Throwing Money Around

Konoha High Council Meeting.

"So, we have decided to fund the expansion of the Nara Clan's deer farm."

"Once the expansion is complete, the Uchiha Clan will need priority access to a portion of the medicinal ingredients."

The elders erupted into an uproar. Expanding a deer farm was not as simple as fencing off a plot of land.

It required more manpower and more fodder.

The Nara Clan had raised deer for generations. Deer antlers and related medicinal ingredients were indispensable to Konoha's entire medical system.

They also played a role in maintaining the medical system.

That was why the Nara Clan's position in Konoha had always been as solid as a mountain.

No one had expected the Uchiha Clan to arrive and immediately offer to invest.

And all they wanted in exchange was priority access to some medicinal ingredients. It was practically free money.

It was like telling a fruit seller, "I'll double the size of your shop, and from now on, just sell me fruit first."

Shikaku narrowed his eyes and looked toward the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage had not expected Shamu to pull this move either, and he frowned.

Shikaku spoke evenly. "This is a major matter. I need to return and discuss it with my clan."

Shamu did not care about Shikaku's stalling tactic.

He took out a pen, made a mark in his notebook, and continued.

"The Uchiha Clan is willing to invest in the Akimichi Clan to increase the development of secret medicines."

"We will strive to make them usable by ordinary ninja, thereby reducing ninja casualty rates..."

"The Uchiha Clan is willing to invest in the Yamanaka Clan to expand the development and application of secret techniques, allowing them to better serve in combat..."

"The Uchiha Clan is willing to invest in..."

Shamu went on to list the names of twenty or thirty clans.

Aside from the Sarutobi, Shimura Clan, Utatane Clan, and Mitokado families,

every other notable clan in Konoha was mentioned.

The Hyuga Clan was not brought up, because Shamu had already given them money before.

He invested in the Aburame Clan so they could raise insects.

He invested in the Inuzuka Clan so they could raise dogs.

He even sent money to Kurenai Yuhi, who was the only one left of her clan, under the pretext of researching genjutsu.

The Hatake Clan was clearly down to a single bloodline, yet Shamu invested in them as well, claiming it was for research into sword techniques.

In short, Shamu was throwing money around like crazy.

His extravagance soared into the heavens. The investments he had mentioned would cost at least two billion.

The many ninja clans were all stunned by Shamu's lavishness.

They could not help wondering just how much money the Uchiha Clan had made over the years.

The Third Hokage was completely numb. He had once considered that the Uchiha Clan might take a roundabout approach.

After making money, they might win over Konoha's major ninja clans.

He had never expected the Uchiha Clan to be so direct, simply smashing them with money.

After finishing the entire list, Shamu gave a concluding statement.

"I hope that, with the Uchiha Clan's modest strength, we can contribute to Konoha's prosperity."

Everyone looked to the Third Hokage, waiting to see what he would say.

The Third Hokage and the two Advisory Elders had faces as black as the bottom of a pot.

What Shamu had done truly did contribute to Konoha's prosperity, but why had he left out only their four clans?

Did their clans not need money to develop too?

It was free money.

But the money belonged to the Uchiha Clan. They could give it to whomever they wanted, and speaking up now would only invite humiliation.

Likewise, if the Third Hokage stopped those clans from accepting Uchiha investments, those clans would certainly refuse.

The Uchiha Clan was practically giving money away, and it did not harm Konoha's interests. Why should they be forbidden from accepting it?

The Third Hokage gripped his pipe tightly and gritted his teeth.

"Since the Uchiha Clan means well, then on behalf of Konoha's clans, I thank you."

The Third Hokage said thanks, but his tone did not sound grateful in the slightest.

Shamu did not care. This was an open scheme. Could the Third Hokage really block others from making money?

After that, the meeting entered its garbage time.

No one had any interest in the meeting anymore. Compared with trivial matters,

everyone cared far more about what the Uchiha Clan's investments would entail.

Seeing this, the Third Hokage grew anxious, but he could only announce the end of the meeting.

Shamu had not mentioned a single word about the clans that were in the Third Hokage's pocket.

But clans like the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka, which were part of the Hokage faction yet had no conflict with the Uchiha Clan, were all on Shamu's list.

As soon as the Third Hokage left the conference room, the major ninja clans crowded around.

The large clans close to the Third Hokage said they still needed to consider and discuss the investments.

The other declining small clans did not care about any of that.

For all sorts of reasons, those small clans were on the decline and badly needed money.

After all, raising a ninja was first and foremost a matter of resources; talent came second.

As for resources, ninja tools alone were a massive expense.

Exploding Tags were something only the wealthy could afford.

Otherwise, the reward for completing a mission might not even cover the cost of the Exploding Tags used.

Learning ninjutsu was another major expense.

Small clans generally did not have much inheritance to pass down, and their ninjutsu might not necessarily suit their descendants.

What could they do, then? Spend money to buy scrolls and hire people to teach them.

Some more difficult ninjutsu could not be learned just by handing someone a scroll.

They needed to pay someone to teach them.

Those who could learn ninjutsu the moment they saw it were very rare.

The gulf between geniuses and ordinary people was enormous.

Everyone saw that the twelve young elites had their own signature techniques, but few noticed that they had all been born into major clans.

They lacked neither talent nor resources.

People from other small clans, or commoners, did not receive such treatment.

When missions were scarce, ordinary chunin and genin did not live easy lives.

Ninja lived with their lives on the line. Going through life-and-death battles was commonplace, as were injuries.

But Medical Ninja were very rare. Since they were difficult to train, most belonged to Konoha.

Free treatment only existed during missions assigned by Konoha.

If you took on a mission yourself and were injured, treatment cost money.

If one of your teammates knew medical ninjutsu, even if it was merely self-taught, not only would you save a great deal of money, they might even save your life at a critical moment.

Therefore, even if a Medical Ninja was weak in combat, people were still willing to bring them along on missions.

Ninja tools cost money. Treatment cost money.

And if you were injured but did not get treated, you could not continue taking missions. Then you would have no money to live on.

Many small clans were not strong. They often had only a few elites holding up the family name, but once an accident happened and someone died,

the small clan would quickly decline.

Everything was tied to money.

How could those small clans not be excited when the Uchiha Clan suddenly started handing out money?

Shamu pressed his hand down, signaling everyone to quiet down.

"Anyone willing to accept investment from the Uchiha Clan may go to the Uchiha Clan Grounds and seek Fourth Elder Yohei."

"The Uchiha Clan has never played empty games, nor do we make promises without action."

"There are no preconditions. If you are willing, we will hand over the money directly."

"For those who are not present at today's meeting, I will send people to negotiate with them in person."

"I still need to take Elder Fugaku for treatment, so I will be leaving now."

Everyone made way, allowing Shamu to lead Fugaku out.

Many hurried back to their clans, while others contacted those who had not attended.

They planned to send people to the Uchiha Clan to see what exactly was going on.

Shamu led Fugaku out and prepared to find Orochimaru.

He wanted to see how Itachi's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan fusion was progressing, and to leave Fugaku there as well.

For the next stage of the plan, once the new territory was secured, the Uchiha Clan would need more powerful fighters to protect the clan.

Once Itachi completed the evolution of his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, it would play an even greater role in strengthening the entire Uchiha Clan.