Chapter 274 It’s cold at high places

If one could dig a house out with one's toes, Hinata Hiashi would have already dug out a three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment with a luxurious observation deck in the Hokage's office.

He really realized it slowly, and it was not until Uchiha Keiji mentioned his family bluntly that he woke up from his dream.

"The Hyuga clan also firmly supports the decision made by the Hokage!"

The smile on Ye Shan's face grew deeper. He stood up and walked in front of Hyuga Hiashi, gently patted the latter on the shoulder and said, "I heard that several decades ago, the princess of the Mizunotsuki clan married your grandfather. Is this true?"

In other words, the power structure of Konohagakure is topped by one Hokage and three Vice Hokage, who make decisions on all matters. The Hyuga clan, as one of the largest ninja clans in the village, has a high political status, but it is far from being able to participate in decision-making. So the purpose of Ye Shan calling Hyuga Hiashi late at night is very clear, he just wants to let them do the job of recruiting the Mizunotsuki clan. Unfortunately, Hyuga Hiashi is not smart, and he didn't come to his senses until now.

"Hokage-sama has a good memory. My grandmother is the legitimate princess of the Mizunotsuki clan. She is of noble status and of pure blood."

Intermarriage between large families is very common. Before the ninja village system was established, they often used this method to maintain their own strength and interests. The Hyuga clan advocates intermarriage within the clan to ensure the purity of blood and the power of secret arts, but they will also make moves to intermarry with outsiders, but the children born will not be valued.

Hyuga Hiashi is the second son of his grandfather, and he is the purest bloodline in the clan. His uncle is a mixed-race, and now he has become an ordinary clan member. Of course, we can't say that the Hyuga clan is cold-blooded and ruthless, it's all just an exchange of interests. This kind of thing is very common in the Uchiha clan and other powerful clans. In short, powerful clans are all messed up, and there are relatives everywhere.

Hinata Hiashi calmed himself down and continued, "My grandfather died on the battlefield in the 23rd year of Konoha, but my great-grandmother has lived until now. In terms of seniority, the head of the Mizunotsuki clan should call me my cousin."

Ye Shan smiled, picked up the cigarette and sniffed it, but did not light it. He said slowly, "According to the intelligence, the chief of the Mizunotsuki clan died half a year ago. Now Mizunotsuki is in charge of clan affairs. Are you familiar with this person?"

Now that things have come to this, even if Hinata Hiashi and Mizunotsuki don't know each other, they can't just say it directly, otherwise it would be too foolish.

"Yes, he is my cousin. We used to go out together in the early years."

Yeshan nodded in satisfaction, and Uchiha Keiji quickly picked up the match and lit it. He didn't act like a Deputy Hokage at all, he was just a lackey.

But in the entire Konohagakure, only he can calmly light a cigarette for the Hokage and say a few witty words. This is called social etiquette. You say that when something good happens, can Ye Shan not think of him?

It is certainly not good to appoint people based on personal connections, but Uchiha Keiji is an all-round ninja who is good at both fighting on horseback and handling government affairs on foot. Such talents are rare.

"It's simple. Since your Hyuga clan is related by marriage to the Mizunotsuki clan, it's your duty to support each other." Ye Shan said lightly, unknowingly changing the interest of the matter.

"Now that the Mizunoe clan is in trouble, the Hyuga clan naturally cannot stand idly by. My idea is for you to write a letter and submit it to the Mizukage, talking about the blood relationship between the two clans, just to test the waters first."

Don't think that everyone who writes the letter writes the same thing. The one proposed by Rizu and the one proposed by Ye Shan are two completely different things. The former is only an exchange between tribes, while the latter directly rises to the level of exchanges between countries, and the influence caused is incomparable.

Hinata Hiashi rolled his eyes and suggested, "In a month it will be our great-grandmother's 70th birthday. According to the rules, we should celebrate it with great fanfare. The Hyuga clan, under the leadership of the Hokage, is a ninja clan that emphasizes filial piety. It is our duty to celebrate the old lady's birthday."

"At that time, I will send out invitations to all the ninja clans, big and small, to come to the village to celebrate the old man's birthday. No one will be able to find fault with it."

Ye Shan nodded continuously, and after listening, he smiled and said, "The Hyuga clan has done a great job. The elders have worked hard for their children and grandchildren all their lives, and they just want to have a decent life in their old age. I think we should not only do it, but also do it on a grand scale. Don't be afraid of spending money, the expenses will all come from the village."

