Under the protection of Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Ran arrived at the Hokage Building at exactly 7:59 a.m., stepping through the doors at the final second before official working hours.
ANBU Captain Kakashi Hatake immediately stood and bowed.
Ran waved his hand casually. "Good work."
Under the gaze of everyone present, he walked toward the Hokage's seat and slowly sat down, the sacred Hokage robes draped over his shoulders.
"Let's begin."
He rested his chin on one hand and smiled faintly.
All eyes turned to Nara Shikaku. With a resigned sigh, Shikaku stood up.
"Hokage-sama, Konoha has only just stabilized. Every industry is waiting to be rebuilt, and we urgently need capable people to take charge."
He stopped there. Anyone who could become Hokage would understand the implication.
Ran nodded.
"Shikaku's thinking aligns with mine. The Third Hokage is severely injured and can no longer manage village affairs. Many department heads who followed him have also reached retirement age."
"A village cannot function without leadership. The same applies to its departments."
"Therefore, today I will formally appoint new heads."
With that, Ran began assigning key departments according to the plan he had finalized the day before.
No one was surprised.
Shikaku and his faction had been the first to support Ran. If they were not entrusted with important positions, others would question whether following Ran was worthwhile.
With Shikaku coordinating matters, the remaining small and mid-level departments were quickly allocated. No objections were raised.
The Hokage Office filled with cheerful voices.
"Director Dingyuan, we'll be relying on you from now on!"
"Director Fuchun, please take care of us!"
Ran watched calmly, feeling like an emperor observing his ministers in the court hall.
At that moment, the office doors were suddenly pushed open.
The room fell silent.
An ANBU shinobi knelt on one knee.
"Reporting to Hokage-sama. A messenger from Iwagakure has arrived at the village gates. He calls himself Kitsuchi."
"He says that, upon learning this is your first day in office, he has come bearing gifts and compensation. He hopes to meet Hokage-sama and sign a friendly development agreement between Iwagakure and Konoha."
After reporting, the ANBU fell silent.
Ran did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked around the room.
"What do you all think?"
He wanted to hear their views—and see who among them truly understood diplomacy.
Shikaku glanced at Ran. Ran shook his head slightly, signaling him to wait.
Among the officials, opinions quickly split.
Some advocated force, insisting Iwagakure should be crushed completely.
Others argued for gradually weakening the other villages one by one.
A few even suggested letting the Four Great Villages fight each other while Konoha reaped the benefits.
Ran listened, mildly surprised. His supporters were not all empty talkers.
At last, he turned to Shikaku.
Shikaku spoke calmly.
"Konoha has just repelled three great villages. Our priority should be rest and recovery."
"After the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, the recent battle at the village gates, and Orochimaru's betrayal, Konoha's civilian economy is in ruins."
"War isn't fought with words. It requires money—vast amounts of it."
"Our funding comes largely from the Fire Daimyō, and the rest from the villagers themselves."
"If the villagers cannot live well and we still pursue war, we will only invite endless problems."
Ran nodded.
"Then we'll meet the Iwagakure messenger."
"As of today, no one is to mention war again."
The room acknowledged the order.
Kakashi immediately sent word and personally escorted the messenger to the Hokage Building.
Along the way, Kitsuchi carefully observed Konoha.
He had to admit its environment and location were outstanding.
Konoha had not aggressively focused on civilian development, yet its living standards still rivaled Iwagakure's.
Ōnoki valued two things above all else: war results and civilian welfare. Every compensation payment Iwagakure received went toward construction and pensions.
Yet even while paying reparations repeatedly, Konoha's villagers still lived comfortably.
As expected of the strongest village in the shinobi world—its foundation was deep.
Soon, they reached the base of the Hokage Building.
Kakashi stood waiting.
After introductions, Kakashi signaled Itachi and Shisui.
The two stepped forward, thoroughly checking Kitsuchi. Finding no weapons, they nodded.
Kakashi smiled politely.
"My apologies, Lord Messenger. The Hokage's safety is paramount."
Kitsuchi nodded.
"As it should be. Seeing the Tsuchikage requires even stricter measures."
Kakashi gestured inward.
"Please."
Kitsuchi motioned to the attendants behind him carrying several ornate boxes. They set them down, and Konoha shinobi took custody of them for inspection.
Kakashi then led Kitsuchi toward the Hokage Office.
Inside, Ran leaned back in his chair, legs resting casually on the desk, eyes half-closed.
His ears twitched.
"They're here."
The officials below straightened instantly. Today was their first day in office—they could not afford to lose composure.
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