Holding Both of Them Firmly in His Grip

Uchiha Kyu looked as though he wanted to say something but held back. After all, treating someone like a workhorse was indeed a bit unethical.

Especially someone like Orochimaru, who was engaged in research and wished he could spend every moment on it.

But Orochimaru was the most suitable candidate Uchiha Kyu could think of at the moment.

Seeing his hesitation, Orochimaru frowned, suddenly feeling as though he was about to be plotted against.

"If you find it hard to say, then don't."

"I'm busy right now. There has been progress in integrating the First Hokage Cells into ordinary people's bodies, so don't come bother me."

Seeing that Orochimaru was about to drive him out, Uchiha Kyu stopped beating around the bush and spoke directly.

"I want you to take over as the Education Department's director. Other than you, I can't think of anyone more suitable."

Orochimaru looked at him in surprise.

He had not expected it to be about this, so he refused without hesitation.

He did not even have enough time for research every day. How could he have time to manage the Education Department?

Uchiha Kyu asked with some concern, "You're really not going?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "No."

To keep Uchiha Kyu from wasting any more of his time, he suggested, "I think Jiraiya would be more suitable for this."

"Jiraiya may not agree with your ideals, but he definitely wouldn't make a joke out of education."

"He won't do." Uchiha Kyu rejected the suggestion as well, for a simple reason.

"You want me to put someone who doesn't agree with me in the Education Department? So he can teach a bunch of rebellious brats who'll oppose me in the future?"

Orochimaru could not find any reason to refute him and could only lower his head and continue dissecting the experimental material.

Uchiha Kyu had always been gentle toward his own people. Seeing that Orochimaru truly did not want to take the position, he turned and headed back on his own.

"What a shame!"

"I was originally thinking that after you became the Education Department's director, you could occasionally draw some blood for experiments under the pretext of examining the students' health."

"There are quite a few children from ninja clans at the academy. Maybe they could help with your experiments."

Standing at the stairwell, Uchiha Kyu deliberately said these things to provoke Orochimaru.

"Wait." Once Orochimaru realized the benefits of being the Education Department's director, he hurriedly called out to him.

"I suddenly think education is a very important matter."

"I wouldn't feel at ease leaving it to anyone else. Better leave it to me."

A hint of amusement appeared on Uchiha Kyu's face as he slowly turned to look at Orochimaru, who had changed his mind.

"Didn't you say you had no time?"

What Orochimaru said now made him sound like a completely different person from before. "If you make room, you'll naturally find the time."

"Don't worry. At worst, I'll send a clone over. With my abilities, I guarantee I'll teach you a batch of obedient students."

What Uchiha Kyu valued was Orochimaru's talent for brainwashing.

When it came to brainwashing, aside from Naruto's Talk no Jutsu, Orochimaru was the best there was.

Kimimaro was a perfect example.

Uchiha Kyu nodded with a smile. "Fine, then the Education Department is yours."

"Here's your appointment letter." As he spoke, Uchiha Kyu tossed over the appointment letter he had prepared long ago.

The instant Orochimaru saw it, he understood that Uchiha Kyu had known all along that he would accept the position of Education Department director.

Orochimaru gave a self-deprecating smile. This guy really understood him well.

With the Education Department matter settled, Uchiha Kyu became much freer.

On the street, Uchiha Kyu spotted the familiar Might Guy.

"Lord Fifth Hokage!"

The moment Might Guy saw Uchiha Kyu, he shouted excitedly, ran over, and bowed respectfully.

Uchiha Kyu held a measure of goodwill toward this thick-skinned Might Guy. "How far has your taijutsu training progressed?"

This was Might Guy, the man whose kick had nearly kicked the story to its ending, though that was somewhat exaggerated.

"Ah!"

When Might Guy saw that the Hokage actually knew about him, his eyes instantly filled with tears.

"I never thought the Hokage would know that I train in taijutsu. Today's extra training must be doubled."

"Reporting to the Hokage, my taijutsu has reached the Sixth Gate."

Uchiha Kyu's mouth twitched. Why did this guy's optimism give him the feeling that as long as he was not embarrassed, everyone else would be?

"The village is mine, but ultimately, it belongs to all of you."

Uchiha Kyu heavily patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "One day, the village will need your strength."

"Work hard." With that, Uchiha Kyu continued walking forward without any particular destination.

Might Guy had never heard words like that before. He was immediately overwhelmed with emotion and shouted tearfully at Uchiha Kyu's departing back.

"Lord Hokage, I will definitely train hard and protect the village."

Uchiha Kyu waved a hand behind him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's hypocritical routine usually disgusted him the most, yet now he was using it himself.

Truly, where one sat determined how one thought.

People had to know how to adapt their thinking. They could not fuss over trivial details or be too rigid.

Along the way, he noticed the reverent gazes the villagers directed at him.

This was the best state of affairs. There was no need to change it.

The leader of a village had to maintain an air of mystery and authority in order to manage these troublesome commoners more effectively.

The Uchiha Police Force patrol squad found that patrols had gone unusually smoothly today.

Those who caused trouble accepted their punishments, and not a single one talked back. They were so obedient that it seemed almost unnatural.

This was the authority brought by the Hokage.

Normally, these villagers only dared to defy their superiors and express all sorts of dissatisfaction with the Uchiha Clan's punishments because Konoha's upper ranks deliberately indulged them.

When he passed the Hokage Office, Uchiha Kyu pretended not to see it and quickly left.

He wanted to avoid being spotted by Hyuga Hiashi, who was currently being worked like a mule.

Most of the village's affairs would be handled by Hyuga Hiashi, then sent to him for review, signature, and execution.

Meanwhile, Hyuga Hiashi, still working diligently in the Hokage Office, looked at the empty Hokage's seat and rubbed his tired eyes.

Where had Lord Hokage gone?

He looked again at the pile of documents taller than his head and immediately felt a headache coming on.

At this rate, his Byakugan would be bloodshot.

More than half of these documents came from the Medical Department and required his personal handling and signature.

Holding two important positions, Hyuga Hiashi had thought he was happy and that it showed Uchiha Kyu's trust and esteem.

But from yesterday until now, Hyuga Hiashi had changed his mind.

Only then did he understand how painful it was to hold two positions at once.

Even when he returned home, there was still a pile of clan matters waiting for him.

Hyuga Hiashi felt that he needed to give up the position of Medical Department director, or he would eventually work himself to death.

Uchiha Kyu had never intended to let Hyuga Hiashi hold two positions for long.

However, because Hyuga Hiashi had rendered great merit and had to be promoted and rewarded, he had temporarily given him the position of Medical Department director.

When Hyuga Hiashi could no longer endure it, he would naturally come before him and resign from the Medical Department position.

At that point, it would not be Uchiha Kyu mistreating a meritorious official. It would be Hyuga Hiashi lacking the ability to live up to his trust.