Be a Prodigal Son

This time, upon returning, besides bringing more happiness to the Uchiha Clan, showering them with money to feel the warmth of family and stop their overthinking, another purpose was to meet the nephew he hadn't seen since birth.

There was no other reason, nor was it to brainwash him while he was still young. It was simply... to give him some money, to see if he could be cultivated into a prodigal son.

What was the Uchiha clan head's eldest son doing, overthinking all sorts of messy things all day?

It was better to be a prodigal son and spend money.

It's estimated that once you start throwing money around, your reputation among the common people will be higher than if you completed an S-rank mission.

"Buy whatever you want, buy anything you want. Or, don't be a shinobi. Come help your uncle, it's easy, you don't have to do anything, just be a prodigal son, and uncle will give you money!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

While the child, with a bewildered and confused look, held a large stack of banknotes and looked at the stranger in front of him, Uchiha Fugaku slammed the table fiercely, "You Uchiha disgrace, don't corrupt Itachi, he will become an excellent shinobi."

"Brother, leave this to me! Being a prodigal son is definitely better than being a shinobi!" Uchiha Fuyou sighed, looking at Uchiha Fugaku earnestly, shaking his head helplessly, "It's safe, it's free, and there won't be any messy things. Really, listen to your younger brother on this."

Why couldn't he understand?

Would his uncle really harm his nephew?

Please trust your younger brother~

"Shut up!" Uchiha Fugaku glared at Uchiha Fuyou, his face dark. How could an uncle let his nephew be a prodigal son? His younger brother... his ideas were always different from others from the start.

He vaguely remembered how cute his younger brother Fuyou was back then, how eager he was to become a shinobi. Before even starting school, he would follow his older brother around, shouting, "Older brother, can you teach me ninjutsu?" When he was busy, Fuyou would go and read ninja scrolls by himself.

After starting school, he was also an excellent ninja student, excelling in taijutsu, ninjutsu, and theory. Even the Hokage praised him for having the Will of Fire in his heart and suggested he join the Anbu after graduation.

He had originally thought Fuyou would become a mediator between the Uchiha Clan and the village, but unexpectedly... on the day of graduation, he went into business.

That day.

His declaration, "Being a ninja cannot save the Uchiha!"

It made his father and the elders so angry they almost spat blood. They couldn't understand what he wanted to do, but all their persuasion was useless. They could only threaten to expel him from the Uchiha Clan, but it was still useless. The young Fuyou did not hesitate to leave the ninja ranks and the clan.

Unexpectedly, in just a few years, he had built a considerable business.

Although he felt regret that Fuyou, with such talent, did not become a shinobi, as an older brother, he was also pleased with his younger brother's success.

It was good that he left the Uchiha Clan.

And now...

Uchiha Fugaku's face turned completely black, "Get out now!"

"Fugaku, Fuyou is just joking," the beautiful woman beside him said with a helpless smile, quickly returning the money from Itachi's arms back to Fuyou, "The child is still young, he can't take too much money."

These two brothers... they weren't like this when they were young, how did their relationship suddenly become like this?

"Sister Mikoto, you're still as beautiful as ever!" Fuyou took the money, then stuffed it back to the bewildered child Itachi, "Don't listen to your dad, this is from your uncle. Buy whatever you want. As long as we don't bully people or act arrogantly, what's wrong with spending some money? If it's not enough, ask your uncle again!"

"I'll beat you to death, you Uchiha disgrace!"

"Brother! Calm down, your persona has changed. And as the Uchiha clan head, you wouldn't take money from a child, would you?"

"..." Uchiha Fugaku, who had just reached out to take the money, froze, snorted, and resumed his stern expression, "What exactly do you want to do?"

Giving so much money to a small child?

His salary as the Uchiha clan head wasn't even this much!

"Nothing! I'm just happy to see Sister Mikoto and Brother married, so I'm giving my nephew some money."

Sister Mikoto took good care of him back then.

Unfortunately.

In the end, she was also a pitiable person.

Uchiha Fuyou smiled and patted Itachi's head, "It's okay if you become a prodigal son, but if you have something on your mind, don't keep it to yourself. Talk to your parents more. If that doesn't work, come find your uncle. Uncle will take you to have fun and forget your troubles. Just remember this." He suddenly became serious, "No matter what, always protect your parents!"

The two of them weren't bad parents.

Uchiha Fugaku, apart from being a bit stoic, was actually quite good. Uchiha Mikoto was even better... she was a family-oriented mother.

However.

Fugaku's eyes darkened at these words.

Taking a child who hadn't even started ninja school to have fun?

Where would they have fun?

Should he bring him along too?

