Masaki Uchiha checked the time. It was getting late, and it was time for Naoya and Mie to visit the heads of the various small and medium-sized ninja clans. He called the two of them over.
"Naoya, Mie, you can set out now. If anyone doesn't want to come, that's fine. Just make a note of who they are. We'll have plenty of time to deal with them later."
"Understood."
"Go on. Take the guard team with you."
"Yes."
"Sorry for the trouble, but please inform the Inuzuka Clan Head that Naoya Uchiha and Mie Uchiha are here on behalf of the Uchiha Clan Head to invite him to a banquet tomorrow."
After speaking, Naoya Uchiha handed the invitation in his hand to Taro Inuzuka, the Inuzuka Clan ninja standing guard at the entrance.
Taro Inuzuka was still a little dazed. Everyone knew the Uchiha Clan members thought the world of themselves. Since when had they ever been so polite?
Still, he quickly snapped out of it and accepted the invitation with both hands. "Please wait a moment, guests. I'll go report this right away."
Then he turned and hurried off with the invitation to find the Inuzuka Clan Head.
"Clan Head! Clan Head!"
The Inuzuka Clan Head, who was discussing matters with the clan elders, knitted his brows and barked, "Quiet! What kind of behavior is that, shouting like this?"
"Clan Head, members of the Uchiha Clan are here. They brought an invitation from the Uchiha Clan Head. Please have a look."
Taro Inuzuka bowed and handed the invitation to the Inuzuka Clan Head with both hands, then waited by the door.
Hearing that it was an invitation from the Uchiha Clan, the Inuzuka Clan Head was a little puzzled. They rarely dealt with the Uchiha, except on the battlefield.
Still, he took the invitation and carefully read its contents.
"It seems the reports were right. The Uchiha have a new clan head. Elders, have a look as well."
After reading the invitation, the Inuzuka Clan Head wore a somewhat strange expression and passed it to the other elders.
Before long, all the elders had read it.
"What do you think, elders?" the Inuzuka Clan Head asked.
"We'll attend!" the Inuzuka Great Elder answered first.
"Only a fool would turn down a chance to make money! We'll team up with the Uchiha and earn money together."
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
The other elders voiced their agreement as well.
"I'm just worried that after we attend, the Third Hokage and the others will misunderstand and think our Inuzuka Clan has sided with the Uchiha," the Inuzuka Clan Head said with some concern.
The Inuzuka Great Elder scoffed at that. "Sarutobi Hiruzen and those other three clans have kept all the profits to themselves for how long now? We can't even have a little share without worrying about what he thinks?"
"Besides, Sarutobi Hiruzen has retired. The current Hokage is the Fourth."
"The Fourth isn't Sarutobi Hiruzen, and other ninja clans will be there too. Go without worry, Clan Head."
The Inuzuka Great Elder's words stirred up unpleasant memories for the other elders.
"Right. I agree with the Great Elder."
"I agree too. The village still hasn't paid all the compensation for those killed in battle. If we don't work harder to earn money, how can we face the clansmen who sacrificed their lives?"
"Clan Head, let's do it!"
Hearing the elders speak like this, the Inuzuka Clan Head no longer hesitated. He called Taro Inuzuka inside.
"Taro, go reply to the Uchiha. Tell them we accept the invitation."
"Yes, Clan Head."
Watching Taro Inuzuka hurry off, the Inuzuka Clan Head thought, That boy's still as impetuous as ever.
Then he looked back at the elders. "Everyone, come help me figure out how we should handle things tomorrow."
After receiving their confirmations, Naoya Uchiha and Mie Uchiha went on to visit the Aburame Clan, the Kurama Clan, the Gekko Clan, and many other small and medium-sized ninja clans. They all agreed to attend the banquet.
Looking at the plaque bearing the words "Hatake Clan," Naoya Uchiha stepped forward and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
"Who is it?"
The door creaked open, revealing Hatake Kakashi's trademark dead-fish eyes. When he saw who it was, his gaze immediately sharpened.
"So it's Senior Naoya and Miss Mie. What can I do for you?"
Naoya Uchiha got straight to the point. They had worked together several times on the battlefield, so they knew each other well.
"The clan head is hosting a banquet tomorrow and would like to invite you. Do you have time?" As he spoke, he handed over the invitation.
Hatake Kakashi accepted it and quickly read through it. Then he looked up at Naoya Uchiha. "If it's an invitation from Big Brother Masaki, I'll definitely be there."
"Great. Our job's done, then. See you tomorrow." Naoya waved and left.
After watching Naoya Uchiha and the others leave, Hatake Kakashi waited a little while, then immediately sprinted toward the Hokage Building.
"Teacher, the Uchiha just sent me this invitation. Please take a look." Kakashi placed it directly on the Hokage's desk.
Minato Namikaze picked up the invitation and read it carefully. Then he smiled at Kakashi. "Then go. Why turn down a chance to make money?"
Seeing Hatake Kakashi hesitate as if he wanted to say something, Minato Namikaze smiled and said, "The Hatake Clan will depend on you to restore its fortunes. Don't feel burdened. I believe in Masaki."
Hearing his teacher say that, Hatake Kakashi let go of his worries.
Ever since his father died, the Hatake Clan had grown weaker by the day. On top of that, clansmen had been killed in battle, and their families still needed to make a living.
The Hatake Clan members were not doing well at all. Put simply, it all came down to money.
Now that Big Brother Masaki had extended an olive branch, Hatake Kakashi knew he couldn't refuse.
But he also needed to account for his teacher, so he had brought the invitation to ask him for advice.
"Please rest assured, Teacher. After I attend the banquet tomorrow, I'll write a report for you to review."
Seeing how sensible Kakashi was, Minato Namikaze smiled without saying anything. He waved for him to leave.
As he walked out of the Hokage Building and saw the crowds on the street, their laughter and chatter, Hatake Kakashi felt a little lighter.
The next day, at noon.
The Uchiha Clan lined up to welcome the heads of the various ninja clans.
Masaki Uchiha stood at the front to greet them, with Mie Uchiha and Naoya Uchiha standing one step behind him.
The Inuzuka Clan Head was the first to arrive, followed by the heads of the other ninja clans. Hatake Kakashi arrived last.
After greeting the clan heads and seeing them to their seats, Masaki Uchiha raised his glass first. "First, I'd like to thank all of you for honoring me with your presence. I, Masaki Uchiha, would like to propose a toast."
The clan heads all raised their glasses in response. Only Kakashi, the youngest of them, couldn't drink alcohol, so he sat in a corner with a glass of juice.
"Second, I invited you all here today because I have a business opportunity that can make money, but the Uchiha Clan can't handle it alone."
"I figured it was better to offer it to our own people than to outsiders, so I invited you here to discuss it."
"Clan Head Masaki, what kind of business is it that even the Uchiha Clan can't handle?" The head of the Gekko Clan was the first to speak.
Masaki Uchiha studied the people in the hall. Some looked calm, while others seemed eager. When he felt he had stirred their emotions enough, he stopped keeping them in suspense.
"I have a route in the Land of Tea. The risks are a little high, but the profits are substantial. Does anyone here have an interest?"