Cooperation

Nara Rokumei's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected the Uchiha Clan to come seeking their support at a time like this. As far as he knew, no other clan had yet done so.

He had spotted a chance to offer help when it was most needed, which was why he'd brought the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans to pay a visit. But he hadn't expected the Uchiha Clan, one of the two great ninja clans, to make the same choice.

He couldn't help looking at Uchiha Hirotomo. As far as he knew, Hirotomo was clever, but probably wouldn't have thought through all the nuances of the situation.

Then he looked at Uchiha Kō. Kō set down his teacup and smiled at him with a nod, then stood and addressed Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Lord Hokage, before our clan head came, he said that from now on, we would follow your lead in all things."

Uchiha Hirotomo nodded as well. Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled with satisfaction, then said, "There's no need to say such things. You flatter me. I'm honored by the Uchiha Clan's trust. From now on, I hope Clan Head Hirotomo will look after us."

"We're the ones who need your support, Lord Hokage!" Uchiha Hirotomo replied with a faint smile.

Nara Rokumei paused, then expressed a similar sentiment. Sarutobi Hiruzen was delighted. They spent more than two hours drinking tea, and the visit ended on a warm note, with both hosts and guests thoroughly pleased.

Just as Uchiha Kō and Uchiha Hirotomo had stepped out of the Sarutobi Compound, Nara Rokumei called after them. "Please wait!"

Uchiha Kō and Uchiha Hirotomo were taken aback, then turned around. It was Nara Rokumei. The two exchanged a glance before Uchiha Hirotomo asked, "Clan Head Rokumei, was there something you needed?"

Nara Rokumei gave Uchiha Kō a long look, then smiled at Uchiha Hirotomo. "Clan Head Hirotomo, you certainly plan ahead."

Uchiha Hirotomo was puzzled and didn't understand what Nara Rokumei meant. As he considered how to reply, Uchiha Kō spoke up.

"Clan Head Nara is no less astute. After all, when it comes to investing, the sooner you do it, the better." Uchiha Kō's tone held a trace of coolness. They were all here to invest, so there was no need to say it so bluntly. It was rather impolite.

Put nicely, it was an investment; put less nicely, it was a bet. They were all now aides to Sarutobi Hiruzen, and none of them was any better off than the others.

Nara Rokumei understood. So it really was this man. He was the one directing this move. While they'd been drinking tea, Rokumei had noticed Uchiha Hirotomo look toward Uchiha Kō more than once.

He'd only asked to confirm his suspicion. Of course, someone who wasn't very clever wouldn't have understood what he was getting at.

"I was out of line. Kō, Clan Head Hirotomo, as compensation, I'll authorize a thirty percent discount on medicinal herbs for trade between the Uchiha and Nara Clans from now on." Nara Rokumei was a smart man. It wasn't as though anything terrible would happen if he didn't offer compensation.

But considering Uchiha Kō's sharp mind, the Uchiha Clan's deep roots, and the fact that they were all aides to the Sarutobi faction, he'd weighed several factors before deciding to offer the discount.

Uchiha Hirotomo was about to agree, but Uchiha Kō said, "As fellow clans from the Warring States Period, the Uchiha will offer a thirty percent discount on ninja tool sales to the Ino-Shika-Cho clans from now on."

Nara Rokumei was stunned, as were the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans. Had they heard right? A thirty percent discount on ninja tools? Those were hard currency!

Uchiha Hirotomo was taken aback, but he didn't contradict Uchiha Kō in front of everyone. He nodded.

Nara Rokumei gave Uchiha Kō a long look, then smiled. "We're grateful for the Uchiha Clan's generosity."

"Mutual benefit," Uchiha Hirotomo replied with a smile. Just then, Torifu Akimichi spoke up as well. "From now on, the Akimichi Clan's Yakiniku Restaurant will give the Uchiha a thirty percent discount, and we can also provide jobs for Uchiha civilians."

Uchiha Hirotomo was astonished once again. The Akimichi Clan's yakiniku business was no smaller than their ninja tool trade. They weren't just offering a discount, but jobs for civilians too!

While he was still thinking it over, Yamanaka Unkai smiled and said, "From now on, the Yamanaka Clan is willing to share intelligence with the Uchiha Clan."

Uchiha Hirotomo could barely contain his delight. Who would have thought that yielding a little would bring such a generous return? He was thrilled.

The other clan heads smiled faintly, then watched Uchiha Kō. His expression remained calm. Wasn't he happy? Of course he was. But a good negotiator never let his feelings show.

"The Ino-Shika-Cho clans have been great clans since the Warring States Period, and have long been renowned. Now that we're all ninja clans of Konoha, I hope you'll guide us and look after the Uchiha Clan." Uchiha Kō smiled faintly.

Nara Rokumei smiled in reply. "Speaking of great clans, the Uchiha are the true clan of the Warring States Period. The Uchiha Clan has made so many contributions to protecting Konoha's safety. We of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans admire you greatly. We look forward to working together."

After exchanging a few polite words, the two sides set off for home.

Uchiha Hirotomo asked, "Kō, did you offer them a thirty percent discount on ninja tools because you guessed they'd return the favor?"

Uchiha Kō paused, then slowly replied, "Clan Head, they were the ones who tested us first. If we'd simply accepted the thirty percent discount on herbs, we could have gained something without losing anything."

"But we would have lost the chance to work with those three clans. In their eyes, we'd have looked short-sighted, and they naturally wouldn't want to cooperate with us."

"Only the vast majority of people—and those who grasp at petty gains—think solely about what they can take without giving anything in return. We're the Uchiha, a great ninja clan. If our leaders are short-sighted, the clan will only be weakened again and again."

Uchiha Hirotomo was taken aback, his face reddening slightly. When Nara Rokumei had tested them the first time, he'd been tempted. Compared to Kō, his intelligence and social skills were utterly outclassed.

"And, Clan Head, do you think we gained a great deal today?" Uchiha Kō continued.

Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. They'd given up a thirty percent share of their ninja tool profits, but they'd gained even more.

Uchiha Kō shook his head. "The greatest benefit today wasn't money, intelligence, or jobs. It was the friendship of the three clans. From now on, that will bind the Uchiha and Ino-Shika-Cho clans together. We've gained allies."

Elsewhere.

Torifu Akimichi chuckled. "Rokumei, you sure are generous. A thirty percent discount on herbs? Won't your wife tear into you?"

Nara Rokumei waved a hand. "You're one to talk. You offered a thirty percent discount on yakiniku and jobs too. Don't think I don't know what you're after."

"Compared to you two, my intelligence doesn't seem all that important." Yamanaka Unkai sighed. Nara Rokumei patted him on the shoulder.

"Unkai, you're wrong. Of the offers our three clans made, yours is the most important. Anything money can solve is a small matter. The things money can't solve are the big ones." A glint shone in Nara Rokumei's eyes.

Torifu Akimichi nodded too. "That's right, Unkai. Money is secondary. Your intelligence is far more valuable!"

Yamanaka Unkai chuckled, then slung an arm around the shoulders of Rokumei and Torifu. The three laughed as they headed home.

Uchiha Kō was an interesting fellow. The Uchiha would probably be relying on him from now on.

Nara Rokumei thought to himself.