Cooperation

Nara Rokumei's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected the Uchiha Clan to come seeking an alliance at such a juncture; after all, not a single other clan had stepped forward yet.

He had been banking on this opportunity to provide help in a time of need, which was why he had brought the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho families along for the visit. He never imagined that the Uchiha, one of the two great noble ninja clans, would make the same choice.

This made him steal a glance at Uchiha Hirotomo. As far as he knew, while Hirotomo was intelligent, he shouldn't have been able to navigate such complex political maneuvering.

He then looked toward Uchiha Xiao. Uchiha Xiao set down his teacup, nodded with a smile, and stood up to face Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Your Majesty, our clan head said before we came that, no matter what, we will follow your lead from this day forward."

Uchiha Hirotomo nodded in agreement. Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled with satisfaction and replied, "What are you saying? You're too kind. I am truly honored to have the trust of the Uchiha Clan. In the future, I hope you will look after me as well, Clan Head Hirotomo."

"It is we who require your guidance, Your Majesty!" Uchiha Hirotomo said with a faint smile.

Nara Rokumei paused, then expressed similar sentiments, which filled Sarutobi Hiruzen with joy. They drank tea for over two hours, the host and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves before finally taking their leave.

Just as Uchiha Xiao and Uchiha Hirotomo stepped out of the Sarutobi compound, Nara Rokumei called out, "Wait, you two!"

Uchiha Xiao and Uchiha Hirotomo froze, then turned around. Seeing it was Nara Rokumei, they exchanged a look. Uchiha Hirotomo asked, "Clan Head Rokumei, is there something you need?"

Nara Rokumei gave Uchiha Xiao a long, searching look before smiling at Uchiha Hirotomo. "Clan Head Hirotomo, you are truly a man of deep foresight."

Uchiha Hirotomo was stunned, not understanding what Nara Rokumei was implying. Just as he was pondering how to respond, Uchiha Xiao spoke up.

"Clan Head Nara is not bad himself; after all, in the business of investment, it is better to be early than late." Uchiha Xiao's tone carried a faint chill. Everyone here was an investor; being so blunt about it was a bit impolite.

To put it nicely, it was an investment; to put it bluntly, it was a gamble. They were all now political aides to Sarutobi Hiruzen, and none of them were necessarily better than the others.

Nara Rokumei realized it in an instant. It was indeed this guy; he was the one driving this operation. He had observed during tea that Uchiha Hirotomo had looked at Uchiha Xiao more than once.

He had only used this risky tactic to confirm his suspicion. Of course, someone less clever wouldn't have even understood what he was asking.

"My apologies. Xiao-kun, Clan Head Hirotomo, as compensation, I will personally authorize a thirty percent discount on all medicinal herb trade between the Uchiha and Nara clans." Nara Rokumei was a smart man; even if he didn't offer compensation, it wouldn't have mattered.

However, considering Uchiha Xiao's intellect, the Uchiha Clan's foundation, and their shared status as aides to the Sarutobi line, he decided to offer the discount based on these factors.

Just as Uchiha Hirotomo was about to accept, Uchiha Xiao interjected, "As fellow clans from the Warring States period, the Uchiha will also offer a thirty percent discount on ninja tools to the Ino-Shika-Cho families."

Nara Rokumei was stunned, as were the three members of the Ino-Shika-Cho. Had they heard correctly? A thirty percent discount on ninja tools? Those were hard currency!

Uchiha Hirotomo was taken aback, but he didn't want to undermine Uchiha Xiao in front of others, so he nodded.

Nara Rokumei took a long look at Uchiha Xiao and smiled. "Many thanks for the Uchiha Clan's generosity."

"Mutual benefit," Uchiha Hirotomo said with a smile. At that moment, Akimichi Torifu added, "From now on, the Akimichi clan's barbecue restaurants will also offer a thirty percent discount to the Uchiha, and we can provide job opportunities for Uchiha civilians."

Uchiha Hirotomo was shocked again. The Akimichi barbecue business was no less significant than their ninja tool trade—not only were they offering a discount, but they were also providing jobs for civilians!

While he was still processing this, Yamanaka Unkai smiled as well. "The Yamanaka clan is willing to share our intelligence with the Uchiha clan from now on."

Uchiha Hirotomo could barely suppress the corners of his mouth from twitching. Who knew that a simple concession would yield such massive returns? He felt a surge of excitement.

The other clan heads smiled faintly and observed Uchiha Xiao. He looked calm. Was he not happy? No, he was happy, but keeping one's emotions hidden was the mark of a superior negotiator.

"The Ino-Shika-Cho have been great clans since the Warring States period, famous for a long time. Now that we are all Konoha clans, I hope for your guidance and that you will look after the Uchiha," Uchiha Xiao said with a slight smile.

Nara Rokumei chuckled. "Speaking of great clans, the Uchiha were the true giants of the Warring States. The Ino-Shika-Cho are full of admiration for the contributions the Uchiha have made to protect Konoha. We look forward to working with you."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they began to head toward their respective clan compounds.

Uchiha Hirotomo asked, "Xiao-kun, did you guess they would reciprocate, which is why you offered the thirty percent discount on tools?"

Uchiha Xiao paused, then spoke slowly. "Clan Head, they were testing us from the start. If we had simply accepted the thirty percent discount on herbs, we would have gained profit without any loss."

"But we would have lost the chance to build a partnership with their three families. In their eyes, we would have been seen as short-sighted, and they naturally wouldn't have cooperated."

"Only wanting to take without giving is what most people—those who covet small gains—do. We are the Uchiha, a noble ninja clan. If our leaders are short-sighted, we will only be weakened, again and again."

Uchiha Hirotomo froze, his face flushing slightly. When Nara Rokumei first tested them, he had been tempted. Compared to Xiao, his intelligence and emotional quotient were completely crushed.

"And Clan Head, do you think we gained huge benefits today?" Uchiha Xiao asked again.

Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. Although they had conceded thirty percent on ninja tools, they had gained much more.

Uchiha Xiao shook his head. "The greatest benefit today wasn't the money, the intelligence, or the jobs. It was the friendship of the three families. From now on, this will become the bond between the Uchiha and the Ino-Shika-Cho. We have gained allies."

Elsewhere.

Akimichi Torifu chuckled. "Rokumei, you're generous. A thirty percent discount on herbs? Won't the tigress at your house eat you alive?"

Nara Rokumei waved his hand. "Look who's talking. You're the same, with your barbecue discounts and job offers. Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."

"Compared to you two brothers, my intelligence network seems less important," Yamanaka Unkai sighed. Nara Rokumei patted him on the shoulder.

"Unkai, you're wrong. Among the cooperation offered by our three families, yours is the most important. Anything money can solve is a small matter; it's the things money can't solve that are the big ones." A sharp light gleamed in Nara Rokumei's eyes.

Akimichi Torifu nodded. "That's right, Unkai. Money is secondary; your intelligence is far more precious!"

Yamanaka Unkai laughed, then threw his arms around the necks of Rokumei and Torifu as the three of them walked toward their homes, laughing.

Uchiha Xiao, a very interesting fellow. I suspect the future of the Uchiha will depend on him, Nara Rokumei thought to himself.