Uchiha Fugaku’s Attitude

After leaving Amegakure, Uchiha Tekka escorted Yasunori Sakai back to the Saudi Federation. Because of Yasunori Sakai’s status, the eight Uchiha guards faced little inspection from the Suna-nin at the border.

Uchiha Tekka also witnessed Yasunori Sakai’s prestige within the Saudi Federation. When the border-guarding Suna-nin heard Yasunori Sakai’s name, nearly all of them left their outpost to greet him. If Yasunori Sakai had not repeatedly declined, the captain of that Suna-nin squad would have assigned men to escort him.

Because of Yasunori Sakai, the Suna-nin also treated the Uchiha group with great friendliness, repeatedly asking with smiles whether they needed food or water.

After crossing the border, Uchiha Tekka silently marveled to himself. As expected of the Yasunori Trading Company. With such prestige among the Suna-nin, they definitely aren’t a family with a name but no real power.

After traveling for more than half a day, Uchiha Tekka saw many stretches of road that had already been mapped out. Construction had not yet begun, but it was clear that preparations were underway.

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Uchiha Tekka asked, "Yasunori-kun, those areas just now were…?"

"Those are sections planned for construction. There will be highways and railways. Eighty percent of the large shipment of steel and stone negotiated from Rain Country this time will likely be used for road construction," Yasunori Sakai answered without concealing anything.

Uchiha Tekka knew they were building roads, but he did not understand why the Suna-nin would do such a thing.

If that much steel were used to forge military supplies, it could raise the Suna-nin’s military strength by one or two levels. Sometimes Genin and Chunin did not throw Shuriken or Kunai not because they lacked the strength, but because they had already run out of them.

Uchiha Tekka continued, "Yasunori-kun, why are the Suna-nin building roads? Even after they’re finished, aren’t they afraid they’ll be destroyed?"

"Quite a few people in the Saudi Federation have raised that question as well." Yasunori Sakai stroked his chin.

"All I can say is that roads are built for better development. Tekka-kun, once the roads are finished, even Ninjas can lie down and travel from the village to the border. Would you reject such a benefit? Besides, more than half of the Saudi Federation’s Ninjas are concentrated along the border. If another great nation were willing to send elites to sabotage the roads, the Saudi Federation could not defend against them no matter what."

Uchiha Tekka nodded thoughtfully. Along the way, he had asked Yasunori Sakai many questions, and the other man had concealed almost nothing, telling him everything and explaining it in detail. Of course, Uchiha Tekka knew his limits and had not asked a single question involving secrets.

After agricultural supply had been secured, transitioning toward industrialization was a necessary process. Hyuga Mirai did not want to spend too much time on this, so he had the Yasunori Trading Company advise the Saudi Federation to proceed with both simultaneously.

The erosion of capital was silent and subtle. Not only other Suna-nin, but even Pakura herself greatly trusted the two Clones controlled by Android 18, the Yasunori House Head and Yasunori Sakai. Under their influence and that of the other Suna-nin, Hyuga Mirai had practically become the Saudi Federation’s emperor behind the throne.

Before the Desert Transformation Plan was completed, the Yasunori Trading Company would guarantee the Saudi Federation’s food and supply consumption. Once the new crops had been successfully introduced, the Saudi Federation would experience a food surplus. At that point, aside from exporting or storing it, they could concentrate their excess manpower on industrial production.

Yasunori Sakai looked at the federal town in the distance, then turned to Uchiha Tekka and asked, "The rebuilt Saudi Federation is just ahead. Tekka-kun, would you like to go in and take a look?"

"That won’t be necessary. The clan head is still waiting for our news, so perhaps next time, Yasunori-kun." Uchiha Tekka politely declined.

After escorting Yasunori Sakai near the Saudi Federation, the Uchiha group ended their escort mission. After giving Yasunori Sakai’s invitation some thought, Uchiha Tekka still declined.

They had already taken considerable risks by escorting him this far. This escort mission also carried an element of testing, and once the Uchiha group entered the Saudi Federation, they had raised their vigilance to its highest level.

However, it seemed they had overthought things. The other side had no such dirty intentions at all. Instead, Yasunori Sakai had been remarkably accommodating toward Uchiha Tekka’s questions throughout the journey.

"In that case, we’ll wait until next time. I’ll issue you a Saudi Federation travel pass. It will allow your group to remain within Saudi Federation territory for three days. Aside from certain military camps, you may pass through anywhere with this permit."

Yasunori Sakai took out a travel pass he had prepared long ago, signed and stamped it, then handed it to Uchiha Tekka.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Tekka raised his assessment of Yasunori Sakai’s standing among the Suna-nin by another two levels.

"As for Clan Head Fugaku’s invitation, once I have dealt with the Federation’s affairs, I will send a letter and come to honor it."

Uchiha Tekka gave a slight bow and replied, "The Uchiha Clan will await your arrival." Following Yasunori Sakai during this period had gradually taught Uchiha Tekka some noble etiquette. Sometimes he did not want to bow and return formalities like this, but if he did not, Uchiha Tekka felt like a country bumpkin.

Afterward, Uchiha Tekka took the travel pass Yasunori Sakai had given him and left the Saudi Federation by the same route.

Even without entering the Saudi Federation’s towns, the sights along the way left Uchiha Tekka mildly astonished.

