Making a Little Money

The next morning, after breakfast at the Uchiha Clan Head's home.

"Father, please wait!" Shin called out to his old father, who was about to inspect the clan grounds.

Aoko and Fugaku, still at the dining table, both looked utterly baffled.

Chiken looked at his youngest son questioningly.

The meaning was clear: say something sensible, or he was leaving.

The embarrassed Shin did not think he was being improper.

The last barbecue had merely been a little out of line.

Was there any need to dislike it that much?

He thought that if the Shopping Street plan succeeded, he absolutely had to open a Fingertip BBQ restaurant and hire Chiken, the Uchiha Clan Head, as its spokesperson.

The Chiken Clan Head endorsing Fingertip BBQ—what a perfect double meaning!

It could also let the clan members properly practice Fire Style Chakra Mode...

He was getting sidetracked. Back to business.

Shin gestured for Chiken to sit down, then got up and returned to his room, bringing back a stack of proposals he had spent the entire night writing.

Standing straight, he passionately asked the three of them, "Everyone! How do you think the Uchiha Clan should coexist with the village?"

After hearing the question, the three of them began to think.

Fugaku answered first, "Of course, we should do our jobs well. If Konoha's security is left to us, who in the village would dare defy the Uchiha in the future?"

Chiken and Aoko nodded in agreement.

Indeed, the Uchiha Clan had never feared anyone.

"That definitely won't work," Shin immediately rejected the idea.

The three of them looked up at him at once, clearly telling him to hurry up and answer the doubts in their hearts.

"Look, how many years has it been since the Uchiha changed anything? Ever since Konoha was founded, haven't we just been guarding this little patch of land?"

After making his point, Shin saw the thoughtful looks on their faces and revealed his plan. "Standing still means falling behind. It's time for the Uchiha to step into the spotlight!"

"Next, please look over the reform plan I spent three days and three nights creating."

Shin distributed the documents on the table to the three of them one by one.

Then he sat down and waited patiently.

"Uchiha Commercial Street Renovation Plan and Guidelines"

Given the current tensions between the Uchiha and Konoha, I, Uchiha Shin, propose the following plan:

1. Since the Uchiha must seek a breakthrough, it is recommended that a Shopping Street be established in the clan grounds and storefronts rented out to outsiders.

2. Stores must operate twenty-four hours a day, and the Shopping Street's decor must be grand, bright, and clean.

3. Shopping Street staff must treat customers politely and must not be rude. This matter is of great importance and must be taken seriously. Outsiders may also be hired.

4. Stores open to outsiders must undergo strict review of their daily operations, with regular inspections conducted by the Uchiha Clan.

5. ...

Finally, the Uchiha Clan reserves the right of final interpretation.

The three of them were speechless after reading it. This was supposed to change the relationship between the Uchiha and the village?

Fugaku was completely confused, while Chiken and Aoko both wore thoughtful expressions.

"Anyone who doesn't understand may speak up," Shin said as he slumped in his chair, his face full of smugness.

Fugaku immediately raised his hand. "Me. I completely don't understand the purpose of this. The Shopping Street you mentioned before seemed different from this, didn't it?"

I was just fooling you before.

Shin almost said it aloud, but swallowed the words.

If he really said that, wouldn't they end up having a little brotherly showdown?

"Cough..."

Shin gathered his emotions before explaining, "First, the purpose of establishing a Shopping Street is to let the people of the village understand the Uchiha Clan. Got it?"

"I understand that. What next?"

"Second, it's about making money. There aren't any stores in the village that operate twenty-four hours a day, right? Ninja missions aren't all carried out during the day..."

"Besides, ninjas who return to the village at night to turn in missions have money in hand but nowhere to spend it. Our Shopping Street can't miss people like that."

Fugaku was stunned. You could make money like this?

Feeling that the atmosphere was right, Shin trotted off and brought back a bottle of sake.

Then he poured drinks for the three of them.

Under the sharp gazes of the Uchiha couple, he took a small sip. "Father, Mother, I don't need to explain the third point, do I?"

"By tying outsiders' interests to those of the Uchiha, those people will speak up for us for their own benefit."

Chiken took a sip of wine, set down his cup, and sighed. "Tying interests together..."

"Only interests can make relationships between people last. When the time comes, even if someone wants to target us, they'll have to think twice," Shin explained quickly, raising his brows.

"Well said!" Aoko exclaimed before lifting her cup and taking a sip.

Shin tapped the table with his finger and said calmly, "The fourth point is about the initiative we hold."

Chiken nodded. "A very good method!"

Shin picked up his cup and took a small sip.

Then he concluded, "I've also made plans for making money. Konoha has far too few entertainment options."

"Can it make money?" Aoko asked worriedly.

Seeing that his parents' cups were empty, Shin hurriedly refilled them. Then, with an inscrutable expression, he said, "It can. As long as the Shopping Street gets off to a good start, money will beg to enter our pockets in an endless stream."

After considering it from the perspective of the clan head, Chiken gave his answer. "Making money from the other clans? Brilliant!"

"After it's done, the wealthy families' money will be returned in full... Cough, cough..." Shin set down his cup and picked up the thread with a smile. "Whichever clan gets rich, we'll raise the rent and take a cut. If they dare refuse, we'll inspect them every day. Even if they can't take it, they'll have to endure it."

He had used this kind of tactic in his previous life.

"So we're not making money from the customers?" Aoko asked in confusion.

"Of course we are."

Seeing his parents raise their heads and listen intently, Shin continued, "First, we'll introduce a membership service. Members can use their cards to get discounts when shopping at the Shopping Street, and we'll add membership levels too..."

"Second, installment payments. Just a small handling fee—I don't think anyone would refuse..."

"Third, we'll hold shopping festivals. Every year, we'll have a 'massive bargain sale,' raise the prices a little first, then offer sixty or eighty percent discounts. The chives are irrational."

"What if the clan members oppose it?" Chiken asked the crucial question.

If the clan members did not agree, then everything would be pointless.

"Making money isn't shameful!" Shin's answer showed Chiken and Aoko that the clan members could be handled this way too.

But the couple was still somewhat worried. "What if they buy next year's things during this year's shopping festival too?"

Shin once again wore an inscrutable expression. "Chives grow back after each harvest. With discounts this huge and installment payments available, are we really afraid they won't come?"

After hearing his answer, the Uchiha couple exchanged a glance, but they still felt as though they had overlooked something.

Seeing this, Shin dipped his finger in his cup and wrote three large words on the tabletop.

The Uchiha couple finally understood completely, and both raised their cups in acknowledgment.

Fugaku stared at the words "Military Police Force," written on the table in wine, unable to make sense of them.

Why did this scene feel so familiar?

Seeing his parents state their position, he could only set aside his doubts and raise his cup with them.

"Cheers!" x4

Shin was satisfied.

His words today might not completely change the Uchiha.

But when people rushed to hand you money, even those who disliked dealing with outsiders would have to greet them with a smile.

The Uchiha couple was satisfied as well.

The problem of others copying their ideas had been solved too.

This left them with absolutely no worries.

Fugaku was very dissatisfied.

He even began questioning his life once again.