Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

Hey~

Thank you for your patronage, and welcome back next time!

The deliveryman, now a mess after being robbed of his eggs by the old man, held up Uchiha Setsuna's card and swiped it forcefully. With a successful transaction notification sound, a professional smile appeared on his face as he respectfully returned the card.

"I will never come here again in my life."

Gritting his teeth, he accepted the card, its value drastically reduced. As the sole loser in this incident, Uchiha Setsuna blacklisted everything from the Land of Waves in his mind, vowing never to set foot in the Land of Waves again.

"Boss, I'm sorry."

Once the delivery cart disappeared around the street corner, Uchiha Afen, who had been silent until now, finally mustered the courage to take the blame.

"If it weren't for my negligence, these old geezers wouldn't have taken advantage of the situation."

"At this point, saying anything more will not help."

After taking a deep look at the dejected Uchiha Afen, Uchiha Setsuna suppressed the urge to give him physical therapy and gently shook his head.

Instead of worrying about the small loss of a hundred million that he lost for no reason, he should focus his attention on running for the position of Grand Elder and strive to obtain it, so as to minimize the loss.

"Hopefully these old guys won't take the eggs and then not do their job."

Uchiha Setsuna raised his head, a glint of light in his eyes. Although there weren't many of these old men, they were all genuine Uchiha, the kind who were eligible to vote. Perhaps they could really play a role in his competition with Uchiha Ryōzai.

"Hey boss, there's something I forgot to tell you."

Just then, Uchiha Afen suddenly spoke up, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated, which made Uchiha Setsuna feel uneasy.

Did this kid dig a hole for himself?

"What is it? If it's anything other than eggs, you'll be sorry!"

"How could that be? It's still about the eggs."

Upon hearing Uchiha Setsuna's words, A-Fen breathed a sigh of relief and, as he spoke, took out a flyer he had printed from his pocket.

"I've already seen it."

"Boss, you haven't seen the back yet."

Ah Fen reminded him somewhat embarrassedly.

back?

A bad feeling arose within him, and Uchiha Setsuna slowly turned the flyer for the egg giveaway over in his hand.

He had indeed overlooked it; there really were words on the back. Although it was only one sentence, it almost made him faint with excitement.

[The event lasts for a week, with free premium eggs being given away!]

"Shall we meet at the same time tomorrow?"

At the entrance of the square dance park at the east end of Konoha, a group of elderly men and women arrived late, carrying eggs in their hands. One of them, carrying seven or eight trays of eggs, glanced at the elderly woman next to her carrying a stack of eggs and asked with a snobbish look,

"Hmph! They promised to deliver eggs for a whole week, are they trying to renege on their promise?"

The old woman, wearing reading glasses, snorted coldly as she proudly shook the heavy egg in her hand.

"Exactly! Let's go again tomorrow!"

The elderly people, who had gained a great deal from the trip, all nodded in agreement, a greedy smile unconsciously creeping onto their lips.

I must practice my Shadow Clone Technique tonight so I can get another tray of eggs tomorrow!

Uchiha Gin, who also benefited from the era's prosperity, returned home carrying a large stack of eggs. Senju Itama, who was busy in the kitchen, poked his head out upon hearing the sound.

"Huh? Is the supermarket having a sale?"

Driven by curiosity, Senju Itama, who had come closer, picked up a board and examined it carefully, his surprise growing stronger.

"These are premium, antibiotic-free, sterile, red-shelled free-range eggs from the Land of Waves, each costing tens of thousands of taels! You're actually willing to buy so many?"

She had seen these eggs before at a food counter in the Land of Waves, but the high price had put them out of her reach. She never imagined that Uchiha Gin would bring back hundreds of them today.

"Received."

Gin Uchiha casually handed the egg to Itama Senju, raised an eyebrow smugly, and said in a slightly Versailles-esque tone,

"Unlike some clans that went bankrupt due to mismanagement, the benefits of our Uchiha clan are top-notch in Konoha, and even in the entire ninja world, they are among the best."

"Where did you pick it up? Why didn't you call me!"

Senju Itama, who had perfectly severed himself using the Divine Separator technique, didn't take Uchiha Gin's obvious mockery to heart. Instead, he eagerly inquired where the eggs were collected.

"ha?"

"Once a member of the Uchiha clan, always a member of the Uchiha clan!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, too bad, you're not qualified."

Uchiha Gin, clicking his tongue in amazement, shook his head and handed over a stack of flyers he had collected for exchanging eggs.

Senju Itama just celebrated his 50th birthday this year, and is still quite a distance from the age required to receive eggs.

"How can this be repaired!"

After learning the details of the event, Senju Banma returned the flyer dejectedly. She had ultimately been tricked by capital.

"I want to eat oyako-don tonight."

Taking advantage of his position as a meritorious contributor, Uchiha Gin made his own request.

"No, if you want to eat, go to Aunt Yongmei's house."

With the election imminent, Setsuna Uchiha could only swallow this bitter pill, actively selecting the expedition team while simultaneously engaging in numerous negotiations with the merchants of the Land of Waves.

