"Killing was easy, but controlling people was difficult. Those ninja clans might have their own little schemes, but that didn't mean they couldn't be used by me."
More importantly, living people inevitably created resources. Even if it was merely to obtain the most basic food, as long as they remained part of society, the value they produced was useful to Uchiha Gen.
"Oh, and one more thing: the laws I've set up are fairly comprehensive now. Second Brother and Haru can study more law whenever you have time, so I won't have to bail you out of the police station later."
Study law? Upon hearing another new term, Izuna's mind automatically began analyzing it. In the end, he concluded that it was probably Uchiha Gen's abbreviation for the rules he had established.
"Sure. We'll definitely study it when we have time."
"...Mm, I will too, Lord Yuan."
As they chatted, a rumbling sound suddenly rang out, and it was as though someone had hit pause on the whole scene.
"Huh?" Izuna rubbed his stomach, immediately feeling a long-forgotten hunger. "My stomach's growling, Gen!"
"...Yeah, yeah, I know."
It had only just passed noon. Perhaps because of how much he exercised, the intervals between Izuna's meals had shortened as well. Still, his stomach was nearly as punctual as an alarm clock.
"Gen! I want meat for lunch!"
"Okay, okay."
Watching Uchiha Gen head straight for the kitchen, Haru and Miyue stood up almost simultaneously. The two froze for a moment and exchanged a glance. Mm... there was no hostility in their eyes. They could work together.
"Come on, you two can just sit there and wait."
Uchiha Gen had already put on an apron. Seeing the two of them coming over to help, he mercilessly refused.
"Since I'm here today, it's