This person was none other than Gen Kigami, who had built clan structures for him many times before.
Gento walked up in surprise and grabbed his hand:
"Gen-sama! How did you end up in the Land of Hot Water?"
Gen was also full of surprise:
"This old man accepted an invitation from the Feudal Lord of the Land of Hot Water to build a residence for a newly enfeoffed noble. I didn't expect that noble to be you!"
Gento briefly explained the matter of the Uchiha's relocation.
After hearing it, Gen let out a quiet sigh:
"Ha… I've heard a bit about what happened in the Hidden Leaf Village."
"It's just a pity for those exquisite buildings I left behind…"
Gento shook his head:
"You don't need to worry about that. I used ninjutsu to relocate all the clan's buildings together."
Gen looked unconvinced:
"Hah, no need to comfort this old man."
"At my age, what haven't I seen?"
"I can accept this."
Seeing his reaction, Gento said nothing more and directly pulled him to the Uchiha clan district.
Standing on the familiar streets and looking at the familiar buildings, Gen froze in place as if struck by lightning.
He opened his mouth wide, eyes bulging:
"Th-this… this-this… this…"
"How was this done?!"
He trembled as he stretched out his hand, his face looking as if he had seen a ghost:
"No… I… I can't accept this!"
Gento smiled and patted his shoulder:
"You'll get used to it."
"Back to business. How do you plan to design my official residence?"
It took Gen quite a while to recover from the shock. He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down:
"Well… the Kigami family has built many residences even for Feudal Lords. A mere Guardian Duke's residence is easily within our grasp."
He paused and asked:
"Do you have any specific requirements?"
Gento thought for a moment:
"Hmm… make it as large as possible. And include more bedrooms."
Gen looked at him strangely:
"What do you need so many bedrooms for?"
Gento didn't explain.
He couldn't very well say that he might take many more women in the future.
Seeing this, Gen didn't ask further and nodded:
"I can build it according to a top-tier standard just below a Feudal Lord's residence."
"As long as the Feudal Lord doesn't pursue you for overstepping rank, there will be at least twenty to thirty bedrooms. How does that sound?"
Gento nodded.
The current Feudal Lord of the Land of Hot Water, Yuto Adachi, was merely his puppet and certainly wouldn't object.
As for the number of bedrooms…
He probably wouldn't end up marrying that many kunoichi… right?
Gen continued:
"However, the Feudal Lord requires it to be completed within one month. That will be difficult."
"After all, this is an entire residence, not like the individual buildings from before."
Gento immediately said:
"Can you call more craftsmen from your clan?"
Gen shook his head decisively:
"That won't do! The Kigami family still has many projects in the Land of Fire."
"We're even planning to move our family headquarters from the Land of Craftsmen to the Land of Fire."
Hearing this, Gento suddenly leaned closer mysteriously:
"Hm… that may not be a good idea."
"In the future, the Land of Fire will likely face a large-scale war."
"You might as well move your family to the Land of Hot Water instead. The Uchiha can provide protection."
Gen looked at him suspiciously.
He knew that although the young man before him seemed carefree, he had always been reliable in his actions.
And after years of dealing with him, he trusted Gento's character.
He gritted his teeth:
"Alright, I'll listen to you!"
Gento smiled:
"Don't worry. The Land of Hot Water has convenient transportation. It won't hinder your family from taking projects from other countries."
Gen nodded:
"With that, manpower will be sufficient. Still, one month is too tight."
"I can only guarantee that by the day of your investiture, one-third of the main structure will be completed."
"That will be enough for the ceremony."
Gento thought for a moment:
"That's enough."
And so, the construction of Gento's official residence began in full swing.
…
Time quickly passed another half month.
News of the Uchiha establishing the Hidden Gento Village in the Land of Hot Water spread rapidly throughout the shinobi world.
Those long-time clients who had always valued the Uchiha's abilities came knocking one after another.
In addition, Cerulean Harbor's convenient transport and constant flow of merchant ships led to a rapid increase in mission requests received by the Uchiha.
Compared to their time in the Hidden Leaf Village, it was even more prosperous!
Even with the expanded number of Uchiha ninjas, they were beginning to struggle to keep up.
They had no choice but to reluctantly turn down some lower-paying missions.
Gento was already starting to get a headache.
How could he increase the number of Uchiha ninjas?
That day, a special mission request was delivered to his desk.
It was an exquisitely sealed scroll.
He unrolled it, and the text came into view:
[Secret Commission]
⟩ A mysterious organization is suspected to be operating behind the Hidden Mist Village. The Uchiha are requested to send a strong ninja to hold off a ninja codenamed "Angel," and assist the client in seizing two ninjas with Kekkei Genkais from the Hidden Mist Anbu.
⟩ Client: Orochimaru
After reading this commission, Gento's expression shifted.
A mysterious organization?
Wasn't that the Akatsuki?
Codenamed "Angel"?
Wasn't that Konan?
Konan's appearance involuntarily surfaced in Gento's mind.
That cold face, that graceful figure, those alluring curves wrapped in paper…
His previously lazy posture changed.
His back immediately straightened.
This was a great opportunity to recruit Konan!
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going! [Patreon.com/RedZTL]