> "Invite members of the Uchiha clan to the Chamber of Commerce? With their pride, they'll never agree."
**Uchiha Daigo** shook his head decidedly. As far as he was concerned, that was impossible.
The Uchiha were known for their pride—aloof and self-respecting to a fault. They already looked down on merchants as "lesser," much less offer to work for one.
> "How do you know they'll say no if you don't even try?" **Haruki** mused, stuffing another piece of meat into his mouth. "The Uchiha might be one of the biggest clans in Konoha, but these days they've lost their place."
"They're nowhere near Madara's level. Sure, there are still some capable chūnin and jōnin—but most are just idle now. Konoha barely assigns them missions anymore."
"Basically, with the exception of **Uchiha Shisui**—who's still trusted by the Hokage—the rest are just sitting around burning clan funds."
He paused, swallowing his food.
> "Their main role now is the Konoha Military Police. It makes them political targets. Everyone hates them, and the pay's garbage. Some of them have already quit."
> "But if you were to offer a steady stream of commissions through the Chamber of Commerce? Dad, I bet more than a few would be seriously interested."
Daigo stayed silent for a moment, but his eyes hinted at curiosity.
Haruki continued casually, arms crossed.
> "Besides, let's be real—the Uchiha don't have many ways to make money anymore. A huge part of the clan just leeches off the Guard's slim pay and leftover clan funds."
> "And at the end of the day—who's still bankrolling the clan?"
He stared pointedly at his father.
> "You are."
> "They can look down on businessmen all they want, but they sure don't mind spending the money you donate."
Daigo let out a slow sigh, stunned by how sharply accurate his son's words were. It wasn't even bitterness—just undeniable facts.
> "The Uchiha have been getting pushed further into the margins since the war ended," Haruki said. "Konoha keeps tightening its leash. Even clan members that try to take outside missions are punished. Their payments get cut, and supplies withheld."
> "So unless the clan wants to starve, they'll have to compromise eventually."
Daigo scratched his chin, visibly unsure—yet clearly tempted.
> "You really think this could work?"
Haruki nodded confidently.
> "Start with a few of the more marginalized members—guys the clan can't argue about. Let them join quietly. Once that's in place, others will follow. Just… don't recruit too many at once. If **Fugaku-san** suspects you're forming your own private army, he'll shut the whole thing down."
After mulling over the idea, Daigo finally relented.
> "Right, I'll speak to a few members tomorrow morning—low-profile folks first. If even two or three agree, we can build from there."
> "Perfect. I'll come with you," Haruki said casually. "Might as well meet some of our shinobi uncles. Besides, it's our off-day from training—no class."
Training was structured: one day on, one day off. Most of the other children used the rest days to relax or play. Haruki didn't care—anywhere he went, he refined chakra.
> "Okay, come along," Daigo said, smiling happily. "Might as well start preparing to take over the business when you're older, eh? Let your dear old dad retire early."
Haruki rolled his eyes.
> (This man just wants to slack off and fish all day.)
Out loud he declared, "Hmph. You can pass the company on to your grandson someday. I'm not babysitting budgets."
> "Tch! So unfilial," Daigo teased.
> "You handle the money. I'll protect the family," Haruki muttered under his breath.
—
### The Next Day
Haruki got up early and followed Daigo to the Chamber of Commerce office.
While his father reviewed contracts and assigned export escorts, Haruki sat cross-legged in a chair and focused inward.
Ever since awakening the first magatama, his chakra consumption had spiked—especially during training. His appetite was growing insane.
During the morning stretch alone, he had his father's secretary deliver over a dozen bowls of Ichiraku ramen.
Just to… take the edge off.
Daigo blinked in disbelief.
> "Son… are you okay? You're eating more than a full-grown Akimichi."
Haruki looked calm.
> "I'm just growing."
And he was. While others absorbed only a fraction of the nutrients they ate, Haruki's body transformed every bite into chakra. Muscles were evolving. Cells adjusting. Vision sharpening.
> (If this keeps up, I'll need an elite chakra refining method—or I'm going to outgrow my own chakra system.)
Daigo stared uneasily.
> "Well… just in case, take more spending money with you next time. If you're hungry—eat. No matter the cost."
> "Got it," Haruki grinned, raising another chopstick full of pork.
Moments later, the office door opened.
A quartet of men entered—all wearing Uchiha family insignias, blue robes with fan crests displayed proudly. Haruki glanced up.
Three were younger shinobi, but the eldest among them had a calm gravity about him.
This was **Uchiha Omura**—a senior member of the clan and experienced jōnin. He had awakened his three-tomoe Sharingan long ago and was rumored to have once been considered for ANBU.
He greeted Daigo with a mild nod.
> "Banjo, got your message. What's going on?"
> "Welcome, welcome. Please, have some tea."
Daigo tried to compose himself, playing the good host. But clearly… he wasn't sure how to start.
These were proud shinobi—even if marginalized, they held fast to their clan's code.
Even asking them to do merchant escort work felt like a cultural taboo.
Daigo struggled to find the right words.
> "It's, ah… not a huge request really, just…"
Haruki took the last bite of his barbecue and wiped his mouth.
Without hesitation, he cut in.
> "Uncles, my father would like to invite you all to join our Chamber of Commerce. He's looking for Uchiha to serve as elite escorts for merchant convoys."
The room went still.
Dead silent.
You could hear a pin drop.
The four Uchiha men looked at Haruki, then shifted their eyes to Daigo—
Who was now very slowly taking the longest sip of tea in his life.
📝 **Author's Note:**
*If you're enjoying this series, please drop power stone, review! Your support helps me keep the chapters coming. Thank you!
📕 *End of Chapter 8*