Uchiha Fugaku snorted again, "Get out now, don't corrupt Itachi."

"Fugaku, don't say that. It's rare for Fuyou to be back," Mikoto shook her head helplessly, "Stay for dinner. Stay here tonight? Fugaku is actually quite happy deep down."

Although Fuyou lived in the village and it was easy to get news of him, after all these years, he had finally come home.

Hearing Mikoto's words, Fugaku snorted, I'm very angry! He crossed his arms again, sat back down with a blank expression, and didn't look at Fuyou.

Unfortunately.

"No, I just came back this time to see my nephew and Sister Mikoto," Fuyou patted his butt and stood up, "I have other things to do later, so I should leave now." As he said this, he looked at Fugaku and said with a smile, "Brother, that's all for now. I'll arrange for someone to come later."

With that, he spoke.

"Hmph," Uchiha Fugaku snorted coldly, his expressionless face showing no change. "Get out! Don't come back!"

"Understood! I'll be back next time! And I'll bring gifts!" Uchiha Fuyou nodded with a smile, then ruffled Itachi's hair. "If you're short on money, come find your uncle. Kids should be happy. If you're not happy, come find your uncle too. I'll bring you gifts next time!"

After he finished speaking.

Uchiha Fugaku's curt dismissal echoed as Fuyou's laughter faded. Fugaku shook his head helplessly, then looked at Itachi, who was holding a wad of money. He recalled Fuyou's earlier comment about a "prodigal son," and his mouth twitched again. He turned to Mikoto and gave a slight nod.

As husband and wife who shared the same bed, Uchiha Mikoto understood her husband's unspoken words. She smiled wryly, bent down, and patted Itachi's head. "Come, Itachi, give the money to Mom. Mom will keep it for you, and when you grow up, Mom will give it back to you!"

With that, he spoke.

"Okay," the innocent Itachi believed her.

Meanwhile.

Amidst the calls of "Master Fuyou," Uchiha Fuyou walked out of the Uchiha compound. He saw the Byakugan-wielding girl approaching him and a smile spread across his face. "Rinne!"

Hyuga Rinne.

A girl from his graduating class.

It was a shame.

Her talent wasn't enough. She would have been sent to the battlefield as cannon fodder, but he thought of their good relationship and felt it was a pity for her to be cannon fodder. So, he hired her, and she agreed.

Of course, the Hyuga Clan initially disagreed. After all, the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan had always vied for the title of the strongest eye clan. How could they allow their clansmen to accept employment from a member of the Uchiha Clan?

But in the end...

He then hired a large number of Hyuga Clan members who had retired from the battlefield and could no longer be shinobi, along with himself, an Uchiha traitor... The Hyuga Clan didn't say anything more.

Although there were many stubborn old fogeys in the Hyuga Clan, even more so than the Uchiha Clan's old guard, they ultimately couldn't escape... the allure of money.

Especially now, during wartime, it was an obligation for all clan members to participate in the war. Although the village provided subsidies, they were like a drop in the bucket. Now that someone was willing to bear the burden of supporting their disabled members, many clans were willing.

It could be said that.

Although this wasn't a time for quiet, large-scale profit-making, the war was indeed a good time for the various clans in the village to break down barriers.

He looked at Rinne beside him, her beautiful long hair, pretty face, and her graceful professional attire that highlighted the unique wealth of Hyuga Clan women. He smiled slightly. "Later, according to my plan, I'll send people to the Uchiha Clan. Someone will assist you with your work." He paused here and said righteously, "By the way, has the 300 million for the Hokage been sent? If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. Without the village, how could I be doing business with peace of mind now? It's wartime, and even as a merchant, I graduated from the Ninja Academy. How can I not do my part?"

He was cultivating the persona of a village-loving businessman!

"It's been sent! And as you requested, your handwritten 'Without Konoha, there is no me' was sent along with it," Hyuga Rinne nodded, smiling sweetly and naturally. "Third Lord laughed heartily after seeing it and slapped his thigh in approval!"

"Did you tell them to keep it secret? Otherwise, if other families hear about it, we'll become targets!" It's not good to be the first bird. You donated, should other families donate too?

"I did."

"Having you here really puts my mind at ease, Rinne! Thank you!"

"N-no need. I'm happy to be able to help Lord Fuyou," Hyuga Rinne's cheeks flushed slightly, and she smiled. "I'm very happy too!"

"Heh heh," Uchiha Fuyou chuckled, looking at the still shy Rinne. He sighed inwardly, about to offer some encouragement, when he spotted a spiky-haired boy wearing goggles in the distance. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Right, Rinne, arrange for someone to get me some high-paying missions at the Hokage's office later."