Nara Rokumei's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected the Uchiha Clan to come seeking their support at such a time. After all, no other clan had come to pledge itself to them yet.
What he'd been looking for was an opportunity to send charcoal in the snow, which was why he'd brought the heads of the Akimichi and Yamanaka clans to pay a visit. But he hadn't expected one of the two great noble shinobi clans, the Uchiha Clan, to make the same choice.
He couldn't help looking at Uchiha Hirotomo. As far as he knew, Hirotomo was clever, but shouldn't have been able to see all the twists and turns behind this.
Then he looked at Uchiha Xiao. Xiao set down his teacup and smiled at him, then rose to face Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Lord Hokage, before our clan head came here, he said that from now on, no matter what, we will follow your lead."
Uchiha Hirotomo nodded as well. Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled with satisfaction, then said, "You flatter me. I'm honored by the Uchiha Clan's trust. From now on, I hope you'll look after us too, Clan Head Hirotomo."
"We're the ones who need your care, Lord Hokage!" Uchiha Hirotomo replied with a faint smile.
Nara Rokumei paused, then expressed a similar sentiment. Sarutobi Hiruzen was delighted. They spent more than two hours drinking tea, and the gathering ended on a warm note before they finally took their leave.
Just as Uchiha Xiao and Uchiha Hirotomo had stepped out of the Sarutobi Clan Compound, Nara Rokumei called after them. "Please wait!"
Uchiha Xiao and Uchiha Hirotomo stopped in surprise and turned around. It was Nara Rokumei. They exchanged a glance, and Uchiha Hirotomo asked, "Clan Head Rokumei, is there something you need?"
Nara Rokumei gave Uchiha Xiao a long look, then smiled at Uchiha Hirotomo. "Clan Head Hirotomo, you truly think far ahead."
Uchiha Hirotomo froze, unsure what Nara Rokumei meant. As he considered how to respond, Uchiha Xiao spoke up.
"Clan Head Nara isn't doing badly yourself. When it comes to investments, sooner is better than later." Uchiha Xiao's tone held a hint of coolness. They were all here to invest, so saying it so bluntly was a little rude.
Put nicely, they were investing. Put less nicely, they were placing their bets. They were all now advisers to Sarutobi Hiruzen; none of them was any better off than the others.
Nara Rokumei understood. So it really was this guy. He was the one leading this operation. While they'd been drinking tea, Rokumei had noticed Hirotomo looking toward Xiao more than once.
He'd only asked to make sure. Of course, someone who wasn't particularly clever wouldn't have understood what he was getting at.
"I was out of line. As compensation, I'll make sure the Uchiha and Nara clans' medicinal herb trade gets a thirty-percent discount from now on, Lord Xiao and Clan Head Hirotomo." Nara Rokumei was a smart man. Even without compensation, this wasn't something that would have caused trouble.
But considering Uchiha Xiao's intelligence, the Uchiha Clan's resources, and the fact that they were all advisers in Sarutobi's circle, he'd weighed all those factors before deciding to offer the discount.
Uchiha Hirotomo was about to accept, but Uchiha Xiao said, "As fellow shinobi clans dating back to the Warring States period, the Uchiha will offer a thirty-percent discount on our ninja tools to the Ino-Shika-Cho clans from now on."
Nara Rokumei froze, as did the heads of the other two clans. Had they heard right? A thirty-percent discount on ninja tools? Those were hard currency!
Uchiha Hirotomo was taken aback, but he didn't contradict Uchiha Xiao in front of everyone. He nodded.
Nara Rokumei gave Uchiha Xiao a long look, then smiled. "Thank you for the Uchiha Clan's generosity."
"Mutual benefit," Uchiha Hirotomo replied with a smile. Just then, Torifu Akimichi spoke up. "From now on, the Akimichi Clan's barbecue restaurants will also give the Uchiha a thirty-percent discount, and we'll provide jobs for Uchiha civilians."
Uchiha Hirotomo was even more surprised. The Akimichi Clan's barbecue business was no smaller than their ninja tool trade, and now they were offering a discount as well as jobs for civilians!
As he was still thinking it over, Yamanaka Unkai smiled and said, "From now on, the Yamanaka Clan is willing to share intelligence with the Uchiha Clan."
Uchiha Hirotomo could barely contain his excitement. Who would have thought that by giving up a little, they'd get so much in return?
The other clan heads smiled faintly, then turned their attention to Uchiha Xiao. Xiao's expression was calm. Wasn't he happy? Of course he was. But keeping his emotions in check was what made a good negotiator.
"The Ino-Shika-Cho clans have been great clans since the Warring States period and have long been renowned. Now that we're all Konoha clans, I hope you'll guide us and look after the Uchiha Clan," Uchiha Xiao said with a faint smile.
Nara Rokumei smiled. "Speaking of great clans, the Uchiha Clan is the one with the longest history in the Warring States period. The Uchiha have made so many contributions to protecting Konoha's safety. We of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans admire you greatly. We look forward to your guidance."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two groups started back to their respective clans.
Uchiha Hirotomo asked, "Lord Xiao, did you offer a thirty-percent discount on ninja tools because you knew they'd all return the favor?"
Uchiha Xiao paused, then answered slowly. "Clan Head, they were the ones who tested us first. If we'd simply accepted the thirty-percent discount on medicinal herbs, we could have gained something without losing anything."
"But we'd have lost the chance to cooperate with their three clans. In their eyes, we'd have been short-sighted, and they naturally wouldn't work with us."
"Only people who think of taking without giving are always looking for a small advantage. We're the Uchiha, a great shinobi clan. If our leaders are short-sighted, we'll only grow weaker and weaker."
Uchiha Hirotomo was taken aback, his face reddening a little. When Nara Rokumei had first tested them, he'd been tempted. Compared to Xiao, his intelligence and people skills were completely outclassed.
"And, Clan Head, do you think we got a huge benefit today?" Uchiha Xiao continued.
Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. They'd given up thirty percent of their ninja tool profits, but they'd gained even more.
Uchiha Xiao shook his head. "The greatest benefit today wasn't money, intelligence, or job opportunities. It was the friendship of the three clans. From now on, that will bind the Uchiha and Ino-Shika-Cho clans together. We've gained allies."
Elsewhere
Torifu Akimichi chuckled. "Rokumei, you're pretty generous. A thirty-percent discount on medicinal herbs? Won't your wife tear you apart?"
Nara Rokumei waved a hand. "Look who's talking. You offered a thirty-percent discount on barbecue and jobs too. Don't think I don't know what you're up to."
"Compared to you two, my intelligence doesn't seem as important," Yamanaka Unkai sighed. Nara Rokumei patted him on the shoulder.
"Unkai, you're wrong. Of the cooperation our three clans offered, yours is the most important. Anything money can solve is a small matter. The things money can't solve are the real problems." A gleam shone in Nara Rokumei's eyes.
Torifu Akimichi nodded too. "That's right, Unkai. Money comes second. Your intelligence is much more valuable!"
Yamanaka Unkai chuckled, then slung an arm around the shoulders of Rokumei and Torifu. The three of them laughed as they headed home.
Uchiha Xiao was an interesting fellow. The Uchiha would probably have to rely on him from now on.
Nara Rokumei thought to himself.