Within the grand, ancient halls of the Hyuga residence, tension rippled through the air like an invisible current. The topic they were discussing was one that few dared speak of openly. In the Hyuga Clan, when something needed to be covered up—whether a death or a disgrace—it was often dealt with quietly, brushed under the rug with a single command from the clan head. And no one questioned it.
Today was no different.
Hyuga Tokuma, the current acting patriarch, gave Hinata Fire a chilling glance. The message was clear: silence. Immediately, the younger member fell quiet, as if the very breath had been frozen in his lungs.
Jaxon, seated calmly amid the storm of subtle politics and restrained arrogance, couldn't help but feel a sense of weariness toward these old tactics. Although he was new to this world, even he could tell these tricks were outdated.
Taking a deep breath, he lifted the steaming teacup before him, took a small sip, then gently placed it back on the table. His gaze was steady as he broke the silence.
"I'm here today to discuss a potential partnership with the Hyuga Clan. I'd like to know—what is the Clan Head's opinion?"
"Cooperation?"
Hyuga Hiashi frowned instantly, displeasure evident in his sharp gaze. "You are not a ninja. Why would our clan need to cooperate with you? What could you possibly offer us?"
The disdain in his tone was impossible to ignore.
"Shut your mouth!"
Hyuga Tokuma's voice cracked like a whip through the room, suddenly cold and full of authority. His sharp rebuke sent a shiver through even the older members of the clan.
Tokuma's patience had clearly run out.
He gave Hiashi a hard glare. "When the clan elders are present, and I am still sitting here, you have no right to speak. You're too young to make decisions."
Then, turning to Jaxon, he offered a polite smile. "My apologies. Hiashi is still immature. I will personally ensure he is corrected."
Jaxon, however, didn't even flinch. His expression remained unchanged. This composure didn't go unnoticed by Tokuma.
"I'll get straight to the point, then," Tokuma said. "What kind of cooperation are you proposing?"
"Simple," Jaxon replied. "The Hyuga Clan, for all its history and prestige, relies too heavily on mission commissions and village allocations. Do you truly believe such a massive clan can sustain itself on that alone?"
His words hit like a hammer.
Tokuma and the elders exchanged uneasy glances. They had, in fact, held a discussion on this very issue just that morning. But to hear it spoken so plainly—and by an outsider, no less—made them uncomfortable.
"You speak nonsense!" Hiashi interjected, eyes blazing. "We are the largest clan in Konoha! A thousand years of legacy, and we'll stand for another thousand! Who are you to say otherwise?"
This time, Tokuma didn't hesitate.
Slap!
The sharp crack echoed through the quiet room. Hiashi's face twisted in shock and pain as a red mark bloomed on his cheek. He clutched it instinctively, looking more humiliated than hurt.
"If you interrupt again, get out!" Tokuma hissed, his voice low but burning with fury. "You disgrace yourself."
The entire room seemed to hold its breath.
Tokuma turned back to Jaxon with a respectful nod. "My apologies once again. I hope this doesn't affect our discussion."
Jaxon smiled calmly. "No offense taken. If a child is disobedient, a few beatings usually help. If one isn't enough, try a few more."
A few of the elders chuckled, and even Tokuma couldn't suppress a small grin.
"You have quite the attitude," one elder said. "A son should be like Jaxon!"
With the tension now broken, Tokuma returned to the main topic. "Now then, back to business. You mentioned cooperation. What exactly do you have in mind?"
"Minerals," Jaxon said simply.
"Minerals?" Tokuma repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes. There are two models of cooperation I'm offering your clan."
Jaxon leaned forward, voice calm and confident. "The first option: I hire fifty Chūnin-level members from your Hyuga Clan. In return, I will pay one hundred million ryō every year as an employment fee."
The room immediately buzzed with energy.
"One hundred million ryō?" Elder Fire echoed, eyes wide.
Jaxon continued, unbothered. "However, there are conditions. All fifty members must sign high-level confidentiality agreements. After leaving with me, their lives and responsibilities will fall entirely under my jurisdiction. The Hyuga Clan must not interfere or attempt to contact them. No information extraction, no influence."
The elders stared at each other, stunned. This wasn't just a business deal—this was unprecedented.
Tokuma looked toward the calm, composed figure standing silently behind Jaxon.
Ah Fu, his attendant, stepped forward as if reading their minds. "Rest assured. Every word spoken by the young master represents the will of our family head."
The elders fell silent again, this time more out of shock than protocol.
The number was staggering.
Even S-rank missions in Konoha were typically valued at only one million ryō each. The entire village was lucky to receive ten such missions in a year, most of them commissioned by daimyos or under national-level emergencies.
And this young man was offering one hundred million ryō for just fifty Chūnin?
Tokuma unconsciously swallowed. The entire military expenditure of the Land of Fire was only five hundred million annually. Of that, the Hyuga Clan's allocation was, at most, thirty to fifty million ryō.
"I see…" Tokuma said carefully. "And what's the second option?"
Jaxon smiled faintly. "The second is simpler—your clan invests directly. In return, you receive 10% equity in the mining operation."
He paused before continuing. "But this route isn't without risk. It requires more than Chūnin. You may need to dispatch Elite Jōnin as well. In times of need, your clan must act with full force. And the profits? They're subject to market fluctuations. No guaranteed payouts."
Tokuma's fingers twitched slightly.
Equity? Shares? These were unfamiliar terms in the ninja world, but the concept was clear—binding the Hyuga Clan to Jaxon's enterprise for better or worse.
The thought made him uneasy.
"I don't mean to pry, Jaxon," he said slowly, "but I must ask—what minerals are we talking about?"
Jaxon's eyes sparkled.
"Minerals?" he repeated, his voice laced with amusement. "All of them. Iron, gold, chakra-conductive ores, even rare elemental stones. In this world, do you know what brings in the most money?"
He raised a finger.
"Monopoly."
The single word struck like a thunderclap.
The room once again fell into silence as the Hyuga elders processed the enormity of what Jaxon had just said. Monopoly meant exclusive rights. It meant setting prices, controlling supply, building wealth that couldn't be matched through mere mission commissions.
And the most startling part? Jaxon said it with the ease of someone already walking that path.
"What you're suggesting," Tokuma said slowly, "could change the entire power structure of the ninja world."
"I know," Jaxon said. "That's the point."
Tokuma took a deep breath. "You've given us much to consider. This isn't a decision we can make lightly."
"Of course," Jaxon replied, rising to his feet. "Take your time. But I would advise you not to take too long. The world is changing—and only those who act quickly will benefit."
With a graceful nod, he turned and began walking toward the exit. Ah Fu followed silently behind.
Behind them, Tokuma and the other elders sat frozen, as if the future had just walked out the door.
And maybe it had.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)