Hinata Hiashi was not willing to agree. A quarter of an hour ago, Uchiha Keiji was clamoring to donate 10 million taels for village construction. Even if he, as the clan leader, did not want to pay, he could not take money from the public!

"Thank you, Lord Hokage, for your kindness, but I strongly disagree!"

"The money of the village is earned by everyone's hard work. How can it be used for personal matters? Although the Hyuga clan is not a wealthy family, they still have some material possessions."

"I'm glad you think so." Ye Shan praised, glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall, and said, "It's just a little late. Do you think we can move our great-grandmother's birthday forward?"

Hinata Hiashi slapped his head and said, "Look at my memory, it's even worse than a three-year-old child! My great-grandmother's birthday is in five days, and I got it wrong!"

"Good good!"

Ye Shan put out his cigarette, looked at Nara Shikaku, and said, "It's the old man's birthday, how can I, the Hokage, not show some appreciation? You are the village's chief steward, tell me what gift to give."

Nara Shikaku pondered for a moment, trying to figure out what the Hokage was thinking, and then said, "According to the rules, when a ninja reaches his 70th birthday, the village should give him a pair of birthday peaches and a golden cane. But the Hyuga clan has made indelible contributions to the development and construction of the village, so we naturally cannot be stingy and hurt the heart of the meritorious official."

"My idea is to give an additional sea coral tree confiscated by the New Rain Country plus a plaque."

Ye Shan immediately agreed with his idea: "You write the note and I'll approve it. The gift must be wrapped festively and the old man must be happy to celebrate his birthday."

"Yes!"

Once things are in line with the wishes of the superior, they will go smoothly. Yeshan approved the gift document on the spot and handed it to Hinata Hiashi.

"Work hard, and you will definitely have a place as the Vice Hokage in the future."

Happiness came too suddenly. Hinata Hiashi was so excited that he almost fainted. He held the approval document tightly in his hand, as if he was holding on to his own path to success.

"Hyuga Hiashi will definitely live up to the Hokage's expectations!"

Ye Shan was very satisfied with his performance, except that he was not very polite at the beginning. "The Hyuga clan is a well-known eye-jutsu family in the village. They have made great contributions during several wars. This is obvious to all. It happens that Uchiha Keiji is here tonight. He is the deputy hokage in charge of personnel. How about giving him a position?"

Uchiha Keiji pretended to frown and think for a moment, then smiled and said, "Everyone knows that the Hyuga clan's eye technique is unrivaled among all the others, and can see through the enemy's situation from a very long distance. The position of deputy director of the village's mission department is still vacant, and I think Hiashi is the right person to take the position."

Hinata Hiashi was delighted. The Hokage ordered a thorough investigation of the Mission Department two days ago because of work mistakes, and the deputy director was dismissed. This is a big lucrative position, much more popular than the Intelligence Department or the Reconnaissance Department. It is worth mentioning that the position of the Director of the Mission Department has changed several times. At first, it was held by Minato Namikaze, and then by Keiji Uchiha. However, the deputy director has the final say on all matters. In name, he is the deputy director, but in fact, he does the work of the director.

Ye Shan waved his hands and pretended to be displeased, "You are too petty. Rizu is the patriarch of a clan. How noble is his status? How can you just give him a deputy position and just do it perfunctorily? You can vacate the position of director and let him do it. It will be a good opportunity to share the burden and avoid exhausting yourself."

Uchiha Keiji immediately expressed his opinion: "I am old and often feel that I lack strength. It would be a great honor to have Director Higashi share the work. It just so happens that there are more and more things to do at the Root. Do you think it would be better to let him take care of it?"

The Root, the Anbu, and the Konoha Hospital are all departments second only to the Deputy Hokage, followed by the Security Department, the Mission Department, the Intelligence Department, the Reconnaissance Department, etc. If Hyuga Hiashi can become the head of the Root, his position will instantly be raised to a higher level. Anyway, the Root is now in a mess, and the elites have all been transferred to the Anbu. Uchiha Keiji might as well let it go and throw away the position of the head of the Root and enjoy his leisure time.

In Uchiha Keiji's mind, the Root Minister or the Anbu Minister is nothing at all. Smart people have long seen the formula of power. Whoever can please the leader has power. If you don't believe it, look at Shimura Danzo. He was just a Root Minister, but he did the job of the Executive Vice Hokage. Look at Hatake Sakumo. He was an Anbu Minister, but in the end, he couldn't squeeze into the high-level circle?

