I have a bunch of relatives who want to become Hokage.

Uchiha Shingen curled his lip.

One downside of large villages is the complicated administrative procedures.

Only someone in the administration department would come up with something so formalistic.

Which Jonin would be stupid enough to actually write down how they got into trouble? Who knows when a file theft might be exposed?

"Understood." Uchiha Shingen recalled how Senju Hashirama explained ninjutsu to people, and he knew what writing style he needed to use.

This is the writing style of the first generation master, how dare you say it's bad?

"None of this matters. There are administrative staff in the military anyway. If you really don't want to write it, just tell them verbally and let them write it themselves." Jiraiya knew exactly what kind of people the administrative staff were. This was something the administrative staff came up with to avoid trouble.

It's understandable that the administrative staff would have reservations about asking a Kage-level ninja about their mission completion process.

"Compared to that, Shingen, have you thought about which department you'd like to join?" Jiraiya finally got to the point.

"Leaving aside the Nine-Tails' rampage, after this war, you've become the village's symbol of strength. Unless you plan to take over the police department, it's not appropriate for you to stay there, you know that, right?"

“I know that.” Uchiha Shingen nodded in agreement. “So, what are the village’s plans for me?”

"Well, if it's my personal suggestion, I think it would be best for you to go to the Jonin class. But this depends on how Minato and Fugaku negotiate. After all, you're still with the police department, so even if you're transferred, you'll still have to go through the proper procedures."

"I have no problem with that, as long as I don't go to the Dark Division."

"Shingen, you don't like the Anbu?"

"Of course not, it's all about getting things done. I just don't like that kind of work atmosphere." Uchiha Shingen gestured as if putting on a mask. "My personality is actually quite difficult to deal with. The Anbu are too serious."

"Don't worry, no matter which department you go to, you should prioritize your own opinion," Jiraiya said.

The three legendary Sannin were always wandering around and never went to work. Only Orochimaru had a nominal position as an ANBU member protecting Shimura Danzo.

Who would have thought that resigning from this position would lead to trouble?

After the Orochimaru incident, Konoha will definitely not associate the Kage-level combat power symbol with the Anbu under any pretext.

Ultimately, the nature of work in the shadows is inherently less than honorable and prone to generating negative impacts.

The five major villages all treat Kage-level figures in the same way: providing them with the best resources and maximum freedom, and ignoring the orders of anyone other than the Kage.

The village's leaders also show the utmost respect to their own Kage-level members, as these are all treasures of the village. There's no way they'd be assigned to do anything just because of a transfer order.

For a ninja to reach this level is the pinnacle of the ninja profession; even the village kage doesn't have it as easy as they do.

Just like Sunagakure, the Fourth Kazekage, one of the Five Kage, doesn't earn much. Instead, he has to personally go to sea to pan for gold to fill the village's financial hole. But what about the Kage-level members of Sunagakure? They don't work during the day, but they still drink tea at night, and they always sign the bill.

The only pitiful thing is that the fourth Kazekage's hands cramped up from panning for gold.

It is said that the Fourth Kazekage considered retiring early, but when he looked around, there was no one who could succeed him.

That's really lame.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the same reason: poverty.

Konoha is not poor, so the Kage are very understanding of the Hokage's difficulties and never take advantage of the village in terms of personal spending.

I can't afford to lose face like that.

"Lord Jiraiya, is that all?" Uchiha Shingen felt that Jiraiya was being a bit too optimistic. Although the Cloud Ninja had retreated to the Land of Frost, it didn't mean they had given up.

It's just that there's one less Jinchuriki; it doesn't mean we can't fight.

"Yes, that's it." Jiraiya nodded. "As for Kumogakure, they'll probably just withdraw their troops like this. They won't fight if they can't gain anything. We estimate that we can withdraw our troops soon too."

"This time, the village should be able to make some money off Kumogakure." Uchiha Shingen felt an inspiration strike him. "Back when Kinkaku and Ginkaku rebelled, Kumogakure didn't compensate Konoha. Now that the Two-Tails' Jinchuriki is in our hands, we should be able to squeeze some money out of them, right?"

"That's not necessarily true." Jiraiya shook his head. Having spent a long time in Konoha's decision-making circle, he had a pretty good understanding of Konoha's strategy. "Kumakubi can't be weakened too much either. Instead of that, you should think about how to spend that 5000 million ryo."

Despite his smiling face, Jiraiya was thinking about something else entirely.

Uchiha Shingen said he liberated the Edo Tensei of Senju Muzoku, so the group mentioned in the top-secret files that attacked Kumogakure has probably been liberated as well, right?

One can only imagine how the Hidden Cloud Village, which had suffered excruciating pain from the loss of a thousand hands and feet, would react.

Those cloud ninjas who aren't very quick-witted might actually think that the Thousand-Armed No-Foot is still alive.

Hopefully, their reaction won't be too strong.

Because he just wanted to finish this job quickly so he could get to do something more serious.

Chapter Thirty-Six: Returning to the Village

Jiraiya's prediction was correct; on the second day after the Konoha ninja army was stationed at Nanguan Castle, the envoy from Kumogakure arrived.

They got straight to the point, proposing that both sides suspend military conflict.

He neither put on a brave face nor showed any undue weakness.

The envoy from Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village) went straight to the point, explaining to Konoha (Hidden Leaf Village) the reasons why a truce was the optimal solution, based on information gathered by Kumogakure.

Both the Hidden Rock Village and the Hidden Sand Village are stirring with malice.

