"Young Clan Leader! Hashirama Senju has invited you to a meeting at the Konoha Building."
"Got it."
Uchiha Gen, who had been packing his things, stopped what he was doing. Calling a meeting at a time like this probably meant they were about to divide up power.
The first step in dividing power was choosing a leader. Uchiha Gen did not particularly care who became the village chief. Konoha alone was still far too small.
Not to mention that the tool workers' commercial reach had already extended into the circles of nobles across the Five Great Nations. Every business Uchiha Gen ran dealt with those great aristocrats.
In this distorted world, ordinary people had no money. Even food and shelter were a problem for them. Meanwhile, the great clans, wealthy families, and noble houses were all filthy rich.
After changing into a Plain Brocade Robe and letting his hair hang loose behind his back, Uchiha Gen arrived at the Konoha Building. Most of the people inside had already gathered. Looking around, he saw Madara sitting beside Hashirama with one leg crossed over the other.
As Uchiha Gen sized everyone up, the representatives of shinobi clans from all over the Land of Fire were also watching him. Most of them did not dare meet his eyes.
"Gen, you're here. Come, sit."
Hashirama enthusiastically pulled out a chair for Uchiha Gen himself. Even Uchiha Gen could not refuse such a gesture of respect. Besides, the seat was not bad—it was far away from Tobirama.
Hashirama had arranged it this way because he was afraid Uchiha Gen and Tobirama would start fighting later, making things difficult to contain.
Uchiha Gen looked to either side. On his left sat a fat man with a round, fleshy face who looked like he could really eat.