Clan Head Hiashi personally went to invite his son-in-law out for drinks.
The Hyuuga weren't exactly rolling in it yet, but at least they didn't have to scrape together group-coupon meal tickets just to treat someone to dinner anymore.
"Son-in-law, about this tobacco business… my Hyuuga clan…"
Kangetsu didn't answer.
When they were dealing with work, it was best to use official titles.
If someone saw them and got the wrong idea, it could turn into a mess.
"Don't rush it. The tobacco business hasn't officially launched yet. Have the Hyuuga draft a roster first."
Hiashi's face split into a grin on the spot.
Ahh…
Still had to be his son-in-law.
This was basically giving the Hyuuga first dibs before the gates even opened.
Sure, nothing was guaranteed yet.
But if Kangetsu was telling him to prepare a list, that was a bright, blinking signal.
"Good, good. I'll go draft it right away."
"Son-in-law, I'm counting on you to take care of the Hyuuga."
Hiashi left with soft, springy steps, and he couldn't hide the smile no matter how hard he tried.
He even walked like he had wind at his back.
Anyone who saw him could tell instantly: that bastard had definitely gone to mooch off his son-in-law again.
And that set a lot of Konoha's clans on edge.
They started wracking their brains for a way to leave an impression with Kangetsu.
But Kangetsu wasn't the same Kangetsu as before.
His importance wasn't even in the same universe anymore.
How many pairs of eyes were on him up top?
How many ANBU, Root, and elite fighters from the advisor clans were watching him?
If you tried to get close, an ANBU would probably show up immediately—
"Open up! Inspection!"
So if you wanted to cozy up to Kangetsu, you needed a reason that actually made sense.
...
Hokage Tower, Hokage-sama's office.
Hiruzen looked at the visitors with a headache already forming—
Itachi and Shisui.
At first, Hiruzen was genuinely happy to see them.
Because it proved the two of them still leaned toward him, the Hokage.
Then, in the next breath, they held out their hands and asked for money.
"Hokage-sama, the Uchiha are suffering!"
"Hokage-sama, we've always wanted to really cut loose and get things done, but our pockets are empty!"
"Please, Hokage-sama. Have mercy and toss the Uchiha a share!"
After becoming vice clan heads, Itachi and Shisui had learned the same routine as every other clan and faction.
They sold misery.
They had to.
The Uchiha were so broke they'd started selling off ancestral property.
If they didn't start crying for help, the two of them were genuinely afraid someone in the clan would end up starving.
Hiruzen grimaced and rubbed his brow like his teeth hurt.
Money. Again. Always money.
He wasn't exactly desperate anymore—but that wasn't the point.
He couldn't open this door.
The second he opened the "hand out money" door for the Uchiha, every other clan and faction would smell it and come running.
You couldn't play favorites.
If he gave here, how could he not give there?
If he started paying out to all the major powers, how many coins would he have left in his own pocket?
How was the Sarutobi clan supposed to grow?
How was he supposed to keep paying ANBU?
He had no interest in reliving another "blocked at his own front door" incident.
Sigh…
Still not enough money.
Good kid, hurry up and use that money-making brain of yours…
After hesitating, Hiruzen called the advisors in to figure something out.
The advisors heard it and immediately reacted.
What? Give the Uchiha a payout?
Hiruzen, have you lost your mind?!
What? Give money to Itachi and Shisui, since they were "reasonably loyal"?
…Fine. Barely acceptable.
What?
Use our money?!
Danzo practically sprang up, pointing at Hiruzen like he'd just heard the dumbest thing in his life.
Split my ass. Not a chance.
Why don't you split your own money?!
Even Homura shot Hiruzen a hard look, deeply displeased.
Handing out money was one thing.
Handing out their money was another.
Koharu didn't say a single word. She just turned around and walked out.
Like hell this is over. You trying to eat alone last time still hasn't been settled.
The old advisors huddled together and came to a swift conclusion.
Fine.
Tonight, they were going to block Hiruzen's door again.
Hiruzen saw the furious looks on their faces as they left, and his stomach dropped.
Oh no.
The moment those old bastards stuck their butts out, he already knew what kind of shit was coming.
Looks like he wasn't going home tonight.
He'd just survive in the office.
But when he turned back and saw Itachi and Shisui staring at him with hope in their eyes, his head started throbbing even worse.
Finally, he waved his hand.
Forget it. He'd hand it off to the village's all-purpose solution: the good kid.
Once they got the answer, Itachi clenched his fist.
Done.
Twists and turns aside, they'd still reached their goal.
He'd known the upper ranks would never willingly cut the Uchiha in.
It had to go through Kangetsu.
But they couldn't go beg Kangetsu directly.
The Uchiha were inherently disadvantaged in Konoha politics, and everything about them was sensitive.
While the Uchiha were moving again, the Hyuuga clan's sky promptly fell.
They were in the middle of excitedly drafting their roster when a message came from their son-in-law.
Cut the list in half.
Why?
Because the Uchiha were joining.
"Outrageous! This is outrageous!!"
The senior elder's face flushed red with fury, eyes bulging like they might pop.
"What?! The Uchiha want money, and they're taking it from the Hyuuga's mouth?!"
Was there no law anymore?
Was there no logic left in the world?!
The second elder practically bounced in place, his old face turning an ugly shade of iron-blue.
"What are the Uchiha trying to do?! The slots our honored son-in-law gave the Hyuuga—"
"That's our money!"
Even Hiashi's expression went cold, anger tucked behind his eyes.
So it was the Uchiha.
Did they think the Hyuuga would fear them?
The slots his son-in-law gave the Hyuuga, and now the Uchiha were waltzing in halfway to snatch the advantage?
What kind of nonsense was that?
The cake was only so big.
If you took a slice, the Hyuuga got less.
Grabbing meat from a tiger's mouth…
The Uchiha were really something.
"Clan Head! Say the word! We have to demand an explanation!"
"Clan Head! We can't let this go! That's our money!"
"Clan Head!"
"Clan Head…"
Ever since Hiashi had "married off his daughter," his standing in the clan had climbed higher and higher.
A clan head who brought money home was a clan head everyone respected.
So they all waited for Hiashi to make the call, anger simmering in their eyes.
They couldn't just let it go.
"Enough!"
Hiashi, in the end, still cared about the bigger picture.
"Don't make my son-in-law's life harder."
The moment he said it, the compound quieted down.
But the looks in their eyes were unmistakably wrong.
Toward the true culprit who had stolen their money, they were filled with a dark, festering hatred.
Fine.
So the Uchiha had learned to cry poor too, all the way to Hokage-sama's face.
Using Hokage-sama's name to pressure the Hyuuga's honored son-in-law.
Good. Very good.
Just wait.
We've got all the time in the world.
(End of Chapter)
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