"Due to the impact of the Earth–Rain War, Meat Processing Plant's revenue this quarter dropped 23.4% from the previous quarter. But please rest assured, the dividends and benefits I promised will not be reduced."
At the clan assembly venue, Uchiha Setsuna stood onstage, solemnly reading from the meeting minutes in his hand. Beside him sat a listless Fugaku and a drowsy Uchiha Lucha.
Below the stage, clan members who had no interest in the stale meeting agenda kept their heads lowered, secretly discussing the widely circulating rumors about an illegitimate child.
"Have you all heard about the illegitimate child?"
"Didn't Young Master Fugaku already deny it? It was all a misunderstanding."
"You're so behind on the gossip it's already gone stale. That Butt-Kicking Gin illegitimate daughter incident is ancient history."
The clan member holding the latest juicy scoop looked disdainfully at his friend, who could only recycle outdated dirty rumors.
"Quit keeping us in suspense. I'll treat you to lemonade later, all right?"
"Hehe~ Who do you think it is?"
Rather than answer, the clan member glanced up at Uchiha Setsuna, who was spitting passionately onstage, and gave a knowing smile.
"Nani, you mean the Great Elder?"
"Shh! Afan, the one who spread that news, is already on a carriage to the Land of Snow. You don't want your wife becoming a widow while she's still young, do you?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk~ You really can't judge a person by their appearance."
"."
"Next quarter, we will strive to..."
Uchiha Setsuna's face had darkened to the point of dripping water. As a powerful ninja, his hearing naturally far surpassed that of ordinary people, and every word of the clan members' chatter below had reached his ears.
"Brr, it's so cold."
Uchiha Fugaku, whose mind had been wandering, suddenly felt a bone-chilling