Chapter 75: Sizing Up Subordinates, Heavy Handed Means
Soon, the staff member from the Five Guard Residence’s work hall guided Uchiha Tonan to a courtyard residence located in Fire Capital’s northern district. A plaque with Northern City Guard inscribed on it was hanging at the residence’s door.
Tonan walked into the courtyard when the staff member who was in the lead, asked, “Tonan-sama, do you think you have everything you need here?”
Tonan pointed at the rows of people standing in the middle of the front courtyard and asked, “These people are…”
The staff member explained, “They are your attendants, responsible for carrying out your orders and guarding the mansion.”
Tonan nodded with satisfaction, and took out a red envelope from his bag, handing it to the staff member, “Not bad, thank you for your hard work.”
The staff member took the red envelope, and happily bowed, “Many thanks, Tonan-sama. I will let you rest now.”
After the staff member left, Tonan walked to the attendants and sized them up, “The Northern City Guard staff work in two shifts, right?”
The attendants’ leader hastily replied, “My lord, we work in a three-shift system.”
Tonan nodded and said while walking towards the house, “Summon everyone from the Northern City Guard including those who are resting. I want to meet everyone.”
“Yes.” A group of attendants left the courtyard residence in succession, leaving just the head attendant. After putting his things away, Tonan asked him to move the table to the backyard corridor, and also make him a pot of tea.
He then sat behind the table and drank tea while waiting. After about an hour, all resting personnel arrived and stood in formation in the backyard. However, even before Tonan could speak, one of them walked to his side and bowed, “I’m Shimokawara Shota, Northern City Guard’s Vice-Captain. Although I was not born in Konoha, I became a ninja relying on myself. My strength is equivalent to that of a Konoha chunin.”
After speaking, he sat down beside Tonan. Tonan didn’t get angry. He just smiled faintly and addressed everyone, “My name is Uchiha Tonan. I’m Konoha’s chunin, and also your newly appointed captain. Let’s begin with the introductions with those in the management positions.”
“Kawato Kozo, Northern City Guard’s squad leader.”
“Toyoda Uetani, Northern City Guard’s squad leader.”
……
Once the introductions were completed, Tonan nodded. He lifted the teapot from the table, leaned over slightly, and poured some tea into Shota’s cup. Afterward, as if humbly seeking advice, he asked, “I’m new here, I don’t know what I exactly ought to do. Can you explain it to me, Shota-kun?”
Shota grinned and replied in high spirits, “You don’t need to do anything, just leave patrolling duties to the team. You are free to do whatever you please, Tonan-sama, and the Daimyo Residence will regularly deposit the mission remuneration in your bankbook.”
Tonan said with a happy look, “Really? I didn’t expect this mission to be so simple. I can make money just by relaxing.”
“Tonan-sama, you should focus on training and not let these trivial matters bother you. If something urgent comes up, I’ll be there to handle it. I can guarantee there’ll be no problems.”
Shota patted his chest and assured Tonan with an appearance of ‘I’m doing this for your own good’. Tonan looked at him, took a sip of his tea, and meaningfully said, “I should be grateful to you in that case, isn’t it?”
“Yes, yes!” Shota said while reaching for the teacup in front of him. Suddenly, a strong wind blew against his face.
Clang, clang!
Tonan attacked all of a sudden and two kunai pierced Shota’s palms, nailing them to the table.
“Ah!” Shota screamed in pain. Seeing this, the Northern City Guard members, who were standing in formation in the courtyard, instinctively wanted to rush forward to help him.
“Earth Style – Dark Swamp.”
Instantly, the entire ground in the backyard turned into a swamp, and everyone sank into it.
“Forgive us, Tonan-sama.”
“Tonan-sama, we didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Why’re you doing this to us?”
……
Tonan ignored Shota’s wail and Northern City guard members’ questions and pleads. He carefully lifted the teacup that was in front of Shota and took a sip, “I’m sorry, everyone. Since I’m young, I’m afraid you won’t take me seriously. Therefore, this was the only way I could think of to establish my prestige. Don’t worry, as long as you don’t act recklessly, you’ll be fine.”
Tonan put down the teacup. The head attendant at the side had just come back to his senses after the initial shock. He leaned over and lifted the teapot to pour tea for Tonan. Tonan glanced at him and casually said, “You’re very intelligent, what’s your name?”
The attendant leader knelt and deeply bowed, “Tonan-sama, I’m Yoshiwara Ao.”
Tonan nodded and waved so Ao could get up. He then reached out his hand and slowly turned the teacup. His gaze was focused on the patterns and using a puzzled tone, he asked, “Why do you think you are on equal footing with me? Do you truly think I’m an ignorant child? Did you want to make me a mere figurehead?”
He put down the teacup and took out a kunai from his bag, carelessly playing with it. Shota wanted to break free from the kunai that had nailed his palm to the table, but just moving his palm led to heartrending pain. He looked at Tonan, who was playing with a kunai, and swallowed, “What do you want? Let me tell you that if you dare to kill me, you’ll be done for. This is not Konoha, it is the Fire Capital.”
Tonan chuckled hearing his words, “You might’ve misunderstood me, Vice-Capitan Shota. I’ve always been a law-abiding, rules-following citizen.”
But before Shota could sigh in relief, Tonan slammed the kunai in his hand on the table and looked at the people stuck in the swamp, “You all should be aware of his misdeeds and shady businesses. Does anyone want to speak up? Whoever tells me anything about it, will be the next Vice-Captain.”
Everyone in the swamp became silent hearing Tonan’s words. Shota resentfully glared at him, thinking of ways to retaliate in his heart. Time passed by slowly, but no one opened their mouth.
Clap, clap, clap…
Tonan smiled and shook his head, applauding. He looked at Shota and said, “I didn’t expect you to be so popular.”
“I’ve always acted fairly. Even if you force them to speak, they’ll not say anything. Uchiha Tonan, was it? You’re done for. I’ll go to the Supervision Minister and report you.”
Shota’s eyes were red. He couldn’t wait to bury Tonan on the spot.
Tonan tapped on the table and called out, “Ao.”
Ao knelt on one knee and said, “Yes, Tonan-sama,”
“Go search Vice-Captain Shota’s house, and see if there are any suspicious records. If you find anything, bring them here.”
