Earning a Little Pocket Money

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

"Father, please wait!" Shin called out to stop his old father, who was about to head to the clan grounds for an inspection.

At the dining table, Aoko and Fugaku both looked baffled.

Chiken Clan Head shot his youngest son a questioning glance.

The meaning was clear: say something serious, or he'd bolt.

"..."

Awkward, Shin didn't think he was being unserious.

That barbecue last time was just a little over the top.

Was it really worth that much disdain?

He figured if the commercial street got off the ground, he'd definitely open a "Fingertip BBQ" and insist on having the Uchiha Clan Head, Chiken, as its spokesperson.

Chiken Clan Head endorsing Fingertip BBQ—a perfect double entendre!

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

Getting off track, time to reel it in.

Shin gestured for Chiken to sit down, then got up, went to his room, and grabbed a stack of documents he'd spent the whole night writing.

Standing tall, he addressed the three of them with fervor: "Everyone! How do you think the Uchiha Clan should interact with the village?"

The three below him started pondering the question.

Fugaku answered first: "By doing our job properly, of course. If Konoha's security is in our hands, who in the village would dare defy the Uchiha?"

Chiken and Aoko heard his words and nodded in agreement.

Indeed, the Uchiha Clan had never feared anyone.

"That definitely won't work." Shin immediately shot it down.

The three looked up at him, their expressions clearly demanding he explain the doubt in their minds.

"Look, how many years has it been since the Uchiha made any changes? Seems like we've been stuck on this little patch of land since Konoha was founded, right?"

After Shin pointed out the key, seeing the thoughtful looks on their faces, he laid out his idea: "Standing still means falling behind. It's time for the Uchiha to step into the spotlight!"

"Now, please take a look at the reform plan I've spent three days and nights putting together."

Shin handed out the documents on the table to each of the three.

Then he sat down and waited patiently.

"Uchiha Commercial Street Renovation Plan and Guidance"

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

1. As the Uchiha need to seek a breakthrough, it is recommended to establish a commercial street within the clan grounds and lease out shops to outsiders.

2. Shops must operate 24 hours a day. The commercial street's decor must be grand, bright, and clean.

3. Commercial street staff must greet customers politely and show no rudeness. This matter is of great importance and must be taken seriously. Hiring personnel from outside the clan is permitted.

4. Shops open to outsiders must undergo strict daily inspections, conducted regularly by the Uchiha Clan.

5. ...

Finally, all rights of interpretation belong to the Uchiha Clan.

"..."

After reading it, the three were speechless. How was this supposed to change the Uchiha's relationship with the village?

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

"Anyone who doesn't understand can speak up." Shin slumped back in his chair, his face dripping with smugness.

Fugaku immediately raised his hand to ask: "Me, I have no idea what the point of this is. The commercial street you mentioned before doesn't seem the same as this, does it?"

"That was me bluffing you back then." Shin almost blurted it out but held back.

If he actually said that, wouldn't it spark a "brotherly showdown"?

"Ahem..."

Shin took a moment to compose himself before explaining: "First point, the purpose of setting up the commercial street is to let the villagers get to know the Uchiha Clan. Got it?"

"I understand that. What's next?"

"Second point is about making money. There aren't any 24-hour shops in the village, right? Ninja missions aren't all during the day..."

"And ninjas returning to the village at night after turning in missions have money but nowhere to spend it. Our commercial street can't miss out on people like that."

Fugaku was stunned. You could make money like this?

Feeling the atmosphere was right, Shin trotted off to grab a bottle of sake.

Then he poured a round 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 elaborate on the third point, do I?"

"By tying outsiders to the Uchiha through shared interests, these people will speak up for us to protect their own gains."

Chiken drank a mouthful of sake, set down his cup, and sighed: "Interest bundling, huh."

"Only interests can sustain relationships between people. When the time comes, even if someone wants to move against us, they'll have to think twice." Shin raised an eyebrow and quickly explained the reasoning.

"Well said!" Aoko exclaimed, then raised her cup for a small sip of sake.

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

Chiken nodded: "Good tactics!"

Shin picked up his cup and took a small sip.

Then he summarized: "I've also planned out how to make money. Konoha's entertainment options are far too scarce."

"Can it really make money?" Aoko asked with some concern.

Seeing his parents' cups empty, Shin quickly refilled them, then wore a mysterious expression: "It can. Once the Shopping Street gets off the ground, money will come pouring into our pockets without even asking."

Chiken, thinking from the clan leader's perspective, gave his answer after some deliberation: "Making money off other clans? Brilliant!"

"When it's done, the wealthy families' money will be counted... cough, cough..." Setting down his cup, Shin grinned and picked up the thread: "Which clan gets fat, we raise their rent and take a cut. If they dare refuse, we inspect them daily. They'll have to endure it whether they like it or not."

This kind of scheme existed in his past life.

"Then what about the customers' money? Aren't we taking that?" Aoko looked puzzled.

"Of course not."

Seeing his parents perk up and lean in, Shin continued: "First, set up a membership service. Discounts at the Shopping Street with a membership card, plus membership tiers..."

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

"Third, host a shopping festival. Every year, a 'massive clearance sale.' We raise the prices a bit, then offer 20% or 40% off. The leeks are never rational."

"What if people inside the clan oppose it?" Chiken asked the key question.

If the clan disagreed, everything would be for nothing.

"Making money—nothing shameful about it!" Shin's reply made Chiken and Aoko realize that this was how they could win over the clan.

But the couple still had some concerns: "What if they buy up next year's stuff during this year's shopping festival?"

Shin wore that mysterious expression again: "Leeks—once you cut one batch, another grows. With such big discounts and installment payments, are we really afraid they won't come?"

Hearing this, the Uchiha couple exchanged glances but still felt something was being overlooked.

Seeing this, Shin dipped his finger in his sake and wrote three big characters on the table.

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

Fugaku stared at the table, at the word "Military Police Force" written in sake, utterly baffled.

He felt like this scene was somehow familiar.

Seeing his parents signal their agreement, he set aside his doubts and raised his cup along with them.

"Cheers!" x4

Shin was satisfied.

His lengthy speech today might not completely change the Uchiha.

But when others are eager to hand you money, even if you hate dealing with outsiders, you have to greet them with a smile.

The Uchiha couple was satisfied too.

Even the problem of others copying them was solved.

That left them with no lingering worries.

Fugaku was very dissatisfied.

In fact, he was once again questioning his life.