The written exam for administrative positions took two hours to complete. Some were happy, some were worried. Uchiha Ryun collected the test papers, organized them, placed them into files, and took them back for grading.
Meanwhile, the enforcement exam was also nearing its end. The recruitment was almost full. As mentioned that night, most clan shinobi persevered, with only a few disqualified due to lack of willpower or attempts to cheat.
Among the civilian shinobi, five to eight more passed, which brought Uchiha Ryun some satisfaction.
He wasn't afraid of the clans coming to confront him. He had warned them beforehand—if they couldn't handle it, that was their own fault.
The enforcement team started working immediately. The administrative positions still needed time for grading to decide who would stay and who would leave. However, there were exceptions. Nara Seifū and Nara Meigetsu were directly called by Uchiha Ryun and taken to his office.
"Seifū, Meigetsu, from now on, you two will be my secretaries. These are official documents. Take a look. If you don't understand something, refer to the similar ones in that stack," Uchiha Ryun said with a smile.
Seifū and Meigetsu frowned. Why were they suddenly secretaries? Didn't the administrative exams need grading? How was this decided so quickly?
Seemingly sensing their confusion, Uchiha Ryun explained, "I've already reviewed your test papers. They stood out like cranes among chickens. You'll definitely pass, so I wanted you to get a head start on adapting to our office environment."
Seifū and Meigetsu were half-convinced, but Uchiha Ryun's words made sense. Getting used to the work early couldn't hurt.
Nara Luming had placed high hopes on them. They still remembered his words from last night: "Seifū, Meigetsu, the clan has nurtured you two for a long time. Now it's your turn to contribute…"
After a round of psychological pressure, the two, understanding the clan leader's determination, agreed to perform well.
Now that Uchiha Ryun valued them so much, it should be a good thing, right? Little did they know, Uchiha Ryun was already envisioning his two secretaries handling all the work while he leisurely relaxed—no, no, he meant he could use the extra time to observe civilian life!
Uchiha Ryun boiled water and made tea. After the water boiled, he poured it into the teacup and let it steep for about three minutes. He poured himself a cup and walked to the window, gazing at the drifting clouds in the sky, filled with emotion.
When he first transmigrated here, he had been worried about survival, war, and life. Now, he had become one of the higher-ups in Konoha.
He was even together with the girl he liked and had become one of the most important figures in his clan.
He took a small sip of tea, feeling as though all of this was somewhat unreal. He pinched his leg, and the pain confirmed that this was reality.
After some time, when he went to take another sip, he found the teacup empty. Uchiha Ryun placed the cup back.
He then began reviewing his secretaries' work. He noticed that Seifū and Meigetsu had a high political sensitivity and exceptional political acumen. Their handling of documents and official reports was not only detailed but also brilliantly executed, which delighted him. After praising his secretaries, he left the office.
Looking at the colleagues in the office area, each diligently performing their duties, Uchiha Ryun nodded in approval. The young people were full of energy.
On another front, the battlefield between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth was in the Land of Hot Water. Some might ask, why not fight in the Land of Iron?
First, the Land of Iron was neutral, never allying with anyone. It served as the only buffer zone.
Second, the Land of Iron was geographically located between four nations, making it a necessary buffer for all parties.
Third, historical factors played a role. After the Land of Iron declared neutrality, the first Five Kage Summit established that no wars would ever be fought there.
Fourth, the Land of Iron's resources. It was rich in iron ore, and most shinobi tools required iron or were produced there. Thus, no one wanted to provoke it.
Fifth, the Land of Iron's samurai. Though far inferior to the shinobi of major villages, they were still a force to be reckoned with. There was no need to provoke such an enemy.
Thus, the Lightning-Earth battlefield was in the Land of Hot Water. The two sides had been fighting for over a month, with victories and losses on both sides.
A and Ōnoki, as the Kage of their respective villages, naturally wouldn't easily take to the battlefield. While Lightning Release countered Earth Release, giving the Land of Lightning a slight advantage, it was only marginal.
After all, Ōnoki's military tactics were far superior to A's. If not for the elemental advantage, the Land of Lightning might have been pushed back to the Land of Frost.
"Hmph! That little potato is truly cunning. Earth spikes, falling rocks, and swamp traps are so annoying!" A snorted, punching a tree.
The tree instantly split apart from the impact, sending shivers down the nearby shinobi's spines. Yugito trembled slightly.
Matatabi, within Yugito's mindscape, remarked, "That big guy really is fierce! I heard he beat Gyūki up a while ago. Tsk tsk."
"Hey, Yugito, what are you planning? Don't provoke him! Even in full tailed beast form, we can't beat him! Ugh!" Matatabi urged anxiously.
"Lord Raikage, since we can't break through, why not cease hostilities while our losses are still manageable?" Yugito kneeled and suggested.
"Oh? Yugito, what did you say?" The Third Raikage, A, glanced at her coldly.
Yugito felt immense pressure, and even Matatabi let out a few uneasy meows.
"Father, I agree with Yugito. Continuing this war will only drain our nation's strength. Neither side has escalated to full-scale conflict yet. If the jinchūriki and Kage enter the fray later, the Land of Lightning will suffer heavy losses!" The future Fourth Raikage, A, also clasped his hands and advised.
"Yeah, bro's right. Fighting Iwa ain't worth it, skr skr!" Killer B, still young, spouted his awkward rap.
The Third Raikage was reckless, not stupid. He knew Yugito and A were right, but he was concerned about losing face—after all, he had started this war. If they stopped now, wouldn't it look like surrender?
Hearing Killer B's skr skr, he finally lost his patience. "B! Cut that rap nonsense!"
He rubbed his temples, wondering how he ended up with such a son.
Just then, a guard outside the tent announced, "Lord Raikage, Tsuchikage's son, Akatsuchi, has arrived for negotiations!"
A raised an eyebrow. "Let him in!" He sat back in his chair, exuding authority as he waited for Akatsuchi's entrance.
Akatsuchi entered the tent, standing tall and meeting the Third Raikage's gaze squarely, a glint of sharpness in his eyes.
"Lord Raikage, I, Akatsuchi, jōnin of Iwa, come under my father, Tsuchikage Ōnoki's orders, to discuss peace."
The Third Raikage's lips curled. "Oh? Is that little potato offering to cede land or pay reparations?"
Akatsuchi's eyes narrowed. Out of courtesy and mission objectives, he refrained from retorting. Instead, he smiled. "Does Lord Raikage not wish for peace?"
The moment those words were spoken, Yugito, A, B, and the Raikage's eyes all sharpened, locking onto Akatsuchi.
Unfazed, Akatsuchi dusted off his clothes and faced them with a calm smile.