Expectations of the Current Ino-Shika-Cho

June 25th, Konoha Year 46. Konoha was buzzing with excitement.

Crowds of people headed towards what was once a Konoha training ground, now transformed into a massive, avant-garde event venue.

Konoha, with a total population of less than forty thousand, had five thousand people attending this grand event. All five thousand seats for the press conference had been sold out by yesterday, meaning there was no need to sell any more tickets today.

Of these, three hundred prime seats were reserved by the organizers and given to representatives of the major Ninja Clans, while all the rest were sold to the public. Konoha residents bought over four thousand of these tickets, with the remainder being purchased by out-of-towners, mostly merchants, who had rushed to Konoha over the past three days.

Although most of the tickets were sold at a low price, the total revenue was still substantial. For the Uchiha Clan, this meant an initial return on their investment.

While it was still far from breaking even, the Uchiha Clan hadn't initially expected to make a profit, so any income was a pleasant surprise.

Of course, the Uchiha Clan's leadership wasn't overly concerned with these financial details. Their priority was the outcome of this Genjutsu Game press conference. As long as it achieved even a fraction of the effect Uchiha Qi had spoken of, it would be a huge gain for the Uchiha Clan.

Currently, Uchiha Masanobu, accompanied by Uchiha Fugaku, was greeting the invited representatives from various Ninja Clans at the back of the spacious venue.

This time, Uchiha Masanobu was also giving his son, Uchiha Fugaku, a chance to shine. Uchiha Fugaku was primarily responsible for entertaining and interacting with the representatives from the various clans.

Uchiha Masanobu was effectively entrusting the authority of the clan head to Uchiha Fugaku.

Uchiha Fugaku did not disappoint Uchiha Masanobu. Leading the Uchiha clansmen, he displayed such hospitality to the clan representatives that they were all quite astonished.

While this level of hospitality might still fall short compared to how other normal Ninja Clans entertained guests, Uchiha Fugaku conversed with everyone with a smile, and the Uchiha clansmen accompanying him didn't look sullen but were also smiling. This was already an incredibly unexpected development.

Furthermore, the Uchiha Clan was very thoughtful in their hospitality. Representatives from all the major Ninja Clans were seated in VIP sections, served by attendants specifically hired by the Uchiha Clan, with fruits, drinks, and snacks readily available. This even left some of the Ninja Clan representatives feeling a bit bewildered—were these truly the Uchiha, the ones who used to act so arrogant?

The Uchiha had changed.

Or rather, those in power within the Uchiha Clan had changed. They no longer had the same stubborn mindset as before; they were leading the entire Uchiha Clan in a transformation.

Most importantly, this change was different from previous tentative attempts. This time, it had a clear purpose and a defined course of action.

This Genjutsu Game press conference was the clearest manifestation of that.

So, was the Uchiha Clan trying to integrate into Konoha through such an avant-garde method?

Among the representatives of the major Ninja Clans, anyone with a bit of political acumen couldn't help but wonder this.

As the representative sent by the Nara Clan, Shikaku Nara, the young clan head, scratched his head. Beside him, the other two representatives of the younger generation Ino-Shika-Cho — Inoichi Yamanaka, representing 'Ino,' and Choza Akimichi, representing 'Cho' — curiously observed the venue, which seemed quite massive to them.

The three were seated in one of the VIP sections, very close to the center. Around them were individual booths with canopies overhead. In front of them were tables for drinks, fruits, and snacks, and a barrier that only had a window to see outside, ensuring the privacy and comfort of the guests.

Furthermore, attendants moved through the aisles outside the booths, ensuring that guests in the booths could immediately get drinks, fruits, or other regular services when needed.

In addition, four Uchiha Clan ninja stood as security personnel at various important points along the booth aisles, preventing any disturbances.

The VIP section truly offered VIP service.

Seats in other areas were normal tiered seating, like an ancient Roman coliseum or a modern stadium—the kind without a roof.

However, those areas also had some attendants to help guests with basic issues, and Uchiha ninja were also dispersed throughout, patrolling as security personnel.

Moreover, besides the Uchiha Clan, other hired ninja were also performing security and stability maintenance, including even members of the Hyuga Clan.

Undoubtedly, in the Ninja World, throwing money at problems can solve many things; it just depends on whether one is willing to spend it.

