Uchiha Chiri glanced at the files in Yuan Ming's hands and asked bluntly, her brows twitching:
"How much did the company make this month?"
After setting down the report, Uchiha Genmei looked at Chiri, who was no longer a girl, and smiled proudly.
"Not bad."
"We've captured the markets of all the small countries around the Land of Demons."
He rose and walked over to a wall where a map of the Shinobi World hung.
Pointing to the Land of Lightning, he said proudly:
"As for the major nations, thanks to our relationship with the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning, we gave them a cut, and we've finished moving in there, too."
Then his finger swept across the map, passing over every major nation except the Land of Fire.
"The Land of Demons is small, after all. Its population is limited, so we can't increase production. We can forget about those three major nations for now."
Everything had gone smoothly since he returned from the Land of Demons.
He'd had Orochimaru develop various industrial goods, then forced him to design a complete production line for them.
After that, things were simple.
Miko, the ruler of the Land of Demons, had brokered a partnership, and the Uchiha had established a company together with her.
The Uchiha provided military strength.
The Land of Demons provided manpower, materials, land, and all kinds of other resources.
They flooded the Shinobi World, which was still stuck in the old system of feudal lords and nobles, with their products—and made a fortune.
What?
You say it can't be done?
Go ask the Uchiha's swords whether they're sharp!
And who said ninja couldn't do business?
Who?
Weren't the Ino-Shika-Cho clans of Konoha running businesses in their own fields?
Thinking of Konoha made him think of the Land of Fire.
His brow furrowed with displeasure, and he let out a cold laugh.
"The Land of Fire's market is a bit of a problem. I never expected them to throw their weight around there!"
As someone close to Yuan Ming, Uchiha Chiri knew who "they" were.
She put a hand to her forehead, looking troubled.
"After all, the Uchiha and those people have always been at odds. There's nothing we can do."
He returned to his seat and sat down.
He waved a hand.
"Chiri, let's not talk about them. Tell me why you came here."
"I almost forgot, talking with you about all this." Chiri smiled helplessly, then continued, "Lord Hokage wants you to come see him to discuss something important."
At that, Uchiha Genmei shrugged.
"I didn't expect that after coming back from the Land of Demons, he'd start sending people to pass on messages."
"Before, Anbu would just come over and rudely summon me."
With that, he stood and reminded Chiri:
"Then I'll head over. You and Yuta can handle this report."
Chiri nodded with a smile.
"Got it. Just don't be rude to Lord Hokage."
As he walked out, he waved over his shoulder to show he'd heard her.
After leaving the Police Force, he passed the Uchiha clan's compound.
Looking at the Uchiha's flourishing fortunes, Uchiha Genmei felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
After amassing a vast fortune, the clan had poured enormous resources into more than a hundred elite Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan.
Once they'd trained and adapted to it, Sage Mode—now easier to learn—had naturally come within their grasp.
Only the ninja who hadn't awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan remained unable to learn it for now. Their chakra reserves still weren't sufficient.
Now that he had this enormous force completely under his command, he dared to face any challenge head-on.
Before long, he entered the Hokage Office and bowed slightly to the Third Hokage, who was still in the prime of middle age.
"Lord Hokage, what did you want to discuss?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the handsome Uchiha before him.
He couldn't help but reflect that the intelligence his student had brought him from the Land of Demons all those years ago had made his blood run cold.
The Uchiha had actually produced someone who had reached the level of the God of Shinobi.
And the worst part was that no one among Konoha's current generation of ninja could match him.
His past experience had already taught him just how powerful the God of Shinobi was.
Fortunately, this man was still relatively well-behaved for now.
So Hiruzen could tolerate some of his more outrageous actions.
He stubbed out his cigarette and gave Uchiha Genmei a slight smile.
"Minister Yuan Ming, nothing in particular. The atmosphere in the Shinobi World has been growing increasingly tense."
He pulled a file from his desk drawer and handed it to Uchiha Genmei.
"This is a report from the Analysis Division. Have a look, and then we can discuss it."
Taking the report, Uchiha Genmei skimmed through it quickly.
Indeed, the atmosphere in the Shinobi World had become increasingly volatile.
After more than twenty years of peace, the gap between Konoha and the other villages in mission quotas had widened.
The ruling classes of the Four Great Shinobi Villages were all beginning to stir.
By now, there were constant clashes along the borders.
The logic was simple.
Mercenaries survived on the missions they were hired to do.
If one of us got the job, the other didn't. Who'd be willing to accept that?
Uchiha Genmei looked up, his expression serious.
"Lord Hokage, if the situation deteriorates, the Uchiha will do everything we can as part of Konoha."
After receiving the report, he'd already understood what Sarutobi Hiruzen meant.
As Hokage, this would be the first major war he'd have to face.
He would certainly use every force at his disposal to win.
More importantly, with Genmei around, Sarutobi Hiruzen would hardly care about Senju Tobirama anymore.
The principle of keeping the Uchiha confined to the Police Force?
If Hiruzen showed any displeasure, he'd have a hard time keeping his position.
And the Uchiha needed war, too.
After all, in the original story, the Third Hokage had strictly enforced the Second Hokage's policies.
Unless there was no other choice, he did his best to keep the Uchiha out of the fighting.
Without extensive bloodshed, the Uchiha hadn't faced enough hardship to awaken.
Naturally, after the Third Shinobi World War, they became a paper tiger, easy for anyone to manipulate, until the entire clan was wiped out.
After the two had discussed their plans in detail, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up with a sincere expression.
"The Uchiha truly are one of Konoha's great clans. I'm deeply grateful for your support."
Uchiha Genmei replied calmly:
"As Konoha ninja, it's what we should do."
The Third Hokage nodded with a smile at his reply.
Then he changed the subject.
"By the way, Minister Yuan Ming, there's someone who would like to meet you."
Uchiha Genmei raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Who?"
"Lady Uzumaki Mito. She'd like Minister Yuan Ming to visit the Senju Mansion of the Forest tomorrow."
At that, Genmei froze for a moment.
When he'd recovered, he replied with interest:
"Of course. I've wanted to meet this Konoha legend for a long time."
Standing by the window, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the figure slowly leave the building.
His expression shifted between dark and bright.
In the end, he seemed to make up his mind.
"Someone!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
The Anbu guarding the area appeared in the office in an instant.
He dropped to one knee and bowed his head:
"Lord Hokage, what are your orders?"
"Go tell Danzo that I agree to the experiment he wants to begin..."
He turned his head,
looked down at the Anbu, and said without expression:
"I agree."
As Uchiha Genmei left the building,
he sneered to himself.
His company had only just run into obstacles entering the Land of Fire market.
And now Uzumaki Mito wanted to meet with him?
Tomorrow, I'll go see what's going on.
Let's see what you old rivals are plotting!
He walked past several street corners, gradually reaching the edge of Konoha,
then entered a brand-new building.
He made his way upstairs with practiced ease and pushed open one of the sleek, high-tech doors.
He went inside,
and saw a cool, snake-like figure engrossed in the information on a computer.
He greeted him:
"How's the experiment coming along?"
Before you continue