Business expansion, Sunagakure's order

Early the next morning, Uchiha Rìtiān had only just arrived at school when someone Tetsuo sent called him back.

"Young master! Good news! Great news!" Tetsuo ran into the shop, his face alight with excitement.

"What good news? Look how excited you are," Uchiha Rìtiān said as he ate breakfast.

"An order from Sunagakure!" Tetsuo waved the letter in his hand. "Our caravan over there sent word back. Sunagakure's higher-ups want to do business with us!"

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up. Sunagakure?

A big order already?

"What exactly happened?" Uchiha Rìtiān put down his chopsticks and asked seriously.

"Here's what happened." Tetsuo caught his breath. "After our caravan brought the goods to Sunagakure, they became an instant hit!"

"The Chakra Flashlights and Hand Warmers in particular are selling incredibly well in Sunagakure!"

"When Sunagakure's higher-ups heard about it, they wanted to meet our people. They said they wanted a long-term partnership!"

Uchiha Rìtiān rubbed his chin. Sunagakure's higher-ups wanted to cooperate?

This was a good opportunity.

Sunagakure was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, with a huge market.

And by working with Sunagakure, he could also build an intelligence network.

Two birds with one stone.

"All right, understood." Uchiha Rìtiān nodded. "Tell the caravan to negotiate with them first. As for prices... we can offer a small discount."

"Huh? A discount?" Tetsuo froze for a moment. "Why?"

"Idiot!" Uchiha Rìtiān rolled his eyes. "It's called casting a long line to catch a big fish."

"Sunagakure's market is so big. Once we've made a name for ourselves, why would we worry about making money later?"

Realization dawned on Tetsuo. "Brilliant, young master!"

"Also, tell the caravan to gather intelligence on Sunagakure while they're at it." Uchiha Rìtiān lowered his voice. "Especially news about the One-Tail Jinchuriki."

Tetsuo paused. "The One-Tail Jinchuriki?"

"Yes, the kid named Gaara," Uchiha Rìtiān said gravely. "I want to know everything about him."

Though puzzled, Tetsuo still nodded. "Yes, young master. Understood."

Uchiha Rìtiān nodded in satisfaction.

Gaara...

He was a key figure.

If he could build a good relationship with him early, it might prove very useful in the future.

"Oh, young master, there's one more thing," Tetsuo added. "We've also heard from Kirigakure. They're very interested in our products too."

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up. Kirigakure?

Good, good. Business was getting bigger and bigger.

"Good. Do the same with Kirigakure. Negotiate a partnership first. We can offer a discount."

"Also, gather intelligence on Kirigakure while you're at it, especially news about... Zabuza and Haku."

Tetsuo nodded. "Yes, young master. I've noted it down."

Uchiha Rìtiān waved a hand. "All right, get back to work."

"Yes!"

Tetsuo left in high spirits.

Uchiha Rìtiān leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly against the table.

Sunagakure, Kirigakure... next were Kumogakure and Iwagakure.

Once he had opened up the markets of all Five Great Shinobi Villages, his commercial empire would truly be established.

Then he would have both money and an intelligence network.

Even if something really did happen to the Uchiha, he would have the resources to handle it.

Ding! Commercial empire prototype mission progress: 80%.

Uchiha Rìtiān nodded in satisfaction. Good, progress was fast.

Just then, another system notification sounded.

Ding! The host's business expansion is proceeding smoothly. Choice triggered:

Option one: proceed steadily and expand slowly. Reward: commercial stability +10%.

Option two: expand aggressively and rapidly capture the market. Reward: commercial development speed +20%, risk +10%.

Option three: establish a ninja mercenary group to protect the caravans. Reward: combat power +1, commercial security +15%.

Uchiha Rìtiān rubbed his chin. Each of the three options had its advantages and drawbacks.

Steady progress was too conservative, while aggressive expansion was too risky.

Option three... establish a ninja mercenary group?

That sounded good!

He could protect the caravans while developing his own forces.

"I choose option three!"

Ding! Choice successful. Mission issued: establish the Uchiha Rìtiān Mercenary Group.

Mission requirement: recruit at least ten ninja to form a mercenary group.

Mission rewards: show-off points +500, commercial security +15%.

The corners of Uchiha Rìtiān's mouth rose. A mercenary group?

Interesting.

But... where could he recruit ninja?

Konoha ninja were definitely out. That would arouse suspicion.

Those from other villages... wouldn't be easy to recruit either.

Wait, that was it!

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up.

He could recruit wandering ninja!

There were many wandering ninja in the shinobi world who belonged to no village. Their abilities varied, but there were plenty of them.

With careful screening, he would surely be able to recruit plenty of talent.

Besides, wandering ninja had no ties and would be easier to control.

"Good, that's what I'll do!" Uchiha Rìtiān slapped the table.

He immediately wrote a letter and had Tetsuo deliver it to the caravan.

He instructed the caravan members to keep an eye out wherever they went and recruit reliable wandering ninja.

Generous benefits, food and lodging included, and a monthly salary of over ten thousand.

Tetsuo left to carry out his orders.

Uchiha Rìtiān leaned back in his chair, making plans.

Business, intelligence, military strength... three pillars.

With that, he would have even more to rely on.

Over the next few days, Uchiha Rìtiān attended school while handling business matters.

Uchiha Convenience Services continued, and the villagers' opinion of the Uchiha kept improving.

Shisui taught Uchiha Rìtiān the Body Flicker Technique every day, and Uchiha Rìtiān made rapid progress.

