nyslfriends Chapter 552 - 551: Sage Arts Gifted to Kakashi
Chapter 552 - 551: Sage Arts Gifted to Kakashi
After resolving himself, Ryun left the village with the Anbu shinobi and the girls, while Kitsuchi left behind some men to handle the aftermath and led the majority to follow.
On the way back, Ryun remained silent the entire time, and Kitsuchi felt too embarrassed to bring up the topic of new equipment again. After all, they had managed the village to such a state that they hadn’t even discovered the human traffickers.
This was no longer just a matter of negligence; it proved they were nothing but a bunch of incompetents. To allow a criminal organization to commit such heinous acts right under their noses for so long, the Iwa-nin were practically no different from useless freeloaders!
After arranging a temporary shelter for the girls, everyone returned to the Tsuchikage Building.
Ōnoki came forward with a smiling welcome, but Ryun completely ignored him and walked straight inside. Ōnoki’s face stiffened, but remembering the previous phone call from Yamanaka Inoichi, he fell silent.
He gave Kitsuchi a final glance. Kitsuchi hung his head low. Ōnoki sighed and then followed them in, with Kitsuchi close behind. Once they reached the office.
After everyone was seated, Ryun immediately slammed his hand on the table. "This is simply lawless! I want to ask if Deputy Minister Ōnoki is even fit to continue in his role! Such a horrifying incident occurred under your jurisdiction, and you, the deputy minister in charge of political and legal affairs, knew nothing about it? Are you blind?"
Ryun’s words were loaded with sarcasm and accusation. Ōnoki stood up, wanting to speak but ultimately lowered his head.
"Lord Hokage, rest assured. From now on, the Iwa Division will definitely strengthen discipline over public awareness. Regarding various issues within the Iwa Division’s territory, we will intensify our efforts to rectify them and will absolutely guarantee the safety of the Iwa Division populace."
Ryun understood that Ōnoki possessed deep political acumen. Since he had spoken like this now, there was no need for Ryun to keep pressing the issue. After all, only Madara Uchiha represented their side within the Iwa Division leadership.
There was no need to put pressure on his own great-grandfather, lest all the Iwa Division officials end up resenting Madara Uchiha. Ryun nodded. He glanced at Ōnoki, his expression gradually softening.
"Good. I believe the deputy minister will certainly correct things after this incident."
Simultaneously, Ryun looked toward Madara Uchiha. Madara Uchiha stood up. "I also bear responsibility for this matter! As the head of the Iwa Division, I am duty-bound!"
Ryun was momentarily stunned. Seeing Madara Uchiha bow his head in admission of fault, he hesitated, then spoke.
"In that case, Madara Uchiha is fined one year’s salary! Furthermore, he and Deputy Minister Ōnoki will jointly carry out political and legal reforms! If there is another failure, both of you can step down!"
After speaking, Ryun sat back down, his face dark. All of this was an act. Not punishing Madara Uchiha would be unreasonable, even though he didn’t manage affairs, he was the nominal head.
If he weren’t punished, and only Ōnoki and the other former Iwagakure personnel were penalized, then basically no one would accept Konoha’s authority, much less accept Madara Uchiha, the minister Konoha had placed in the Iwa Division.
Ōnoki looked at Ryun with a complex expression. Once again, despite his young age, Ryun’s political wisdom was no less than his own.
He glanced around and noticed that many Iwa-nin and management personnel were looking at Madara Uchiha with much softer eyes. With Madara Uchiha taking the lead and bearing the brunt upfront, they trusted him more.
Madara Uchiha was indifferent to this. At his level, money was no longer very important. Besides, although Ryun had publicly fined him, the usual ’gifts’ of money he received from Ryun were not reduced in the slightest.
As for a year’s salary? It was nothing but a drop in the bucket!
Madara Uchiha now spoke up. "Then, Lord Hokage, about the equipment matter." He smiled, placing himself in a very humble posture. If it were anyone else, Madara Uchiha wouldn’t give them a second glance. But if it was his own grandson, he didn’t mind softening his stance.
At this moment, Nara Luming, acting as the lubricant, spoke up. "Minister Madara, rest assured. Since Lord Hokage has promised, he will absolutely not go back on his word!"
Madara Uchiha nodded and sat back down. His action garnered considerable goodwill from many of the shinobi class. They now looked at Madara Uchiha with gratitude in their eyes.
They wanted Konoha’s new equipment far too much. Just look at the Anbu’s gear, then look at the Iwa Anbu’s equipment. Tsk, they simply weren’t on the same level!
Ryun once again emphasized the reforms in political and legal aspects, as well as the decrees he was about to issue. Everyone from Iwagakure expressed support for the Hokage’s opinions and were willing to serve as the first pilot unit, fully implementing the Hokage’s policies.
As the saying goes, one good turn deserves another. Since Ryun was willing to sell new equipment to their Iwa Division, their Iwa Division naturally had to actively respond and implement the Hokage’s policies.
Ōnoki also had no objections. He looked at Ryun with respect and recognition in his eyes.
