Invitation

Masaki Uchiha checked the time. It was getting late, and it was time for Uchiha Naoya and Mie Uchiha to visit the heads of the various small and medium-sized ninja clans. He summoned the two of them immediately.

"Naoya, Mie, you may set off now. If anyone is unwilling to come, it doesn't matter. Just make a note of who they are; there will be plenty of time to play with them later."

"Understood." (x2)

"Go, and take the guard squad with you."

"Yes."

"Please, announce us. Uchiha Naoya and Mie Uchiha are here on behalf of the Uchiha Clan Head to invite the Inuzuka Clan Head to a banquet tomorrow."

After Uchiha Naoya finished speaking, he handed the invitation in his hand to the Inuzuka clan ninja guarding the gate, Taro Inuzuka.

Taro Inuzuka was a bit dazed at the moment. Everyone knew that the people of the Uchiha Clan held their heads high; when had they ever been this polite?

However, he quickly regained his composure and took the invitation with both hands. "Please wait a moment, guests. I will go in and report immediately."

He then took the invitation and turned to find the Inuzuka Clan Head.

"Clan Head! Clan Head!"

The Inuzuka Clan Head, who was discussing matters with the clan elders, frowned and shouted, "Quiet! What kind of decorum is this, shouting and hollering!"

"Clan Head, it is someone from the Uchiha Clan. They brought an invitation from the Uchiha Clan Head. Please take a look."

Taro Inuzuka bowed his body, handed the invitation to the Inuzuka Clan Head with both hands, and stood guard at the door.

Hearing that it was an invitation from the Uchiha, the Inuzuka Clan Head was somewhat puzzled. They didn't usually have much interaction with the Uchiha, aside from on the battlefield.

Still, he took the invitation and carefully examined its contents.

"It seems the news was correct; the Uchiha Clan Head has changed. Everyone, take a look."

After reading the invitation, the Inuzuka Clan Head's expression turned somewhat strange, and he passed it to the other elders to read.

Before long, the elders had all finished reading.

"What are the opinions of the elders?" the Inuzuka Clan Head asked.

"Attend the banquet!" the Inuzuka Great Elder replied first.

"Only a fool would turn down money! We should join forces with the Uchiha and make money together."

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

The other elders also voiced their consent.

"I'm just worried that after attending the banquet, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others will misunderstand that the Inuzuka Clan is siding with the Uchiha," the Inuzuka Clan Head said with some concern.

The Inuzuka Great Elder scoffed at this. "How long have Sarutobi Hiruzen and his four families been hogging all the profits? Now we have to look at his face just to have a sip of soup?"

"Besides, Sarutobi Hiruzen has already retired. The current Hokage is the Fourth."

"The Fourth isn't Sarutobi Hiruzen, not to mention that other ninja clans will be there too. Clan Head, go ahead and attend."

The words of the Inuzuka Great Elder stirred up unpleasant memories for the other elders.

"Right, I agree with the Great Elder."

"I agree as well. The village still hasn't fully paid out the death benefits for the war. If we don't work hard to make money, how can we face those fallen clansmen?"

"Clan Head, let's do it!"

Hearing the elders speak this way, the Inuzuka Clan Head did not hesitate further and called Taro Inuzuka inside.

"Taro, go and reply to the Uchiha Clan members. Tell them we accept the invitation."

"Yes, Clan Head."

Watching Taro Inuzuka rush off in a flurry, the Inuzuka Clan Head thought to himself, This child is still as reckless as ever.

He then withdrew his gaze and looked at the elders. "Everyone, help me figure out what the best course of action is for tomorrow."

Having received affirmative replies, Uchiha Naoya and Mie Uchiha visited the Aburame Clan, the Kurama Clan, the Hayate Clan, and a large number of other small and medium-sized ninja clans, all of whom agreed to attend the banquet.

Looking at the plaque bearing the name of the Hatake Clan, Uchiha Naoya stepped forward and knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

"Who is it?"

With a creak, the door opened, revealing Hatake Kakashi's signature dead fish eyes. Upon seeing who it was, his expression immediately became more serious.

"Oh, it's Naoya-senpai and Mie-san. Is there something you need?"

Uchiha Naoya didn't waste words; after all, they had cooperated on the battlefield several times and were acquaintances.

"The Clan Head intends to host a banquet for you tomorrow. I wonder if you have the time?" As he spoke, he handed over the invitation.

Hatake Kakashi took the invitation, scanned it quickly, then looked up and said to Uchiha Naoya, "I will certainly attend Masaki-Big Brother's banquet."

"Good. Our mission is complete, then. See you tomorrow." He waved his hand and left.

Watching Uchiha Naoya and his companion depart, Hatake Kakashi waited for a moment before sprinting toward the Hokage Building.

"Teacher, this is the invitation the Uchiha Clan just sent me. Please take a look." Hatake Kakashi placed the invitation directly onto the Hokage's desk.

Picking up the invitation, Minato Namikaze examined it carefully before smiling at Hatake Kakashi. "Then you should go. Why turn down money when it's offered?"

Seeing Hatake Kakashi hesitate as if he had more to say, Minato Namikaze said with a smile, "The Hatake Clan will rely on you to revitalize it in the future. Don't carry any unnecessary psychological burden; I trust Masaki Uchiha."

Hearing his teacher say this, Hatake Kakashi finally set aside the wild thoughts in his mind.

Ever since his father died, the Hatake Clan had been declining day by day. Furthermore, with the casualties suffered by his clansmen on the battlefield, their families still needed to survive.

In truth, the members of the Hatake Clan were not living well right now; to put it bluntly, it was all because of money.

Now, facing the olive branch extended by Masaki Uchiha, Hatake Kakashi knew he could not refuse.

However, he still needed to account for his teacher, so he had brought the invitation to seek his advice.

"Please rest assured, Teacher. After attending the banquet tomorrow, I will write a report for you to review."

Seeing how sensible Hatake Kakashi was, Minato Namikaze smiled and said nothing more, waving his hand to let him leave.

Walking out of the Hokage building and looking at the bustling crowds and laughter on the streets, Hatake Kakashi felt a little lighter in his heart.

The next day at noon.

The Uchiha Clan lined up to welcome the arrival of the heads of the various ninja clans.

Masaki Uchiha stood at the very front to greet them, with Mie Uchiha and Uchiha Naoya one step behind him.

The first to arrive was the Inuzuka Clan Head, followed by the heads of the other ninja clans. Hatake Kakashi was the last to arrive.

After greeting the clan heads and having them take their seats, Masaki Uchiha first raised his wine glass. "First of all, thank you all for honoring me with your presence. I, Masaki Uchiha, would like to propose a toast to everyone."

The many clan heads raised their glasses in response, except for Hatake Kakashi, who was the youngest and could not drink alcohol, so he hid in a corner drinking juice.

"Secondly, the reason I invited you all here today is that there is a profitable business that the Uchiha Clan cannot handle alone."

"I figured that rather than letting outsiders benefit, it would be better to keep it within our own ranks, which is why I invited you all here to discuss it."

"Clan Head Masaki, what kind of business could it possibly be that even the Uchiha Clan cannot handle?" The head of the Gekko Clan spoke up first.

Masaki Uchiha observed the people in the hall. Some faces were calm, while others were impatient. Feeling that he had stirred up their emotions enough, he stopped beating around the bush.

"I have a route in the Land of Tea. The risk is a bit high, but the profits are immense. I wonder if any of you are interested?"