Routine Operations

Because Aburame Ryoma was wearing sunglasses, Kazashiro couldn't understand the details in his eyes.

I just find it strange that the other person stared at me for so long before leaving.

As Aburame Ryoma closed the door, Kazashiro, relying on the memories transmitted back by his Shadow Clone, began searching for a piece of information that particularly interested him.

"Found it..."

Fortunately, Itachi had a good habit of categorizing files, which made it easy for Kazashiro to find the information from his memory.

"Rasa personally went to the Daimyo's Mansion to chant sutras for the Daimyo's mother. Sunagakure is really interesting. Is the Kazekage going to have to take on the role of a monk?"

Looking at the contents of the intelligence report, Kazashiro almost burst out laughing.

"Hmm, it's about time we made contact with this ally of ours..."

Under Itachi's unwavering gaze, Kazashiro casually tossed the intelligence aside and began to ponder his next move.

"I heard that because of the two war defeats and the continuous expansion of military equipment, the Raikage has been publicly opposed by some of the opposition in the village?"

Kazashiro suddenly turned his head to look at Itachi, who was reaching out to tidy up the documents. Itachi put the documents back in their proper places before answering Kazashiro's question.

"Yes, but the opposition is not very powerful, and the Fourth Raikage's control over Kumogakure remains solid."

"Whether the situation is stable or not depends entirely on whether the external support is appropriate. If opposing the Raikage can bring benefits to the majority of Kumogakure, I think they will not refuse our good intentions."

Kazashiro refuted Itachi's statement, tapping the table lightly with his finger. "We can have the Internal Affairs Department make contact with the opposition in Kumogakure."

"Understood, I'll talk to Shisui about it. By the way, teacher, regarding the profits, thanks to controlling the towns of the Land of Grass, the recent profits have increased significantly compared to before..."

Itachi handed over the quarterly financial report, "Should we increase the welfare benefits for ninjas as we did last time?"

"No, the existing benefits are sufficient, and it is not advisable to increase their treatment in the short term."

Kazashiro rejected Itachi's suggestion.

"Human desires are like a boulder rolling down a mountain; once they start, they can never be stopped."

The welfare benefits for ninjas should be kept within a reasonable range. Otherwise, if financial problems arise one day and welfare benefits are cut, the ninjas who were originally grateful to us will immediately turn against us.

After listening to this, Itachi shook his head, his eyes showing a mixture of understanding and confusion. "I don't quite understand."

"When you understand, Itachi, you'll be Hokage."

Kazashiro reached out and ruffled Itachi's head. This time, Itachi didn't dodge, but quietly felt the touch on his head.

"Let's set aside some money to improve Konoha's infrastructure. The villagers have sacrificed so much for everyone; it's time to improve their living conditions."

The relationship between the civilians in the village and the Konoha Ninja was not only one of protectors and protected, but also one of providing living supplies for the non-productive ninjas and paying large sums of war taxes during the war.

All they gained in return for everything they gave was a fleeting moment of peace.

Born into the Shinobi World, they only had two choices.

They were either ruled by nobles or protected by ninjas.

Those who didn't meet these two options mostly ended up as piles of bones.

Night.

On a telephone pole in the Uchiha Clan Compound, Mumei squatted, observing passersby walking on the road under the cover of night.

"Everyone's face was beaming with happiness..."

The nameless man murmured softly.

Children played and frolicked, adults exchanged smiles and pleasantries, those without talent performed various non-combat duties, and those with talent could communicate normally with their teammates.

"The Uchiha Clan has truly changed."

Recalling his past experiences, a strong sense of resentment welled up in Wuming's heart.

I want to kill, I want to fight, I want to punish, but...

The patterns representing the Mangekyō Sharingan appeared in his pupils, and his eye power reached its peak at that moment.

But Wuming ultimately did not attack them, and two lines of tears quietly welled up in her eyes.

"Wait, do all Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan like climbing telephone poles this much?"

Kazashiro's voice rang out at an inopportune moment, and Wuming hurriedly wiped away the tears on his face, turning around to look at the other person with displeasure.

Peeking out from the rooftop, Kazashiro rolled his eyes at Wuming: "Seriously, how did you manage to squat down in such an awkward spot as a telephone pole?"

"None of your business."

Seeing that Kazashiro didn't seem to have noticed his tears, Wuming breathed a sigh of relief and turned his head away from looking at him.

"That's quite Uchiha. Here, take this and wipe your tears. The clothes I bought you were very expensive; it's such a waste to use them to wipe your tears."

Coupled with Kazashiro's words, this was supposed to be a heartwarming scene.

But as Kazashiro tossed the handkerchief, the fragrant handkerchief traced a beautiful parabola before landing precisely on Wuming's head, and the atmosphere suddenly fell into an eerie silence.

"Thank you so much."

Wuming gritted his teeth and took the handkerchief off his head, the tiny bit of emotion that had just risen in his heart instantly vanishing.

"You're welcome." Kazashiro coughed lightly, easing the awkwardness between the two.

"Hey, I noticed you don't have anyone to stay with here, so I found you a place to stay. Would you like to come?"

Sensing that Wuming didn't seem to intend to use "Amaterasu" on him, Kazashiro tentatively extended an invitation.

"Where to stay?"

The nameless man's gaze fell upon the enormous Gunbai emblem in the clan's territory; no matter how he looked at it, it was a repulsive design.

"Fine, if it's not luxurious enough, I'll burn you alive."

"Wow, is it really that cruel?"

Kazashiro feigned surprise, but was secretly pleased with Wuming's reaction.

Fortunately, the other side currently has no intention of targeting the Uchiha.

Back at the Shimura Residence, Kazashiro was greeted by the familiar embrace, the familiar complaints, and the familiar... Wind Release Whip.

"No, I never said you had an illegitimate daughter, Dad!"

"Slander! Utter slander!"

"Aww! Advisor Shimura, I'm the Acting Hokage, you can't—awww!"

In the courtyard, Yamato, cracking sunflower seeds, watched as Kazashiro was Danzo and beaten by Danzo, and casually grabbed a handful, handing them to the nameless man beside him. "Want some?"

Wuming hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the sunflower seeds. "Shouldn't we stop them?"

"No need. If there were really a problem, Bai and Kimimaro long ago. In fact, this kind of scene is just typical for Kazashiro."

Yamato was already used to this; the only ones who could be worried about this scene were innocent children like Haku and Kimimaro.

Wait, Kimimaro should be removed.

Recalling the scene a few days ago when he asked Kimimaro to kill a chicken, Yamato decisively kicked him out of the children's camp.

"Oh." The nameless man gave a blank "oh" and, following Yamato's example, sat down next to Yamato and started eating sunflower seeds.