Therefore, the size of power does not depend on the position, but depends entirely on your weight in the leader's heart. Uchiha Keiji is determined to be the Hokage's confidant, and he doesn't care about the small position at all.

Ye Shan laughed and patted Uchiha Keiji on the shoulder, saying: "The Vice Hokage is a man of high moral character, and will surely become a good story in the future. Hiashi, why don't you thank him quickly?"

Hinata Hiashi made a seal and bowed, expressing his gratitude solemnly, and his etiquette was impeccable.

Uchiha Keiji quickly helped him up and said with a smile: "From now on, we are comrades who eat from the same pot. We must work hard and help the Hokage to push the development of the village to a new level."

Ye Shan looked at the time and found that it was already early morning. He apologized and said, "You guys should go back and rest. You've worked so hard late at night."

Hinata Hiashi said goodbye respectfully, but Uchiha Keiji still sat in his chair motionless, looking like he still had something to say.

Ye Shan personally made him a cup of tea, and smiled as he came closer and asked, "Do you have anything else to do?"

Uchiha Keiji took the teacup and, rarely, did not smile. Instead, he asked solemnly, "How many years have we known each other?"

"Let me think," Ye Shan stroked his chin and thought, "From the thirty-seventh year of Konoha to now, it has been more than ten years."

"Time flies!" Uchiha Keiji sighed, and then changed the subject: "I watched you rise from a Chunin to the high position of Hokage step by step. To be honest, we are as close as family members."

Ye Shan nodded and said, "You are right. If you hadn't accepted me back then, I would have become a weed by the roadside. How could I have the high position and power I have today?"

"So, is it okay for me to speak a few words from my heart without any hesitation?"

"Not too much."

"You are the Hokage. I can understand that you are busy with work, but that is definitely not a reason to abuse your body!"

Uchiha Keiji frowned and put on a scolding attitude: "Just now Nara Shikaku told me that you have slept less than five hours a night for a long time! I want to ask you, do you really want to be a short-lived Hokage? You can put aside everything except resting your body!"

"The new policy is in full swing, the old party is ready to make a move, and the undercurrent in the ninja world is constant. Everything needs your decision. If you really fall, what will happen to the village? What should we do?"

Ye Shan opened his mouth, intending to say something harsh, but found himself at a loss for words. Obviously, the other party's words were all unpleasant to hear, but Ye Shan felt warm in his heart, because there were not many people who really cared about him. Looking back, there were only a few of his former companions left, and they were all respectful to him when they saw him on weekdays. He felt even more lonely at the top.

Hokage is also a human being, and as a human being, he needs emotions. No normal person likes a lonely life. The hustle and bustle of life is the flavor of life.

Uchiha Keiji was very excited. He put down the cup and stepped forward, spitting all over his mouth as he spoke: "Konoha Village cannot do without you. Your body no longer belongs to you, but to all Konoha ninjas! As the deputy hokage, I am not qualified to talk to you about the principles, but tonight I have to!"

"Health is the capital. Once health is gone, no matter how many aspirations you have, they are nothing but reflections in the mirror. Don't you understand this truth?"

Ye Shan smiled and pushed Uchiha Keiji to sit down in the chair. He picked up the teacup and put it in his hand, saying, "This is all my fault. I didn't take good care of myself and made you worry."

"Don't worry, I will definitely change my bad habits and eat and sleep well in the future."

Uchiha Keiji's expression eased a little, and he muttered, "I'm not being nosy, it's just that you don't take care of yourself! You are the leader with the most pressure and the heaviest workload, but you are the one who deserves to enjoy the most."

"Come with me tonight, relax and put your work aside for now."

Ye Shan was about to refuse, because he had an important meeting tomorrow morning and couldn't delay. But Uchiha Keiji grabbed his arm and said in a very tough manner: "I will listen to you on major matters and me on minor matters. You must come with me tonight."

Ye Shan was in a trance, and instantly recalled the happy moments of his previous life. On many weekday nights, his friends would also pull him away like this, insisting on going to the night market for a few more drinks, otherwise their relationship would fade.

Well, let's take a day off. Sarutobi Hiruzen has a habit of peeping into bathhouses. What's wrong with enjoying himself?

At that moment, the two of them walked away arm in arm, leaving Nara Shikaku, who looked confused, in the office, as if to say, "I haven't gotten in the car yet..."