"What does the Lord Hokage mean?"
"I have a plan here, Nara Luyuan recommends you to be in charge. Konoha will join forces with Sunagakure and Iwagakure to implement a Ponzi scheme in the Land of Lightning."
"A Ponzi scheme, simply put, is a game of musical chairs where the Utakata bursts and the perpetrators abscond with the money."
Uchiha Nan explained the entire Ponzi scheme to Kakuzu, Kakuzu green pupils glowed with an eerie light, and he couldn't contain his excitement.
Lord Hokage, you should have said so earlier if you had this idea!
What kind of business could I possibly do?!
"Lord Hokage, please let me be the trader!"
Kakuzu quickly accepted the task, only to have all the money he had earned in the first half of his life wiped out in one go by futures trading, becoming a fat and green leek to be harvested.
This time it was finally my turn to make the sickle.
"Very good, then this matter will be your responsibility. Nara Luyuan will assist you. You can ask him if you have any questions."
"The agent must be a reliable person; he'll be personally going to the Land of Lightning to execute the plan."
Uchiha Nan instructed Kakuzu to choose a reliable proxy, one who possessed both excellent eloquence and strong self-protection abilities.
"Lord Hokage, I think that white-haired kid Hatake Sakumo is capable of handling important tasks."
Kakuzu immediately thought of Hatake Sakumo, who had a criminal record for using his silver tongue to entice waves of novice investors into gambling in the futures trading hall, including himself.
"Hmm, I think we should still ask Hatake Sakumo for his opinion."
There are no secrets in this world. In the Land of Fire, there have long been rumors that the Konoha, in collusion with Daimyo, used Pig Iron Futures to manipulate the market and exploit the nobles.
Faced with the high and mighty figures, the nobles who had been stripped of their privileges dared not utter a word of complaint, forced to swallow their bitterness and resentment. But the "minor figures" who cheered and shouted their support...
For example, Hatake Sakumo. That's hard to say.
Hatake Sakumo has offended far too many people: nobles, wealthy merchants, and a whole host of innocent civilians, Missing-nin, and bounty hunters—not a single one of them doesn't hate him. After all, his role is that of a mouthpiece, designed to deceive and manipulate others.
Hatake Sakumo is currently worth over a dozen "Asuma" on the black market in the Land of Fire, and the price is still rising as more victims keep betting against it.
Hatake Sakumo Hatake Sakumo watched as his net worth increased little by little every day, just like the futures price back then, but he couldn't be happy at all.
Perhaps as soon as Hatake Sakumo leaves Konoha, groups of bounty hunters will form to kill him like a boss, cut off his head, Bounty Exchange exchange it for bounties.
Even Kakuzu occasionally has this thought. Who wouldn't be envious of the bounties of a dozen or so "Asuma"? By making this deal, Kakuzu could recoup a significant amount of money from his own pocket.
"Kakuzu, you know about Hatake Sakumo's situation. His reputation in the Land of Fire is ruined, and too many people want to kill him. Hatake Sakumo doesn't even dare to leave the village now."
If he were to go to the Land of Lightning as an agent again, even if he concealed his identity and changed his appearance, ninjas' methods are unpredictable, and the truth will eventually come out. Sooner or later, the ninjas of the Kumogakure would uncover his true identity.
"From now on, there will be a lot of people in the Land of Fire who want to kill him, and a lot of people in the Land of Lightning who also want to kill him."
Uchiha Nan felt that they couldn't let Hatake Sakumo the only one causing trouble; they had to find someone else to be the "scapegoat" and share the burden.
"Don't worry, Lord Hokage. As long as you agree, that's fine. As for Hatake Sakumo, I'll definitely persuade him and get this done."
Kakuzu with absolute certainty, but Uchiha Nan always felt that Kakuzu was deliberately seeking revenge. Couldn't he tone down that gloating expression?
Are you that confident in Hatake Sakumo's abilities?
Are you really not afraid of Hatake Sakumo dying?!
"Whatever you want. As long as you can convince Hatake Sakumo to carry out the mission, I have no objections."
Uchiha Nan didn't care about the feud between Hatake Sakumo and Kakuzu. If Hatake Sakumo truly refused to carry out the mission, Uchiha Nan wouldn't force him. But Kakuzu to persuade him, then...
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Kakuzu smiled and immediately left the Hokage's office, intending to "discuss" with Hatake Sakumo about how to carry out this glorious yet arduous mission.
Only Uchiha Nan and Uchiha Hikari remained in the office. Uchiha Hikari was wolfing down the snacks on the table when he noticed Uchiha Nan's gaze. He quickly composed himself and embarrassedly wiped the cream from the corner of his mouth.
