Outside the Hokage Building—
Fugaku stopped walking and turned toward Elder Kohaku, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Elder, why did you agree to reduce the prices?" he asked, unable to hide his confusion. "You know the Grand Elder will never accept this quietly. They'll make a scene out of it."
He truly did not understand. Kohaku hadn't even consulted him before agreeing.
Elder Kohaku sighed softly.
"Fugaku," he said, "I already spoke with the Grand Elder about this matter. He told me that if the village higher-ups apply too much pressure, then the Uchiha will temporarily stop increasing prices."
Even Kohaku had found the decision difficult to grasp at first. But then the Grand Elder explained the real reason—
The Cat Clan had obtained access to a new method of production.
Because of that, they had stopped forging weapons for the time being. Continuing production under the current conditions would only result in heavy losses.
After learning this, Kohaku realised something.
If the Hawks were already planning to halt supply entirely, then publicly reducing prices—at least on paper—would ease pressure from the village and buy the clan time.
So he agreed.
"If the Grand Elder said so, then that's good," Fugaku replied after a pause. Still, he knew he would have to face the Hawks again in the next meeting—and that would not be easy.
"Well, at least the Hokage agreed to deliver resources," Fugaku added. There was relief in his voice. "The Uchiha won't be forced to fight empty-handed."
As they spoke, the two arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.
Inside, Fugaku noticed a familiar pair sitting with a small child. The woman looked up first—and smiled.
"Ah, Minato! Kushina!" Fugaku said warmly. "How are you two?"
Kushina was an old friend of Mikoto's from their Academy days.
Minato nodded politely, while Kushina asked with curiosity, "Didn't Mikoto come with you, Brother Fugaku?"
"Mikoto's delivery is close," Fugaku replied. "The medical nurse at the hospital advised her to stay home."
Kushina's eyes widened.
"Congratulations, Clan Head Fugaku!" she said happily. "You'll be a father soon. Don't forget to invite us to the celebration."
Minato smiled as well. Mikoto was not only Kushina's friend, but someone Minato respected deeply.
Then Minato glanced toward Elder Kohaku.
"He is…?" he asked.
"Oh," Fugaku said, "this is Elder Kohaku. Elder, this is Minato—the disciple of Sannin Jiraiya. You must have heard of him."
"Yes," Kohaku said, studying him carefully. "The genius who mastered the Second Hokage's space-time technique. You are only the second person in Konoha known to wield such power."
Minato rubbed the back of his head, slightly embarrassed.
"Greetings, Elder Kohaku."
Fugaku's gaze then shifted to the white-haired child beside Minato. The boy wore a mask, his posture stiff and guarded.
For some reason… Fugaku felt he recognised him.
Minato noticed his gaze.
"He's Kakashi," Minato said. "I'll be his guiding jōnin."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hatake Kakashi?" he asked, uncertain.
Minato nodded.
At the sound of his full name, Kakashi tensed instinctively. He expected blame—condemnation—like he always did.
But what he saw in Fugaku's eyes was not accusation.
It was guilt.
Fugaku now understood.
He had been one of those who opposed reopening the investigation into the White Fang's mission. When Toyoma had raised the issue, Fugaku had chosen silence—thinking that diminishing the White Fang's reputation would improve the Uchiha's chances at the Hokage seat.
He had never imagined the outcome would be suicide.
Leaving a child alone.
Fugaku looked down at Kakashi and spoke quietly.
"If you ever need help," he said, "you may come to the Uchiha clan. Your father helped us many times during the Second Ninja War."
Then he turned to Minato.
"You being his guide… that's a good thing."
This was not spoken merely out of guilt.
The White Fang had truly saved countless lives—Uchiha included.
Kakashi froze, stunned. He looked up at Minato, unsure of what to think.
Minato met his gaze, then nodded gently.
Fugaku and Elder Kohaku walked away, leaving behind a moment Kakashi would never forget.
At the same time—
Inside Setsuna's residence, an unusual figure stood quietly before a low wooden table.
It was a cat.
Not an ordinary one.
She stood nearly four times the height of an average feline, her posture dignified, her presence carrying an unmistakable authority. Her sharp eyes were fixed on the items laid out neatly before her—small jade containers holding chakra recovery pills and energy fasting pills.
She was Kiyone, leader of the Cat Clan.
A soft clink echoed as Setsuna poured tea into two cups, the steam curling upward between them.
"Grand Elder," Kiyone said, her tail swaying slowly, "we have tested the effects of these pills. Are you truly certain you want to sell the chakra recovery pill in the underground market?"