Merchant caravans, ox carts, horse-drawn wagons, and more flowed endlessly outward from the Federation’s towns in every direction. The Saudi Federation was building roads because there were simply too many merchants doing business through the Yasunori Trading Company.

If the roads were not properly built, the vast deserts of the Saudi Federation would be an impassable barrier to merchants.

Uchiha Tekka quickly recorded everything he had seen and heard. After returning near Konoha, he used the Uchiha Clan’s Secret Passage to return to the clan compound.

The payment for the mission would be delivered to the Uchiha Clan by the Ninja Cat Clan in two days.

After dismissing the clansmen who had participated in the escort mission, Uchiha Tekka hurried to the clan head’s home to report on the mission.

The information he had seen this time was practically equivalent to several pieces of S-rank intelligence. If he did not report it soon, even he would feel uneasy.

By the artificial lake behind the clan head’s home, Uchiha Fugaku was doing the rare task of personally guiding Itachi’s training. Since graduating from the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Itachi had been training under Shisui. Uchiha Fugaku trusted both Shisui’s strength and Itachi’s self-discipline, so he had rarely concerned himself with his son’s training.

However, Itachi was not on a mission today and was resting at home, so he had asked his father to guide his training. Uchiha Mikoto sat kneeling nearby as she watched. During this rare break, she had thoughtfully prepared everything for the father and son.

"Clan Head."

Uchiha Tekka spoke directly upon entering. Although the clan head’s family was enjoying a peaceful moment together, the intelligence he had brought back was extremely important. He had no choice but to interrupt the clan head for a while.

"Itachi, train on your own for now. Remember the points I just mentioned. I need to handle something. Mikoto, there’s no need to pour tea. I’ll do it myself."

The moment Uchiha Fugaku saw Tekka, he knew what he had come to report. Such confidential matters could not be known even by his wife, so there was no need for tea or anything else.

After giving his instructions, Uchiha Fugaku led Uchiha Tekka into the house.

Uchiha Itachi thoughtfully glanced in the direction his father had left, then silently counted for a while before casually saying to Uchiha Mikoto, "Mother, I forgot to bring my wire. I’m going back to get it. Is there anything you need me to bring?"

"No, Itachi. If you’re tired, it’s fine to rest for a while. You don’t need to push yourself so hard."

Uchiha Mikoto spoke softly, a mature and gentle smile appearing on her face. She had no idea that Uchiha Itachi was going back to gather information rather than retrieve wire.

After following Uchiha Fugaku into the reception room and sitting down, Uchiha Tekka gave Clan Head Fugaku a detailed account of everything that had happened during the mission.

This included what he had witnessed in Rain Country, the cooperation between the Saudi Federation and Amegakure, and the truth behind the Fourth Kazekage’s death. Uchiha Tekka suspected that Rasa’s death was also connected to the Yasunori Trading Company, but he had no evidence, and it also involved the death of the previous Daimyo of the Land of Wind.

After hearing it all, Uchiha Fugaku was deeply surprised. He had not expected a single guard mission to yield so much intelligence.

"Did they agree to the invitation?"

Uchiha Tekka nodded. "He has agreed, Clan Head. However, Yasunori-kun must deal with some matters first before he can come. He will also notify us in advance through the Ninja Cat Clan."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded at this. After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked, "Tekka, what kind of attitude do you think we should take toward the Yasunori Trading Company?"

"That is for the clan head to decide." Uchiha Tekka shook his head. He was not trying to evade the question; he truly did not know how to answer.

"The Uchiha Clan’s situation in the village is extremely difficult. The Third Hokage is different from the Fourth Hokage. He has no intention of listening to the Uchiha Clan’s explanations. If this continues, the clansmen’s emotions…"

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head after saying this and did not continue.

The rift between the village and the Uchiha Clan was growing wider and wider. The Uchiha Clan lacked neither money nor reputation, but only fair treatment. Under the Fourth Hokage, there had still been hope for reconciliation. But after the Third Hokage returned to power, the clansmen’s circumstances had worsened more and more, and the Uchiha Clan had become increasingly closed off.

This was not a problem he could solve as clan head. Between the village and the clan, he had to make a choice.

"Clan Head, we have done nothing to wrong the village. The current situation is somewhat unfair to the clansmen."

Uchiha Tekka spoke in a low voice. In his heart, he did not agree much with the village’s actions, but he would follow the clan head’s arrangements.

"There is a turning point. The question is whether we can seize it…"

Uchiha Fugaku slowly shook his head and said to Uchiha Tekka, "Tekka, war may be the only opportunity for the Uchiha Clan and the village to improve their relationship."

War. Improvement.

Uchiha Tekka immediately thought of what was happening in Rain Country, but then he decided inwardly that it was not right.

Yasunori Sakai had trusted them greatly. If they sold him out afterward, then the Uchiha Clan would lose both its reputation and any path of retreat.

After spending so long at Uchiha Fugaku’s side, Uchiha Tekka could guess some of the Yasunori Trading Company’s intentions. Yet the clan head’s decision made him hesitate.

"Clan Head, this matter…"

"Itachi, aren’t you done yet?"

Just as Uchiha Tekka was about to try to dissuade him, Uchiha Mikoto’s call suddenly came from outside.

First update!

Could I ask for some votes?