Hidden Leaf Village, a barbecue restaurant.
The plump Choza Akimichi led the group to their seats. After picking out a huge pile of food, he said cheerfully, "Eat without worry, everyone. It's on me today!"
Yamanaka Inoichi glanced at Choza Akimichi with great disdain.
This is your family's restaurant, and you're the one who'll eat the most out of everyone here. Of course you're treating us.
Though that was what they thought, they were all clan heads with considerable wealth, so none of them cared about the cost of one barbecue meal.
As the charcoal fire began to burn and the meat was brought out, the attentive staff quietly vanished, leaving the group of big shots alone to talk.
"Shikaku, tell us—what exactly did Lady Tsunade mean by what she said today?" Inuzuka Ichirou asked.
Aside from the three Ino-Shika-Cho clans, the others present included Hyuga Hiashi, head of what was currently the Hidden Leaf Village's largest clan. As long as the Hyuga Clan did not court disaster, no matter what changes took place in the village, they would not be left without benefits.
Nara Shikahisa gave a bitter smile. "Ichirou, isn't it a little inappropriate to discuss Lady Tsunade here?"
Inuzuka Ichirou chuckled, his expression mocking. "Looks like Shikaku thinks little of me. Then I'll leave!"
With that, Inuzuka Ichirou rose to leave, only for Nara Shikahisa to stop him.
"Don't, don't. My mistake, my mistake!"
Though the Inuzuka Clan was not as formidable as the combined Ino-Shika-Cho clans, they raised dogs. By selling and gifting dogs, they had accumulated many connections.
Many nobles liked dogs that understood human nature, even treating them like their own children.
As a clever man, Nara Shikahisa saw through many things.
The Inuzuka Clan appeared not to compete, but many matters could not