Just then, a clan member reported that Hyuga Hiashi had come to offer his congratulations.
Masaki Uchiha and Uchiha Fugaku exchanged bewildered glances.
They hadn't invited the Hyuga Clan.
Why had they suddenly come over of their own accord?
To understand that, they had to go back to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's last dividend payout.
After that payout, the Hyuga Clan had also received some information about the organization.
When they learned that it paid out hundreds of millions of ryo every quarter, the Hyuga Clan elders' eyes turned red with envy.
With that kind of money, they could properly appease the Branch Family, while the Main Family could earn a little extra on the side. They could even keep the clan's conflicts under wraps a while longer.
Unfortunately, no one had invited the Hyuga Clan to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
The fact was, if the Hyuga Clan joined, the smaller and mid-sized ninja clans would definitely earn less. After all, the Hyuga Clan was one of Konoha's major clans, with a large population.
So none of the smaller or mid-sized clans would be foolish enough to invite the Hyuga Clan.
The Uchiha Clan certainly wouldn't invite the Hyuga Clan of their own accord. After all, the Hyuga Clan was always going around the village, claiming to be Konoha's foremost ocular jutsu clan.
Given the Uchiha Clan's temperament, they deserved credit just for not picking a fight with you.
Why would they invite you to join?
Besides, speaking for himself, Masaki Uchiha wasn't particularly eager for the Hyuga Clan to join, either. The pie was only so big, and if the Hyuga Clan joined, everyone's income would shrink.
So, for the organization's long-term growth, they hadn't invited the Hyuga Clan.
On top of that, the Hyuga Clan was famous for being on the Hokage's side.
Masaki Uchiha would have to be an idiot to invite them to join.
But now that Hiashi had come in person, it would be rude not to meet him.
So he signaled to Uchiha Fugaku to go and greet the Hyuga Clan Leader.
That was a show of respect in itself.
"Clan Leader Hyuga, what a rare guest," Uchiha Fugaku said politely.
"It's my fault. The Hokage's faction has given me so many missions that I haven't had much time to keep in touch with the Uchiha," Hyuga Hiashi said, looking suitably ashamed. No one could fault him for it.
Uchiha Fugaku didn't want to drag the conversation out. He might as well let Masaki Uchiha exchange pleasantries with Hiashi, so he guided him to a seat beside Masaki.
"Please, sit."
Once seated, the Hyuga Clan Leader noticed that the young man beside him was staring at him. A chill ran down his spine.
"Hyuga Hiashi, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Masaki Uchiha, the current clan leader of the Uchiha Clan," Masaki Uchiha said with a cheerful smile, introducing himself first.
Now that the Hyuga Clan had practically delivered itself to his doorstep, he was certainly going to take a bite out of it.
He might as well be direct. Hiashi had come today with some kind of request, no doubt.
Otherwise, given the Hyuga Clan's temperament, why would they come calling on their own?
"So you're Clan Leader Masaki. I've heard so much about you. I'm honored to finally meet you in person," Hyuga Hiashi said, acting as if he were deeply honored.
An ordinary person might have been so flattered by those words that they'd forget their own name.
But Masaki Uchiha wasn't ordinary.
"You're too kind, Clan Leader Hyuga. I've only just become clan leader, and we'll have plenty of chances to meet in the future. There's no need to go on like that."
"Clan Leader Masaki is a hero of the Third Great Ninja War. You deserve every bit of praise, no matter how much I heap on you."
Hyuga Hiashi was so sincere that no one could find a single flaw in his manner.
Masaki Uchiha knew Hiashi must want something, but he didn't feel like beating around the bush. He came right out with it. "What is it you need, Clan Leader Hyuga? Just ask. If it's within my power, I'll do it."
"Well... the thing is... my Hyuga Clan would also like to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and do our part for Konoha. Would Clan Leader Masaki be willing to approve our application?" Hyuga Hiashi began hesitantly, but then seemed to set aside his pride.
The clan elders had put too much pressure on him. Otherwise, Hyuga Hiashi would never have come all the way to the Uchiha Clan Compound of his own accord.
As one of Konoha's only two ocular jutsu clans, they were actually asking their rival for help.
How could he show his face after that?
"It's not a matter of whether I approve. I'd welcome the Hyuga Clan, of course, but more than half of the organization's members have to agree," Masaki Uchiha said, subtly indicating that he didn't have the final say.
That excuse might fool outsiders, but there was no way a wily old fox like Hyuga Hiashi would back down over something like that.
"My Hyuga Clan will take care of the other members. As long as you agree, Clan Leader Masaki, that's all we need," Hyuga Hiashi said with great confidence.
"If Clan Leader Hyuga is that confident, then I'll wait and see," Masaki Uchiha said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Perhaps he realized that his previous remark had rubbed Masaki the wrong way, because Hyuga Hiashi hurriedly spoke up. "Ah, I spoke too quickly and gave President the wrong impression. I meant that once President gives his approval, I'll go and persuade the other members one by one."
"Then I'll be direct, too. What can the Hyuga Clan bring to us if they join?" Masaki Uchiha asked bluntly.
Hyuga Hiashi had already prepared an answer. He replied firmly, "Once we join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Hyuga Clan will follow your lead in all things, President."
"Hahaha, Clan Leader Hyuga, you're making too much of it. Everything we do is for Konoha," Masaki Uchiha said with a hearty laugh.
Hyuga Hiashi rolled his eyes inwardly and thought, Only you could make smuggling sound so noble. How did the Uchiha end up with a clan leader like you?
"You've probably heard the word going around. I'm going to run for Jonin Squad Leader," Masaki Uchiha said, then paused.
Hyuga Hiashi immediately understood what he meant. "Every vote from the Hyuga Clan will go to you, President."
Masaki Uchiha nodded in satisfaction. "Then I agree to the Hyuga Clan joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. We'll still have to go through the proper procedures, though."
"Of course. Even when the Hyuga Clan joins, we can't break the organization's procedures," Hyuga Hiashi said, striking a pose as if he were putting the organization's interests first.
"Good. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization needs more people like you, Clan Leader Hyuga," Masaki Uchiha said, clapping his hands.
"You flatter me, President," Hyuga Hiashi replied modestly.
He hadn't even joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization yet, and he was already calling him "President."
Now that was what you called knowing how to play the game.
"The Police Force still has a few openings for external recruitment. I wonder if the Hyuga Clan might be interested?"
When he heard that these were cushy jobs in the Police Force, Hyuga Hiashi immediately agreed. "If it's an order from you, President, the Hyuga Clan will gladly comply."
Some people might find the Hyuga Clan's attitude strange.
But if you broke it down, it came down to one thing: money.
The Hyuga Clan might be a large clan, but they had plenty of expenses. On top of that, with the conflict between the Branch Family and the Main Family, they had nearly exhausted the wealth they'd built up over the years.
So when they heard that the Uchiha were making money alongside the other small and mid-sized ninja clans, how could they not be tempted?
Besides, they'd heard that the organization had paid out a dividend last month, and that the amount had been quite substantial.
How could the Hyuga Clan possibly resist?
Pressure from the elders, coupled with the conflict between the Branch Family and the Main Family, had driven Hyuga Hiashi to bow his head to the Uchiha.