Each With Their Own Thoughts

Snap!

Uchiha Yan snapped his fingers.

Moments later, three or four servers entered and cleared all the bowls and chopsticks from the table.

Watching the tabletop return to its clean state, Uchiha Yan pulled a rolled-up sheet of large paper from his robes.

He spread it out across the table.

As the clan heads present looked on, what appeared before them was a map.

It was marked with various colors, and the central area was labeled Uchiha Clan.

This was none other than the map of the Uchiha Special Zone!

"Everyone, please take a look."

Uchiha Yan pointed to the street below the Uchiha Clan, where a long red line was drawn, running from west to east through the entire special zone.

"I intend to build a large-scale Commercial Street here. In the future, this will be the focal point for the development of the special zone; the flow of people, logistics, and capital within the zone will all converge here."

"I wonder if any of you clan heads are interested?"

Uchiha Yan scanned the expressions on the faces of the clan heads present and continued.

"If you are willing to join, I can reduce your tax rate to thirty percent for a period of two years."

"At the same time, we will establish a dedicated Business Alliance to provide everyone with a platform for information sharing and mutual resource exchange."

"Clan heads, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

As his voice fell, the clan heads present fell into a brief silence, exchanging glances as they secretly weighed the pros and cons.

Gradually, everyone turned their gaze toward Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was sitting beside Uchiha Yan.

Although everyone had come to this gathering in their capacity as clan heads, no one could ignore his other identity.

If he didn't give the nod, all of this was just empty talk.

But unexpectedly, Sarutobi Hiruzen neither nodded in agreement nor voiced any opposition; instead, he turned his head and asked Nara Shikaku.

"Shikaku, what do you think?"

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Everyone shifted their gaze to Nara Shikaku once more.

Seeing this, Nara Shikaku gave a bitter smile to himself.

Hokage-sama, you have certainly handed me a difficult problem.

But since the big boss's intent was so clear, Nara Shikaku could only bite the bullet and ask.

"Clan Head Uchiha Yan, as far as I know, that area contains the assets of many a Ninja Clan, and I have a certain understanding of commercial taxes."

"If I recall correctly, the commercial tax was originally thirty percent, was it not?"

Uchiha Yan smiled slightly and responded calmly: "That area originally belonged to Konoha, but from now on, it will be managed by my Uchiha Clan."

"The past is vastly different from the present, and policies in all aspects need to be readjusted, which naturally includes commercial taxes."

"Then what do you intend to set it at?" Nara Shikaku continued to ask.

"Forty-five percent!"

"Audacious!" Before Nara Shikaku could speak, Utatane Koharu suddenly shouted from the side: "Uchiha Yan, there was an agreement back then."

"Policies like this, which are sufficient to affect all villagers within the zone, require the consent of the majority of Konoha's top brass."

"Have you forgotten?"

Utatane Koharu's angry shout echoed through the tavern, causing the various clan heads present to keep their eyes on their noses and their mouths shut, not daring to get involved.

But Uchiha Yan simply spread his hands and said casually: "Advisor Koharu, I have not violated the terms of the agreement."

"Increasing the commercial tax to forty-five percent was a carefully considered decision for the long-term development of the special zone. The revenue generated will be used for the construction of the zone, benefiting everyone."

"Don't tell me you're going to pay for it when the special zone undergoes major construction in the future?"

"The principle of 'taking from the people and using it for the people'... I understand that better than you!"

"Hmph! Fine words, but who knows what kind of scheme you're cooking up." Utatane Koharu was furious, feeling even more incensed.

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been silent, interrupted.

"Everyone, calm down! Yan, continue."

Uchiha Yan nodded and turned to Nara Shikaku to continue.

"Clan Head Nara, this Commercial Street plan will not only feature a comprehensive upgrade of basic facilities, but security management will also be significantly strengthened, and there will be a dedicated promotion team to assist with your businesses."

"Furthermore, once the Commercial Street is built, it will bring in a massive flow of people and business opportunities; your businesses will inevitably far exceed what they were before."

"And this doesn't even require you to pay any price, just maintaining the original thirty percent commercial tax—isn't it worth it?"

"Then what are you after?" Nara Shikaku asked. "That area already has many assets belonging to various Ninja Clans; even if you didn't say anything, we wouldn't have withdrawn anyway."

Homura's lips curled slightly as he explained, "Times have changed."

"In the future, all shops within the Special Zone will need to be re-planned. Those that do not meet the standards will be removed by the high-level officials of the Special Zone."

As soon as these words fell, the clan heads present erupted into an uproar.

Inuzuka Tsume frowned and said, "Remove shops that don't meet the standards? And who gets to set those standards? Don't tell me it's all going to be decided by your Uchiha Clan!"

Nara Shikaku echoed, "Indeed. If this isn't handled well, I fear it will lead to numerous disputes and affect the stability of the entire Special Zone."

Utatane Koharu let out a cold snort, "I see this as your Uchiha Clan trying to use this opportunity to eliminate those who disagree with you!"

"You can't say it like that!" A cold sneer tugged at the corner of Homura's mouth. "My Special Zone possesses legislative power and can formulate laws according to local affairs."

"This is the authority granted to me by the Hokage!"

Once these words were spoken, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became even more tense.

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly, his gaze revealing a hint of gravity.

"Homura, while that may be true, any decision must be considered thoroughly."

"Clan Head Sarutobi!" Homura crossed his arms, his face resolute. "Everything I do is for the prosperity and stability of the Special Zone, and even more so for the future of Konoha."

The words were grand and sounded very pleasant!

But everyone present knew that the two sides had long viewed each other as fire and water, and a battle was inevitable in the future.

Yet, unexpectedly, after hearing these words from Homura, Sarutobi Hiruzen actually nodded and said.

"Since that is the case, then count my Sarutobi Clan in."

"My Sarutobi Clan's businesses in the Special Zone will comply with all arrangements made by the high-level officials of the Special Zone, and the clan will also increase its support."

Nara Shikaku instantly understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's intention and echoed, "My Nara Clan will do the same!"

Seeing that Nara Shikaku, who acted as the brains, had agreed, Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza spoke up one after another.

"The Yamanaka Clan as well!"

"The Akimichi Clan agrees to join the planning of the Commercial Street!"

"..."

As the four Ninja Clan heads spoke in succession.

Although Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were dissatisfied in their hearts, they could only nod and say.

"The Mitokado Clan joins!"

"The Utatane Clan joins!"

"..."

Seeing that the political stance was clear, the remaining Ninja Clan heads who were still watching from the sidelines also expressed their positions one after another.

"The Aburame Clan joins!"

"The Hyuga Clan joins!"

"The Haruno Clan joins!"

"The Kurama Clan joins!"

"..."

For a time, the atmosphere in the tavern became heated.