After an entire afternoon of work, Uchiha Ren and Uchiha Raizen finally finished stamping all the fabricated receipts and documents in advance, just waiting for the funds to arrive.
Once it was done, Ren rested his chin on his hands and began discussing Konoha's future development with Raizen. He genuinely wanted to hear Raizen's perspective.
After all, Ren currently had no one else to rely on.
His only foundation—
It was the Uchiha clan.
Raizen was one of the most capable members of the clan, excelling in both combat and management. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to shoulder the entire Uchiha clan after Uchiha Madara's departure.
Since Ren took power, Raizen had also done his best to guide him on how to be a proper clan head.
Because of that—
Ren respected him.
"I believe the most important thing right now is recovery… First, shinobi… and missions…"
Raizen spoke carefully.
Ren listened attentively.
Mm.
Very traditional.
Still the same old approach.
Train more shinobi.
Strengthen Konoha's military power.
Request more funding from the Daimyō.
Dependence.
A typical shinobi mindset.
But Ren didn't blame him.
In this world, shinobi were raised to sharpen themselves, grow stronger, and take missions to survive.
Another victim of the "shinobi as tools" ideology.
But Ren's ambitions were far beyond that.
Industry.
Agriculture.
Commerce.
Entertainment.
He wanted to involve Konoha in everything.
Turn it into a massive conglomerate—
Monopolizing resources.
Extracting profit.
Then—
With overwhelming economic power—
Combined with cultural influence—
Export Konoha's values across the world.
If Konoha simply grew stronger militarily, it would only provoke the other four great villages into uniting against it.
If brute force couldn't dominate the world—
Then he would change the method.
Control it.
He couldn't just sit around waiting for Naruto and Sasuke to appear.
And most importantly—
Ideology.
The First Hokage's naive ideals were outdated.
They couldn't guide Konoha forward.
What Konoha needed—
Was a new foundation.
"A great organization must have a great goal."
"Konoha's goal is peace in the shinobi world."
"On that foundation, we must develop military strength, politics, economy, and culture."
"Our military strength is unquestionable—but politically, economically, and culturally, we lag far behind."
"Konoha must first solve its economic problem."
"We need to overtake others."
"Competing with the Daimyō over land is pointless—they've had a thousand-year advantage."
"So we must develop industry."
"Technology."
"Productivity."
Ren spoke fluently.
Effortlessly.
Strategizing like second nature.
Back in his previous life—
This kind of discussion was common.
Dorm rooms full of amateur strategists.
Everyone had grand ideas.
But only in theory.
Now—
Ren had the chance to act.
Raizen sat there, sweat forming on his forehead.
At first—
He could follow.
But gradually—
He was lost.
"Industry requires steel. Steel is the blood of industry…"
"If you want prosperity, build roads first…"
"In the future, we'll even develop trains…"
"…"
Raizen's mouth hung slightly open.
He couldn't understand.
Not anymore.
But somehow—
It all sounded profound.
Advanced.
Important.
So—
He nodded.
"That's enough."
Ren paused and looked at him.
"Konoha's future should be grand."
"It shouldn't just remain a shinobi village."
"Do you understand?"
Raizen swallowed.
Admitting he didn't understand—
Would be embarrassing.
"I… roughly understand."
"But Lord Ren… aren't you thinking too far ahead?"
The war wasn't even fully over yet.
Konoha's conflict with Kirigakure and Iwagakure hadn't been resolved.
They were only in a temporary ceasefire.
No one knew what the future held.
Ren sighed softly.
"A man without foresight will have immediate troubles."
"It never hurts to think ahead."
"If you don't plan for the whole, you can't manage a part."
"If you don't plan for the long term, you can't handle the present."
His tone carried weight.
Raizen's eyes lit up.
"If you don't plan for the long term, you can't handle the present…"
"Lord Ren—those are profound words!"
At that moment—
Raizen felt his own thinking was shallow.
Perhaps—
Only Ren could truly lead Konoha forward.
"Alright. That's enough for today."
"Notify all the clans."
"We'll hold a meeting tomorrow."
"The funds are coming—it's time to distribute them."
"I've been away. They're probably getting impatient."
Raizen nodded.
These past few days, clan leaders had constantly come to probe him.
All asking the same thing—
How much funding did the Daimyō provide?
Raizen had remained polite.
Smiling.
But revealing nothing.
—
By evening—
Ren returned home.
The previously messy courtyard had been completely cleaned.
"Master, you're back!"
"Yes. I'm back."
Feng and Ling stood at the entrance.
Waiting.
Ren casually patted their heads.
Their hair was soft.
Smooth.
Strangely soothing.
Almost like petting a cat.
"Ren, are these two massage attendants you hired?"
"Their technique… satisfies me."
Kuro strolled out lazily, still unaware of their actual relationship.
"Not quite."
"They'll be living here from now on."
"I'm no longer single."
Ren smirked.
"What?!"
"You traitor!"
Kuro's eyes widened.
Hadn't they agreed—
Brothers for life?
Whoever got into a relationship first was a dog?
The two bickered playfully.
Meanwhile—
Feng and Ling quietly prepared dinner.
Raizen had sent over plenty of ingredients.
Soon—
The table was set.
Four dishes.
One soup.
Ren sat down.
The sisters stood beside him, ready to serve.
He felt uncomfortable.
He wasn't a child.
"Sit."
He waved his hand.
"You're with me now."
"No need to be so restrained."
"This is your home."
They hesitated.
Then obeyed.
Ren had even wanted them to stop calling him "Master."
But they refused.
So he let it go.
—
Night fell.
Ren lay comfortably, his head resting on Feng's lap as she cleaned his ears.
Kuro sprawled across Ling's lap, enjoying being petted.
"Ren… I approve."
"As long as they keep serving me like this."
Kuro purred in satisfaction.
"Oh?"
"Don't go back on your word."
Ren chuckled.
Then stood up.
"Come."
He led Feng and Ling toward the bath.
Afterward—
He returned to the bedroom.
The bed Raizen prepared was even larger and softer than expected.
The sisters stood beside him, wrapped in towels, cheeks slightly flushed.
"Master… please be gentle."
Outside the room—
Kuro covered his ears.
"...Of course."
"…I miscalculated."
"…My spot's gone…"
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