"Come on, come back to the Uchiha with me!"
Uchiha Nan felt it was time to bring Uchiha Hikari back to the Uchiha clan. No, wait, she should be the one who is the ancestor. But there's no need to worry about that. The important thing is to help Uchiha Hikari integrate into the Uchiha as soon as possible and develop a sense of belonging to the Uchiha.
I really don't know what's going on in the minds of ninjas in the Hokage world. When a genius with extraordinary talent appears in a clan, the first thing they do is try to win them over—to deepen the genius's bond with the clan and cultivate their sense of belonging.
They insist on using them as the ultimate weapon, imprisoning them in jail when nothing is wrong, subjecting them to beatings and humiliation, and releasing them as henchmen when a crisis arises.
They're truly fearless. Any normal person would have switched sides and betrayed their family in the face of danger.
Uchiha Hikari was like that, Kaguya Kimimaro was like that, and later Naruto Gaara like that too. The village and clans didn't treat them like human beings. How could they expect them to serve the clan and village?
But these people, it seems, can't be considered normal; they all have a bit of a masochistic streak. Only someone with a strange and perverse value system could write such a distorted world.
"So fast?"
"Uchiha Nan, I'm not ready yet!"
Uchiha Hikari's hand was tightly held by Uchiha Nan. Uchiha Nan ignored Uchiha Hikari's little act and took her directly to the Uchiha clan's territory.
"Is this little girl an ancestor of the Uchiha?"
"How high is his seniority?!"
"Grandma?"
"That's definitely not enough, we need to call her 'super super super super grandma'."
Uchiha Nan gathered the Uchiha's higher-ups and introduced them to Uchiha Hikari's identity. He then planned to prepare a grand banquet within the clan to welcome Uchiha Hikari back to the family.
The Uchiha's higher-ups were completely bewildered. Where did this ancestor come from, and with such a high seniority?
At first, the Uchiha's higher-ups didn't think much of it. She was just an ordinary Uchiha; was it really worth making such a fuss, gathering them all together, and throwing her a welcome banquet?
Why not just give Uchiha Hikari the identity of an Uchiha, and then arrange a residence for him in the Uchiha clan compound?
So what if you're of a high generation?
The Uchiha doesn't care about seniority; they care about how many Tomoe markings) are in the eyes and whether they have beautiful patterns.
"Uchiha Hikari is very strong; he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan just like me."
Uchiha Nan knew very well what the atmosphere was like within the clan; the Uchiha Hikari Uchiha couldn't be subdued without showing some real skill.
"Great-great-great-grandmother, look at me! According to the family genealogy, you and I are relatives!"
"Inabi, you shameless bastard! Everyone here is a relative of your great-great-great-grandmother."
"Our ancestor has returned to the family; we must hold a grand banquet to welcome him home!"
I agree!
"That's exactly right!!"
"I'll go prepare right now!"
The Uchiha members reacted with lightning speed when faced with Uchiha Hikari, whose eyes were patterned.
We Uchiha only like Uchiha who wear patterns in their eyes!
After a brief commotion, the Uchiha members began to move about, decorating the Uchiha clan compound with lanterns and setting off fireworks and firecrackers.
The Uchiha gathered at the Naka Shrine in the afternoon, where Uchiha Nan announced to the entire Naka Shrine Uchiha that Uchiha Hikari had returned to the family.
Girls appreciate the intangible emotional value of rituals, and Uchiha Hikari was no exception.
In the distant past, when the Uchiha learned that Uchiha Hikari had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, everyone was equally excited, but the treatment they received was nothing like it is now.
The Mangekyō Sharingan should receive the highest treatment within the Uchiha; this is almost a consensus among the current Uchiha. As for why the Uchiha's ancestor treated Uchiha Hikari the way he did, Uchiha Nan racked his brains but couldn't figure out the reason. It can only be said that it's still Kishimoto's Kishimoto.
The grand banquet lasted until evening. At first, Uchiha Hikari stayed awkwardly by Uchiha Nan's side, but he gradually opened up and slowly integrated into the banquet with the bolder younger generation of Uchiha. He took the initiative to approach this ancestor he had never met before.
Uchiha Nan was very satisfied with all of this.
Besides the Uchiha, Uchiha Nan felt there was one more person he should meet Uchiha Hikari.
night
After the grand banquet ended, Uchiha Nan brought Uchiha Hikari to Tobirama Senju's laboratory.
Will Tobirama Senju slack off behind my back if I leave the village for several months?
Tobirama, I'm back!
Orochimaru, why aren't you home yet, it's so late?
"Forget it. Never mind you. Just remember to give yourself your injection on time."
