Chapter 228: The Hokage's Kindness Can Never Be Repaid
Early the next morning, every ninja clan received the same message—Lord Hokage had issued a summons for a jonin assembly.
Mizuto and the other jonin emerged from their homes with hearts full of dread, gathering together before making their way toward the Hokage's office. Their families' fates would be decided today, and none of them knew what decision Jiraiya had reached.
Upon entering the office, they first glanced at Lord Hokage, then shifted their attention to Shikaku Nara standing behind him.
Unfortunately, they learned nothing.
Lord Hokage wore his usual sunny, enthusiastic expression, while Shikaku Nara maintained his eternal poker face, impossible to read.
The group exchanged glances, then obediently took their assigned seats, heads bowed slightly, waiting for Lord Hokage to announce his judgment.
Once everyone had arrived, Jiraiya declared the meeting open. Standing before the assembled jonin, he spoke with grave sincerity:
"Yesterday, some events occurred in the village. My relationship with many of you became rather... strained. We had conflicts."
"However, these conflicts arose from differing views on the village's development direction. They cannot be simply judged as right or wrong."
"While their behavior was inappropriate, it cannot be defined as rebellion or any other serious crime."
"This matter ends here. From now on, no one is to mention it again."
Mizuto and the others felt their hearts soar with joy, though disbelief colored their relief.
Could it really be this good?
No conditions whatsoever—just letting everyone off completely?
No punishment? No disciplinary action? No fines?
Nothing at all?
As everyone exchanged bewildered glances, they heard Jiraiya continue:
"The village's current development requires massive resources. Previously, I used administrative commands to forcibly push policies through."
"While my intentions were for the village's benefit, my methods were admittedly crude."
"I reflected deeply on my actions yesterday and decided to employ gentler management approaches going forward."
At this point, Jiraiya's face broke into his characteristic straightforward smile. Scratching his head with slight embarrassment, he actually bowed apologetically:
"After all, this is my first time being Hokage. I ask for everyone's understanding and patience."
"Oh..." Everyone gasped in shock, hurriedly returning his bow. "Lord Hokage speaks too seriously! It's our failure to communicate properly with you that led to these misunderstandings."
Mizuto and the others had steeled themselves for catastrophic losses. This sudden reversal of fortune left them ecstatic beyond measure. How could they possibly care about such details? Whatever Lord Hokage said, they would enthusiastically echo it a hundred times over!
The group prostrated themselves on the floor, expressing their gratitude without restraint. Several even broke down sobbing.
"Lord Hokage is far too merciful—we're utterly ashamed!"
"Lord Hokage's kindness can never be repaid!"
"From now on, we are Lord Hokage's most loyal supporters! Whatever you command, we shall do!"
"Alright, alright." Jiraiya waved his hands hastily, stopping their continued pledges of loyalty. "I can ease some future policies. The Konoha reconstruction plan can proceed more gradually. But the plans already established cannot be changed—everyone must continue implementing them as scheduled."
"Any objections?"
"No objections!" This time, everyone's opinions aligned perfectly. After all, having gained such an enormous advantage earlier, what did yielding a little now matter?
Seeing the unified consensus, Jiraiya's face lit up with a smile. He continued:
"Village reconstruction still requires substantial resources. I won't impose mandatory quotas anymore—that would only create more friction."
"My intention is for everyone to contribute voluntarily, according to their means and ability."
"One hundred million ryo is fine. Ten thousand ryo works too. Any amount is appreciated."
"The village belongs to everyone. These resources will certainly be devoted to village reconstruction."
"When the villagers learn of this, they'll surely feel gratitude toward each clan!"
The moment those words left his mouth, the tearful sobbing abruptly ceased. Heads lifted, eyes wide with alarm.
What did this mean? Hadn't he just said the matter was over? Why this talk of donations? Were these real donations?
Or was this actually the price for their lives?
Every gaze shifted toward Mizuto. The jonin had no choice but to steel himself and ask carefully:
"Um, Lord Hokage, about these donations..."
"Ah, please don't misunderstand." Jiraiya recognized their concern and immediately laughed with characteristic openness, speaking bluntly: "As I said before, yesterday's events are in the past. We won't speak of them again."
"These donations have absolutely no connection to yesterday's incident."
"Each clan may contribute whatever amount they wish—completely voluntary."
"I believe that between village comrades, we should treat each other with honesty, mutual understanding, and trust."
"Using coercion or deception might yield more resources in the short term, but in the long run, it will inevitably corrupt relationships between comrades, ultimately leading to distortion and estrangement."
"Moreover, I have faith that every ninja clan in the village genuinely cares about our home and is willing to make sacrifices for it."
When he finished speaking, everyone in the room froze. This Hokage was truly...
Mizuto and the others were internally dumbstruck, but their reactions came swift as lightning. They enthusiastically responded one after another.
"Lord Hokage, hearing your wise teaching, I realize how narrow-minded I've been."
"I've completely recognized my errors. On behalf of the Mizuto clan, I pledge to donate one hundred million ryo!"
"The Tenzuki clan will donate one hundred million as well!"
"Though our Moonlight family is small, we absolutely cannot retreat when it comes to contributing to the village—we pledge eighty million ryo!"
These were political creatures, after all. Mere verbal forgiveness left them uneasy. Now, by "voluntarily donating" some wealth, they could truly put the matter to rest on a political level.
A mere hundred million ryo? Compared to their anticipated losses, this was incomparably cheap.
One after another, voices rang out. Within moments, they'd pledged several billion ryo worth of resources.
"Oh, thank you so much!" Jiraiya's face glowed with excitement, thrilled as a child. "I knew it—treating people with sincerity ultimately receives sincere returns."
"Thank you all for your contributions to the village. The village will never forget what each clan has done for its revival."
However, Jiraiya—gratified that his sincerity had finally earned genuine hearts—failed to notice that many other clan jonin who hadn't been involved in yesterday's incident now wore expressions of extreme discomfort.
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