The Ninja World Wasn't About Fighting and Killing, but Connections and Social Graces

Wherever there were people, there was Jianghu. Jianghu wasn't about fighting and killing, but connections and social graces. The Ninja World was no different.

What did people struggle their whole lives for?

Of course, money!

Ninjas fought until their brains splattered for the same reason!

They worked in a high-risk profession just to earn blood money and live a good life.

Konoha's current predicament, aside from its manpower shortage, could be summed up in one word: no money.

But where there was money, there would be people. As long as they had money, what was one ninja village fighting four others? It was just a matter of seeing who could outlast whom.

If funding were sufficient, every person could carry dozens or even hundreds of Explosive Tags. The moment they met the enemy, they could toss a few over. How satisfying would that be?

Unfortunately, such an extravagant dream was unlikely to come true.

Uchiha Nan leaned back in his chair. The table before him was laden with all kinds of dishes, each perfect in color, aroma, and taste. More importantly, this was Konoha's most luxurious hotel, used to receive important guests of the Uchiha.

Just this table of food, in this very place, had cost a full thirty thousand ryō, leaving Uchiha Nan clicking his tongue in amazement.

Uchiha Nan could earn several hundred thousand ryō from a single ordinary A-rank mission, yet even he found this meal painfully expensive.

If he ate like this every day, it would bankrupt him. Fortunately, he did not have to pay for it himself—the clan was footing the bill. After all, this was Uchiha business.

"The guest arriving soon is called Fujii Hiroki. His family, the Fujii Family, has contracted all the major iron mines in the Land of Fire and has always worked with the Uchiha."

"His family has connections in high places, with officials holding high-ranking positions in the Land of Fire."

"He has a fairly good temperament. I have a good relationship with him."

Uchiha Tomita stood beside him, introducing Fujii Hiroki—his family background, personal preferences, everything from beginning to end. He was painstakingly teaching Uchiha Nan.

Dealing with the powerful families of the Land of Fire was not as simple as being a ninja.

As a ninja, all one had to do was cut people down. A Clan Head had far more to consider.

Since Uchiha Nan had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and was Konoha's Future, Uchiha Tomita would teach him everything he knew about being a Clan Head, for the sake of the Uchiha.

For this social engagement, Uchiha Tomita had deliberately come with Uchiha Nan. The Uchiha owed the Fujii Family so much money and had delayed repayment for so long that some unpleasant words would likely be spoken at the dinner table.

Uchiha Tomita was afraid that Uchiha Nan, being young and hot-blooded, would rely on his great strength and draw his blade to cut down Fujii Hiroki. The sight of Uchiha Nan throwing Lava Style into a crowd was still vivid in his mind.

Clearly, Uchiha Nan did not have a very good temper. He could not judge him by the old Uchiha Nan's behavior.

If he really killed the man, then things would get interesting. The Uchiha would fail to repay their debt and instead kill their creditor. The powerful families of the Land of Fire could join forces to blacklist all of the Uchiha clan's businesses.

They absolutely could not set such a precedent. The Land of Fire's powerful families were afraid too.

To fight this war, which Ninja Clan among the Five Great Ninja Villages was not buried under a mountain of bad debt? If they all followed the Uchiha's example and killed anyone who came to collect, would the powerful families of every nation still be able to live?

If the Uchiha dared to be unreasonable and act as the first to do so, the daimyō of every nation would unite and show them the power of money. Bounty notices would rain down like droplets, and the Uchiha would suffer the consequences.

No matter how strong the Uchiha were, they were only a Ninja Clan.

Uchiha Nan listened carefully to Uchiha Tomita's guidance. It was clear that Uchiha Tomita sincerely wanted to teach him how to become a qualified Clan Head. There were even many secrets concerning the nobles of the Land of Fire.

Things that low-level ninjas who only knew how to cut people down would never encounter in their lives.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. A plump, slightly overweight middle-aged man walked in, dressed in bright and splendid clothes. One look was enough to tell that he was either rich or noble.

"Tomita, long time no see!"

"Long time no see!"

Uchiha Tomita stepped forward. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he introduced Uchiha Nan to Fujii Hiroki as the Uchiha's new Clan Head.

Fujii Hiroki's expression changed slightly, but he immediately put on a broad smile and introduced himself to Uchiha Nan.

Naturally, Uchiha Nan responded with great enthusiasm. In his previous life, he had worked in sales. He could not have been more familiar with this kind of situation.

Before this life, he had spent all his time training in killing techniques and studying how to cut people down efficiently.

But now, his professional instincts from the past suddenly surfaced. Wasn't this just sucking up to the client?

Uchiha Nan was a seasoned expert at it!

Once he got to the drinking table, Uchiha Nan could use his extensive skills to serve anyone to complete satisfaction.

Uchiha Tomita drank alongside them, his eyes widening as he stared at Uchiha Nan. It was simply astonishing. He was far too practiced—practiced to an unbelievable degree.

He delivered one set of flattering auspicious phrases after another, along with drinking toasts Uchiha Tomita had never even heard before. Fujii Hiroki drank cup after cup, making Uchiha Tomita feel somewhat unnecessary today.

Fujii Hiroki did not forget his mission, either, and brought up the debt midway through. Uchiha Nan immediately began complaining about the clan's hard times, making Uchiha Tomita unable to bear listening any longer. The story he made up was a little too outrageous.

As for the debt, Uchiha Nan did not say they would not repay it. Once the funds from above came through, the first payment would go toward repayment, principal and interest included.

Fujii Hiroki naturally could not press the matter any further.

Then they began pouring drinks again. Two against one, combined with Uchiha Nan's polished client-pleasing skills, his joking around, and a few topics all men loved, soon had Fujii Hiroki completely drunk and calling them brothers.

If your little brother was in trouble, would you help him, big brother?

"What are you saying? Don't worry. Don't be afraid about the debt. I'll make the decision—hic... hic..."

"Your big brother here still carries some weight in the family. We'll supply the Uchiha for another month."

"..."

"Big Brother!!"

"Let your little brother toast you again!"

"..."

Draw up the contract!!

Draw it up now!!!

Uchiha Tomita hurriedly asked a waiter for paper and pen, then had the agreement signed, terrified that Fujii Hiroki would sober up and deny it.

While Uchiha Nan accompanied his major client in feasting heartily at the hotel, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō wandered through Konoha's streets.

After barely escaping the battlefield with their lives, only to be frightened by Mito Uzumaki, the two friends decided to find somewhere to gather, have a meal, and discuss Konoha's Future.

Especially after Shimura Danzō heard that Mito Uzumaki would support Hiruzen Sarutobi in becoming Hokage, the anxiety in his heart immediately vanished, replaced by joy. At the same time, a faint melancholy lingered in his heart.

He could not help recalling that moment. If I had been the first to step forward and offer my life back then, would I have become the Third Hokage instead?

Joy and regret filled his heart.

He feared his brother would live poorly, yet also feared his brother would drive a Land Rover. That described Shimura Danzō perfectly right now. At first, he had worried for Hiruzen Sarutobi, but now that Hiruzen was doing well, he felt miserable instead.

A companion who had always been about the same as him was suddenly about to become the village's highest leader. It felt worse than killing Shimura Danzō.

But Danzō was still too optimistic. He did not notice at all that the villagers on the streets kept glancing at them, their eyes flashing with contempt and disdain.

Desperately asking for monthly votes!!!

I want monthly votes! (throwing a tantrum and rolling around)