but toward his subordinates, especially his confidants, he had a different approach.
"Lord Hokage, Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Ryun are waiting for you in front of the Hokage building," the Anbu reported.
"Oh? Why didn't the guards notify me?" Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
"It was Ryun, Elder Ryun. He said the Hokage is extremely busy and shouldn't be disturbed by their trivial matters, so they are waiting outside the gate."
"Hahaha, Ryun is too polite, too rule-abiding. This is unnecessary. Alright, I understand. You may leave!" Hiruzen was genuinely pleased.
A powerful figure like Uchiha Ryun being so respectful of rules showed that he, the Hokage, was doing a good job. At the same time, he grew curious about what Ryun wanted to discuss. He quickened his pace and soon arrived at the Hokage building.
Uchiha Ryun saw Hiruzen and immediately bowed. "Lord Hokage!" Uchiha Hirotomo followed suit, also bowing.
Hiruzen smiled warmly. "Ah, we're all comrades of the same village. There's no need for such formalities." As he spoke, he helped Uchiha Ryun and Uchiha Hirotomo up.
"Let's discuss inside." He pointed toward the now-open doors of the Hokage building and led the way. The two followed behind, chatting casually along the way.
Once Hiruzen opened the office door, he gestured for them to sit. They waited for him to take his seat before sitting down themselves.
"Ryun, Clan Head Hirotomo, what brings you here? Please, speak freely." Hiruzen smiled.
Uchiha Hirotomo stood up and clasped his hands. "Lord Hokage, managing both the Uchiha clan and the police force has become too much for me. Therefore, I have decided to hand over the police force to Ryun. I hope for your approval."
Hiruzen thought for a moment without speaking. He glanced at Uchiha Ryun, his mind working.
Uchiha Ryun also stood up. "Lord Hokage, I believe that although the police force was a privilege granted to the Uchiha clan by the Second Hokage, it should not belong solely to the Uchiha. It should be Konoha's police force, your police force."
"After I become department head, I am willing to allocate half of the police force's positions to members of other clans in the village. As for the Uchiha members who are removed, they will be placed in a temporary reserve unit, receiving benefits but without official positions..."
Uchiha Ryun explained his plan in detail, weaving in expressions of support, admiration, and praise for Hiruzen, which pleased the Hokage greatly. Hiruzen looked deeply at Ryun and smiled.
"Since Ryun is willing to share the authority of the police force with everyone, how could I possibly object?" With that, he signed his name on Ryun's proposal and stamped it with the Hokage's seal.
For Hiruzen, Ryun's actions were beneficial. If there was one area where his control over the village was lacking, it was the police force. Now that Ryun was willing to give up half of its positions, it meant that in the future, the police force would include his people, Danzō's people, and members of other clans. He would finally have a grasp on the police force's affairs.
Uchiha Ryun smiled. "Lord Hokage is wise! If there's nothing else, we will take our leave."
"Wait, Ryun, here is your official appointment as department head. Really, getting so excited about a promotion that you forgot your seal! You..." Hiruzen shook his head with a chuckle.
"Hehe, Lord Hokage, I was just too excited!" Ryun quickly took the appointment letter and thanked Hiruzen.
"Mm, go ahead. As for the matter of filling the other half of the positions, handle it quickly. Decide for yourself which candidates to recruit." Hiruzen's tone carried a hint of deeper meaning.
Uchiha Ryun nodded. "Understood!" Then, he and Uchiha Hirotomo left the Hokage building.
After exiting, Ryun did not look back, steadily making his way toward the police headquarters. He was well aware that Hiruzen might still be watching him.
This was indeed the case. From his office window, Hiruzen gazed down at Uchiha Ryun, his thoughts unreadable. After a moment, he shook his head.
"Uchiha Ryun... truly worthy of being Uchiha Izuna's grandson. His political acumen and intelligence surpass even his grandfather's." With that, Hiruzen returned to his paperwork.
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