Five days passed in the blink of an eye.
In these five days, Konoha restored basic order with astonishing speed.
Streets were cleaned, major buildings completed basic repairs, the Ninja Academy reopened, and the mission assignment center began operations.
Although the posted missions were mostly D-rank and C-rank missions related to reconstruction.
The new Hokage Building also completed preliminary repairs.
Although not as magnificent as the original, it at least had the majesty that a Hokage Building should have.
On the square in front of the building, the Uchiha clan emblem was carved in the most prominent position, replacing the original Hokage Rock pattern.
Those few rock statues were destroyed in the Kyūbi Incident, and Kaze ordered that they need not be repaired.
"Lord Hokage, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza have arrived."
Uchiha Roy pushed the door open and entered, speaking respectfully.
Kaze sat on the newly made Hokage chair, a wide desk in front of him.
"Let them in."
The door opened again, and the Ino-Shika-Chō trio walked in.
Their expressions were more complex than five days ago.
In these five days, they had witnessed the Uchiha's thunderous methods with their own eyes and personally participated in Konoha's reconstruction work.
Fatigue was written on their faces, but deep in their eyes, a trace of sharpness remained.
That was the pride belonging to Konoha's veteran ninja clans.
"Lord Hokage."
The three stood respectfully in front of Kaze.
"Sit."
Kaze raised his hand, pointing to the seats prepared for the three.
The three didn't hesitate, walking to the chairs in front of the desk and sitting down.
"How is the progress of Konoha's reconstruction?"
Kaze asked lightly.
"Major streets and infrastructure have been restored by 70%, residential housing by 45%. It is estimated that basic reconstruction can be completed in about ten days."
"Casualty statistics... Final confirmation: 112 civilians dead, 422 lightly/heavily injured; 156 ninjas dead, 287 heavily injured."
"Not including those... clans that were purged."
Nara Shikaku reported a set of data with some difficulty.
"How is the restoration of the mission system?"
Kaze nodded, making no comment on the numbers, but looked at Akimichi Chōza.
"Basic operations have been restored."
"Currently, reconstruction missions are the main focus, with C-rank and D-rank missions accounting for over 90%."
"In addition... border patrol missions have begun execution. According to your orders, all patrol squads must be led by an Uchiha ninja."
"Mission funds have been fully replenished from the confiscations from the four major clans."
Akimichi Chōza had been appointed to manage the mission system.
These days, looking at the continuously delivered mission funds and the huge data...
Akimichi Chōza had begun to suspect just how much those four old geezers had embezzled when they were in power...
"Very good."
"What do you think the current Konoha lacks the most?"
Kaze looked at the three, suddenly changing the subject.
The three looked at each other.
"Lack of trust!"
"Between villagers, between ninjas, between clans... trust has been shattered."
This time, Yamanaka Inoichi spoke first.
"Lack of specific direction for action."
"Where should Konoha's future go?"
Nara Shikaku added.
"Also lack... hope."
Akimichi Chōza spoke in a deep voice after a moment of silence.
"Correct."
"Trust takes time; direction requires guidance; hope..."
"Requires tangible power and benefits."
Kaze stood up and walked to the new map hanging on the wall.
It was a map of the entire Konoha territory, but several special areas were marked with a red pen.
The three felt a chill in their hearts.
"So, from today on, I give you power."
Kaze's voice echoed in the office:
"Nara Shikaku, I appoint you as the Minister of Administration, responsible for all administrative affairs, personnel deployment, and resource allocation in Konoha."
"All documents report directly to me."
Kaze said, taking out an armband printed with [Shadow] and handing it to Nara Shikaku.
To put it simply, the Minister of Administration was the first person under the Hokage—the Shadow Assistant!
"Yamanaka Inoichi, I appoint you as the Minister of Intelligence."
"All intelligence personnel from the former Anbu and Root are merged into the Intelligence Department, under your unified management."
"I want to know the movements in every corner of Konoha, and also know... every rustle of the wind in the entire ninja world."
Then, he placed another armband in Yamanaka Inoichi's hand.
"Akimichi Chōza, I appoint you as the Minister of Missions."
"The issuance, grading, assignment, and settlement of all ninja missions are entirely your responsibility."
The third armband was handed out.
The three were stunned.
This power... was too great.
So great that it made them feel uneasy.
"Lord Hokage,"
"Such appointments, I'm afraid, will arouse the... of other clans..."
Nara Shikaku spoke with difficulty.
"Other clans?"
"Other clans will have their places. But core power must be in the hands of trustworthy people."
Kaze interrupted Nara Shikaku, walked back behind the desk, and sat down again.
"You Ino-Shika-Chō have fought alongside the Senju and Uchiha since the founding of the village."
"Your loyalty has stood the test of time."
"So, I trust you."
Kaze pulled a smile.
Trust?
The three smiled bitterly in their hearts.
This wasn't trust; this was clearly... tying them to the Uchiha war chariot.
They all knew that if they accepted these positions.
Then from now on, they and their clans would be thoroughly branded as the "Uchiha Faction".
Never able to turn back.
"Of course,"
"If you are unwilling, you can refuse now."
"I won't force you."
"However, after refusing."
"What position you and your clans will be in the new era of Konoha... I cannot guarantee."
The smile Kaze just had was still on his face, but the words spoken carried a devouring dangerous aura.
Threat.
Naked threat.
But no one dared to point it out.
Nara Shikaku closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He knew that from the moment they walked into this office, they had no room for choice anymore.
"The Nara clan,"
"Is willing to serve Lord Hokage."
Nara Shikaku stood up and bowed respectfully to Kaze.
"The Yamanaka clan / Akimichi clan, is willing to serve Lord Hokage."
Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza looked at each other and also stood up and bowed simultaneously.
"Very good."
"Then, go to work. Within three days, I want to see the detailed structure and personnel list of each department."
The arc of Kaze's mouth finally had a little bit of warmth.
"Yes!"
The three responded, bowed, and exited the office.
The door closed.
Kaze sat alone on the chair, looking at the reconstructing Konoha outside the window, his eyes profound.
Decentralization of power?
No.
This was just to free the Uchiha from cumbersome administrative affairs.
The Uchiha's power shouldn't be wasted on processing documents, assigning missions, or collecting intelligence.
The Uchiha's power should be used for one thing...
Battle.
Conquest.
To make the entire ninja world tremble before the Uchiha's Sharingan.
And Ino-Shika-Chō were just tools.
Useful, and easy-to-control tools.
Outside the window, the sun was setting in the west.
The new power structure was formally established at this moment.
And Konoha...
No, the fate of the entire ninja world would also head down a completely different path from here.