Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were sweating profusely. They had never expected that Uchiha Ryun's influence was so vast that he could investigate the matter clearly in just one morning.
Even more unexpectedly, his retaliation came so quickly that they found themselves momentarily unable to refute. They could only kneel on the ground, begging Uchiha Ryun to spare their clans.
If their entire clans were sent to be undercover agents, regardless of whether they succeeded or not, by the time the agents completed their missions and returned to Konoha, their clans would likely have lost their lineage.
"What? Weren't you two elders quite spirited just now? Why retreat when it comes to contributing to Konoha?" Uchiha Ryun said lightly.
"We dare not. Please show mercy, Hokage!" Mitokado Homura spoke first. At this moment, where would he care about dignity or demeanor? Ensuring the survival of his clansmen was the most important.
Uchiha Ryun glanced at Mitokado Homura, who lowered his head even deeper. He had abandoned the dignity of the elder council, only wanting to protect his clansmen.
Then he looked at Utatane Koharu. She hesitated, biting her red lips lightly as she looked at Uchiha Ryun. Uchiha Ryun snorted coldly and was about to finalize the decision.
At that moment, Utatane Koharu immediately knelt on the ground. "Please, Hokage, show mercy. The Utatane family has been in Konoha for so many years. Even if we have no great merits, we have worked hard. We absolutely cannot undertake such undercover missions!"
Uchiha Ryun's jade like fingers tapped rhythmically on the table. No one in the Hokage's office dared to speak up to criticize Ryun or plead for the two Hokage advisors.
Instead, everyone focused their gaze on Uchiha Ryun, wanting to know how he would ultimately handle the matter.
For a moment, the office was silent, except for the sound of Uchiha Ryun tapping the table.
Tap, tap, tap.
Time passed second by second. Then, the tapping stopped. Uchiha Ryun's eyes lit up, a confident smile on his face. He smiled slightly. "Please, both of you, rise. I was only joking earlier."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged glances, not daring to stand up. They remained kneeling on the ground, bowing their heads in apology.
A joke? How could that be a joke? Uchiha Ryun's killing intent had almost solidified earlier. It couldn't possibly be a joke.
Then they heard Uchiha Ryun murmur, "Ah, now that I've just taken office as Hokage, the first thing I think about is education. The old ninja school's buildings and facilities are too outdated..."
Utatane Koharu's eyes lit up. "Hokage, my Utatane family is willing to take charge of the reconstruction and renovation of the school!"
Uchiha Ryun smiled. He nodded but then hesitated. "Elder Utatane, wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"
Hearing that there was hope, Utatane Koharu quickly said, "No trouble, no trouble. My Utatane family has quite some expertise in construction. Leave the school renovation to us!" As she spoke, Utatane Koharu patted her nonexistent chest confidently.
Mitokado Homura gritted his teeth. Damn it, this old woman got ahead. He needed to quickly figure out what the Mitokado family could do. As long as the clansmen could stay in the village, everything would be manageable.
"But building a school requires a significant expense. Konoha is poor," Uchiha Ryun said, pretending to be troubled and sighing, while actually glancing sideways at Mitokado Homura.
Mitokado Homura's eyes widened. He quickly said, "The Mitokado family has considerable assets. We are willing to cover all the costs for rebuilding the ninja school!"
The local tyrant was indeed extravagant. Even Uchiha Ryun couldn't help but marvel at how wealthy the Mitokado family was.
Nara Luming watched Uchiha Ryun's maneuver and couldn't help but sigh in admiration. It was absolutely brilliant. Without spending a single coin, he could order the school rebuilt, with others providing both funds and labor.
He still had a long way to go and needed to keep learning! Nara Luming looked at Uchiha Ryun with caution and reverence in his eyes.
"In that case, please both make preparations early. Construction will start tomorrow," Uchiha Ryun said slowly.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu quickly agreed. Uchiha Ryun waved his hand, and the two stood aside, breathing a sigh of relief, while inwardly feeling grateful for Uchiha Ryun's benevolence.
People are like this. If you are consistently good to them, they won't appreciate it. Over time, they will take it for granted.
Uchiha Ryun aimed to break this sense of entitlement for these two, making them aware of their positions and adjusting their attitudes accordingly.
The art of managing people isn't just about showing benevolence. That only makes others see you as a pushover who can be bullied.
The most important thing is to balance kindness and authority. Among these, kindness is secondary, while authority is the core. Why is there a saying, "Slap them first, then give them a sweet date"?
The underlying reason is precisely this. Perhaps in the past, Uchiha Ryun was the Vice Hokage or an Uchiha elder, and he wouldn't be too harsh on seasoned veterans like Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
But from today onward, he is the Hokage, the leader of Konoha Village. He must be strict.
Don't talk about how this is unrighteous. It's ridiculous, lamentable, and tragic.
With Uchiha Ryun's tactic of first suppressing and then elevating, those directly involved felt庆幸 for Uchiha Ryun's benevolence, while the observers felt a chill, marveling at his skillful manipulation.
"In addition to rebuilding the ninja school, there are the following appointment notices. Please cooperate actively."
"Hyūga Sekijō of the Hyūga family is nominated as Hokage Advisor, in charge of Konoha Hospital. Nara Luming is nominated as Hokage Advisor, handling Hokage administrative affairs. Akimichi Torifu will undertake the catering for Konoha School and public officials. Yamanaka Kumokai will be in charge of Konoha's intelligence department. Any signs of trouble must be reported to the Hokage..." Uchiha Ryun issued one appointment after another.
The Hyūga, Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka families all brightened up and quickly clasped their hands in praise. "We will live up to the Fourth Hokage's cultivation, exercise self restraint, and devote ourselves to public service, contributing our strength to Konoha's prosperity."
Uchiha Ryun smiled and nodded. These families had good relations with Uchiha Ryun. Now that Uchiha Ryun had assumed the position of Hokage, he was certain to repay them with status and authority.
Otherwise, why would they support you? Because your face is big? Because you don't bathe? In this regard, Uchiha Ryun did better than Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not consider the major clans in the village, only his own comrades. While this could achieve the goal of centralizing power, it did not take into account the feelings of those powerful clans.
Why could trash ninja clans like Utatane and Mitokado wield such great authority, while our major clans could only watch them throw their weight around?
No one had brought it up before, but that didn't mean the major clans had no grievances.
Now, Uchiha Ryun's appointments immediately broke this situation. Led by the Uchiha clan, the Hyūga clan, the Ino Shika Chō, and other clans all gained real power and a voice.
This also gave other originally neutral clans hope that following Uchiha Ryun would bring great rewards!
Uchiha Ryun looked at the newly appointed individuals and said with a smile, "I believe in the abilities of each clan leader. I hope you will not forget your original intentions and keep your mission in mind."
"Yes!" the newly appointed individuals shouted loudly!
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