After getting that huge fortune, Yoru told Masayo.
The tabby cat was his chosen partner. There was enough trust between them, and more importantly, Masayo had the ability to protect her own memories.
It wasn't because she was overwhelmingly strong, but because she had mastered Flame Sage Art: Flame Leap, allowing her to travel between flames.
After confirming its effect, Yoru dug a hidden chamber deep underground and lit an eternal flame. Another flame was placed in the Cat Fortress.
Now, no matter where Masayo was, she could create a flame, step into it, and instantly return. In the current ninja world, no one could capture her.
As for genjutsu, Yoru's ocular power served as her defense. Unless it was at the Mangekyō level, it couldn't break through. Even if it was Mangekyō, he was confident he could protect her long enough to escape.
"So… we're rich now, meow?!"
"Yes. Exactly."
"But most of it can't be used?"
"Correct."
"Meow?! How can that be?!"
"Because once money reaches that scale, it's no longer something normal people can use. The markets we can access can't handle it. If we use it carelessly, it's the same as showing it directly to the Third Hokage."
"Meow… that's bad…"
"Very bad. The Sarutobi clan won't ignore it."
"They'll take it?"
"They won't rob openly. They'll use orders, taxes, and 'legal' means. But in the end, it's the same thing."
"Meow… that's still robbery…"
"Exactly."
Yoru smiled faintly. "It just means we're still too weak."
"If Cat Fortress had several Cat Sages and became the Fourth Sacred Land, do you think their attitude would stay the same?"
Masayo froze for a moment. "…No."
"Even if they got greedy, the monkeys would stop them."
"…Then we just have to get stronger."
"Exactly."
"But still… so much money and we can't use it… my heart hurts, meow…"
"We can use part of it. Give a portion to the Cat Granny and let her operate it. We take half the profit."
"With Cat Fortress' channels, handling three percent is safe. That's enough for us."
"…How much is that?"
"About 1.2 billion ryo. Roughly one quarter of Cat Fortress' total capital. Any more and even she can't handle it."
"MEOW?!"
"I want good food! I want delicious food!"
"Alright, alright. But everything must go through the Cat Granny. We'll also need to buy medicinal ingredients from her to avoid affecting Konoha's market prices."
"I don't want medicine… it's bitter…"
"You have to eat it. Otherwise your nutrition won't keep up with your training. And do you think I'll let you eat it raw?"
"…Can medicine really be made tasty?"
"It can. Why not?"
"I just haven't tried before. It'll take some time, ingredients, and experiments. But now that we have money, wasting a little doesn't matter."
Time soon entered September. The autumn harvest ended, and the air grew colder.
Morning dew became heavier, and people began wearing thicker inner clothes to resist the chill, preparing for winter.
The ninja world also seemed to calm down after the harvest. Grain prices even dropped by thirty percent.
The Uchiha clan held a small internal meeting. Based on the situation, the clan head and elders concluded that war would likely not break out this winter.
Following this judgment, they made several adjustments—selling part of their old grain reserves, replacing them with new grain, and selling outdated weapons at high prices to prepare for winter production.
Uchiha Nobuyuki attended the meeting but remained silent throughout. No one asked for his opinion.
The old man had been unusually active since late summer, constantly scolding the clan leaders as "useless" and "fools." After a few months, he quieted down again, leaving everyone relieved.
"They didn't realize that grain prices dropping means the Five Great Nations have already completed their war preparations," he grumbled afterward. "And he dares to be upset when I call him useless?"
Shisui quickly poured him half a cup of ginseng wine. "Clan head's concerns are reasonable. Our position is sensitive. Acting too openly could worsen trust issues."
"You're too honest, child," Nobuyuki sighed. "A ninja clan must guard secrets, but if it knows nothing, it risks its people's lives."
Shisui hesitated. "Then what should we do?"
The old man paused, then looked at Yoru. "You're sharp. What do you think?"
Yoru casually finished the chicken in his hand before answering, "Direct inquiry isn't possible, but indirect methods are."
"The secrecy level of these supplies isn't that high. Lower-level ninja handle them. Other clans likely know already."
"Since we control the Police Force, we already have access to records—warehouse registrations, transport logs, population data."
"Grain doesn't last more than three years. Compare incoming and outgoing records, estimate total reserves, and subtract consumption."
"A person eats about two jin per day. Multiply by population. Then compare with storage capacity."
"You'll know whether Konoha's granaries are full."
Shisui stared in amazement.
Nobuyuki burst into laughter. "I told you—this kid is brilliant!"
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