"Everyone line up. No rushing."
"There's enough for everyone."
Uchiha Ren handed out money one by one.
If you wanted to win people over, there was nothing simpler or more effective than this.
Using Konoha's funds to secure the loyalty of the Uzumaki youth—
A perfect deal.
This was the privilege of being Hokage.
He glanced sideways at Mito Uzumaki.
She stood alone.
No one around her.
Her expression was complicated—clearly displeased, yet forced to maintain composure.
The Hokage was giving money to Uzumaki children.
And she?
Standing there with a stiff face.
Jealousy.
Irritation.
Frustration.
"…It's not even your Uchiha clan's money. What's so impressive about that?"
Inside, Mito was seething.
She wanted to connect with the younger generation too.
But they had only heard of her.
They didn't know her.
Now—
They were all gathered around Ren.
She couldn't even step in.
Ren met her gaze and gave a slight, provocative smile.
Every Uzumaki child clustered around him.
That alone said everything.
Mito clenched her teeth and turned her head away.
The more she looked—
The more annoyed she became.
—
Soon, every child received their allowance.
Smiles spread across their faces.
Konoha…
Really was the right place to come.
"Lady Mito, shall we go eat?"
"I've reserved a restaurant. Private booking."
"…Of course I'm going."
Mito agreed immediately.
Money alone couldn't win hearts—
…Though it clearly helped.
But precisely because she was falling behind—
She had to go.
"Bring Uzumaki Yōgetsu too," Ren added casually.
Mito instantly became alert.
Like a hen guarding its chick.
"You'd better not have any strange ideas. I'm telling you—there's no chance between you and her."
"…Relax."
Ren waved her off.
He didn't even bother responding.
Between managing Konoha, training, overseeing experiments, and everything else—
He had no time for that.
Unless—
She showed up on his bed herself.
Which was… unlikely.
—
Mito returned home and brought Yōgetsu along.
Tsunade overheard and immediately latched onto her arm.
"Grandma! I'm going too! I want to eat!"
"…Fine."
Mito sighed.
It was Konoha's expense anyway.
Why not?
—
Meanwhile—
In the factory.
Uchiha Madara sat with his group.
Rice balls.
Protein blocks.
Soup.
And—
A large piece of braised meat.
Compared to others—
This was luxury.
Only "Excellent" groups received meat daily.
Workers around them stared enviously.
"Hey—stop chewing so loudly!"
"Yeah, just eat it already!"
"Hmph. Jealous."
The worker tore the meat slowly, savoring every bite.
"I grew up starving. Let me enjoy this."
Madara ate calmly.
His group—
Now top-performing.
Thanks to him.
He had even been promoted to team leader.
Higher pay.
More authority.
Even influence over others' wages.
His future?
Bright.
Extremely bright.
"…This isn't bad."
Working.
Living among people.
No loneliness.
No endless darkness.
Compared to the cave—
This was almost comfortable.
As for his original goal—
Meeting Ren—
He still hadn't decided how.
Recruit him?
Impossible.
Ren already had his own path.
Return to Konoha directly?
…Too embarrassing.
After everything he'd done—
Now crawling back?
No.
If he returned—
It had to be in style.
When Konoha faced its greatest crisis.
When enemies surrounded it.
When everything was on the brink—
He would descend.
Unmatched.
Overwhelming.
With Susanoo—
Crushing all opposition.
That—
Would suit him.
"…Not yet."
Madara chewed slowly.
Still too early.
—
"…Hmm?"
His senses sharpened.
His clone had returned.
After finishing his meal, he left quietly and met it in a secluded corner.
The clone handed over a bundle—
Then vanished.
"…Two million ryo."
Madara weighed it in his hand.
Enough.
Now—
It was time.
Time to restore his dignity.
That card shop.
That promise.
He had failed once—
Because he ran out of money.
Unacceptable.
He was Uchiha Madara.
He never broke promises.
Not even to a child.
Tonight—
He would return.
Buy everything.
Draw every card.
Complete the set.
Restore his pride.
But not now.
Work came first.
Even as a team leader—
He had standards.
"…Tonight."
—
Luxury Restaurant.
The venue had been cleared in advance.
Over a hundred Uzumaki guests filled the space.
The manager stood waiting at the entrance.
"Hokage-sama!"
Ren approached in his Hokage robes.
Commanding.
Confident.
"This is better."
He nodded.
The manager now carried himself with cold professionalism.
Exactly as expected.
Inside—
Rows of staff guided everyone to their seats.
Ren had just sat down—
When a familiar voice rang out.
"Hokage-sama! I'm here!"
He turned.
Tsunade.
…Why is she here?
And why—
Did something feel off?
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