I Have a Bunch of Relatives Who Want to Be Hokage Chapter 2

Whatever he did, he had to do it fast.

Otherwise, he would die fast too. Efficiency came first; if the cost-effectiveness was not high enough, he would not invest the time.

Uchiha Shingen's practice of Yang Release was common knowledge throughout the Uchiha clan. Most people neither approved nor disapproved of it, and no one cared which school of Yang Release he practiced.

The ancient Uchiha clan was not unaware that both they and the Senju of the Forest descended from the Sage of Six Paths. They also knew perfectly well how powerful Yang Release's enhancements could be. But knowing was one thing; actually practicing it was another.

Compared to the five elemental natures, Yin and Yang Release were not only far less efficient to train, but also far more dependent on talent. With the Sharingan as a cheat of their own, the Uchiha already felt they never had enough time to play with it. Asking them to devote extra enthusiasm to Yang Release was simply too much.

And the long history of the Warring States period had convinced them that Yang Release, which was even slower to cultivate than Yin Release, did the Uchiha more harm than good.

In the entire Uchiha clan, only Uchiha Shingen would rather sacrifice time training his Sharingan in order to practice Yang Release.

After firing off his final jutsu, Uchiha Shingen went home, took a shower, changed into casual clothes, and headed out for his appointment.

His feet were a little sore, but that did not stop him from jumping off buildings... no, taking shortcuts.

The meeting place was near Hokage Rock, at Konoha's finest izakaya. Once he got close enough, Uchiha Shingen jumped back down to the street and continued on foot.

From a distance, he could already see Tekka standing outside the izakaya.

Beside him were familiar faces: Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Yashiro. The three were not inseparable, but they did get together every other day to mess around. They were thoroughly unserious people.

There was one more person, though—someone Uchiha Shingen had not expected to see.

Uchiha Yakumi, Uchiha Fugaku's highly trusted right-hand man.

This clan head had a middling reputation within the clan. He had personal prestige, but both the doves and the hawks saw him as someone who could be won over.

In other words, he was an old fox.

Anyone trusted by an old fox could hardly have innocent tastes.

Even if he was supposedly a hawk.

Somewhat helplessly, Uchiha Shingen quickened his pace and walked toward Uchiha Yakumi, who was smiling at him.

He could be casual with Tekka and the others, but not with Yakumi. Their seniority was far too different.

So tonight's gathering was going to be tame?

He would just sit around for a bit and head home. In any case, his persona was that of someone hopelessly obsessed with training.

"Lord Yakumi."

"No need to be so formal." Uchiha Yakumi wore an expression Uchiha Shingen had never seen on him in the office. "This is time to relax."

Well, damn! They were all in on it!

Chapter 3: This Way Is Faster

The moment Uchiha Shingen's group entered the izakaya, they drew the attention of everyone inside.

At first glance, it looked like a lecherous older man taking his juniors out for some action.

But only at first glance. Once people saw the fan crests on the backs of their clothes, even those who had drunk too much kept their mouths shut.

It was not because they were Uchiha, but because everyone making a living in Konoha knew that anyone wearing those clothes had to be a ninja from the Police Force.

In present-day Konoha, the villagers' understanding of the Uchiha began and ended with the Police Force and ninja. There was nothing beyond that.

It was not as though they had no negative reputation at all, but those opinions came from people who had been disciplined by the Police Force. Such people were not the majority.

After all, anyone with a functioning brain knew that respectable families rarely had any reason to be subjected to enforcement, and respectable families made up the overwhelming majority in Konoha.

It was only after the Nine-Tails' rampage, when many families lost loved ones and rumors spread that the Uchiha had been responsible, that the Uchiha's reputation in the village plummeted to rock bottom and became utterly foul.

Take the owner of this izakaya, for example. Seeing these Uchiha now, he had only one thought—oh ho! Fat sheep... no, generous patrons had arrived!

Everyone knew ninja were good at making money, and even better at spending it.

Especially those from ninja clans that had produced shinobi for generations. Backed by their clan's reputation, they were even better at earning money.

Even if they got carried away and ran short on cash, their clan would cover the difference.

The izakaya owner was grinning from ear to ear. He had run down to the first floor to welcome them not because his establishment was small and understaffed—quite the opposite.

He ran a large operation. It was called an izakaya, but it could just as easily have been called a tavern. Its operating costs were enormous; the appearance fees for all those girls alone were staggering, so the bulk of its revenue depended on generous tips from wealthy customers.

Of course he had to personally receive wealthy customers when they arrived!

What he loved most was when ninja from clans like the Uchiha came to spend money.

Not only were they lavish spenders, but the Uchiha also controlled the Police Force. For a place like his, as long as he served them well and built a good reputation, the fees needed to grease palms at the Police Force would stay at the minimum level. No matter how much he earned, they would not raise the price.

Ninja from such clans were not only rich, but decent people too! If every Konoha institution were run by ninja clans, that would be wonderful!

Unlike those people in the Administrative Department. They might be ninja too, but they never missed a chance to extort, squeeze, or demand favors—and they always wanted freebies.

He sincerely wished they would never be able to hide their secret stashes of money!

Beaming, he hurried forward to greet the leading Uchiha Yakumi.

"Oh my, isn't that Lord Yakumi? You haven't come by in so long—the girls have all been complaining to me."

The gazes of the young Uchiha men became a little less friendly.

Last time, when Yashiro had not been there and only the others had come, the owner had not said that.

He meant that the girls actually only liked young, handsome men like them.

Forget it. He would first check the quality of the tea. If it was better than last time, he would let it slide.