Itachi also began ANBU training. Though busy, he still met with Uchiha Rìtiān occasionally.

Everything was developing in a positive direction.

After school that day, Uchiha Rìtiān was about to head home when someone blocked his way.

It was Orochimaru, the grandson of Elder Uchiha Shemaru.

Ever since Uchiha Rìtiān had defeated him last time, Orochimaru had been avoiding him.

Why had he come looking for him today?

"Need something?" Uchiha Rìtiān raised an eyebrow.

Orochimaru's face was pale as he stared at Uchiha Rìtiān with sinister eyes.

"Uchiha Rìtiān... I want another match."

Uchiha Rìtiān rolled his eyes. "Again? Haven't you been beaten enough?"

Orochimaru's expression grew even uglier.

"I was careless last time! This time, I'll definitely beat you!"

Uchiha Rìtiān curled his lip. "Boring. I don't have time to play with you."

He turned to leave.

"Stop!" Orochimaru shouted angrily. "Are you afraid?!"

Uchiha Rìtiān stopped and turned back, looking at him with a faint, ambiguous smile.

"Trying to provoke me won't work."

"But... if you can offer a stake that interests me, I might consider it."

Orochimaru gritted his teeth. "I have a Scroll of Seals from my grandfather's collection."

"If I win, you'll tell me the secret of the Two-Tomoe Sharingan!"

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up. A Scroll of Seals?

Interesting.

"All right, I accept," Uchiha Rìtiān said with a smile. "But... what if you lose?"

"If I lose..." Orochimaru gritted his teeth. "The Scroll of Seals is yours!"

"Deal!" Uchiha Rìtiān snapped his fingers.

A Scroll of Seals. This was a sure win!

Ding! Wager detected: second duel against Uchiha Orochimaru.

Option one: accept the wager and go all out. Rewards: Scroll of Seals x1 (upon victory), show-off points +200.

Option two: refuse the wager and keep a low profile. Reward: will of survival +1.

Without a second thought, Uchiha Rìtiān said, "Option one!"

Seriously, a Scroll of Seals delivered right to his door? Why wouldn't he take it?

The two went to the small grove on the hill behind the school.

Orochimaru stared at Uchiha Rìtiān with a dark expression. "This time, I won't lose again!"

Uchiha Rìtiān picked at his ear. "You talk too much. If you're going to fight, fight."

"You-" Orochimaru trembled with rage.

"You're asking for death!"

His hands formed hand seals at incredible speed.

"Ninja art: Snake Shadow Hands!"

More than a dozen small snakes shot out of his sleeves and lunged at Uchiha Rìtiān.

Uchiha Rìtiān raised an eyebrow. Snake Shadow Hands?

Wasn't that Orochimaru's signature ninjutsu?

Wait, this guy was called Orochimaru too?

The corner of Uchiha Rìtiān's mouth twitched. Could this be Orochimaru from a parallel universe?

"Hey, do you also have a summoned beast called Manda?" Uchiha Rìtiān asked casually.

Orochimaru froze. "How did you know?"

Uchiha Rìtiān: "..."

He really did?!

Wasn't that too much of a coincidence?

While Uchiha Rìtiān was distracted, the small snakes had already lunged right up to him.

"Watch out!" Orochimaru wore a vicious grin.

Uchiha Rìtiān reacted extremely quickly. His body swayed, and he narrowly dodged them.

"Well, look at you. Sneak attacks too?" Uchiha Rìtiān curled his lip. "No sense of fair play."

Orochimaru sneered. "There's no fair play in the world of ninja!"

He formed hand seals again. "Ninja art: Twin Snakes Mutual Kill!"

Two enormous snakes burst out of the ground and snapped at Uchiha Rìtiān from either side.

Uchiha Rìtiān activated his Sharingan, his gaze sharpening.

"Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique!"

Orochimaru's movements abruptly stopped, and his eyes grew dazed.

He had been caught in a genjutsu!

Uchiha Rìtiān seized the opening, rushed forward, and threw a punch.

Bang!

Orochimaru was sent flying and slammed heavily into the ground.

The genjutsu broke. Clutching his stomach, Orochimaru looked utterly incredulous.

"Genjutsu? You actually know genjutsu?!"

Uchiha Rìtiān dusted off his hands and said with a smile, "What? You're allowed to use ninjutsu, but I'm not allowed to use genjutsu?"

Orochimaru's face was deathly pale, his eyes full of unwillingness to accept it.

"I don't believe it... I don't believe I'd lose twice..."

Uchiha Rìtiān walked up to him and held out his hand.

"A bet's a bet. Where's the Scroll of Seals?"

Orochimaru gritted his teeth, took a scroll from inside his clothes, and tossed it to Uchiha Rìtiān.

"Hmph! You win this time!"

"But just you wait! I'll beat you for sure!"

With that, he scrambled to his feet and slunk away.

Uchiha Rìtiān took the scroll and opened it, his eyes growing brighter as he read.

"Whoa, it's actually the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique?"

"I hit the jackpot!"

Ding! Obtained Scroll of Seals: Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

Show-Off Points +200!

Uchiha Rìtiān was overjoyed.

The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was Naruto's signature ninjutsu!

With this, his fighting strength could increase by at least thirty percent!

Just as Uchiha Rìtiān was celebrating, his expression suddenly changed.

He had sensed a familiar chakra.

Big Brother Shisui's chakra...

But... it was very faint, and... very erratic!

Something had happened!

Uchiha Rìtiān's expression changed drastically, and he charged toward the chakra.

Big Brother Shisui, please be all right!