Just Call Me Dad

You might think you were making a profit, but I would never lose out. That was the way of business.

If the timing had lined up, believe it or not, I could have put ads right in the Chunin Ninja Exams arena.

What a pity.

There was still some time before the Chunin Ninja Exams.

It was too late now.

Once the first grill restaurant had been successfully established and reached its required opening revenue, the grill restaurant module could be activated. Then, he could use the money he had now to open branches elsewhere.

The grill restaurant's first round of revenue had to reach 80 million taels. At this rate, he would need at least eighty more people like Jiraiya to come spend money.

And he could not cheat.

For example, he could not use his own money to invite others to spend it and pad the numbers!

The system had its own algorithm. Cheating would be detected, so it was useless. As for how it calculated things, Uchiha Fuyou had no idea either.

Time passed bit by bit.

In the blink of an eye, it was the second day of opening.

At this moment.

Red ribbons hung outside Fuyou Grill, along with a specially made giant red archway. To snatch the benefits reserved for the first hundred customers, people had started lining up early in the morning.

Uchiha Fuyou stood at the entrance in formal attire, with some hair wax in his hair.

This was already his second opening in Konoha, and he could not help feeling a little emotional.

The first time had been the milk tea shop. But because he had been expelled from the Uchiha Clan, no one thought highly of him, and he could only wait slowly for the milk tea shop to reach its guaranteed revenue target.

Starting a business was hard!

But now.

Lord Fuyou had money.

Which of the major clans would not show Lord Fuyou some respect?

After all, he had already been expelled from the Uchiha Clan and was no longer a ninja. Even if they befriended him, the higher-ups would not overthink it.

For example, the Byakugan man walking over from not far away with a Byakugan woman.

The current head of the Hyuga Clan—Hyuga Hiashi, and also the biological father of the future Crown Princess.

Uchiha Fuyou glanced at Hyuga Rinne beside him, who was also dressed formally and wore a calm expression. Then he looked at Hyuga Hiashi approaching and burst into hearty laughter. "Welcome! Clan Head Hyuga!"

He was a businessman now, so he had to carry himself like one. This ninja world was not from his era, where the harsher you cursed, the more popular your shop became.

Popular for no apparent reason, leaving normal people unable to understand why so many people went looking to be insulted.

Were they gluttons for punishment?

After being cursed at, they would still grin happily and cry out in worship, "The boss is so straightforward! I love it!"

Was that not just being cheap?

If he cursed customers here, he would probably get beaten up by ninjas, then go bankrupt the next day.

When Hyuga Hiashi saw Uchiha Fuyou, he even forced a smile onto his cold face. He had an attendant bring out a flower basket, and there was actually a congratulatory message on it?!

"Boss Fuyou." Hyuga Hiashi smiled faintly. Dressed in the Hyuga Clan's distinctive kimono, he nodded. "Congratulations."

"Same to you, same to you!" Uchiha Fuyou gestured for him to enter. After Hyuga Hiashi and his wife went inside, he sighed emotionally. "Respect really is mutual."

Hyuga Hiashi was probably thanking him for the congratulatory gift Rinne had delivered at his wedding ceremony.

He had not given much back then.

Just a little filthy money. But judging from this, they had been quite satisfied.

Next came the branch family of the Hyuga Clan, namely Rinne's second brother. It was clear that Rinne had a better relationship with her second brother, and Hizashi Hyuga was a gentle man as well. After a brief greeting, Fuyou had someone arrange seats for them a little farther away so they could eat more comfortably.

The Hyuga Clan's main and branch family system... was simply a pitfall.

By comparison.

Aside from having too many lunatics in the Uchiha Clan who would wipe out the whole clan at the slightest disagreement, everything else was pretty good.

At least those who awakened their eyes could be members of the Uchiha Clan, and those who had not... could still live within the Uchiha Clan.

Though he had intended to leave the rest to others and let Rinne go keep her brother company, Rinne refused and continued greeting guests with him.

Time continued to pass.

All the major clans had sent representatives, each calling out, "Boss Fuyou."

The guests were all having a fine time.

There was no helping it.

Uchiha Fuyou had friends everywhere!

Next, Teacher Jiraiya arrived as well. He laughed heartily, offered his congratulations, and went inside.

Then.

The young Asuma and his little companions, along with the teachers leading each squad, came to take advantage of the opening event.

Unfortunately.

Minato's team had not yet returned from their mission, so he did not see them.

At this point, business had begun inside as well. Quite a few customers had already taken their seats and started grilling.

Fresh meat sizzled on the charcoal stoves. Before long, the aroma of meat filled the air.

Anything produced by the system was guaranteed to be premium.

Not only were there ingredient bonuses, there were cooking bonuses as well. So even people with average skills could grill delicious barbecue here when paired with the system's secret sauce.

He had also arranged for professional grill masters to stand by nearby. Customers who needed help could have their food grilled for free.

After a week of special training, they were already qualified for the job.

Everything proceeded in perfect order, and the revenue kept climbing rapidly.

And then.

A familiar family of three... no, four, walked over.

His brother, his sister-in-law, his nephew, and... who was this handsome young fellow looking at him with a face full of admiration?

"Uchiha Shisui." Mikoto seemed to notice Fuyou's confusion and explained with a smile, "Quite a few people in the clan think he resembles you, Fuyou! He is talented, and like you, he loves reading! We ran into him on the way out, so we came together."

"..."

So it was you, you little traitor!

Danzo was the one who stole your eye, yet what the hell did you say to Itachi?

Instead of taking revenge on your enemy, you stabbed your parents in the back and shouted that the Uchiha Clan was beyond saving!

Was that not utterly ridiculous?

It was like someone stealing your phone, and instead of calling the police or catching the thief, you went home to steal the hard-earned money your parents had worked themselves to the bone for, then cursed them for being poor.

What an ungrateful brat!

The corner of Uchiha Fuyou's mouth twitched as he looked at Uchiha Shisui, who seemed thrilled to see him.

What was this about?

Did he want to learn business from him?

"Senior Fuyou, I have studied your great works, Konoha Boys' Talk, My Konoha, My Hokage, What Is the Will of Fire, Upholding the Will of Fire... Every time I read them, I gain a different understanding of the Will of Fire!" Uchiha Shisui said admiringly. "As expected of Senior Fuyou, your profound Will of Fire is truly awe-inspiring. Though personally, I feel that On Lord Hokage's Sense of Worship and Madam Hokage's Beauty somewhat falls short of your usual literary brilliance. It feels too deliberate."

"..."

Kid, you had chosen a narrow road.

That one was the most important. The rest were just things to skim through.

Fuyou looked at that worshipful gaze, then at the faint satisfaction on Fugaku's poker face. His stomach suddenly twisted. With a sigh, he lowered his head and looked seriously at Uchiha Shisui. In a heartfelt tone, he said, "Kid, an opportunity to become the richest man in the ninja world is right before you. As long as you call me Father..."

Before he could finish.

Uchiha Fugaku's face went dark. "Get lost!" Then he led his wife and child inside.

His foolish little brother was making him, his elder brother, want to beat him up more and more!

Uchiha Fuyou watched their retreating backs and sighed helplessly. "The road ahead is long and arduous!"

After saying that.

As though he had not noticed Rinne's strange look, he turned back to face forward.

Then.

He froze.

An old man leaning on a cane and wearing the Uchiha Clan crest, along with an old woman dressed in a Hyuga Clan kimono, were slowly walking over.

"???"

Why had the Great Elder come too?

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