Thanks to his tireless efforts day and night, the expeditionary force representing the Uchiha clan was assembled ahead of schedule, and the price of eggs purchased was reduced by several hundred taels.

At the entrance of Konoha Village

The first batch of ninja corps supporting the front lines are bidding their final farewells to their clans, with passionate mobilizations and tearful goodbyes.

"Big brother, I won't be there for you, so please take good care of yourself!"

Uchiha Afen, who had been appointed as the team leader, looked at Uchiha Setsuna and the others who had come to see him off with tears in his eyes.

He couldn't understand how, aside from being quick-witted, his combat skills were nowhere near those of Rasu Afu and the others, so he had made it onto the first batch of support teams.

"Don't worry, Ah Fen. Unless we're dead, no one will be able to touch a hair on Boss's head."

Uchiha Zhou, Rasu, and Afu, among others, also had tears in their eyes, their faces filled with unwavering resolve as they pledged to protect Uchiha Setsuna with their lives.

"Cough cough cough"

Just as the group was saying their final goodbyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was in charge of the mobilization, coughed a few times, drawing everyone's attention to him.

"It's time for you to set off. Your comrades at the front are waiting for you!"

Recalling the text message he had just received, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression became even more sorrowful, and the natural sadness he exuded drew everyone's attention.

3000-2648=?

My Monkey Army!

War truly lives up to its name as a meat grinder. In just a few days, the three thousand Yuan family soldiers that he was once so proud of have been reduced to a handful of survivors.

"May you all have great success in your military endeavors!"

Suppressing his grief, Hiruzen Sarutobi cupped his hands in greeting to the first batch of ninja reinforcements. With a wave of his hand, countless figures vanished in unison, turning into streaks of black shadows that disappeared into the dense jungle.

"So, in the end, he still left?"

At the same time, Uchiha Roza, upon receiving news of the Ninja Alliance's departure, let out a long sigh filled with regret, but the sadness in his eyes lessened considerably.

The reason he had previously vehemently refused to let the Uchiha clan participate in the war was simply because the clan's population was dwindling; even a slight loss would severely weaken them.

But after touring the main family compound in the Land of Waves, he suddenly felt a weight lift from his shoulders, and his obsession with the continuation of his family line gradually faded.

"Don't worry, Jingzai will take good care of them."

Sitting across from him, drinking tea, Uchiha Gin offered words of comfort, saying that with Gin's personality, he would definitely protect every clan member worth protecting.

"I hope so."

Uchiha Lucha nodded with a look of realization, his aged eyes then falling on the pile of eggs next to Uchiha Gin.

"Brother Yin, you went to collect eggs again?"

The recent controversy surrounding the distribution of eggs within the clan has caused quite a stir. Uchiha Lucha not only knows about it, but is even somewhat tempted by it.

Unfortunately, he and Uchiha Setsuna were rivals, so he was unable to participate in this event, regrettably missing out on the billions of eggs.

"I feel restless if I don't take advantage of these deals!"

Everything else is fine, but I absolutely have to get the eggs. Even the Sage of Six Paths would have to queue up!

"I'll go get it after the election tomorrow."

The election for the position of Grand Elder is scheduled for tomorrow. Uchiha Lucha did some quick calculations; if he resigns quickly enough, he can still benefit from the current situation and enjoy a few days of free benefits.

"That's great, let's go together then."

Uchiha Gin smiled and nodded upon hearing this. He was just worried about not having anyone to share his eggs with, and now one had come along.

"By the way, when will young master Fugaku arrive?"

Uchiha Roza, remembering the future clan leader still adrift at sea, and out of concern for his leader, specifically inquired about him.

"At a normal pace, it should be tomorrow or the day after."

The passenger ship arriving at the Land of Waves doesn't simply travel between the two countries of Waves and Uzushima; instead, it detours to famous and classic tourist spots at sea, taking the opportunity to amass a huge amount of gold coins for its passengers.

The next day,

The election for the Grand Elder, applied for by Uchiha Setsuna, proceeded as scheduled, once again held at the relatively unknown and classic gathering place, Nakagawa Shrine. Every member of the clan who was still alive was invited to participate.

"Elder Lü Cha, this is the last time I will call you elder. I hope you will continue to do so in the future."

Confident of victory, Uchiha Setsuna met Uchiha Ryuzaki face-to-face at the door, a hint of smugness on his sinister face.

With his tireless efforts and the support of over 80% of the family members, the position of Grand Elder is practically within his grasp, provided he doesn't fall into any trap set by capitalists.

"That's not necessarily true."

Faced with the provocation, Uchiha Lucha chuckled lightly and replied in an enigmatic tone,

Because the event happened so suddenly, the election process for the position of Grand Elder became extremely swift.

A ballot box is set up, with each member of the clan casting one vote. The side receiving the most votes wins, emphasizing fairness, impartiality, and transparency.

"Voting shall now begin."

With a wave of his hand, Uchiha Gin, who had been brought in as the temporary presiding officer, the clansmen holding ballots lined up in an orderly fashion to cast their votes.

As Uchiha Setsuna watched familiar faces walk past him, his anxiety grew stronger.

