I Also Want to Shine and Contribute to Konoha

Just then, a clansman reported that Hyuga Hiashi had arrived to offer his congratulations.

Masaki Uchiha and Uchiha Fugaku exchanged glances in surprise.

They hadn't invited the Hyuga Clan.

Why had they suddenly shown up on their own initiative?

Speaking of this issue, one had to mention the last dividend distribution of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Ever since that last payout, the Hyuga Clan had also obtained some intelligence regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Knowing that there were hundreds of millions of ryo in dividends to be had every quarter, the elders of the Hyuga Clan had turned green with envy.

If they had that kind of money, the branch family could be properly appeased, the main family could earn some 'pocket change,' and the internal conflicts within the clan could continue to be swept under the rug.

Unfortunately, no one had invited the Hyuga Clan to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The objective fact was that once the Hyuga Clan joined, the profits of the small and medium-sized ninja clans would inevitably drop; after all, the Hyuga Clan was also a major family in Konoha with a massive headcount.

Therefore, no small or medium-sized ninja clan was foolish enough to invite the Hyuga Clan to join.

The Uchiha Clan was even less likely to take the initiative to invite them; one had to remember that the Hyuga Clan constantly boasted within the village that they were the number one ocular jutsu clan in Konoha.

Given the temperament of the Uchiha Clan, not starting a fight with them was already being generous.

How could they possibly take the initiative to invite them to join?

Furthermore, as far as Masaki Uchiha was concerned personally, he wasn't exactly desperate for the Hyuga Clan to join. The cake was only so big; once the Hyuga Clan joined, everyone's share would shrink.

So, for the sake of the organization's long-term development, they hadn't invited the Hyuga Clan.

On top of that, the Hyuga Clan was notoriously pro-Hokage.

As long as Masaki Uchiha wasn't an idiot, he wouldn't take the initiative to invite them.

However, since they were already here today, it wouldn't do to refuse to see them.

He signaled Uchiha Fugaku to go and welcome the Hyuga clan head.

It was enough to show them proper respect.

"Clan Head Hyuga, what a rare guest," Uchiha Fugaku said with practiced courtesy.

"It is all because the Hokage assigns us too many missions, leaving me with no time to foster relations with the Uchiha," Hyuga Hiashi replied with a look of shame that left no room for criticism.

Uchiha Fugaku didn't want to get tangled up with him; it would be better to let Masaki Uchiha deal with his empty pleasantries, so he arranged for Hyuga Hiashi to sit right next to Masaki Uchiha.

"Please, take a seat."

The moment the Hyuga clan head sat down, he felt a chill run down his spine as he noticed the young man beside him staring intently at him.

"Hyuga Hiashi, a pleasure to meet you. I am Masaki Uchiha, the current clan head of the Uchiha Clan," Masaki Uchiha said with a smile, taking the initiative to introduce himself.

Since the Hyuga Clan had delivered themselves to his doorstep, he was certainly going to make them cough up a piece of meat.

It was better to just lay it all out on the table; after all, since Hyuga Hiashi had come today, he must have something to ask for.

Otherwise, given the nature of the Hyuga Clan, how could they have possibly taken the initiative to visit?

"So it is Clan Head Masaki. I have long admired you; it is an honor to finally meet you in person," Hyuga Hiashi said, appearing deeply honored.

If it were anyone else, they would have been so flattered by such praise that they wouldn't even know their own name anymore.

But Masaki Uchiha was not just anyone.

"You are too kind, Clan Head Hyuga. I have only just become clan head myself. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future, so please, there is no need for such formalities."

"Clan Head Masaki is a hero of the Third Great Ninja War; no matter how polite I am, it is only appropriate."

Hyuga Hiashi's sincere demeanor was flawless.

Masaki Uchiha knew the man must want something, but he didn't want to beat around the bush anymore. He cut straight to the point: "If you have any requests, Clan Head Hyuga, feel free to speak them. As long as it is within my power, Masaki Uchiha will see it done."

"Well... this... my Hyuga Clan also wishes to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to contribute to Konoha. I wonder if Clan Head Masaki would be willing to grant this." Hyuga Hiashi hesitated at first, but then seemed to let go of his inner restraint.

The pressure from the clan elders was simply too great; otherwise, nothing would have convinced Hyuga Hiashi to take the initiative to come to the Uchiha compound.

As one of the only two ocular jutsu clans in Konoha, having to beg their rivals was humiliating.

If word got out, they would have no face left.

"It is not a matter of whether I am willing or not. I would certainly welcome the Hyuga Clan's participation, but it requires the consent of more than half of the organization's members," Masaki Uchiha said, subtly implying that he wasn't the only one calling the shots.

But that kind of talk might fool an outsider; how could an old fox like Hyuga Hiashi be deterred by such a statement?

"As for the other members of the organization, my Hyuga Clan will handle them. As long as you, Clan Head Masaki, agree, that is all that matters," Hyuga Hiashi said with great confidence.

"Since you are so confident, Clan Head Hyuga, I shall wait and see," Masaki Uchiha said with a smirk that didn't reach his eyes.

Perhaps sensing that his previous words had caused offense, Hyuga Hiashi hurriedly added, "Oh, my apologies. I spoke too quickly and caused the President to misunderstand. I meant that once the President nods, I will go and persuade the other members one by one."

"Then I will be blunt as well: what can the Hyuga Clan bring to the table?" Masaki Uchiha asked directly, showing no courtesy.

Prepared for this, Hyuga Hiashi said firmly, "After joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, we will follow the President's lead in all matters."

"Hahaha, you are too kind, Clan Head Hyuga. Everything we do is for the sake of Konoha," Masaki Uchiha laughed heartily.

Hearing this, Hyuga Hiashi rolled his eyes internally, thinking to himself: You are the only one who could make smuggling sound so noble and refined. How did the Uchiha end up with a clan head like you?

"You must have heard the rumors by now; I intend to compete for the position of leader of the Jonin Squad." Masaki Uchiha paused after saying this.

Hyuga Hiashi immediately understood what Masaki Uchiha meant: "The Hyuga clan's votes will all go to the President."

Masaki Uchiha nodded in satisfaction. "In that case, I agree to the Hyuga clan joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, though we must still go through the proper procedures."

"That is only right. Even for the Hyuga clan, we cannot bypass the organization's protocols," Hyuga Hiashi said, adopting an attitude of putting the organization's interests first.

"Good. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is in need of someone like the Hyuga clan head." Masaki Uchiha clapped his hands.

"The President is too kind," Hyuga Hiashi replied modestly.

They hadn't even officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization yet, but they were already calling him President.

You have to admit, they knew how to play the game.

"The Police Force still has some open recruitment slots. I wonder if the Hyuga clan would be interested?"

Hearing that it was a lucrative position within the Police Force, Hyuga Hiashi agreed instantly. "Whatever the President commands, the Hyuga clan shall not refuse."

Some might find the Hyuga clan's attitude strange.

But if you break it down, it comes down to one word: money.

The Hyuga clan is large, but they have many expenses. Coupled with the conflict between the branch and main families, their accumulated wealth was nearly exhausted.

So, hearing that the Uchiha were leading other small and medium-sized ninja clans to make money, how could they not be tempted?

Furthermore, word had it that they had already distributed dividends last month, and the amount was quite substantial.

How could the Hyuga clan resist that?

The pressure from the elders and the friction between the branch and main families drove Hyuga Hiashi to bow his head to the Uchiha.