At this moment, spectators with tickets were gradually entering. Ino-Shika-Cho could observe the situation outside through various windows, while little of their situation could be seen from the outside.

Inoichi Yamanaka, a handsome young man with a golden ponytail, crossed his arms and said, "This kind of design and professional service, honestly, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I truly wouldn't believe it was something the Uchiha Clan put together."

Choza Akimichi, with face markings and a bulky build, ate the complimentary snacks and fruits on the table as he said, "It's completely unexpected, but it doesn't feel bad. At least these free things are pretty tasty."

Inoichi Yamanaka gave his friend, who was only focused on eating, a speechless look. He then turned to Shikaku Nara, the intelligence backbone of their trio and destined to be Konoha's intellectual leader in the future. "Shikaku, what do you think? Is the Uchiha Clan trying to integrate into Konoha this way? Or do they have another objective?"

Shikaku Nara wore a lazy expression identical to that of his future son, Shikamaru Nara. "If it's just about hosting an event like this, then the Uchiha Clan's situation in the village could certainly improve, but not significantly."

"However, judging by what the Uchiha Clan has shown this time, they clearly have a very comprehensive plan. This event is probably just one part of their plan."

"If I'm not mistaken, the Uchiha Clan probably hasn't just invited us to this press conference; they have other preparations as well."

Just as he was speaking, the door to their booth was suddenly knocked.

An Uchiha attendant stood outside and relayed a message from the Uchiha Clan head to the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

In summary, the message asked the guests to watch the press conference first and not to rush off afterward, as the Uchiha Clan had something to discuss with specially invited guests.

After delivering the message, the attendant left.

Shikaku Nara looked at his two good friends, shrugged, and said, "See? Here it comes. There's a highly capable person in the Uchiha Clan, and they wield great authority among them. This delicate and smooth way of operating isn't something the Uchiha we know could come up with or achieve."

Inoichi Yamanaka frowned. "Who could it be? Shikaku, do you know?"

Then, before Shikaku Nara could answer, Choza Akimichi, with a mouth full of food, spoke up: "It's Uchiha Qi."

Shikaku Nara smiled, not answering, which was an implicit acknowledgment.

Inoichi Yamanaka was stunned for a moment, then showed a look of realization.

Although they weren't classmates at the Ninja Academy at the same time, they had all been students there. Furthermore, the trio were close friends with Minato Namikaze, so they were naturally aware of Uchiha Qi, the special Uchiha whom Minato Namikaze highly regarded.

Additionally, while the trio didn't understand Konoha's recent specific changes as well as the Konoha leadership, anyone with even slightly good intel knew about Uchiha Qi being welcomed back to the clan compound with much fanfare by the Uchiha Clan recently.

As powerful Ninja Clans in Konoha, Ino-Shika-Cho naturally had their own intelligence sources, and as the young clan heads of the three clans, they could also learn many things through their clans' intelligence systems.

Then, Inoichi Yamanaka looked confused. "If it's Uchiha Qi, this special Uchiha, it makes sense that he would have a mind completely different from other Uchiha."

"But wasn't he disliked within the Uchiha Clan? Why would he suddenly receive such importance from the Uchiha Clan?"

Shikaku Nara: "Who knows? However, just relying on eloquence wouldn't be enough to convince those proud Uchiha. So, there must be some other reason that the Uchiha Clan couldn't refuse."

"Perhaps it's related to this press conference. After all, the Genjutsu Game only appeared after Uchiha Qi was publicly welcomed back to the Uchiha Clan that day."

Then, Choza Akimichi spoke again, "The Genjutsu Game will change the Ninja World."

At his words, the other two looked at Choza Akimichi in surprise, asking why he said that.

Choza Akimichi gave an incredibly strong reason.

"A hunch."

"…" Shikaku Nara and Inoichi Yamanaka exchanged speechless glances, unsure what to say.

However, the two didn't refute Choza Akimichi. Instead, they became even more eager for the press conference. Because Choza Akimichi, who seemed the most foolish of the three, was actually the most meticulous and had the most accurate intuition.

Please continue reading, recommend, and add to your collection. Thank you all.

Black Myth is too strong; the daily readership of many new books dropped on the 20th, completely dominating all others.