Uchiha Gen slept, but many people in the Uchiha Clan Grounds could not. It was not because they were worried about anything bad; they were simply too happy and excited to sleep.
"The acting clan head is so good to us. If we'd had a clan head like him earlier, the Uchiha would have unified the Land of Fire long ago."
"Exactly. No wonder they say he's a genius. He truly deserves to be from the Uchiha line. Every one of Lord Tajima's children is so outstanding."
"Yeah, we should hurry up and finish our mission too."
"...You're awful~"
Before long, indescribable sounds came from the room.
Scenes like this could be found everywhere throughout the Uchiha Clan Grounds. On this year-end day, everyone had gathered at the Uchiha shrine for their annual dividend distribution.
The clan members had long grown accustomed to it, but everything changed when Uchiha Gen stepped forward with a list in hand.
As the names on the list were called, everyone gradually realized that these were clan members who usually performed exceptionally well. They had no idea what the acting clan head was planning.
"The dividends for every clan member whose name I called this year will be multiplied by five!"
Whoosh!
The moment he spoke, cries of astonishment erupted. Five times! What an enormous sum of money that was!
"Wise acting clan head! Long live the acting clan head!"
"Long live the acting clan head!"
Uchiha Gen raised a hand to quiet them down. Once everyone had settled, he continued reading the names.
Those who had achieved special military merits, as well as those too injured to fight again, would also receive multiplied year-end dividends.
Just when everyone thought the commendation ceremony was over after the final name had been read, Uchiha Gen's next words stirred up another wave of astonished cries.
"Finally, besides thanking those clan members for their contributions, we must also thank the rest of the clan. For an even better tomorrow, every member of the clan will receive double dividends!"
"Wow!"
"Am I dreaming?"
"Really?"
"Wise acting clan head!"
Originally, the Uchiha clan members' year-end dividends had only amounted to a few thousand ryo. It did not seem like much, but in this Warring States era, it was enough to cover an ordinary person's expenses for an entire year—and that was with meat at every meal.
But for shinobi, that amount was indeed rather small. They could spend it all just replacing their bladed tools.
Now, Uchiha Gen had directly doubled their dividends. Those who had earned military merit and those with significant contributions received several times as much. Even shinobi from a major clan like the Uchiha had no choice but to take this seriously.
At present, the number of shinobi in the Uchiha Clan Grounds had exceeded two thousand. In the past, dividends alone cost two million ryo. With this doubling, more than ten million ryo was spent at once.
However, Uchiha Gen had the confidence to hand out that money. Not only were the clan's industries flourishing under his leadership, but his ten tool men alone could easily produce that sum. Twenty million ryo was merely half a month's profit for them.
The clan meeting ended successfully amid lively cheers. Afterward, he arranged with his two nominal older brothers to go to the Training Ground together the next day. Since he had not been on the battlefield for a long time, Madara worried that Uchiha Gen had grown lax in his training and intended to test him.
The next day, at first light.
Uchiha Madara wore linen trousers and a short shirt as he warmed up at the Training Ground. Beside him, Izuna was eating breakfast.
"Munch... Big Brother, what level do you think Gen has reached now?"
Madara thought for a moment before answering.
"He should be a little weaker than Senju Tobirama, but not by much."
"Oh? That dog Tobirama? With all due respect, Third Brother is far stronger than him."
Madara frowned. Ever since obtaining the Mangekyō Sharingan, why did Izuna seem to view everyone as little more than targets waiting to be slain?
"Izuna, Tobirama isn't stupid. Like Gen, he handles clan affairs, yet he could still keep fighting you for so long. You can't let your guard down."
"Got it, got it."
Although his older brother said so, Izuna did not take it to heart. Was Tobirama the only one capable of improving? He had never once slacked off in his training.
Time passed, second by second. After finishing his meal, Izuna began warming up as well. In such cold weather, even with Chakra, they would still feel the chill if they did not move their bodies.
The huge fireball hanging in the sky rose higher and higher, all bluster and no substance, yet it was miserly with its warmth.
Madara and Izuna continued waiting. And waiting...
Grrr...
"Big Brother! Your stomach is growling."
"Shut up!"
Inside a house somewhere in the central area of the Uchiha Clan Grounds, Uchiha Gen was sleeping soundly. Curling up under the covers in the middle of winter was such a wonderful thing.
"Lord Yuan! Wake up!"
Before the voice even reached him, a pair of hands had already begun pulling away his blanket.
"Who is it? Don't steal it! How dare you fight me for my blanket!"
Uchiha Gen kept his eyes tightly shut. Feeling a hint of cold, he immediately clutched the blanket and refused to let go.
Uchiha Haru could not help laughing at the sight, but the clan head and young clan head were still waiting outside.
"Get up! Did Lord Yuan forget something?! Wake up already!"
"Huh? Let me sleep a little longer, just a little!"
The two tugged at the blanket, locked in a stalemate. Yet in the end, a cold draft slipped through a gap and ambushed Uchiha Gen, making him shudder.
"Fine, take it."
Thud...
Uchiha Haru fell onto her backside while clutching the blanket, half-lidded dead-fish eyes filled with utter speechlessness.
"Ah~ ha. Right, what did you say I forgot?"
Uchiha Gen yawned. His head still ached slightly as though from a hangover, and he could not remember what had happened yesterday.
Haru replied with little patience.
"Lord Yuan, Clan Head Madara and Young Clan Head Izuna are waiting for you in the living room."
"Oh, then I..."
Uchiha Gen's eyes suddenly widened. He remembered. They seemed to have arranged to go to the Training Ground together today.
Tap tap tap!
Still in his pajamas, he dashed across the polished floor toward the living room. Uchiha Gen felt somewhat flustered. It was his first time standing someone up, and he felt a little guilty.
"Big Brother! Second Brother!"
Uchiha Gen panted lightly as he looked at the two men in the living room, neatly dressed and drinking hot tea. He quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well, if it isn't my adorable and beloved little brother. Looks like you were quite busy last night, since you only woke up now."
Uchiha Madara's mouth curled crookedly, his tone brimming with resentment, like a young wife who had been wronged.
"Big Brother, you know me. I didn't sleep until after midnight because I had to finish the remaining paperwork."
Izuna slurped a mouthful of hot tea, though he looked quite pleased.
"Third Brother, you don't know. Today, I told Big Brother to eat breakfast before going to the Training Ground, but he wouldn't listen. And then we waited until noon without seeing you. I even heard..."
"Izuna, shut up!"
Hearing Izuna's words, Uchiha Gen smiled sheepishly and scratched his head.
"Well, you two wait a moment. I'll wash up and prepare a feast for you. Don't worry, I'll be quick."
Uchiha Gen turned and ran off as soon as he finished speaking. Madara hesitated as if he wanted to say something. He wanted to say, "By the time you finish cooking, I could already be full after eating outside," but he could not bring himself to say it. After all, it was his little brother's first time inviting him to a meal.
"Now we're in for a treat. Third Brother is cooking personally. That flavor... tsk tsk."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Huh? Big Brother, haven't you tried it? I thought you had. After all, you deliberately saved room in your stomach. You have no idea how incredible Third Brother's cooking is!"
Before you continue