"Uchiha has changed so much in just six months. The speed of development is astonishing."
The Fire Daimyo strolled through the newly renovated Uchiha district, his tone filled with genuine surprise and admiration.
Compared to his last visit, everything had transformed. The architecture, the infrastructure, even the bustling economic atmosphere—it no longer felt like just a clan's territory. It felt like an independent city, perhaps even a budding nation.
"Oh?"
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning raised an eyebrow. "It's really that different? You were here last time, right? So tell me—are you still planning to bid for shares this time?"
He squinted toward the Uchiha-owned buildings, his expression darkening slightly.
"You should be able to tell—Uchiha is enacting a quiet revolution. If this continues, not just the Uchiha, but the entire Konoha will become economically independent. That means we lose our leverage. You do understand the consequences of that, right?"
The statement broke the usual unspoken understanding between the Daimyos—to keep the shinobi villages dependent on their funding.
"...I do."
The Fire Daimyo's face tightened. He shrugged as though throwing off the weight of his own miscalculation.
"I saw it too late. It's not just the elixirs—it's the pharmaceutical company, the steel company, the electric infrastructure. They've already reached partial self-sufficiency."
"And those elixirs? Even if we tried to ban them, who'd listen? Not even I could resist the temptation of securing a few more elite batches each month."
"I missed my window to stop this. Now, rather than burn everything down, I'll preserve the alliance of interests. This way, Uchiha and Konoha remain stabilized, and my own interests are protected."
He smiled thinly.
"If they do rise, I don't want to be the one they purge first."
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning fell silent. His eyes narrowed with hidden calculation, but he didn't refute the logic. Instead, he muttered:
"Then I must ensure I secure at least one industry in this round of bidding..."
Of course, this didn't mean he had given up on checking Uchiha's rise. On the contrary—he'd simply shifted to a long game.
Whether Uchiha succeeded or failed, the Daimyos would win either way.
Soon, the latest bidding conference commenced, following the same format as the previous one—sealed bids, no open competition.
Once the bids were collected, a small review group—Tianyi, Orochimaru, Uzumaki Mito, Uchiha Nobuhiko, and Uzumaki Akiaki—met privately to finalize the allocation.
Each company's shares were distributed as follows:
Thermal Power Plant:
Ren Takashi: 40%
Orochimaru: 10%
Uchiha, Senju, Uzumaki: 10% each
Konoha: 10%
Fire & Lightning Daimyo: 0.5% each
Refrigerator Manufacturer:
Ren Takashi: 30%
Orochimaru, Uchiha, Senju, Uzumaki: 10% each
Fire Daimyo: 0.5%
Akita Clan (Fire Country nobility): 0.5%
Nara Clan, Hyuga Clan, Konoha, Mitarashi Family: 0.5% each
Washing Machines:
Ren Takashi: 30%
Orochimaru, Uchiha, Senju, Uzumaki: 10% each
Fire Daimyo, Lightning Daimyo, Akamichi Clan, Konoha: 0.5% each
Electric Fans:
Same distribution as washing machines, with Wind Daimyo and Yamanaka replacing Akamichi and Lightning
Electric Ovens:
Ren Takashi: 30%
Standard 10% for Orochimaru and the three clans
Fire & Water Daimyo: 0.5% each
Aota Trading Group and Aburame Clan: 0.5% each
Electric Lighting:
Ren Takashi: 30%
Others as per pattern, with Earth Daimyo and Inuzuka clan receiving shares
Bicycle Company:
Ren Takashi: 30%
Usual stakeholders
Fire, Lightning, and Wind Daimyos + Ironwood Mining: 0.5% each
This approach ensured Ren Takashi retained technical and controlling interests, while appeasing loyal clans, government stakeholders, and external investors.
Backstage, Tianyi handed the signed allocation sheet to Uchiha Nobuhiko.
"Go ahead and announce it," he said with a confident nod.
Nobuhiko bowed slightly and stepped into the public hall, where hopeful bidders waited with bated breath.
The announcements caused both elation and grumbling:
Some ninja clans and nobles were visibly pleased.
Others clenched fists in frustration at being excluded again.
The daimyos of each country wore carefully neutral expressions.
Nobuhiko concluded the speech with:
"To those who didn't win this round—don't worry. More opportunities will follow. The research institutes are young. With more discoveries, we'll open further bidding rounds. You're all welcome to compete then."
Then came the backstage contract signings.
Inside the side hall, representatives paid for their shares and signed supply chain agreements—covering materials like metals, herbs, and transport logistics.
The Fire Daimyo approached Tianyi, beaming.
"Ren-kun, you've outdone yourself again. So many products in so little time! Tell me, can you increase my allotment of those special-edition rejuvenation and nutrient pills next month? Some of them run out too fast!"
Tianyi chuckled.
"Well... just for you, I'll authorize a one-third increase starting next month. But remember, these are simplified formulas. They're tailored specifically for non-combatants—easy to absorb and gentle on the system."
These weren't high-level pills. They were mild, low-tier variants made especially for people like the Daimyo—who wanted the benefits without any side effects. But they served a political purpose.
Soon, other daimyos crowded around too.
"Ren-kun! Count me in for the increase!"
"I'd also like to reward my ministers with these!"
"And my wife could use those rejuvenation pills!"
Tianyi raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Alright, alright. Everyone gets a one-third increase. But... we're at production capacity. If you want more in the future, help me secure a larger herb supply."
"Done!"
"Consider it arranged!"
"I'll send word to our merchant guilds immediately!"
At that moment, the Wind Daimyo leaned in, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Ren-kun, is your institute working on anything... a bit more special lately? Perhaps... a longevity pill?"
Tianyi's smile deepened.
"Oh? That's quite the request," he said, voice low and deliberate.
And just like that, another seed was planted.