"Don't forget our eggs."

Just then, a group of elderly people who had come together passed by Uchiha Setsuna and reminded him with smiles on their faces.

After saying that, he cast the ballot with the name "Moment" written on it.

"call"

Seeing this, Uchiha Setsuna breathed a sigh of relief, secretly congratulating himself on his brilliant and powerful actions. He had gained a lot of support with just a few eggs, a sure-fire way to make a profit!

"Now I will announce the election results."

The hundreds of clansmen quickly finished voting, skipping the tedious vote counting. Holding the final results, Uchiha Gin first winked mysteriously at the incredibly nervous Uchiha Setsuna, then smiled and nodded to the composed Uchiha Ryōja.

Could something have gone wrong?

Upon seeing this, Uchiha Setsuna felt a sudden pang of anxiety. Had he ended up with nothing, only to be manipulated behind the scenes?

"Our Uchiha clan's new Grand Elder is..."

As if noticing Uchiha Setsuna's panic, Gin Uchiha paused in announcing the results, startling Setsuna into a cold sweat.

Damn it, I've been tricked by capital after all!

Looking at Uchiha Gin's wicked grin, Uchiha Setsuna felt utterly hopeless. If he'd known he couldn't win against capital, he wouldn't have wasted his energy making such a fuss.

You should know that during this period, in order to patch up the hole in the egg, he worked night after night repairing Tiger tanks, and every morning he would leave the house leaning against the wall, his legs trembling as he walked.

Did we lose?

Uchiha Setsuna, who had initially intended to submit to capitalism, glanced down at his dejected subordinate and suddenly remembered the sacrifices he had made for the position of Grand Elder. His resentment transformed into a sharp arrow that broke through his shackles.

No! I refuse to accept this ending, I refuse to accept this fate that isn't mine!

Driven by intense emotions, Uchiha Setsuna's eyes automatically turned red, and three mysterious tomoe spun rapidly in his pupils, seemingly about to stick together.

A cold, obscure power surged skyward, instantly catching Uchiha Gin's attention and leaving him completely bewildered.

What's wrong with this kid? He's so easily amused; he's about to unleash a kaleidoscope in no time.

He was unaware of Uchiha Setsuna's untold tragic experiences, attributing it simply to the other's overly obsessive personality.

"The new Grand Elder is... Uchiha Setsuna! Let's all congratulate him!"

Unfortunately, given this outcome, Uchiha Setsuna's path to advancement is destined to be fraught with twists and turns.

"ha?"

Upon hearing that the position of Grand Elder had fallen to his family, Uchiha Setsuna's aura, which had been gathering around him, froze instantly, then receded like the tide, leaving only a pair of black eyes filled with astonishment.

"Am I the Grand Elder?"

"No seats available!"

I wasn't set up!

After confirming the results were correct, Uchiha Setsuna instantly shook off his previous dejection and became full of vigor.

Glancing smugly at the expressionless Uchiha Ryōza, Uchiha Setsatsu, with an air of disdain, stood up abruptly, strode to the front of the stage, and loudly announced to his supporters,

"I am Uchiha Setsuna, the Grand Elder!"

"Clap clap clap~"

After a brief silence, Uchiha Gin broke the silence first, clapping his hands with a smile to congratulate him, followed by thunderous applause from the audience.

"The Grand Elder is mighty!"

"Boss! I want to have your babies!"

"Elder Setsuna, will you be distributing eggs again tomorrow?"

Looking at Uchiha Setsuna surrounded by praise, Uchiha Gin, who remained completely unmoved and even seemed about to laugh, subtly curled his lip.

The Grand Elder, who traded a kaleidoscope for a grand elder, is truly not someone to be envious of.

"Quiet!"

After enjoying themselves to the fullest, Uchiha Setsuna waved his hand, instantly silencing the entire crowd.

"I am different from the previous Grand Elder who held the position without doing any work. I became the Grand Elder for only one thing."

Uchiha Setsuna glanced defiantly at the defeated Uchiha Ryōzai once more, his heart filled with soaring ambition, his eyes brimming with visionary aspirations for the future.

"To restore the glory of the Uchiha clan is our inescapable duty!"

"Next, I will first..."

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a child's applause suddenly rang out in the arena. Uchiha Setsuna frowned slightly.

Who's spoiling the mood like this? I haven't even finished speaking, why are you clapping?

"Whose child is this? Parents, can you please take charge?"

Spotting the voice coming from a short figure in the distance, Uchiha Setsuna instantly adopted the airs of the Grand Elder, questioning him with a hint of resentment.

Everyone present exchanged bewildered glances. Although the child looked somewhat familiar, they certainly didn't recognize the one clapping.

"Hold on a little bit~ Hold on a little bit~"

Just then, Uchiha Gin, who was standing next to him, suddenly stepped forward, scratching his head.

"Are you a relative?"

Uchiha Setsuna's expression turned strange upon hearing this.

Isn't that the relative with the curly hair?

"I will bring my dearest nephew up here now so he can listen to the Elder's teachings up close." (End of Chapter)