Let's Eat and Drink Together

"Grand Minister, you are too kind."

"I am merely here at the Daimyo's command to trouble you; I hope you will not take offense."

Seeing the Grand Minister's amiable demeanor, Masaki Uchiha naturally responded with equal courtesy.

"Hahaha, Clan Leader Masaki is truly a talented youth. Please, take a seat." The Grand Minister sat down with a beaming smile.

Masaki Uchiha followed his host's lead and sat down as well.

"I am already aware of the reason for your visit, Clan Leader Masaki."

"However, I have many business ventures here, and I am not sure what kind you are looking for."

Perhaps the Daimyo's name had done the trick, as the Grand Minister dropped the pretense and went straight to the point.

Masaki Uchiha put on an expression of 'I don't understand these things, I leave it all to you,' and said, "I am not well-versed in business, but I believe in professionals, so I must ask the Grand Minister to make the decisions for me."

"After all, we will be eating from the same pot from now on, and I trust you, Grand Minister."

Hearing that Masaki Uchiha was so sensible and did not try to act on his own, the Grand Minister nodded in satisfaction.

"A young man who is neither arrogant nor rash—your future is boundless."

"How about this? I have just thought of an industry with quite substantial profits. I wonder if you might be interested?"

After saying this, the Grand Minister took a document from his drawer and handed it to Masaki Uchiha.

Taking it and reading it carefully, Masaki understood the situation.

So, it was maritime shipping.

It was indeed an industry that could provide a steady, long-term income.

It seemed the Grand Minister hadn't played any tricks.

However, the country mentioned for this shipping business was the Land of Waves.

In his memory, there was a man named Gato in the Land of Waves who controlled the entire maritime transport hub of the country, becoming one of the wealthiest men around.

Thinking of this, he asked tentatively, "Grand Minister, I wonder about this Gato of the Land of Waves..."

The Grand Minister smiled confidently. "Correct, he is one of our people. Otherwise, what right would a mere merchant have to control the maritime transport hub of an entire country?"

He emphasized the word 'our' significantly.

Masaki Uchiha put on a look of sudden realization.

Indeed, what right would a small merchant have to control a country?

If anyone else tried such a thing without backing, the grass on their grave would already be three feet tall.

Whether in the original story or through his own personal experience, the ninja world was a society with a strict hierarchy.

If you do business without a name or status, you have no right to make it big.

Seeing that Masaki Uchiha understood the logic behind the business, the Grand Minister nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Don't look down on the Land of Waves just because it is small and has few people; in any case, it can bring you an income of over 1.5 billion ryo a year."

"Once you are familiar with our way of doing business, we can switch to other ventures later."

Once these words were out, how could Masaki Uchiha not understand the implication?

First, it was to test his ability to conduct business.

Second, it was to tell him not to complain about the amount, as there would be plenty of opportunities to make money in the future.

Understanding this, he immediately stood up and said, "I hope for your continued guidance, Grand Minister. The Uchiha Clan is deeply grateful."

When he said 'Uchiha Clan', he also deepened his tone.

It was a gesture of goodwill toward the Grand Minister, implying that if there were any inconvenient matters in the future, the Uchiha Clan could help handle them.

Regardless of anything else, the name of the Uchiha Clan still carried weight in the ninja world.

The quality of their ninjas was guaranteed, unlike those rogue ninjas who were uneven in skill.

Feeling the goodwill released by Masaki Uchiha, the smile on the Grand Minister's face grew even wider.

Dealing with smart people was truly comfortable.

There was no need for repetitive explanations that wasted time.

"Very well. Send someone to find my steward to coordinate the business in the Land of Waves. From now on, the Land of Waves is in your hands."

"Oh, right. Our business dividends are distributed quarterly, and all the money passes through me. You can accept that, right?"

How could Masaki Uchiha not understand? The Daimyo simply wanted to use this to keep a leash on him.

He likely used this same method of entanglement with all his business partners.

However, there was still a long road ahead; we shall see.

Putting aside his inner thoughts, Masaki Uchiha said with a smile on his face, "I leave it all to your discretion. The Uchiha will act according to your orders."

"Very well, it is settled then."

"A pleasure doing business with you."

The Grand Minister extended his hand toward Masaki Uchiha.

"A pleasure."

Seeing this, Masaki Uchiha put on an expression of utmost honor and reached out to shake it.

Waiting outside, Uchiha Shisui saw the clan head walk out with a beaming smile and hurried forward to ask, "Lord Clan Head, how did the talks go?"

Masaki Uchiha looked at him with an expression of exasperated disappointment and tapped Uchiha Shisui on the head. "How many times have I told you? Loose lips sink ships!"

"Oh." Uchiha Shisui looked like a scolded child.

"Let's head back first. Let's go." Masaki Uchiha patted Shisui's head and chuckled.

Back at the temporary base.

"That is the situation in a nutshell." After finishing his sentence, Masaki Uchiha picked up his cup and took a sip of water.

"Lord Clan Head, doesn't this mean our Uchiha Clan is going to be rich?" Kaito Uchiha asked, pleasantly surprised.

Masaki Uchiha cast a sidelong glance at Kaito Uchiha. "Rich my foot. They brushed us off with a mere 1.5 billion ryo; you really aren't cut out for making money, kid."

"Besides, we can't keep this business to ourselves. We need to pull the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in as well. We'll all eat and drink together."

"If they join us in this, we'll all be in the same boat. Once they're on board, they won't be able to get off; they'll be tied to us for good."

At this, Masaki Uchiha couldn't help but smile smugly.

Last time was just an appetizer—smuggling.

This time, however, it's about siding with the Daimyo and 'betraying' Konoha. They should be able to tell which is more significant.

"Lord Clan Head, do you have a candidate to handle the business in the Land of Waves yet?" It was Uchiha Shisui who spoke, his face clearly saying, 'Pick me!'

Seeing this, Masaki Uchiha teased him, "What, you want in?"

Uchiha Shisui said somewhat bashfully, "I just want to contribute to the clan. Many of my seniors are working hard for us, and I can't fall behind." His tone grew more resolute as he spoke.

"Very well, then you shall be responsible for the business in the Land of Waves."

"Don't be afraid of making mistakes. You are still young; this is the time for trial and error."

"Our entire clan is your backing."

Seeing Shisui volunteer, Masaki Uchiha made the executive decision on the spot.

He then looked at Kaito Uchiha. "Kaito, your mission is also very important. Do you remember what I told you back home?"

"I remember." Kaito Uchiha replied with a serious expression.

"Good. I need to head back today. I've been away from the village for over ten days; I wonder if things are lively back there?"

As if thinking of something amusing, Masaki Uchiha burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, inside Konoha.

The Shimura Clan.

"What!" Shimura Danzō exclaimed in shock and anger.