The Days of Being the Richest Man in the Ninja World

Chapter 24. Love in the Warring States Era

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The Chief Elder? 

An elderly woman from the Hyuga clan? 

Their relationship… seems quite unusual, doesn't it? 

At this moment... 

Uchiha Yuto had paused his guest-greeting at the door, quietly following Suzune into the shop. He found a discreet spot and curiously observed the scene. 

But wait… elderly folks at a BBQ joint? 

Can they even chew the food? 

Wouldn't a karaoke bar suit them better? 

Oh, right. 

He hadn't opened a karaoke bar yet. 

Lost in thought, he watched as Suzune started grilling, seemingly embarrassed under his gaze, her cheeks flushing. "I'm a bit hungry… Yuto, want some?" she offered. 

"True, we've been busy for a while now; I could use a bite too," Yuto nodded with a smile. "Thanks for doing this!" 

"Mm." Suzune seemed happy that Yuto wanted to eat as well, smiling as she set to work. 

Thinking of her appetite, Yuto quietly signaled to the waiter to bring some extra food. 

It's fine for her to indulge a little; it's all going to the right places. 

Then… 

He turned his attention back to the Chief Elder, who was now grilling, his wrinkled face bearing the distinct pride typical of the Uchiha clan. 

He looked positively smug! 

His mouth kept moving, saying who-knows-what as he gestured toward the grilling meat, looking as if he were bragging about a child's achievements. 

Soon enough... 

The Chief Elder finished grilling and, with a slight huff, lifted his chin as he served some meat to the white-eyed old woman with a look that said, "I, Uchiha Setsuna, am doing you a favor by letting you eat this." 

Classic Uchiha pride. 

The Hyuga elder woman seemed unfazed, wearing a graceful, mocking smile as she elegantly picked up a piece of meat, placing it in her mouth. After a moment, she gave a slight nod as if she were pleased. 

This made the Chief Elder even prouder, with a satisfied smile and his chin held high at a 45-degree angle. 

Yuto couldn't help but twitch at the sight. 

Their relationship… was indeed unusual. 

Without activating his Sharingan, he could almost smell the sour, stale undertones of their dynamic. 

It made his stomach twist slightly in discomfort. 

Just then… 

"Yuto, it's ready." Suzune's soft, gentle voice broke through his thoughts. Looking down at his plate, piled high with grilled meat, he blinked in surprise, then dug in, eyes lighting up. "This is delicious!" 

Even though the store had some quality boosts, what he grilled the other day hadn't tasted nearly this good. 

"Really?" Suzune beamed, tilting her head slightly, eyes crinkling in joy as she held her tongs. "That's wonderful!" 

"You should eat some too!" Yuto urged, bringing the plate over as he continued to watch the Chief Elder, curious to see what the stubborn old Uchiha was up to. He didn't look away as he asked, "Suzune, that old lady… she's from the Hyuga clan, right?" 

"Oh, she's an elder of the clan," Suzune replied softly, moving quickly to swipe some meat from the plate while he wasn't looking. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she relaxed once she saw he hadn't noticed. "Grandma Hana. She holds a high position in the main family!" 

"No wonder…" 

For her to converse so easily with the Chief Elder, she must be an old acquaintance from his past—and perhaps more than that. 

Yuto shifted in his seat, his right knee propped against the sofa as he ate and watched. Why did it seem like his plate was never empty? He turned back, only to see Suzune adding more meat, causing him to pause. 

"What is it?" Suzune's face turned slightly red. "Is it not to your taste?" 

"No, I like it." He stuffed more meat into his mouth, stealing another glance at the Chief Elder. 

By now, it was the Hyuga Elder Hana who was grilling, her milky-white eyes looking somewhat disdainful. He'd spent enough time around Suzune to understand the expressions that went along with the Byakugan. 

Meanwhile, the Grand Elder had a slightly humiliated expression on his face but stubbornly held his head high, as if saying, "I don't bother arguing with an old woman like you." 

Truly curious… 

What exactly is their relationship?

Unfortunately… 

Getting too close might draw attention. 

Frowning, he pondered for a moment, then asked without looking back, "Suzune, do you know what their relationship is?" 

As soon as he asked…

"Senior Hana and the Chief Elder were once enemies." 

"???"

Uchiha Yuto was momentarily stunned.

That flat tone brought an image of his brother's expressionless face to mind. He looked over, and sure enough, there was his brother, his sister-in-law, his nephew, his little admirer—Uchiha Shisui—and the Hyuga branch family head and his wife. 

Why is everyone here? 

Yuto glanced over at Suzune, who was blushing slightly while grilling meat alongside his sister-in-law, and then at his brother Fugaku, who was impassively eating his grilled meat. "What brings you all here?" 

He hadn't planned on disturbing his brother's family, so he was surprised they had come over instead. 

After he asked, Fugaku replied calmly, "It seemed interesting, so I thought I'd come have a look." 

Beside him, Hizashi also nodded with a smile. "Since it concerns the main family, I wanted to see it for myself." 

…It really is interesting. 

As expected. 

Even though his brother always wore an expression like the world owed him billions, it didn't mean he wasn't curious! 

As for Hizashi… as a branch family member observing the main family, his interest was understandable. It was only the head of the Hyuga main family—Hiashi—who hadn't come. That guy was still burdened by his responsibilities as head and probably wouldn't do something like this… at least, not until Naruto eventually helped him to show his true self! 

However... 

What Fugaku had said earlier... 

"Enemies?" Yuto furrowed his brow and looked at his brother, then turned back to the two elderly figures. "They don't look like it. Are they really enemies?" 

"In the Warring States Period, nearly all ninja clans were enemies," Fugaku said calmly, wiping his mouth. "Only after the First Hokage ended the wars and founded the Hidden Villages did relations between the clans start to settle." 

"I see," Yuto replied, a picture forming in his mind. 

This must be one of those tragic love stories from the Warring States era. 

A love that couldn't flourish amid war, only to be rekindled in old age over a shared meal of grilled meat. 

The Chief Elder wasn't an ordinary person, after all! 

He'd underestimated him! 

With a sigh of respect, Yuto piled a large bowl full of fatty grilled meat and presented it to Itachi and Shisui, his expression warm and kindly. "Here! You two are still growing—eat up! Don't waste it!" 

If they're not going to grow up as prodigal sons, I'll turn them into lazy fat otakus instead! 

It's all the same in the end! 

Fugaku took a glance but said nothing this time. 

Eating more was probably a good thing! 

As he picked up another piece of meat, Fugaku looked at Yuto and Suzune, who was happily grilling beside him. He added, "Girls from the Hyuga clan don't marry outside the clan. Those who are approved must be joined into the family, especially in the branch family. Marrying into the family is still restricted. And the Uchiha clan doesn't allow joining another family either. The losses from the wars are likely what led the elders to this point." 

When he finished, the atmosphere around them grew silent. Suzune's hands trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and continued to grill the meat, a smile still on her face as she looked down...