Uchiha Nan saw Orochimaru, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. His face was still as pale as before, and his dark circles were very severe. But Uchiha Nan was too lazy to argue. As long as he didn't die, that was all that mattered.
Uchiha Nan led Uchiha Hikari to the innermost room of the laboratory, where they found Tobirama Senju conducting an experiment.
"Tobirama, it's been so long! Did you miss me?"
Not at all. If you died, I'd celebrate with gongs, drums, and fireworks.
Tobirama Senju remained defiant, wearing a sour face and muttering that he wished he could die sooner. But Uchiha Nan was already used to it.
"Tobirama, so much time has passed, why won't you still call me Lord Hokage- sama?"
"Go to hell!"
"What a born evil Uchiha brat."
"Fine, I can't be bothered arguing with you. Tobirama, let me introduce you to someone— Uchiha Hikari!"
Uchiha Nan solemnly introduced Uchiha Hikari to Tobirama Senju, saying that Hikaru was an ancestor from hundreds of years ago who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and mastered the eye techniques of four Mangekyou Sharingan!
Tobirama Senju's expression changed. Where on earth did Uchiha Nan gather these Uchiha from?!
The Senju Clan's records seem to mention this Uchiha, who was the ultimate weapon of the Uchiha in that era. He was sealed away by the Senju Clan's higher-ups at a great cost, and the location of the seal is only vaguely described, leaving only a general direction.
You dug her up from hundreds of years ago?
"This is Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage of Konoha."
Well!
Uchiha Hikari, how come you've Mangekyō Sharingan? The Senju Clan and Uchiha have reconciled now. Although Tobirama Senju harbored ill intentions towards the Uchiha, he can barely be considered a comrade.
"But since you've already awakened your Mangekyō Sharingan, give him the Yachihoko mark. That way, if something unexpected happens, you can keep him firmly under control and prevent him from causing me trouble."
Uchiha Nan instructed Uchiha Hikari to place the Yachihoko mark on Tobirama Senju. This eye technique consumes a great deal of energy. It can leave the Yachihoko Yachihoko mark on the enemy, and the eye power can be used to control the enemy's mind and Chakra until the mark is exhausted.
"Oh, okay, Uchiha Nan!"
Uchiha Hikari obediently used the Yachihoko eye technique on Tobirama Senju.
"Aaaaaah, that naturally evil Uchiha brat!!!"
What on earth did you do to me?!
"I'm going to kill you with a single Flying Thunder God Slash!!"
Tobirama Senju let out a pig-like scream as he watched as Uchiha Hikari opened his evil Mangekyō Sharingan, instantly branding him with a mark that vanished in the blink of an eye.
The well-informed Tobirama Senju immediately realized that this mark was definitely not a good thing!
Tobirama Senju's defenses crumbled. This naturally evil Uchiha brat had actually taken advantage of his momentary weakness to secretly attack him—something even Izuna Uchiha hadn't done!
Utter disgrace!
"So noisy!"
"Light, shut him up!"
"Yes, Uchiha Nan!"
The mark appeared on Tobirama Senju's arm, and then Tobirama Senju felt his body lose control, and he was like a puppet on strings, his mouth tightly shut.
"Tobirama, this mark is similar to the Impure World Reincarnation mark; both can control your body. Consider it my nth layer of protection for you."
"Tobirama Senju, your power is too great. I'm sorry, I cannot allow you to act as you please."
Uchiha Nan quoted Hashirama Senju's famous line about the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.
Uchiha Nan remained cautious and vigilant towards Tobirama Senju, despite having a significant advantage in Konoha.
However, there are far too many poor souls in history who had a huge advantage by riding a dragon and then got carried away and recklessly let themselves be, only to be turned around and defeated in one fell swoop.
The Battle of Guandu (Yuan Shao), the Battle of Red Cliffs (Cao Cao), and the Battle of Yiling (Liu Bei) are all bloody lessons.
Using Tobirama Senju's intelligence to find a weakness in himself might just cause him a lot of trouble.
Be very careful!
"Tobirama, you already have too many restrictions on you, one more won't make a difference, don't be angry!"
"Oh, I forgot, you're being controlled now, Light, let him go."
Uchiha Nan instructed Uchiha Hikari from his control over Tobirama Senju.
"Uchiha Nan, you born evil Uchiha brat!"
I'll kill you!!!
The moment Tobirama Senju gained his freedom, he immediately repeated his past mistakes, baring his fangs and claws as he charged towards Uchiha Nan.
Tobirama!
Why can't you learn your lesson?
Uchiha Nan was somewhat helpless.
I was too tired yesterday and got up very late today, sorry.