I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 288 Never expect the company to be efficient in reimbursing expenses; never pay in advance.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the pile of files in front of him, which were all trivial matters, and fell into deep thought.

Inside the Hokage Building alone, there are more than thirty ninjas in charge of administration, including strategists like Nara Shikato who have proven their abilities time and again.

But why does it always feel like the changes these dozens of people have brought to the village over the years are not as significant as the results Chenma has achieved by taking time out of his holiday to reorganize the village these past few days?

The points that Tatsuma just mentioned gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a real fright.

It had only been half a year since Kushina was abducted, and the shock had not yet subsided when she was suddenly informed that Kumogakure was still keeping an eye on the main branch of the Hyuga clan in their village. And this information was actually discovered by the Uchiha clan.

In response to the abduction of Kushina by the Hidden Cloud Village, the village took many measures, which greatly damaged the reputation of the Hidden Cloud Village leader who orchestrated the incident.

They thought this would make the Hidden Cloud Village more restrained, but now they discovered that the Hidden Cloud Village also had a person named Suyui hiding there. The Hidden Cloud Village ninjas were frustrated, and Suyui, as a candidate, had an excuse to cause trouble.

If a high-level change occurs within the Hidden Cloud Village in the future, and Yui takes the position of Jonin leader, then the next surprise attack on Konoha might target the Hyuga clan's main branch.

No. With such hawks around, none of the Konoha clans with bloodline limits or secret techniques can live in peace.

The fact that Kumogakure kidnapped ninjas from other villages is not an isolated incident. If Konoha's bloodline limits and secret techniques were to leak out, Hiruzen Sarutobi would know just how important that would be.

This was just one of the important matters Tatsuma mentioned.

Furthermore, the Uchiha clan's desire to establish friendly relations with the village, or more directly, with the Hokage's faction, is also extremely important.

If dealing with extreme hawks from other villages like Suzuyuki is considered external defense, then the Uchiha's defection is internal pacification.

The friction between the Uchiha clan and the Hokage lineage has a long history, starting from when Madara Uchiha missed the position of the first Hokage when the village was founded, to Madara Uchiha's departure, and the Uchiha clan's internal strife, during which the village ostracized them without any explanation.

Then, during the reign of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, Setsuna Uchiha launched a rebellion. Although it was suppressed by Tobirama Senju and did not cause much of a stir, it did ignite the hearts of a considerable number of Uchiha.

Madara Uchiha's radical faction also started here. The current head of the Uchiha clan is also a member of the radical faction. For many years, Hiruzen Sarutobi has tried to win him over through appeasement, but all his attempts have failed.

But now, just when he had given up and planned to wait for the next Uchiha clan leader to take over before trying to win him over, Tatsuma brought him good news.

As for Uchiha Tenka's awakening of his Sharingan, and Hyuga Sento and Nawaki's desire to learn the forbidden Eight Gates, these seem like minor matters compared to the previous two events.

As for the internal strife in the Land of Water, Yamanaka Ochū had already told him about it. The reason why no decision had been made yet was because the think tank was still calculating the pros and cons of the proposed solutions.

Tatsuma brought this up not because he thought Hiruzen Sarutobi was unaware, but because the more distractions there were, the easier it would be for the other party to overlook his hidden agenda or the real focus.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a while, then beckoned into the darkness. A listless, unmotivated boy emerged from the shadows and asked in a barely respectful voice, "Hokage-sama, what are your orders?"

"You can sit in on the conversation."

After giving his concise instructions, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tatsuma again. He didn't dislike Nara Shikaku, but Shikaku's personality made him hard to talk to. His work ability was indeed good, but he was suitable as an answer indicator, not as a conversation partner.

Tatsuma is different. He's smart and speaks well. Sometimes he can even pass the answer to Hiruzen Sarutobi without revealing the answer, making Hiruzen Sarutobi say it. He seems very wise.

What are your thoughts on the Uchiha clan?

Upon hearing this, Chenma didn't try to avoid the topic, since he was the one who brought it up. Avoiding it now would seem overly sentimental. Therefore, based on his thoughts from the previous night, he said:

"I suspect that the Uchiha clan will complete the transfer of power as soon as possible. I have not had contact with Uchiha Taku, so I am not clear about his attitude and methods."

However, I have interacted with Fugaku Uchiha. Although our acquaintance was brief, I could still discern some of his qualities. Compared to the stereotypical image of the Uchiha, he lacked a certain magnanimity, or rather, a certain quality.

"What traits?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked curiously. He was familiar with Takumi Uchiha, but not with Fugaku Uchiha, which would complement Tatsuma's knowledge. Tatsuma didn't keep him in suspense and said:

"Fugaku Uchiha has a fierce appearance, especially his fierce eyes, which can easily make people afraid of him. However, his eyes are not sharp and lack the ruthlessness of a hawk or wolf."

I once heard a story about an excellent painter who always made adding the finishing touch to the eyes of a dragon the last step in his painting. Without that final touch, the dragon would have form but no spirit.

Fugaku Uchiha is like a dragon in a painting whose eyes haven't been painted—he has a fierce appearance but no fierce spirit. Once you get to know him better, you can easily see his mediocre side.

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's assessment, Hiruzen pondered for a moment. Tatsuma had already delivered the answer to him, so he naturally replied with it.

"In contrast to his father, who had no fierce appearance but was full of malice, he had secured his position as clan leader. It seemed difficult and risky, but in reality, he was orchestrating bloodshed."

He secured his position as the head of the Uchiha clan through sheer iron-fisted rule, which earned him the resentment of many Uchiha clan members. However, under his iron-fisted rule, they couldn't cause any real trouble.