The number one gold prospector in the Land of Wind stopped prospecting for gold after the war between Konoha and Kumogakure started, and now he's in meetings every day.

Moreover, the envoy from Kumogakure presented a reason that Konoha would find difficult to refuse.

It's just a temporary ceasefire. The Fourth Raikage will personally go to Konoha when the time is right to discuss and sign a treaty with the Fourth Hokage. The Two-Tails Jinchuriki will also be retrieved at that time. At the same time, Kumogakure will also provide additional support, and a batch of supplies is already on its way as ransom for the return of Nankan Castle.

Of course, that's a nice way of putting it. Nanguan City was completely destroyed by Uchiha Shingen, leaving only a wall on the back and a few dilapidated houses. What's the point of redeeming it?

Essentially, it's an initial compensation payment from Kumogakure to Konoha.

However, Konoha didn't care.

As the old saying goes, treat those who come to spend money with the warmth of a spring breeze, making them feel comfortable spending their money.

Even in war, the spirit of Konoha must not be lost.

Furthermore, after this battle, the significance of Kumogakure to Konoha has changed. It is no longer an enemy. After losing two Jinchuriki and thousands of ninjas, Kumogakure has transformed from a threat to Konoha in the north into a nominal enemy but a de facto ally, capable of relieving Konoha of the pressure from Kumogakure and Sunagakure.

This is also the norm in the five major ninja villages.

As the village with the second-highest wealth after Konoha, Kumogakure attracts just as many covetous eyes as Konoha.

This is also a very important reason why the martial arts faction was able to dominate in the Hidden Cloud Village.

The strength of Konoha is due to innate genes, while the strength of Kumogakure comes more from hard work. Kumogakure has never lacked the ability to adapt flexibly.

In short, the two sides had a very pleasant conversation.

Before leaving, the Cloud Village envoy made a special trip to say goodbye to Uchiha Shingen.

"Lord Shingen, you are welcome to visit Kumogakure when you have the chance," he said, seemingly unaware that the man before him had just killed a bunch of Kumogakure ninja and destroyed the city beneath his feet two days ago.

"Yes, I personally really admire the scenery of Kumogakure," Uchiha Shingen said with a smile.

I just want to go dance in front of Old Man Sha's grave.

I'm not going to dig up the grave. I really don't want to touch it this playthrough, and there's no need to.

I've also heard that the girls in the Land of Lightning are particularly enthusiastic, but I don't know if that's true.

“That would be for the best.” The envoy from Kumogakure looked calmly at Uchiha Shingen and said, “Although Kumogakure and Konoha have misunderstandings, they will definitely have a bright future.”

“Of course, the envoy is welcome to visit Konoha anytime.” Uchiha Shingen said generously, “Konoha welcomes guests from afar the most.”

The Cloud Village ninja didn't respond, but simply smiled politely, then bid farewell to the Konoha Jonin present and left.

Less than half an hour after they left, the supply convoy from Kumogakure arrived. The convoy, carrying supplies, formed a long line and was escorted all the way to the city wall by a Kumogakure army.

However, judging from the opponent's measured advance and retreat, it would be truly insane to believe that this is a second-tier team from the rear.

Who has ninjas in their transport team?

Clearly, the Cloud Ninja had two plans in mind.

After receiving and counting the supplies, the Konoha ninja army spent the night in Nanguan City and broke camp the next morning, embarking on their journey home.

They arrived with great fanfare and returned in high spirits. Overall, everyone was satisfied with the trip, and the Jonin (high-ranking ninjas) also made a lot of money.

However, due to the need to transport supplies, the return journey was not so quick.

Uchiha Shingen also used this journey to process what he had gained during this period.

The harvest was considerable.

In particular, having obtained the Kagutsuchi no Mikoto, although it is still quite unfamiliar due to the short time it has been mastered, there is still a long time ahead, and it is believed that this technique will have great potential for application.

In terms of lightning release, he also has the foundation of lightning release taijutsu.

Uchiha Shingen was very satisfied. He had now realized that it was becoming increasingly difficult to get something for free.

It's not that there are technical difficulties, but rather that things are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and there aren't many left to work with.

Cherish this happiness.

It might be gone someday.

After walking for more than half a month, the surrounding vegetation finally became familiar. Then one day, Uchiha Shingen heard cheers coming from ahead.

The cheers surged like a tidal wave, reaching the entire army.

Of the more than 10,000 Konoha ninjas who went to war, nearly 8,000 returned to the village. In this battle, Konoha lost more than 2,000 ninjas, mostly genin, with several hundred chunin, but no jonin were injured.

It was a resounding victory.

In contrast, the Cloud Village fared much worse. When they retreated to the Frost Country, they had only six thousand soldiers left, having lost more than half of their forces.

One of the two Jinchūriki died, and the other was captured alive by Konoha.

This doesn't even take into account the losses from the destruction of Nanguan City.

Uchiha Shingen had no idea what the situation was like in Kumogakure, nor was he interested in it, but the atmosphere in Konoha was as lively as if it were a festival.

However, more than two thousand people were ultimately sacrificed, and families will still grieve because of this. The Konoha leadership took this into full consideration and even held a special "Heroes Return Home" ceremony.

But in any case, the war has temporarily come to an end, the Land of Fire has restored peace, and everyone can return to their normal lives.

After returning home, Uchiha Shingen did indeed enjoy a few days of peace.

I get up on time every day, take a walk on the street, and work up a sweat in the training ground.

When he returned to this kind of life, he was almost moved to tears.

Moved by the experience, I couldn't help but revisit my long-lost tea-making skills.