Negotiating the full surrender of profits from the Uchiha Ninja Tool Shops was never realistic — cutting off a shinobi's income source was akin to taking their lifeline.
In the past, Elder Uchiha Shan would follow protocol and offer the Great Elder a yearly tribute of 5 million ryo. Now, that same 5 million ryo was redirected to the Uchiha Clan Affairs Office under Clan Head Naraku's leadership.
But Naraku's presence made it clear — five million would not suffice. The Uchiha compound had long been divided into territories overseen by elders and branch heads. However, all the shops sat on Uchiha clan land, and thus rightfully belonged to the clan — not to any one family or individual.
A store located in the heart of Konoha's commercial district — with prime foot traffic from shinobi of all ranks — would command far more than 5 million ryo in rent alone.
Hearing Elder Shan's offer, Naraku allowed himself a breath of relief. He never expected full profit transfer — the five million was merely a gauge.
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Naraku's Internal Calculations
Over the past few weeks, Naraku had quietly investigated the Uchiha-run shops. He had gathered specific pricing data:
Shuriken: 100 ryo
Kunai: 200 ryo
Explosive Tags: 2,000 ryo
Small Storage Scrolls: 30,000 ryo
Standard Ninja Swords: 50,000 ryo
In contrast, their procurement costs from Granny Cat's network were roughly half:
Shuriken: 50 ryo
Kunai: 100 ryo
Explosive Tags: 1,000 ryo
Storage Scrolls: 15,000 ryo
Ninja Swords: 25,000 ryo
One resupply trip yielded nearly 10 million ryo in gross returns.
Each shop easily pulled in over 1 million ryo in daily sales, with about 50% gross profit. With four stores operating, that equaled roughly 2 million ryo per day.
Konoha alone housed tens of thousands of shinobi, and the Uchiha's elite craftsmanship gave them a loyal base of over 2,000 regular customers.
A single standard mission could burn through:
10 kunai
10 shuriken
2 explosive tags
Additional supplies
That alone was a 10,000 ryo spend — for one ninja.
With 2,000 customers, even weekly purchases could mean 20 million ryo in revenue — and that's being conservative. During wartime or major threats, purchasing doubled.
Based on his estimates, monthly sales easily reached 80 million ryo, totaling close to 1 billion ryo annually, with nearly half of that being profit.
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Naraku's Argument
Naraku set down his teacup and looked directly at Elder Shan.
"Five million ryo a year is too little.
The clan must claim 50% of all profits to fund our continued development.
Elder Shan, Uchiha is not yet strong enough. Wealth without strength is just bait for the vultures. Sooner or later, someone else will come for it."
If Naraku could secure stable funding through these shop revenues, the Uchiha Police Force would be less reliant on Konoha's allocations. He could recruit and retain outside shinobi, properly compensate them, and preserve the dignity of the clan.
Uchiha's public image had improved dramatically in recent years. Once viewed with fear and suspicion, the clan was slowly being rebranded:
Guardians of Konoha
Defenders of the innocent
Hunters of missing-nin and infiltrators
A pillar of justice and discipline
Naraku's Mental Rehabilitation Division, too, had helped dozens of emotionally scarred shinobi reintegrate into society.
The Public Relations Division posted propaganda on the village notice boards — softening the clan's image, portraying Naraku as a leader who embodied compassion and justice.
But with progress came resistance. The old guard — elders like Shan — were protective of their power and their ryo.
Elder Shan's voice trembled.
"Just one sentence... and you're taking away hundreds of millions of ryo from our hands...?"
Naraku's expression darkened slightly. If a peaceful resolution failed, he would compete — but negotiation was preferable.
"Elder Shan, the Uchiha tool shops, the ninja cat breeding, the intelligence web established through Granny Cat — these weren't built by any one person.
They were handed down by the visionaries of our clan.
The Clan Affairs Office needs resources to grow. I am not using this money for luxury.
Every ryo will go back into Uchiha.
I ask for your support — for Uchiha's future."
His tone was grave, and his words sharp. Elder Shan was silent. He looked into Naraku's serious eyes, and finally, with a sigh of resignation, spoke:
"...I understand."
Shan knew Naraku. He was frugal. He didn't spend lavishly — not on himself. Every coin was accounted for and redirected toward the growth of Uchiha.
"But," Shan added cautiously, "I can only offer 40% of the profits.
These shops aren't managed by me alone.
Elder Uchiha De, and several other clansmen run them with their own time, chakra, and risk."
It was a reasonable counteroffer. And it was true.
Naraku considered it, then gave a small nod.
"Understood. 40% it is. Uchiha won't forget your contribution, Elder Shan."
His original request of 50% had been a calculated reach. Forty percent was his true goal — and now he had secured it.
After all, the tool shop network required real effort and management. Elder Shan and his faction had invested sweat and chakra into it.
With 40% of nearly 500 million ryo in yearly profit, that meant close to 200 million ryo annually would now flow directly into the Uchiha Clan Affairs Office.
More than what the Hokage's office allocated to the clan in a year.
And with the production of explosive tags and some ninja tools handled internally by Fire Style users, labor costs were minimal.
It was a mutual compromise — and a major win for Uchiha.
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