"Should the Uchiha send a gift?"
At that moment, Fugaku Uchiha spoke again.
Although the family's reputation in the village had soared in recent days, long-standing prejudice meant that the Uchiha's image had still not improved all that much.
In the past, the Uchiha had chosen to stay out of village affairs, never paying any attention to these social courtesies.
"White Fang's son?"
Xia Le paused briefly, then quickly realized that the Hatake family's boy could only be that fellow who always fought everyone to a draw.
"Sakumo is a renowned Ninja in the village. Naturally, the Uchiha family should offer a generous gift!"
"I'll go in person."
Fugaku froze, somewhat surprised. "You're going yourself?"
Uchiha Xia Le's reputation in Konoha was hardly insignificant now.
The strongest member of the Uchiha Clan, he had awakened the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan. His confrontation with Hanzo during the Second Ninja World War, and the brutal killing that ended it, had even earned him the widely circulated title of Konoha's Yellow Flash.
Most unexpected of all, however, was his nickname: the Uchiha philanthropist.
To the Uchiha Clan, that name was a disgrace, but to outsiders, it was a friendly title.
"Of course I'm going myself!"
Xia Le chuckled softly.
"You can prepare the gift for me!"
With that, he slowly rose, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and walked away.
Although Akatsuki had only just been founded, its basic framework was already in place. Given time, it would naturally grow stronger.
Yet life within the small village of Konoha was every bit as complicated.
Where should I get Hashirama's cells?
Xia Le pondered the question.
After the First Hokage's death, his body had naturally been placed under strict protection long ago, to prevent outsiders from stealing it and using it for bizarre purposes.
To