She stepped closer to the table, one claw gently tapping the container.
"This is an extremely useful product for the Uchiha clan. It can increase your strength through both wealth and power."
Her concern was genuine.
After personally testing the pills, she had been shocked. Their effects were not limited to humans—they worked just as efficiently on ninja beasts. Worse—or better—the energy fasting pill alone had the potential to completely dominate the current market that almost every shinobi relied upon.
Setsuna lifted his tea, but did not drink.
"Kiyone," he said calmly, "if we sell these pills within Konoha, we will earn nothing."
He set the cup down.
"Not only that—there is a high chance the Neutral and Dove factions, along with everyone outside the Hawks, will pressure us to sell them at absurdly low prices. Some will even insist we give them to the village for free."
His eyes darkened.
"At present, there is no shortage of such idiots within the Uchiha."
The words were harsh.
Kiyone took a step back, ears twitching slightly.
"I never thought I would hear the Uchiha speak of profit," she said slowly. "You once chased fame and honour—not money."
The Cat Clan had partnered with the Uchiha for generations. She knew their pride, their stubborn honesty. They had never exploited their allies—one of the reasons the Cat Clan had trusted them enough to forge weapons exclusively for them.
Setsuna reached forward and sealed one of the pill containers, the lid clicking shut.
"Kiyone," he said quietly, "you have seen what happened to the Uchiha after we joined Konoha—for the sake of the village's glory."
His fingers tightened briefly around the container.
"If it weren't for our ancestral wealth, the first two wars alone would have reduced us to poverty. And now, during the Third Ninja War, history is repeating itself."
He looked directly at her.
"That is why I halted weapon production."
There was no anger in his voice—only exhaustion.
Kiyone's gaze softened.
She remembered the previous war clearly.
Weapons and supplies were sold to Konoha at heavily reduced prices. Merchant guilds were turning hostile. Raw material prices were quietly raised—especially against the Cat Clan. Even now, those consequences had not fully faded.
Her eyes drifted back to the pills.
If sold through the underground market, all their losses could be recovered—quickly.
If sold in Konoha… it would only invite trouble.
"So," Kiyone asked after a pause, "what do you want us to do, Grand Elder?"
Setsuna did not hesitate.
"I want the Cat Clan to close its business in Konoha gradually," he said. "Start in the Fire Capital. Our Hawks faction—civilian members and retired ninja—will accompany you under the guise of doing business."
He took a slow sip of tea.
"Reduce contact with Konoha, little by little."
Kiyone's ears twitched again.
"Grand Elder…" she asked cautiously, "is your faction planning to leave Konoha?"
Setsuna neither confirmed nor denied it.
"You may think of it that way," he replied calmly.
Then, as if recalling something important, he added, "If possible, establish contact with the Iron Country. Cooperate with them to distribute these pills to other nations through their territory."
This was Toyoma's suggestion.
And Setsuna intended to see it through.
Kiyone folded her arms, her expression troubled.
"Grand Elder," she said slowly, "many merchants from the Fire Capital cut ties with us years ago. Rebuilding those connections will take time—and even then, I cannot guarantee success."
Her tail flicked once.
"After the previous ninja war, many Iron Country merchants suffered losses. They blamed the Cat Clan for it. Since then, most have severed contact entirely."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Setsuna lowered his head.
Those losses had not been caused by greed—but by the Uchiha's repeated sacrifices for Konoha. Time and again, weapons had been sold at reduced prices, contracts broken under pressure, profits abandoned in the name of loyalty.
Indirectly, the Uchiha had damaged their partner's livelihood.
If the Hawks faction had not realised the truth now, then after this war, the Uchiha would have been reduced to nothing.
Just like before.
"Kiyone," Setsuna said quietly, "the Hawks faction apologises to the Cat Clan. We have indirectly harmed your people."
Kiyone froze.
Then her eyes widened in shock.
She had never expected such words from an Uchiha—especially from a Grand Elder.
After a moment, she smiled faintly.
"Do not worry," she said softly. "The Cat Clan also became a great clan with the help of the Uchiha. We are partners… nya."
Her tone carried warmth rather than formality.
"And for partners, sacrificing a little is acceptable."
Setsuna nodded, deeply moved.
"For now," he said, "let us set aside the Iron Country."
He glanced once more at the sealed pill containers.
"Focus first on the underground market and the Fire Capital. Once our position there is secured, only then should we consider expanding further."
Kiyone straightened, resolve hardening in her eyes.
"Understood, Grand Elder," she said. "The Cat Clan will proceed accordingly, nya."
And with that, the path forward was decided.