Everyone Wins, A Win-Win

Deep into the night, Uchiha Yang slept soundly in the carriage, his maid Xia Lian held securely in his arms.

Outside the carriage, Uchiha Sake kept watch, while Uchiha Ya and Uchiha Kage rested on either side of the vehicle, surrounded by patrolling Shadow Guards.

Since their presence had already been exposed, Uchiha Kage and the others no longer needed to hide in the shadows, instead acting openly as guards.

However, after receiving the message sent back by Uchiha Yang, Uchiha Madara found himself unable to sleep.

The Senju Clan was secretly searching for Tailed Beasts; this was undoubtedly intended to be used against the Uchiha.

Whether this was sanctioned by Senju Hashirama or ordered in secret by Senju Tobirama, the two possibilities would lead to very different outcomes.

If it were Senju Hashirama, then the situation was grave.

If it were merely a petty scheme by Senju Tobirama, then it was not yet a cause for concern.

Still, his cousin actually wanted to keep a Tailed Beast as a pet—that was a bold idea indeed.

It was just a pity that his cousin was an ordinary person and could not sign a summoning contract; otherwise, he would have truly liked to help him secure a Tailed Beast as a Summoning Beast.

Shortly after, Uchiha Madara issued an order.

In the dead of night, three elite jonin and one elder vanished from the Uchiha Compound.

This was not a matter that could be solved by sheer numbers, and one elder along with three elite jonin was the absolute limit of what the Uchiha could spare right now.

Any more, and the safety of the compound and the defensive lines would be compromised.

By the time Uchiha Yang woke up, it was already noon. The high sun sent temperatures soaring, and the heat only made people more irritable.

[Brain: So annoying, I want to sleep. What kind of hellish weather is this?]

[Sleep? You can actually sleep at a time like this? Time is life.]

Faced with his brain's snark, Uchiha Yang didn't hold back, firing a retort right back.

After all, his brain was always using that line to needle him.

Uchiha Yang was the only one who would ever get into an argument with his own brain.

[Sharingan: Damn it, it's all the brain's fault. The sleepiness just spread to me. I'm so tired, I really want to take a nap.]

[Hand: Nap? Forget that, wake up and get hyped!]

[Foot: Speaking of which, what does it feel like to sleep? I just want a wash right now; I feel like I'm starting to smell.]

Listening to his foot, Uchiha Yang could almost sense the pungent odor wafting from inside his own shoes.

"Go and wash my feet for me."

Uchiha Yang patted Xia Lian.

Blushing, Xia Lian stepped out of the carriage and said very politely to Uchiha Sake, "My Lord, the Master would like some water."

After bringing the carriage to a stop, Uchiha Sake used Water Style to fill a basin with water and personally carried it inside.

"My Lord, here is the water you requested."

"Thanks."

Afterward, under Xia Lian's attentive care, Uchiha Yang enjoyed a comfortable foot soak in the cool water.

Ninjas were truly convenient.

"Sake, Ya, display our Uchiha family crest. Since our location is already exposed, there's no need for us to keep hiding."

As his little maid wiped his feet, Uchiha Yang lifted the carriage window and gave instructions to the two men in front.

Uchiha Sake looked back, puzzled. "Is it really wise to reveal our identities like this?"

"We do whatever the Master says."

Uchiha Ya bumped him with his shoulder, reminding him of his place.

The Clan Head had given orders: whatever Uchiha Yang said, they were to do.

At the main gate of the Land of Fire's capital, soldiers stood guard, forcing commoners to undergo inspections one by one and pay an entry tax before they could enter the city.

Yet, no one dared to inspect Uchiha Yang's carriage, for the Uchiha Fan crest on it was far too conspicuous.

The flag of the Uchiha Clan fluttered in the wind above the carriage, and no one dared to approach—such was the deterrent power of the Uchiha.

A single flag, a single Uchiha Fan crest, was enough to avoid a great deal of trouble.

When the guards saw that the Uchiha Clan had appeared, they didn't dare to block the way, instead rushing to drive away the blind, queueing commoners so they wouldn't obstruct the path of the Uchiha Lord.

Uchiha Yang watched all of this, though he didn't feel there was anything wrong with it.

Of course, if the roles were reversed and he were one of those commoners, the experience would have been quite unpleasant.

After finding an inn to stay in, Uchiha Yang had Xia Lian hand the pre-prepared Uchiha family calling card to Uchiha Sake.

"Go and meet the Feudal Lord in the name of the Uchiha. Tell him we have business to discuss with him."

Uchiha Sake respectfully took the card and vanished from the spot.

Uchiha Ya asked curiously, "My Lord, did we come all this way just to do business with the Feudal Lord?"

In his view, such business matters could be left to ordinary clansmen; having Uchiha Yang handle it personally seemed like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

"Do you look down on merchants?"

Uchiha Yang raised an eyebrow, staring straight at him.

"M-My Lord, you misunderstand. I just feel that for someone like you to be doing business is a waste of your talents."

For a moment, Uchiha Ya felt the same pressure he usually received from the clan head, and cold sweat couldn't help but break out.

Uchiha Yang slowly withdrew his gaze. "Business isn't something just anyone can do; don't underestimate it."

"In your eyes, business is merely a way to make some money. In my eyes, however, business can influence entire wars, and even secretly control the lifeblood of the entire Land of Fire, or even the entire Shinobi World."

"Is... is it really that exaggerated?"

Uchiha Ya felt that Uchiha Yang was being far too hyperbolic.

"You'll understand in time."

Uchiha Yang felt that no matter how much he said, it would be better to just let the other party wait and see.

As for the Daimyo, upon seeing the Uchiha clan's formal request for an audience, he decided to meet them.

These shinobi possessed power beyond that of ordinary people and had always been difficult to manage. As the Daimyo, he was powerless to do anything about it, forced to train his own shinobi just to ensure his own survival.

As the nominal ruler of the Land of Fire, the Daimyo had a profound understanding of the Uchiha's strength.

Therefore, he didn't dare ignore the request. If he were to anger the Uchiha, even hiring the Senju might protect him for a moment, but it wouldn't be able to protect him for a lifetime.

Upon receiving the Daimyo's consent, Uchiha Yang smiled knowingly; this Daimyo was quite sensible.

After seeing the Daimyo, Uchiha Yang went offline, handing control back to the body.

The brain was responsible for thinking, and the mouth was responsible for speaking.

Uchiha Yang didn't understand business, but he knew how to delegate, leaving it to those who did.

In such chaotic times, what business was the most valuable? Naturally, the arms trade.

Explosive tags, hidden weapons, poisons, medical supplies, and all sorts of long and short weapons could be produced.

There was no helping it; the brain simply knew too much.

As for why he was cooperating with the Daimyo, it was naturally because he needed the Daimyo's name. After all, on the surface, the Land of Fire was ruled by the Daimyo.

Especially in the hearts of some nobles and commoners, the Daimyo was much more acceptable and obedient than the likes of the Uchiha or Senju.

In the end, the Daimyo provided the money, manpower, and resources (15%), while Uchiha Yang provided the technology (85%). Although the profit share wasn't high, the Daimyo was already very satisfied.

After all, to the Daimyo, this business wasn't just about making money; it was also about pulling the Uchiha onto his side.

Two hours later, Uchiha Yang took back control of his body and left the Daimyo Mansion amidst the Daimyo's cheerful farewell.

Uchiha Yang had won, and the Daimyo also felt he had gained a massive profit.

A win-win situation.