If what you say is true, then Fugaku Uchiha will probably find it difficult to maintain his position as clan leader. No wonder you concluded that the Uchiha clan is about to experience a power shift.

This Uchiha Taku is practically using the village as a stepping stone for his son to secure his position as clan leader. But what father would let his child enter a pack of wolves?

Shikaku, who was listening to the conversation between the two, looked puzzled. He had heard his father say that his father had secured his position as clan leader with just one sentence.

"I'll handle the affairs in the village."

Then the other candidates happily went off to raise deer, and didn't even want to come back to the village often, for fear of being pulled into the think tank.

The position of clan leader is complicated and often ends up pleasing neither side, so why would it be worth fighting for? Lu Jiu didn't understand. He had even started looking for clan members of the same age to see if he could pass the buck later.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Shikaku, who was lost in thought, and reluctantly gave up on getting his opinion. Instead, he continued, "Tatsuma, do you think the village will benefit from this?"

"Keeping the Uchiha clan stable is actually the biggest benefit for the village."

Tatsuma looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "The Uchiha are indeed the most rebellious of the village's ninja clans, but it is undeniable that the Uchiha are extremely important to the village."

During the Second Shinobi World War, the village fought on multiple fronts. If the Uchiha hadn't withstood the pressure from the north, our battles in the west and northwest would probably have been thrown into chaos as well.

Even in peacetime, the Uchiha clan played an irreplaceable role in maintaining the village's security, since no other clan had the strength or determination to be fully responsible for security work.

If the Uchiha clan becomes unstable, it will send a signal of weakened fighting power to the outside world, and internally it will cause turmoil in the village, halting or even regressing the process of order and rule of law.

If a radical faction hostile to the village were to rise to power within the Uchiha clan, the village would have to expend even more energy, manpower, and time to resolve the situation, and it might even have adverse effects on other ninja clans.

Tatsuma's analysis made Hiruzen Sarutobi nod repeatedly, but he did not express his agreement or offer any opinion on how to handle the matter.

After a pause, Tatsuma knew that this still hadn't swayed Hiruzen Sarutobi, so he thought for a moment and said, "Of course, the village can't interfere in another clan's internal affairs without a reason."

As soon as this topic was brought up, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up. Tatsuma was too savvy. If it were Hiruzen Sarutobi who brought up this topic, it would be really too much.

However, it would be most appropriate for a village-loving teenager who cares deeply about the village and has no connection with the village administration to make the suggestion.

Noticing Hiruzen Sarutobi's reaction, Tatsuma knew that Hiruzen was setting a trap for him, but he was willing to fall into it, so he continued:

"Although the village and the Uchiha are currently in a lukewarm relationship, the Uchiha are ultimately members of Konoha. However, the village has been too lenient with the internal divisions within the Uchiha in recent years."

As a result, some voices against the village have emerged within the Uchiha clan. The village could naturally help the Uchiha clan with a peaceful transfer of power without expecting anything in return, but in my opinion...

The development of the ninja clan should be orderly and steady, and the freedom of expression should be constrained within principles. The village helped the new Uchiha clan leader take office, and the new Uchiha clan leader should reciprocate in kind, further improving the compatibility between the Uchiha and the village.

Some remarks that are detrimental to the unity and friendship of the village should be rectified. At the same time, the Uchiha clan and the village should establish a deeper cooperative relationship.

"We could also allow some freedom of movement from the village, and perhaps even give the Uchiha some opportunities to work in sensitive positions, such as the Anbu, so they can better understand the village's inclusive spirit. What do you think, Hokage?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, but his brows were furrowed. He pressed his thumb down on the nearly extinguished tobacco in his pipe, took two more puffs, and then said:

"It's not allowed for the village to directly intervene in ninja clan affairs, as such things are generally prohibited."

He spoke slowly, and after each sentence, he would stop to smoke. Chenma was not anxious at all, because what is not allowed in principle is allowed, and what is theoretically feasible is not feasible.

Tatsuma waited patiently, and Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke up: "But there is always an exception to everything. The village does not interfere in the affairs of the ninja clans, but it cannot allow the ninja clans to have internal strife."

Every ninja clan and every ninja is an important part of a village. Turmoil within a ninja clan can affect the village and even further afield.

Moreover, it was at the request of the ninja clan that the village offered assistance, helping them to develop better and more orderly, which was also the village's responsibility and obligation.

However, this matter involves many issues, and I cannot make a decision on my own. We need to discuss it internally again. Of course, we should not cause the villagers too much worry.

Here's what we'll do, Tatsuma. You're familiar with Fugaku Uchiha, so go and find out more about whether the Uchiha clan is really facing difficulties. This will prevent the village from worrying unnecessarily, and you should get your stance straight as soon as possible.

Regarding your suggestion to have the Uchiha clan join the Anbu, I'll let you know of your plan. Once it's finalized, you can go through the recommendation and approval process with Sakumo.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Tatsuma accepted the order, then looked troubled and said, "Hokage-sama..."

"Do you have any concerns?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked kindly, and Tatsuma nodded, saying rather bluntly, "I'm short of money."

"The village will reimburse you for the related expenses."

Even a clever housewife can't cook without rice.

"."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tatsuma with a strange expression. After a while, he took out his wallet, pulled out a large wad of banknotes, and said, "Spend it sparingly, and don't forget the Three Commandments of the Ninja."

After a pause, Hiruzen Sarutobi added, "The bond between master and disciple should not be tainted by money."

Thank you for your guidance.

(End of this chapter)