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Land of Iron, "Tanzaku" Merchant Guild.
When Kamihane presented the "Hyakute Ryu Forging Manual - Sole Surviving Copy" before Tsubaki Maya, the gray-templed guild leader couldn't hold back his tears. His gaze towards Kamihane overflowed with gratitude, even carrying profound reverence.
"Helmsman, you're..."
"I once made a pact with someone that we wouldn't interfere with each other's operations of the merchant association. Since that person is now dead, the agreement naturally no longer stands," Kamihane said. "Therefore, what originally belonged to my 'Bladesmith Pavilion' should have been reclaimed long ago."
Tsubaki Maya wiped her tears with her sleeve and sighed deeply. "When the merchant association was on the verge of collapse back then, it was all thanks to the Helmsman turning the tide. And now, you've even reclaimed the bladesmithing techniques. Your grace to the association is akin to giving it a second life..."
"There's no need for words of gratitude. My motives aren't entirely pure—you should understand that," Kamihane replied indifferently.
"Rest assured, Guild Master, this old man will ensure the 'Hundred Hands Style' continues to be passed down. I shall not fail your great kindness!" Tanba Mayowa declared solemnly: "When the time comes, the merchant guild's profits will surely rise with the tide, overflowing like a full basin!
"Ah, Kamihane-sama, you've come!" Tanba Yukino noticed Kamihane's presence, gliding forward with lotus-like steps, her beautiful eyes brimming with warmth. "After a year apart, you've grown even more radiant..."
"Address him as Guild Master," Uchiha Hikari interjected coldly, brows furrowed. "And don't stand too close—certain people should mind their boundaries."
With a resigned sigh, Kamihane could only lead Uchiha Hikari and Kakuzu toward the guild's financial office—after all, this was the true purpose of his visit.
As usual, he took his annual share of the profits. When Kamihane received the staggering sum of 360 million ryo in cold hard cash, Kakuzu... his eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Uchiha Hikari, however, was completely unfazed. Crossing her slender legs, she sat sipping tea leisurely by the side—her world truly was simple.
"What's going on this year? The profits have doubled compared to last year," Kamihane remarked with some surprise.
"Ah!" The young woman from the finance department blushed crimson and hurried to explain, "It's probably because of the cross-border export business and policies the chairman implemented last year..."
"Going international? I remember it was always domestic sales before?"
"Yes, the helmsman is absolutely right..." The young girl didn't dare look directly at Kamihane's face. It couldn't be helped - his natural features were too outstanding, with sharp contours and a high nose bridge. Even with his eyes covered, he remained strikingly handsome, to a degree that would make women envious.
Just look at that skin - smooth and delicate, fair as jade, setting off those pale pink lips that appeared both exquisite and sensual. Especially with his eyes covered, it made one's imagination run wild...
The young girl unconsciously bit her lip as what seemed like growing pink bubbles appeared above her head, each containing increasingly inappropriate images flashing across them.
"And then?" Kamihane tilted his head.
"Ah, Master, you may not know this, but since this policy was implemented, we've established branches overseas too..." She suddenly came to her senses and spoke in a hushed tone.
Kamihane stroked his chin thoughtfully. Currently, whether it was the Five Great Nations or smaller countries, all were in a state of recuperation. The war six years ago had consumed too many resources. But the Land of Iron was different - far removed from the flames of war, rich in mineral resources, and with their exquisite craftsmanship, the promotion of cross-border business...
Hmm, it wouldn't be surprising if one day the "Bladesmith Pavilion" became world-famous.
Kamihane asked curiously, "Who are the clients for these orders?"
"All five great nations, including the surrounding smaller countries, have placed orders..."
Kamihane increasingly felt that his decision to intervene in "Tanzaku Town's" affairs back then had been extremely wise.
With official business concluded, the three of them stayed at the merchant guild for a few days. Kakuzu seemed to have discovered a whole new world, diving headfirst into the marketing department in an attempt to understand the guild's market operation system. With Kamihane's approval, Tanba Mayoi naturally shared all the information without reservation.
As the conversation deepened, the two unexpectedly began discussing economics, finding themselves increasingly impressed with each other's insights—both recognizing the other as a rare talent.
Kamihane was naturally delighted by this development. Having already witnessed Kakuzu's business acumen, he knew that given the right platform, the man could potentially become a commercial titan given enough time.
With such capable subordinates, their leader would naturally share in the glory.
As for Uchiha Hikari, she seemed to dislike this place intensely and had become unusually clingy since arriving, sticking to Kamihane like a shadow. Only at night would she reluctantly return to her own room, only to stand guard at his door first thing in the morning.
Since that night of the "Undersea Starry Sky," the relationship between the two had clearly grown closer. However, being equally stubborn, neither was willing to be the first to break through that thin barrier. In front of Madara, they still maintained a tacit understanding of pretending to dislike each other.
This gave Old Man Madara an exceptional headache.
One early morning.
In Kamihane's room, a slender ninja cat finished delivering its intelligence report before vanishing into a puff of white smoke.
"Hmm... didn't turn it in?" Kamihane sat by the window sipping tea, his fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop.
Ever since he had entrusted the secret scroll of "Spiritual Transformation Technique" to Uchiha Nen that day, he began quietly observing by mobilizing the intelligence resources of the Cat House.
In Konoha Village, especially within the Uchiha clan compound, cats could be seen everywhere—along streets, in corners, on rooftops... The Cat House's strength lay in the fact that ninja cats could not only speak human language but also communicate with ordinary felines, which formed the foundation of their formidable intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Using cats to monitor a six-year-old child was practically effortless, and the information source was highly reliable—after all, most people wouldn't suspect an ordinary street kitten.
Under the surveillance of the cats, Uchiha Nian's movements remained completely normal these past few days. Aside from his daily routine of going to that abandoned training ground to practice alone, there were no other unusual traces.
In truth, Kamihane's choice to teach him the "Spiritual Transformation Technique" was actually a test.
If he were to hand over the secret technique, it would prove he still held reverence for Konoha—that despite living such a miserable life, he harbored no resentment, still relying on and trusting the village and the Uchiha clan. He'd just be a spineless loser without a shred of temper.
An Uchiha who lacked even the most basic level of radicalism—such a person would be utterly useless.
In that case, Kamihane would choose never to reveal the truth, letting the real cause of Kagami's death remain buried forever. He would protect Uchiha Nen from the shadows, allowing him to live out an ordinary yet prosperous life.
But... even though several days had passed, Uchiha Nian chose to keep this matter hidden—neither confessing it to the village nor boasting about it to his peers, as if it had all been a dream.
This nephew... is quite interesting.
Kamihane's lips curled upward, forming a meaningful smile.
But he wasn't in a hurry to approach Uchiha Nen, still choosing to observe through ninja cats. The road ahead was long, and who knew what variables might emerge.
Perhaps this test was unfair from the very beginning, filled with uncertainties. Neither the duration nor the outcome of the test had been decided by Kamihane, making it quite unfair for young Nen.
But life itself is an unfair trial, whether it's him, his father Uchiha Kagami, or... Uchiha Kamihane himself.
Time passed quietly in the peaceful days.
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