After all, you couldn't judge a person by what they said; you had to look at what they did.

The group followed Yakumi upstairs amid the owner's constant flattery.

They picked a large private room and sat down. The owner rushed out like the wind, then opened the door and returned not long afterward.

A line of girls filed in behind him, their smiles blooming like flowers. They stood in a row before the group, bowed in unison, and said sweetly, "Good evening, honored guests~~"

"Come, come, ladies. Don't just stand there foolishly. Introduce yourselves." The owner first flashed a fawning smile at the Uchiha gentlemen, then clapped his hands at the girls.

The girls each put on just the right expression—shyness, liveliness, and so on—and began introducing themselves one by one, giving their ages, hometowns, and the like.

Anyway, when Uchiha Shingen had first come to a place like this, the sense of déjà vu had been incredibly strong.

He glanced at Yakumi beside him and found that this uncle's gaze landed with remarkable precision. There was just one problem.

His lack of experience was obvious.

It seemed he had misunderstood before. Uchiha Yakumi was not a man who frequently haunted entertainment venues.

Sensing Uchiha Shingen's gaze, Uchiha Yakumi turned to him. "Oh? Shingen seems quite interested. Why don't you help everyone pick?"

Clearly inexperienced, yet forced to act like an old hand in front of his juniors—truly... painful to watch!

As someone who had been there himself, Uchiha Shingen understood him!

"Alright, Lord Yakumi. Leave it to me."

When you came out to have fun, you had to be happy! Especially when you couldn't let your elders feel awkward!

He turned his head.

His expression was serious.

His gaze was sharp.

Sharingan, activate!

Ignoring the girls' stiffening expressions, Uchiha Shingen examined them one by one with utmost seriousness.

Before these eyes, no one could conceal a fake figure or age by any means!

Once he was done, he deactivated his Sharingan, pointed out four girls from left to right, then swept his hand grandly.

"Keep these four for now. Bring in the next batch!"

"Understood, understood." The owner, who had broken out in a cold sweat under the Sharingan's stare, wiped his forehead and said shakily, "I understand. The usual rules—there are still two more batches in the back. Take your time looking."

Then he added sincerely, "The best ones are all here, I swear I'm not lying."

"I don't care what you think. I care what I think." Uchiha Shingen shot him a sidelong glance. "Are you the one drinking, or am I? Bring out three batches first as a sample."

This owner was good in every way, except that he was a little too talkative.

Last time, it had been because the owner made decisions on his own that he had nearly missed out on some good tea.

Could two people's tastes possibly be exactly the same?

"Right away! Don't worry!" The owner quickly ushered the remaining girls out, shut the door, and hurried off to switch them out.

The four girls who had been left behind had already put their smiles back on. They were still a little stiff, but it was no big deal.

"Lord Yakumi, which one do you like..." Uchiha Shingen smiled at Uchiha Yakumi, only to find that the other man's expression was somewhat... strange.

That left him a little puzzled.

"Shingen..." Uchiha Yakumi seemed to be considering his words very carefully. "Isn't using the Sharingan for something like this a bit much?"

What kind of "much" was that? Without the Sharingan, how was he supposed to tell whether it had been squeezed out or squeezed in?

Besides, this trick was also... huh???

Uchiha Shingen looked at the pitch-black eyes of Tiehuo and the others beside him and fell into deep thought.

You three usually kept your Sharingan activated the whole time, but today you're acting like babies?

Turning back around, he forced out a smile. "It's faster this way..."

"That's true..." Uchiha Yakumi nodded, sounding somewhat wistful. "Ah, my mistake. I forgot that you only returned from the battlefield not long ago. You're used to looking at everything with the Sharingan."

He beckoned to the second girl from the left.

"Little Chihaya, don't be afraid. Come sit over here."

Uchiha Shingen: "..."

Going straight for the youngest one? Were their tastes really that consistent? This was the one he had picked according to Yashiro's preferences...

A Handsome Guy Arrived

After an impure night, Uchiha Shingen's new day still began with embracing the first rays of morning sunlight.

He had drunk too much, so his head was still a little dizzy, but that did not stop him from getting up on time.

He needed to make money, drink alcohol, and flirt with girls, but none of that was as satisfying as training.

Otherwise, they'd be staring at each other from utility poles in the future.

There were no missions today, so he did not need to report to the department. That was great.

However, when he left as usual to mooch off the equipment at the training ground, he noticed that quite a few people were not going to work.

They were all heading toward the entrance of the clan grounds.

Uchiha Shingen had no interest in watching the excitement. After a glance, he continued toward the training ground.

When he arrived, he found it completely empty. He was a little surprised, but very pleased.

No need to line up for equipment either. Another thumbs-up.

Enjoying the freedom of being able to use whatever he wanted by himself, Uchiha Shingen began training.

But the good times did not last long. Before he could finish one round of shuriken practice, footsteps approached.

Not one person—a whole crowd.

Uchiha Shingen stopped training and looked toward the entrance of the training ground. The next moment, he was stunned.

The clan head was leading everyone in skipping work?

It was not just the clan head. Those playing hooky, together with those who did not need to work, formed a huge, dark mass at the entrance to the training ground.

However, the presence of that yellow-haired, spiky-headed man explained everything.

And the current clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, was displaying another talent besides being a ninja—tour guide.

"Lord Hokage, this is our clan's training ground. Everyone usually trains here... Hm? Shingen?"

Uchiha Fugaku looked in great surprise at the young man standing beside the target range.

He remembered this person's name. After all, he had performed rather outstandingly in the battle against the Mist ninja.