Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 54 Uchiha Fugaku

[The sweet part].

The carriage stopped at the back door.

Uchiha Sōji personally escorted the carriage.

He jumped out of the car and handed a list to Sosuke.

"Your white sugar is exactly what it should be, not an ounce less."

Zongsi's face showed a kind of gratifying satisfaction.

"Murai has already gone inside. He'll probably be staying there for a while."

"Lord Yashiro's idea is to detain him for ten days to half a month first, and then talk about the terms after the dormitory transfer advisor comes to bail him out."

Sosuke took the list and glanced at it.

"Thank you for your hard work, Sōji-kun."

Sosuke pulled out three VIP cards from his pocket.

This is his newly designed card, made of pure silver, engraved with the family crest of a round fan.

"This is our store's lifetime free shopping card."

"One is for you, and the other two should be given to Lord Yatsushiro and Clan Head Fugaku."

Zongsi accepted the silver card.

It feels cool to the touch and has exquisite craftsmanship.

This is not just a meal ticket, but also a symbol of status.

Within the Uchiha clan, having this privilege is considered an honor.

"You know how to handle people, Sosuke."

Souji put away the card and patted Sosuke on the shoulder.

"From now on, if something like this happens, just tell me directly. Anyone who dares to withhold your supplies is going against the garrison."

Zongsi left with his men.

Sosuke turned around and looked at the white sugar that he had lost and then regained.

"Ren, bring out the red bean paste."

"Maki, hang up."

"Red bean soup is available in unlimited quantities today."

……

Hokage Building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window, a pipe dangling from his mouth, gazing in the direction of the garrison in the distance.

The smoke swirled around him, obscuring his eyes.

"The Uchiha... are getting more and more outrageous."

Two elderly people were sitting at the desk behind me.

Koharu and Mitokado.

Two advisors from Konoha.

Their faces were grim.

Especially Xiaochun, who transferred to the dormitory, and Murai from the materials department, who was an administrative backbone promoted by her.

"Directly storming government offices and assaulting public officials. Hiruzen, you've been too lenient with them."

"Murai did indeed embezzle."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.

"The evidence is conclusive. If we intervene now, it will only make the villagers think that the Hokage is protecting corruption."

"Corruption is an internal disciplinary issue that should be handled by our advisory group; it's not up to the security force to overstep its authority!"

Xiaochun, who was switching dorm rooms, wouldn't let it go.

"The security detail's authority is limited to maintaining order. If they can storm the supplies section today, can they storm the Hokage's office tomorrow?"

"Hiruzen, Koharu, stop worrying about that idiot Murai."

"The core of this incident does not lie with Murai."

Mitokado Yan had deep, penetrating eyes.

"Do you remember, the Uchiha clan used to be arrogant, but because of limited funds, they had to rely on the village's funding?"

"We can use the government to strangle them and make them obey."

"But now?"

"They have a lot of cash flow."

"Takaya Trading Company, and that shop owner named Sosuke."

Mitokado Yan read the name aloud.

"I heard their water purification business is extremely profitable. More importantly, they give half the profits to the Uchiha clan!"

"If we let them continue like this, once the Uchiha achieve economic independence..."

The meaning of "Mitomonitis" is quite clear.

A wealthy, powerful, and law enforcement-wielding Uchiha clan would completely break free from the control of the higher-ups and become the biggest destabilizing factor in Konoha.

"That Sousuke..."

Xiaochun, who was turning over in the dorm, narrowed her eyes, her gaze cold.

"Have you checked his background?"

"I've checked. He's from a migrant background. He came to Konoha three months ago, rescued Takaya Jiro, and became his partner."

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a smoke ring and spoke slowly.

"He has a clean background and no connections to other ninja villages."

"But he is an uncertain factor."

Xiaochun's tone was cold and hard as she turned to her room.

"The water purification technology he invented has been confirmed by the medical department to be highly effective. This strategic formula is actually in the hands of a private businessman, and it has become a tool for the Uchiha clan to amass wealth."

"The village should take the initiative to obtain the water purification formula and bring it under the jurisdiction of the medical department."

"You want to conscript me?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"It's for the village," Koharu Utatane said without hesitation. "This is a special wartime regulation."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he shook his head.

"Not now."

Why?

"The Uchiha clan just caused a ruckus, and they're at the peak of their power. If we touch their money now, we're forcing them to turn against us."