Thus, after another two hours of meetings, Ryun boarded the subway with the Anbu and the women from the Land of Fire. This time, they departed hastily, or rather, they simply didn’t want anyone to notice their departure.
So they quietly arrived at the high-speed rail station. With the help of staff and various green channels, they boarded the train. Ryun and the Anbu shinobi stood, giving up their seats to all the girls.
The girls were overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. Several of them stood up, wanting to offer their seats to Ryun. Ryun just smiled and responded, "We are all shinobi; our stamina is strong. Standing for a while is nothing. You sit."
The girls hesitated, but right then, the ever-diplomatic Nara Luming began to persuade them. The man knew how to talk and quickly convinced the girls. So, throughout the journey, the train carriage remained peaceful like this.
Upon receiving word that the Hokage was returning home and bringing a group of trafficked girls, the Konoha High-Speed Rail Central Station immediately began preparing a green channel. The stationmaster personally came to direct, leaving other passengers watching in surprise.
After Ryun disembarked with the group, the stationmaster hurried over with senior management. "Lord Hokage, you’ve worked hard. Please follow me! The green safety channel is ready!"
Ryun nodded and followed. During this time, they didn’t encounter any Konoha villagers or villagers from other divisions. At the exit, Hyūga Hiashi, Uchiha Fugaku, and Sarutobi Shinnosuke had been waiting for a long time.
Behind them, each had brought over fifty shinobi. Ryun looked over and said, "Ensure the safety of the girls and escort them back to their homes."
"If a girl’s family is gone, then bring her back to Konoha Village, find her a good job, and allow her to make a living!"
"At the same time, I expect you to treat them with respect and a good attitude. If I find out anyone..." Ryun didn’t finish the sentence, but gave the three a cold look.
The three promptly bowed. "Yes, Lord Hokage! We will certainly fulfill Lord Hokage’s instructions!"
The three of them knew the origins of these women and held no contempt. After all, they themselves had experienced something similar when they were young, though it was bandits back then.
Their methods were even more ruthless. Therefore, they only felt pity and sympathy for these girls. As for any other thoughts, they had none at all. They only hoped the girls could live well in the future.
Ryun looked at the three, then smiled. "I trust you to handle things. Go ahead. After you return, come to my house for a meal together. Also, call Minato, Chōza, and Shikaku."
"Oh, right. Inoichi will come directly home with me. You’ve worked hard on this trip!" Ryun turned to look at Yamanaka Inoichi. Yamanaka Inoichi’s lips curved upward. "Working for my teacher is something this disciple does willingly!"
Ryun nodded, gave a few more instructions, and then took Yamanaka Inoichi home. These seven people were the future leaders of Konoha’s various departments that he had designated, and they were all his disciples. Naturally, they needed to gather and share meals from time to time.
Hatake Sakumo prepared to take Kakashi home, but Ryun stopped him. "Sakumo, and Kakashi too, you both come as well."
Hatake Sakumo nodded, then patted Kakashi’s head. "Silly boy, hurry up and thank Lord Hokage for the invitation!"
Kakashi snapped out of it and quickly bowed. "Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Ryun waved his hand. "It’s not work hours now. Sakumo, you and I are like brothers. By rights, Kakashi should call me Uncle."
Kakashi was somewhat excited. He looked at his father, Hatake Sakumo. Seeing his son’s awestruck look, Hatake Sakumo laughed and scolded, "Hurry up and address him!"
Kakashi quickly bowed. "Hello, Uncle!"
Ryun smiled and nodded. Then, he handed the chakra cultivation method he had summarized, based on Sage Arts, to Hatake Kakashi. "This chakra extraction technique is different from those of the various great clans in the ninja world. Rather than calling it an extraction technique, it’s more accurate to call it a Sage Art."
"Once you master it, you can draw chakra from the elemental energies of heaven and earth for your own use at any time. It’s a Sage Arts method unique to us humans! It’s also the cultivation method I used previously. Consider it a meeting gift!" Ryun took out a scroll and handed it to Hatake Kakashi.
Hatake Kakashi’s breathing instantly became heavy. He didn’t dare accept it, yet the longing in his eyes was almost overflowing. Even Hatake Sakumo’s expression changed. Ryun’s chakra extraction method, oh no, Sage Arts!
This opportunity was too great. Remembering Konoha’s records on Sage Arts, he quickly spoke up. "Brother, isn’t this too precious? Kakashi, he..." Hatake Sakumo wanted to say more.
But Ryun stopped him.
"What are you so anxious about? It’s not for you! It’s for the child!"
Then Ryun turned to look at Kakashi.
"Kakashi, I hope you will cultivate diligently, master this Sage Arts as soon as possible, and then protect the villagers of our Konoha. On this trip, you saw it for yourself. Although Konoha has unified the ninja world, there are still people under Konoha’s rule suffering in places we cannot see!"
"I hope that in the future, you can lead your subordinates and contribute to the stability of the ninja world and the stability of Konoha!" Ryun smiled.