"Grand Minister, you're too kind."
"I'm also here on the Daimyo's orders, so I hope you won't mind the intrusion."
Seeing how genial the Grand Minister was, Masaki Uchiha responded just as courteously.
"Hahaha, Clan Head Masaki, you truly are a promising young man. Please, have a seat." The Grand Minister sat down with a cheerful laugh.
Masaki Uchiha followed his host's lead and sat down as well.
"I know why Clan Head Masaki has come."
"But I have quite a few businesses here, so I'm not sure what kind of venture you're interested in."
Perhaps the Daimyo's name had helped smooth things over. The Grand Minister didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
Masaki Uchiha wore an expression that said, I don't understand any of this; I'll leave it all to you. "I'm not very knowledgeable about business, but I trust the professionals. So I'll leave it in your hands, Grand Minister."
"After all, we'll be eating from the same pot from now on. I trust you."
Seeing how readily Masaki Uchiha deferred to him instead of making decisions on his own, the Grand Minister nodded with satisfaction.
"Young man, you're calm and humble. You have a bright future ahead of you."
"Here's what I have in mind. I just thought of a fairly profitable industry, though I don't know if you'll be interested."
After speaking, the Grand Minister pulled a document from his drawer and handed it to Masaki Uchiha.
Masaki Uchiha took it and read it carefully. He quickly understood.
So it was maritime shipping.
It was certainly the kind of business that could bring in a steady income over time.
It seemed the Grand Minister hadn't played any tricks.
But according to the document, the country where they'd be doing business was the Land of Waves.
He recalled that a man named Gato had taken control of the Land of Waves' entire maritime transport network, becoming one of the richest men around.
With that in mind, he cautiously asked, "Grand Minister, about Gato of the Land of Waves..."
The Grand Minister smiled confidently. "That's right. He's one of ours. Otherwise, what right would a mere merchant have to control a country's maritime transport network?"
He put particular emphasis on the words "one of ours."
Masaki Uchiha put on a look of sudden realization.
That made sense. What right did a lowly merchant have to control an entire country?
If anyone else had tried it without powerful backing, the grass would already be three feet tall on their grave.
Whether in the original story or from his own experience, the Ninja World was a society with a strict hierarchy.
Without status and connections, a businessman had no chance of growing big.
Seeing that Masaki Uchiha understood the reasoning behind the arrangement, the Grand Minister nodded with satisfaction and continued, "Don't be fooled by how small the Land of Waves is or how few people live there. Even so, it can bring in more than 1.5 billion ryo a year."
"Once you're familiar with how we do business, you can switch to a different venture later."
Hearing that, Masaki Uchiha understood what he meant.
First, he was testing whether Masaki Uchiha had the ability to do business.
Second, he was telling him not to dismiss the modest profits; there would be plenty of opportunities to make money in the future.
Once he understood, Masaki Uchiha immediately stood and said, "I hope you'll continue to guide us in the future, Grand Minister. The Uchiha Clan is deeply grateful."
He also put particular emphasis on "the Uchiha Clan."
It was a way of showing goodwill to the Grand Minister and letting him know that if there were ever any matters he couldn't handle openly, the Uchiha Clan could step in.
In any case, the Uchiha Clan's name carried weight throughout the Ninja World.
Their ninja were dependable, unlike the unpredictable rogue ninja.
Seeing the goodwill Masaki Uchiha offered, the Grand Minister's smile widened.
Dealing with clever people was always a pleasure.
There was no need to explain the same things repeatedly and waste time.
"Very well. Have someone contact my steward to handle the Land of Waves business. From now on, the Land of Waves is yours to manage."
"Oh, and we distribute the profits from our businesses every quarter. All the money passes through me. Can you accept that?"
Masaki Uchiha understood perfectly well. The Daimyo wanted to use this arrangement to keep him in check.
He assumed all the Daimyo's business partners were tied down in the same way.
Still, there was plenty of time ahead. He'd wait and see.
Putting aside his misgivings, Masaki Uchiha smiled and said, "I'll leave it entirely to you. The Uchiha will follow your lead."
"Good. Then it's settled."
"Here's to a successful partnership."
The Grand Minister extended his hand to Masaki Uchiha.
"Here's to a successful partnership."
Masaki Uchiha saw the gesture and extended his own hand, wearing an expression of utmost honor.
Uchiha Shisui was waiting outside. When he saw the clan head come out smiling, he hurried over to ask, "Clan Head, how did it go?"
Masaki Uchiha gave him a look of exasperation and tapped him on the head. "How many times have I told you? Loose lips sink ships!"
"Oh." Uchiha Shisui looked like a chastened puppy.
"Let's head back first. I'll tell you there." Masaki Uchiha smiled and patted Shisui's head.
Back at their temporary lodgings,
"That's the situation." Masaki Uchiha finished speaking and took a sip of water.
"Clan Head, does that mean the Uchiha Clan is going to get rich?" Kaito Uchiha asked excitedly.
Masaki Uchiha gave Kaito Uchiha a sidelong glance. "Rich, my ass. They fobbed us off with just 1.5 billion ryo, and you're already satisfied? You're hopeless at making money."
"Besides, the Uchiha Clan can't run this business alone. We need to bring the other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in and do it together. Everyone should eat and drink together."
"If they join us, we'll all be in the same boat. They won't be able to get off, and they'll be bound to us for good."
Masaki Uchiha couldn't help smiling smugly as he said this.
Last time had just been an appetizer: smuggling.
This time, they were taking the Daimyo's side and "betraying" Konoha. They should know which mattered more.
"Clan Head, have you picked someone to handle the Land of Waves business?" Uchiha Shisui asked. His face practically screamed, Pick me!
Seeing that, Masaki Uchiha teased him. "What, you want the job?"
Uchiha Shisui answered a little sheepishly, "I just want to do something for the clan. So many of our seniors are working hard for the clan. I can't fall behind." The longer he spoke, the more resolute his voice became.
"Good. Then you'll be in charge of the Land of Waves business."
"Don't be afraid of making mistakes. You're young, and this is the time to learn by trial and error."
"Our whole clan has your back."
Seeing Shisui volunteer, Masaki Uchiha decided on the spot. He was the one.
Then he turned to Kaito Uchiha. "Kaito, your task is important too. Do you remember what I told you back home?"
"I do," Kaito Uchiha replied seriously.
"Good. I have to head back today. I've been away from the village for ten days or so. I wonder if things are lively there now."
As though he'd thought of something amusing, Masaki Uchiha burst out laughing.
Meanwhile, in Konoha.
The Shimura Clan.
"What!" Shimura Danzō cried in shock and anger.