"The situation on the front lines is critical right now. We need the strength of the Uchiha clan to fight against external enemies, instead of wasting our time in the village."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat back down in his chair and tapped his pipe.

"Let's observe Sosuke for a while longer."

"If he's really just after money, then let him be."

"But what if he really jeopardizes the very foundation of the village..."

A cold, fierce glint flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

"It's not too late to let Danzo handle it then."

The two advisors exchanged a glance. Although they were somewhat unwilling, they could not go against the Hokage's will.

Koharu snorted coldly, stood up, and left with Homura Mitokado.

The door closed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the documents on the table.

That was a report about the fighting on the front lines.

"Iwagakure and Sunagakure have formed an alliance..."

"The wolves outside are more terrifying than the Uchiha."

He took a deep drag on his pipe, the flame flickering intermittently.

In the shadowy corner outside the door, a figure leaning on a cane listened quietly to everything before disappearing into the darkness without a sound.

This "candy-grabbing" frenzy didn't cause much of a stir in Konoha.

Or rather, the waves were forcibly suppressed by certain individuals. Murai was detained in the garrison's detention center on charges of embezzlement and bribery. The evidence was conclusive, and even Koharu Utatane couldn't get him out for the time being.

Hongshan Street has returned to its former tranquility.

No, it's even more lively than usual.

The business at [Ganweichu] is ridiculously good.

The Uchiha clan members who came to eat dessert had a triumphant look on their faces.

The security team stormed into the supplies department, detained the department head, and forcibly took back the supplies, while the Hokage Building remained silent.

This greatly encouraged every member of the Uchiha clan.

"Have you heard? Murai confessed in the interrogation room."

"What did you confess to?"

"Report on how he confiscated our ninja tools. I heard that Lord Yatsushiro threw the case file in his face during the interrogation room."

"Hmph, daring to confiscate our things, this is what happens."

Inside the shop, several young Uchiha were eating dumplings and chatting quietly.

Just then, the light in the doorway dimmed for a moment.

A man walked in.

He was wearing a dark brown, wide-sleeved kimono with the family crest of a red and white fan embroidered on the back.

Although he was dressed casually, his imposing presence instantly silenced the entire store.

Uchiha Fugaku.

The head of the Uchiha clan and the highest-ranking officer in the security forces.

The Uchiha clan members sitting in the shop stood up almost reflexively, forgetting to put down the dumplings in their hands.

"Chieftain."

A unified greeting.

Fugaku nodded slightly, his perpetually serious face showing little expression.

"Please sit down."

His voice was deep and authoritative, conveying authority without anger.

The Uchiha then sat down, but their relaxed demeanor became much more subdued.

Sosuke was calculating the bill behind the counter.

Upon seeing Fugaku, he put down his pen.

He stepped out from behind the counter and gave a slight bow.

"Clan Chief Fugaku, welcome."

Fugaku looked at the young man.

His eyes were very deep.

As the head of the clan, he naturally knew Sosuke.

The businessman who invented water purification, provided the police force with a large amount of medical supplies and funds, and even secretly promoted this "sugar-grabbing operation".

He even knew about the contraband that Uchiha Sōji had sent out.

"Give me a cup of clear tea and a bowl of yokan (sweet bean jelly)."

Fugaku found an empty table and sat down.

Sit upright with your back straight and your hands naturally placed on your knees.

"Wait a moment." Sosuke turned and went into the kitchen.

Soon after, the food was served.

The yokan (sweet bean jelly) was cut into perfect diamond shapes, its color a deep red like agate. Wisps of steam rose from the clear tea.

Fugaku picked up a small fork, cut off a piece of yokan (sweet bean jelly), and put it in his mouth.

Sweet. Extremely sweet.

His brows relaxed slightly, but he quickly regained his serious expression.

"You were very bold this time."

Fugaku raised his head, his black eyes staring directly at Sousuke.

"You are a smart businessman."

"But I want you to remember that the Uchiha are not only a powerful clan, but also the Konoha Police Force."

"We also need to follow the rules when we do things."

"While this raid on the supplies department was satisfying, it also gave the higher-ups leverage against us."

"I don't want this to happen again."

This is a form of criticism.

The Uchiha can be arrogant, but they cannot be used as pawns by an outsider.

"clear."

Sousuke nodded.

"Next time, I will use a gentler approach."

Fugaku took a sip of tea.

"Sōji said you're interested in shuriken?"