Uchiha Compound, Takashi Residence.
Just as Ren Takashi was about to sit down for dinner after finishing his evening training, his father, Uchiha Nobuhiko, called him into the study.
Once Ren entered, Nobuhiko wordlessly raised his hand and cast a barrier over the room—blocking any potential eavesdropping. Then he gave Ren a look that was half amused, half weary.
"I heard your Four Seas Restaurant is doing very well… booming business, hauling in daily profits?" He arched a brow. "So tell me—how much did you make this month?"
"Uh…" Ren blinked. "Why are you suddenly asking about this?"
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well, the profits were decent. Net income this month came to 2.35 million ryo. I hold 50% of the shares, so that's 1.175 million ryo for me. Why?"
Hiss—
Nobuhiko sucked in a sharp breath. "Over a million?! That much?"
He stared wide-eyed at his son. "And all the recipes and seasoning formulas were yours, right?"
Ren nodded casually. "Yeah. So what?"
Nobuhiko sighed, his voice laced with helpless frustration. "So what, he asks. The real question is—why bring in your classmates instead of involving the clan?"
"Do you realize how much this kind of profit could benefit the entire family? Some within the clan are already unhappy about it."
"They think the business should've been a clan enterprise, and some are even pushing for you to hand it over."
Ren's eyes narrowed. "So that's why you dragged me in here."
"What about you, Father? What do you think?"
Nobuhiko chuckled and gave his son a light flick on the forehead. "You cheeky brat. You trying to bait me into saying something stupid?"
"I already told them—I fully support you."
"I've shut down the complaints, at least for now. But don't expect the grumbling to disappear overnight."
"When there's profit involved, people stop thinking long-term."
Ren's smile was cool and faintly mocking. "Shortsighted fools. Let them complain."
"This is my business. Why should I hand it over just because it's doing well? I earned that money."
He paused, then narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Or is that what you really think, Father?"
Nobuhiko laughed again, shaking his head. "You little fox. I already said I'm backing you unconditionally."
"We're not that desperate for the money."
"It's just that some of the elders are getting greedy. Don't worry too much about them."
He paused, studying his son with newfound curiosity.
"…But from what you're saying, I take it this whole restaurant venture wasn't just about making a profit, was it?"
"I remember you once mentioned something about a 'Uchiha economic alliance' plan."
Ren's grin turned knowing. "So you figured it out?"
"Well then—no harm in being honest with you. Yes, it was about more than just the money."
"I needed funding, connections, supply channels—but more importantly, I needed a reason to tie my classmates into a shared venture."
"This world only respects alliances of interest, Father."
"My goal is to bind the Uchiha clan into cooperative relationships with the major families of the village."
"By building enough shared interests, we make it harder for Hiruzen and his people to isolate or suppress us."
"Over time, if our influence and support grow, and we play our cards right, then why shouldn't an Uchiha sit in the Hokage's seat?"
"Hah—"
Nobuhiko reeled slightly, stunned by how deep his son's vision ran.
"I… underestimated you, clearly."
He scratched his chin, slowly digesting the implications. "Compared to the more radical elements in the clan, your approach is far more elegant—and far more effective."
"You've already tied the next generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio into a joint venture."
"They're still young, sure. Their clans won't commit just yet."
"But when they rise to power? And if their bonds with you are strong?"
"A real political alliance between Uchiha and the three noble clans… could happen."
Ren shrugged. "Isn't that obvious?"
"Had I brought the clan into the business too early, everything would've fallen apart."
"Shikaku and the others are sharp—if they sensed that this was being manipulated for clan gain, their families would've pulled out immediately."
"And we both know the Hokage's office would've stepped in too."
"You know this just as well as I do, Father."
Nobuhiko nodded solemnly. "You're right. I felt uneasy about their demands but couldn't quite articulate why."
"But now that you've laid it out… it makes perfect sense."
"This gives me all the leverage I need to shut them down permanently. I'll not only silence their complaints—I'll make them feel guilty for ever doubting us."
"I'll even use this to boost our standing within the clan."
He looked at Ren with a rare glint of genuine pride.
"You really are something else."
Ren smiled. "Then I'll leave the clan side of things to you."
"Let them know there will be more opportunities in the future."
"I've got no shortage of money-making ideas—but the timing has to be right."
"Tell them to stop dragging their feet and pass the internal reforms I proposed."
"Once we unify the clan and shed our reputation as aggressors, we'll be in a position to propose business ventures with other noble families."
"That's how we'll build the Uchiha Interest Alliance."
"And with enough allies, enough prestige and power—we'll have the strength to raise one of our own to the Hokage's chair."
Ren's voice remained steady throughout—but his eyes gleamed with dangerous ambition.
Nobuhiko slowly exhaled.
The elders in the clan might crave profit and recognition—but what they really wanted… was power.
More specifically?
The Hokage's title.
If Ren could dangle that in front of them—then not even the most cynical among them would resist getting on board.