Holding Both of Them Tightly in His Grip

Uchiha Kyu looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated. After all, treating people like workhorses was indeed a bit immoral.

Especially someone like Orochimaru, who was engaged in research and wished he could devote all his time to it.

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

Seeing his hesitant expression, Orochimaru frowned, suddenly feeling as though he was about to be schemed against.

"If it's difficult for you to say, then don't."

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

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

"I want you to take over as the Minister of Education. The position is currently vacant, and I can't think of anyone more suitable than you."

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 possibly have time to manage the Education Department?

Uchiha Kyu asked again with some concern, "You really won't do it?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "No."

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

"Perhaps Jiraiya doesn't agree with your ideals, but he would never make light of education."

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

"You want someone who doesn't agree with me running the Education Department? What if he teaches a bunch of rebellious brats who turn against me?"

For a moment, Orochimaru could not find any reason to refute him and could only lower his head and continue dissecting his experimental material.

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

"What a shame!"

"I was originally thinking that once you became Minister of Education, you could occasionally use student health examinations as an excuse to draw some blood for experiments."

"There are plenty of children from ninja clans in the schools. They might be useful for your experiments."

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

"Wait." Realizing the benefits of becoming Minister of Education, Orochimaru 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. It should be left to me."

A hint of amusement appeared on Uchiha Kyu's face as he slowly turned around to look at the 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. "You can always make time if you squeeze it out."

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

What Uchiha Kyu valued was precisely Orochimaru's brainwashing ability.

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

Kimimaro was a fine example.

Uchiha Kyu nodded with a smile. "All right, then. The Education Department is yours."

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

The instant Orochimaru saw the appointment letter, he understood that Uchiha Kyu had known all along that he would accept the position of Minister of Education.

Orochimaru laughed at himself. This guy really understood him well.

After resolving the matter of the Education Department, Uchiha Kyu had much more free time.

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 respectfully bowed.

Uchiha Kyu felt a bit of goodwill toward this thick-headed Might Guy. "What stage has your taijutsu training reached?"

This was Might Guy, the man whose kick had nearly kicked the story into its ending—though that was admittedly a bit exaggerated.

"Ah!"

Seeing that the Hokage actually knew about him, Might Guy was immediately moved to tears.

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

"Reporting to the Hokage, I've already trained to the Sixth Gate."

Uchiha Kyu's mouth twitched. Why did this guy's optimism give people 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 instantly moved beyond measure and shouted through tears at Uchiha Kyu's departing back.

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

Uchiha Kyu waved behind him.

Normally, he despised Hiruzen Sarutobi's hypocritical act the most, yet now he was using it himself.

Sure enough, where one sat determined how one thought.

People had to know how to adapt their thinking. They could not get hung up on trivialities or be too rigid.

Along the way, he noticed the villagers' respectful and fearful gazes.

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

The shadow of a village needed to maintain mystery and authority to better manage these troublesome villagers.

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

Those who caused trouble were punished as they should be. Not one of them even talked back; they were so obedient that it seemed almost unnatural.

This was the authority brought by the Hokage.

Ordinarily, these villagers dared to challenge those above them and express all sorts of dissatisfaction with the Uchiha's punishments only because Konoha's higher-ups had deliberately indulged them.

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

He wanted to avoid being seen by Hyuga Hiashi, who was currently being worked like a beast of burden.

Most of the village's affairs would be handled by Hyuga Hiashi, then submitted to him for review and signature before being carried out.

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

Where had Lord Hokage run off to?

He then looked at the pile of documents stacked higher than his head and immediately felt a headache coming on.

If this continued, his Byakugan would be filled with bloodshot veins.

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 felt happy, believing it was a sign that Uchiha Kyu valued and trusted him.

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.

When he went home, there would still be a pile of clan affairs waiting for him.

Hyuga Hiashi felt that he had to give up the position of Minister of the Medical Department, or he would work himself to death sooner or later.

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

But because Hyuga Hiashi had rendered great merit and had to be promoted and given a raise, he had temporarily given him the position of Minister of the Medical Department.

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

Then it would not be Uchiha Kyu mistreating a meritorious official. It would be Hyuga Hiashi lacking ability and letting down his trust.