The Ninja World Isn't About Fighting, It's About Human Relationships.

Wherever there are people, there is the martial world. The martial world isn't about fighting and killing; it's about human relationships and social dynamics. The ninja world is no different.

What does a person strive for their entire life?

It's money, of course!

The ninjas are beating each other senseless. It makes sense!

They're engaged in a high-risk profession, all for a killer's payday and a life of pleasure.

Konoha's current predicament, besides personnel issues, can be summed up in one word: no money.

But with money comes people. If you have money, it doesn't matter if one ninja village fights four others; it's a matter of who can outlast whom.

If they had enough funds, imagine how comfortable it would be to have dozens or hundreds of Exploding Tags on hand, throwing a few at anyone they met.

Unfortunately, such extravagant ideas are unlikely.

Uchiha Nan leaned back in his chair. The table in front of him was laden with a variety of dishes, all appealing in color, aroma, and taste. Most importantly, this was Konoha's most luxurious hotel, used to entertain important guests of the Uchiha.

This single table of food, in this venue, cost a whopping thirty thousand ryo. Uchiha Nan couldn't help but gasp.

Uchiha Nan's net worth was hundreds of thousands of ryo for a single A-rank mission. Even so, eating this meal would still sting his wallet.

Eating like this every day could bankrupt Uchiha Nan. Fortunately, he wasn't paying out of his own pocket; the clan was footing the bill, as this was official Uchiha business.

"The guest arriving soon is named Hiroki Fujii. His family, the Fujii Clan, has leased the Land of Fire's large iron mine and has always cooperated with the Uchiha."

"His family has connections; they have high-ranking officials in the Land of Fire."

"He's a man of good temper, and I have a good relationship with him."

Uchiha Tomita, standing nearby, introduced Hiroki Fujii, covering his family background, personal preferences, and everything in between, meticulously instructing Uchiha Nan.

Dealing with these influential families of the Land of Fire is not as simple as being a ninja.

Being a ninja only requires cutting people down. As a Clan Head, one has many more considerations.

Since Uchiha Nan had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, he was the future of the Uchiha. For the sake of the Uchiha, Uchiha Tomita would impart his experience as Clan Head to Uchiha Nan without reservation.

For this social engagement, Uchiha Tomita had specifically come with Uchiha Nan. They owed the Fujii Clan so much money and had delayed payment for so long; it was likely there would be some unpleasant words at the dinner table.

Uchiha Tomita feared that Uchiha Nan, being young and hot-headed, might draw his sword and attack Hiroki Fujii, relying on his strength. Uchiha Nan's past actions of throwing Lava Style jutsu into a crowd were still vivid in his memory.

Clearly, Uchiha Nan had a bad temper, and one couldn't judge him based on his past behavior.

If he actually killed someone, the trouble would be immense. Not only would they be unable to collect the debt, but the Uchiha would have killed the creditor. The dignitaries of the Land of Fire could then join forces to cripple the Uchiha clan's business.

This kind of precedent must not be set. The dignitaries of the Land of Fire were also afraid.

The ninja families of the five great ninja villages had incurred massive debts to fight this great war. If they all started acting like the Uchiha, killing creditors when they came to collect, how would the dignitaries of various countries survive?

If the Uchiha dared to act unreasonably and become the first to do so, the Daimyo of each country would unite and show the Uchiha the power of money. Wanted posters would rain down, making it impossible for the Uchiha to cope.

No matter how strong the Uchiha were, they were still just a ninja clan.

Uchiha Nan listened intently to Uchiha Tomita's teachings. It was evident that Uchiha Tomita genuinely wanted to teach him how to be a competent Clan Head, revealing many secrets of the Land of Fire's nobility.

These were things a low-level ninja who only knew how to fight would never encounter in their lifetime.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a middle-aged man, plump and slightly stout, walked in. His clothes were bright and luxurious, clearly indicating wealth and status.

"Tomita, long time no see!"

"Long time no see!"

Uchiha Tomita stepped forward. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he introduced Uchiha Nan to Hiroki Fujii, the new Clan Head of the Uchiha.

Hiroki Fujii's expression shifted slightly, but he immediately broke into a smile and introduced himself to Uchiha Nan.

Uchiha Nan naturally responded with equal enthusiasm. In his previous life, Uchiha Nan had been in sales, and he was all too familiar with such situations.

Before this, he had been diligently practicing killing techniques, focusing on how to kill efficiently.

But now, his past professional skills suddenly surfaced. Wasn't this just flattering the client? Uchiha Nan was an old hand at this!

Once at the table, Uchiha Nan could use his extensive skills to serve you comfortably.

Uchiha Tomita, playing the role of a drinking companion, watched Uchiha Nan with wide eyes. He was astonished; Uchiha Nan was too skilled, unbelievably so.

He spouted a stream of flattering pleasantries and even toasts that Uchiha Tomita had never heard before, making Hiroki Fujii drink glass after glass. It made Uchiha Tomita feel rather redundant today.

Midway, Hiroki Fujii, not forgetting his mission, brought up the debt. Uchiha Nan immediately began to complain, detailing the clan's hardships in a way that even Uchiha Tomita found hard to watch, exaggerating the story a bit too much.

As for the debt, Uchiha Nan wasn't saying he wouldn't pay. He promised to repay it with interest from the first batch of funds that came in from above.

Naturally, Hiroki Fujii couldn't press the issue further.

Then, the drinking resumed. Two against one, coupled with Uchiha Nan's skilled client-flattering techniques, interspersed with jokes, and discussing topics that men loved, they got Hiroki Fujii completely tipsy, and he started calling them brothers.

"Brother, if your little brother is in trouble, will you help?"

"What are you talking about? Don't worry about the debt, I'll handle it. Hic... hic..."

"Your brother has some influence in the clan. We'll supply Uchiha with goods for another month."

"Big Brother!!"

"Little Brother will toast you again!"

Sign a contract!!

Quick, sign the contract!!!

Uchiha Tomita grabbed paper and pen from the waiter and quickly signed the contract, afraid Hiroki Fujii would go back on his word once he sobered up.

While Uchiha Nan was feasting with a major client at the hotel, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō were wandering the streets of Konoha.

After desperately escaping from the battlefield and being thoroughly scared by Mito Uzumaki, the two buddies Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō decided to find a place to gather, eat, and discuss the future of Konoha.

Especially when Shimura Danzō heard that Mito Uzumaki would support Hiruzen Sarutobi becoming Hokage, his anxious heart immediately relaxed, and his mood turned to joy, while a faint sadness lingered in his heart.

He couldn't help but recall the scene in his mind. If he had been the first to step forward and sacrifice himself back then, would the Third Hokage have been him?

Joy and regret filled his heart.

He feared his brother would suffer, yet he also feared his brother would drive a Range Rover. This perfectly described Shimura Danzō's current state. At first, he worried about Hiruzen Sarutobi, but now that Hiruzen was doing well, he felt bad again.

A companion who had always been on par with him was suddenly about to become the village's highest leader. It was more unbearable than killing Shimura Danzō.

However, Danzō was still too optimistic and didn't notice the villagers on the street at all. They kept glancing at them, their eyes flickering with contempt and disdain.

Desperately asking for monthly votes!!!

I want monthly votes! (Throwing a tantrum)