Nara Luming was diligently reviewing documents, completely indifferent to the passage of time or how long the visitor had been waiting for him. As the Hokage's assistant, working for Ryun Uchiha, he naturally had to do his job well.
It wasn't until noon that Nara Luming finally put down his pen, stretched, let out a contented sound, and then looked towards the sofa. His movements suddenly froze. "Lord Hokage, you, when did you arrive! Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
Nara Luming quickly stood up and went over to Ryun Uchiha, fussing over him with concern. Ryun laughed. 'Luming, you look so captivating while working, I couldn't bear to disturb you. Sit down quickly, you must be tired after working all morning.'
Ryun was very satisfied with Nara Luming and gestured for him to sit down. Nara Luming nodded and then sat down. After less than a second of silence, Ryun said with a smile, "Luming, I want to ask you for a favor."
Nara Luming shot to his feet and rolled his eyes. He thought the Hokage had come to see how hard he was working and wanted to show some consideration for his subordinate. Turns out there was some consideration, but not much, and now he was being assigned more work! Only a dog would do this! Tyrant! Despot!
"Triple the pay," Ryun said calmly.
"It is my honor to share your worries, Lord Hokage." Instantly, Nara Luming sat back down, looking at Ryun with fervent eyes. He thought to himself, 'A wise ruler, this is a wise ruler! I, Nara Luming, offer you my loyalty!'
Ryun looked at Nara Luming with amusement. This guy was particularly interested in money. If you couldn't persuade him, it wasn't because he was lazy, but because your price wasn't right.
"Heh." Ryun chuckled, then explained to Nara Luming the matter he had previously discussed with Hirotomo Uchiha. Nara Luming's eyes gleamed. "This is a great thing, Lord Hokage! If this is accomplished, it will be good for both Konoha and the people of the other villages."
"But determining the tribute amount and negotiating with the villages won't be easy!" He reminded, frowning.
Ryun, however, looked completely at ease. "So, I must ask our dear Hokage Assistant, Lord Nara Luming, to work a little harder! Think about the numbers, and later, after the meeting approves it, handle the negotiations with the other villages."
"Bastard!" Nara Luming cursed inwardly, his mouth twitching. Are you even human, you thick-browed, big-eyed Ryun Uchiha? I'm really fed up, how does one even work for you? Not even a workhorse in a production team should be treated like this!
"This..." Nara Luming looked troubled, thinking about how to decline. The pay wasn't equivalent to the effort required!
Ryun smiled. "After it's done, two months of paid leave."
Nara Luming's expression instantly turned resolute. He looked at Ryun and said, "I'll take the job. Let me be clear, it's not for the money or the paid leave, but for the suffering villages and the happy lives of the people of Konoha that I'm taking this on!"
Ryun nodded. "Right, right, I believe you. So, I'll trouble you with it, Lord Luming!" After saying this, he stood up and patted Nara Luming on the shoulder, then seemed to remember something.
"Oh, and have Shikaku come to the office from now on to learn from you. I think he's very good, quite talented. Let him get exposed to administrative affairs early. When you're not here, he can take over your work!" Ryun smiled slightly.
Nara Luming's face changed, and he was about to curse out "Bas..."
"Hmm?" Ryun glanced at him, forcing Nara Luming to swallow his words.
Nara Luming smiled. "I wish you safe travels!"
"Mm! Work hard!" Ryun laughed, then left the Hokage's office, only to hear a loud shout from inside. "Ahhhhhhh! You bastard!!!!!"
But he didn't pursue it. What he did was indeed a bit underhanded. This move was equivalent to holding the child hostage to command the father. Your son is working here, I give you leave, but dare you actually rest? If something goes wrong, should I punish your son? Would you bear it?
Nara Luming, of course, understood Ryun's intention. At this moment, he was gritting his teeth tightly. This so-called two months of leave was basically no leave at all. He only had one precious son. If his son really made a mistake and got punished, he would undoubtedly be heartbroken.
However, if his son didn't make any mistakes during this time, or managed to avoid them with his behind-the-scenes help, then this would be a brilliant highlight on his son's political resume.
After calming down, Nara Luming also thought of this point. So, for his son's future, and for the multiplied salary, he'd do it! But is it too much for me to curse Ryun Uchiha a few times in my heart?
Fine, fine. Using the son to control the father! I've learned this move from you, Ryun Uchiha. You win this round!
The reason Ryun didn't seek out Nara Luming to settle accounts was that he also felt what he did was a bit unfair. So, he went to the Country Style Restaurant and bought two takeaway meals. He had one delivered to the Hokage's office.
He instructed, "This piece of meat is extremely delicious. Bring it with the heating stove to the Hokage's office. Tell them it's from Ryun Uchiha to Nara Luming, and that he must try it. Wait! Send this fine wine along too!"
The delivery guy, Namikaze Minato, nodded. "Okay, sensei, I will deliver this to Lord Luming at the fastest speed possible!"
Ryun was very pleased. "When you're a bit older, your teacher will give you a ninjutsu. I guarantee it will help you rise to prominence and become the King of Delivery!"
Namikaze Minato instantly felt his future was bright. He laughed, "Sensei, I will work even harder!"
Ryun left the Country Style Restaurant, thinking to himself about the future scene of Minato using the Flying Thunder God Technique for deliveries. Would the order be placed one second, and the food appear outside the user's door the next?
He headed home with the delicious food. With everything settled, his mood was naturally cheerful. At home, he ate and chatted with Tsunade, telling her about what happened earlier.
Tsunade's mouth twitched. "Your officials are really out of luck for eight lifetimes!" This... Ryun Uchiha doesn't do anything decent!
"Hey~ Honey, you can't say that. Leaders are in charge of the general direction. How things are specifically implemented depends on how the subordinates carry them out."
"Besides, this matter can solve an age-old tragedy. It's about serving the people. Both Konoha and the villages get real benefits. How can you say they're out of luck?" Ryun argued his case.
Tsunade shot him a glare and said, "I'm going to take a bath. You know what to do later."
Ryun immediately felt a headache coming on. He sighed and started clearing the table, then headed towards the bathroom in another room. What, you ask what they were going to do?
Sorry, that question... those who know, know!
At night, the concert began, with various instruments playing together, accompanied by melodious singing, utterly captivating.
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