The clans gathered in the forest training ground. Four legions all accounted for, sitting around a campfire. The chatter silenced as I walked in.
With Silence, I began.
"Welcome, everyone, to the 1st general meeting of the Kurosawa clan! I know you all are curious and sleepy, so I'll get to my point quickly. We have come a long way from where we started! We have bled, sweated, and sacrificed to be here. To become what we are. Before, we simply made decisions based on what helped in our survival. But now, when we have become empowered. When we have money and strength to spare, I want you all to be part of the process that decides your lives. "
I let the weight of my words settle in.
"Of course. As clan head, my decisions will be final. I will hold executive power, and in emergencies, I reserve the right to reverse or take any major decision without the clan's consent. But every month, we will meet in a clan meeting. Here, you can make requests and complaints and ask for explanations if you need any. Also, you can present your requests. So for today. If you have any questions or requests that you want directly addressed to me, I'm listening."
I didn't want to be a dictator. This was the best way to give everyone a voice. I got the reports and stuff from commanders. But I think this access to me and the feeling of being heard would go a long way in enhancing clan unity. Besides, it was common knowledge in the modern world. Happier employees are better employees."
Murmuring rose. But before it devolved to chaos in discussions, my plant, Haruto, raised his hand.
"Quieeeet! Yes, Haruto?"
"I wish to ask you about the clan allowance. While it is sufficient to maintain us. We can't accumulate anything. So I would like an increase of 3000Ryo in cash allowance."
"I see, who else feels that way?"
A lot of people raised their hands. Huh, I didn't know that. Good thing I thought of this, right?
"3000 is a bit much with current finances. But I can increase it by 1500 Ryo."
"I understand. Thank you, Lord Ren."
The clearing broke into chatter again. Now they knew that the changes were real. Their minds raced as one by one, many proposals came in.
"I vote for getting our new clan site near the Hokage tower!"
"We don't have enough money for that. And the present location has been chosen after careful consideration. It will not be changed!"
"Kujo snores a lot, please make him sleep alone!"
"No, I do not!"
"Yes, you do!"
"Daichi! Look into these guys' sleeping arrangement!"
"Can we have pink flowers on our uniforms for our Spring legion?"
"Then we want golden leaves!"
"No uniforms need to be the same. That's why they are called uniforms. The best I can do is this: You may choose your design, but the color remains the same. Blue, with our symbol behind and white design!"
"Can we go out to C-ranked missions now?"
I zeroed in on that. "Alright, missions. Not for now, but I have decided to take you all for your first fights and kills myself or under one of my friends for safety. After that, you can go on your own."
They chewed on that.
"Can we make Taro clean the toilets forever?" One spoke.
"No!"
"The houses?" another followed.
"No!"
"Then laundry!"
"No chores will be scheduled properly without bias. And what did Taro do anyway?"
They were all silent. "He's Taro," Ryouma said like that was the explanation.
Was Taro being bullied or something? I made a mental note to check later.
"Is the Hokage bald?"
"No, he is not. W-Why would you even think that?"
"He's always wearing a hat."
"Can we plan a clan trip?"
"We'll see."
"Can we get those cool tags you threw in the tournament?"
"In time, yes. Not in the near future."
"Is Rina your girlfriend?"
"No," I squinted at Emi. We just talked about this.
"Can I adopt a pet?"
"If you care for it and it doesn't bother the clan operations."
"Can we change the rotation of the food we eat?"
"The menu? That's doable." That was a good suggestion, actually.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"No." Persistent, this one.
"Can we choose our own jutsus instead of being assigned one?"
Oh yeah. The Hokage had allowed access to me due to that deal. I had assigned them according to affinity. Guess people didn't like that too much.
"Fine, but the jutsu assigned to you belongs to your affinity. You can learn other Jutsus after you complete the one assigned to you."
"Can I have another Yami?" I paused. "No!"
One man, one Yami. That was the rule. I couldn't change that.
"Can you be my boyfriend?" I was exasperated with this girl.
"No!"
"I call for a vote!"
What?
"Does everyone think that the clan head should date me, one of our own or date some unknown bitch who will lord over everyone?"
The debate started, and hands started rising in her support. Surprisingly, there were many supporters. Like way too many. It was my life we were talking about. How does it make sense for the clan to vote on it?
"Stop, we can not do this." Nice Hotaru. You're the voice of reason. Should I reward him?
"Lord Ren's marriage is an alliance with another clan, I vote for Inuzuka Rina!"
Should I kill him? But I paused. He was right. My relationship was a political matter. Now it made sense. Why had I been facing so much of this? Because, by this world's standard. I was in prime time to be engaged! Meaning, since I was single, the alliance and power of the clan mistress were up for grabs for whoever could convince me. I knew I wasn't that handsome.
People started voting for Rina.
"Stop!" I screamed. "I will decide on my own marriage. It is not up for debate. If you try to do that again. I'll start marrying you guys off for the sake of alliances!"
I put an end to that debate.
"But sir.."
"I will not be marrying a girl before she turns 18. Before I also turn 18. So there's still time for this."
The clearing quietened.
"Can we start a bakery?"
-----
I was exhausted. How did that half-hour session turn into an almost midnight thing? And there had been so many unanswered concerns! I expected that the workload would be lighter next month. After all, there were years' worth of concerns being addressed today. I decided to sic the spring on the Summer legion on this. The Winter legion was the Fuinjustsu expert. So was the Spring now. They had already been scholastic. With their talent awakened. I knew they would become equals of Winter on this note.
Daichi and Hotaru's legion was more focused on proper fighting. And they were good at it. That left Haruto and Emiko's legion. Except for the 4 guards they gave me. They weren't specialists. Their chakra control had improved. But they weren't as book-smart as Spring. But they were street smart.
And I had plans for them. Big plans.