> "A Taijutsu master? You want to practice Taijutsu?"
**Senju Sayaka** blinked at her son in shock. She hadn't expected that, after just one day of training, Haruki would request something so serious.
Taijutsu—it was grueling physical conditioning. Painful. Demanding.
Even **Might Guy**, who constantly sprinted laps around Konoha, still trained like a lunatic day after day.
Her little boy… To think he'd willingly choose such hardship?
> "Taijutsu is the most exhausting path! Come on, listen to your mother—it's okay not to push yourself so hard." Sayaka said gently, trying to dissuade him. She never wanted her son to suffer. Peace and comfort were enough.
> "No, I feel Taijutsu really suits me," Haruki said earnestly. "I want to train in it."
He meant it.
His bottomless chakra reserves and powerful recovery—bolstered by his absurd diet—made Taijutsu the perfect match. With proper training, he knew he could even surpass *Might Guy* one day.
> "Then… I'll speak to your father. If he agrees, we'll look for an instructor," Sayaka said with a bit of hesitation.
Haruki gave a firm nod.
> "Don't worry. Dad will definitely say yes. But I want to choose my own teacher."
> "Alright. Let's go home first."
After thanking **Uchiha Masaru**, Sayaka picked up Haruki and began walking. Their voices drifted behind them.
> "So Haruki, tell Mom—what did you learn today?"
> "Shuriken! I can hit the target every time!"
> "Really?"
> "Told you I'm amazing!"
Uchiha Masaru watched the two walk off.
> (I was going to talk to Sayaka about Haruki not wanting to become a ninja… but after seeing that doting look on her face, yeah… forget about it.)
She clearly spoiled him more than anyone.
If Haruki told her he didn't want to train ever again, she might just wrap him up and never let him leave the house.
> (Maybe I'll talk to **Uchiha Daigo** instead. With his talent, even without a Sharingan, Haruki could become a truly great shinobi one day.)
—
Meanwhile…
In a luxurious office tower in Konoha's merchant district, a man in his early 30s sat at an expansive desk, glancing over paperwork when suddenly—
> "...Achoo!"
**Uchiha Daigo** sneezed and frowned.
> "Am I catching a cold?"
Running the family business kept him busy nearly every hour… and it was starting to take a toll.
> (I probably need a better diet. And a vacation. Also—Little Haruki still needs a baby sister!)
Just then—a junior manager burst into the office.
> "Boss! We've got a situation! Another caravan was intercepted passing through the Land of Lightning!"
Daigo's expression instantly hardened.
> "Where were the ninja escorts? Were they injured?" he asked gravely.
Merchants in today's ninja world didn't just rely on luck. They paid dearly to have hired ninja provide protection—but even then, danger was increasing day by day.
> "Several were wounded—they've been moved to the medical department," the staffer replied.
Daigo exhaled slowly, relieved there were no fatalities.
> "Sort it out immediately. Re-send the cargo and dispatch more guards this time—double the force if needed," Daigo said commandingly. "And see to the injured. They should receive hazard bonuses as well."
His tone was professional but full of strength. This was how a leader handled business under threat.
Still…
Even after the situation was under control, Daigo couldn't stop the nagging unease.
Attacks were coming more frequently. Trade routes were becoming strained. If this continued, he'd need to recruit stronger ninja—elite types—to guard key paths.
But for now, he forced the thoughts aside and looked up at the clock.
> "Has my son returned home yet?"
The cold look on his face instantly softened into one of warmth.
The mere mention of Haruki could melt every ounce of tension.
> "Young Master was picked up by Madam Sayaka. Word is he had a great day," the staffer responded dutifully.
> "Good! I'll head home early today and see what he's learned!"
Smiling, Daigo stood up and walked out of the office, leaving his tired thoughts behind.
> "Wife! Son! I'm home!"
> "Son—did you miss your dad? I got you some snacks!"
> "Hey… have you lost weight? Let's eat!"
> "Go wash up!" Sayaka said, playfully rolling her eyes at him.
Laughter filled the house as they sat down to dinner—a scene of true warmth.
But partway through the meal, a frantic knock came at the door.
Daigo stepped aside to take the call, and when he returned… the smile was gone.
Haruki noticed immediately.
> "Dad? What's wrong? You look upset."
Daigo sat down with a deeply furrowed brow.
> "You wouldn't understand, son…"
> "How do you know that? Try me," Haruki said between bites.
He wasn't an ordinary child. With clear memories from a previous life and an adult's knowledge of how the Naruto world unfolded, he could offer advice if asked.
Daigo sighed.
> "Another merchant caravan of ours was ambushed today—this time in the Land of Earth. No cargo was lost, thankfully… but two of our hired ninja were killed."
Haruki paused, food still in hand.
It was getting worse.
> "Then just hire more ninja, Dad. We have money. Use it."
> "It's not that simple," Daigo explained. "The major villages have become tense with each other lately. Most jōnin or chūnin won't accept private offers anymore. Some even see contractors like us as enemies of the system."
> "So that's all?" Haruki raised his eyebrows. "In that case… why not just recruit Uchiha clan members as guards?"
Daigo blinked.
> (Wait… that might actually work. We've never extended formal contracts to the clan in that way…)
Haruki continued eating, speaking with confidence.
> "We're already Uchiha. And we're loaded. There's no reason we can't make some people offers."
Problems like this had solutions.
You just had to think like a shinobi **and** a businessman.
📝 *Author's Note:*
If you're enjoying this series, please drop power stone, review! Your support helps me keep the chapters coming. Thank you!*
📚 *End of Chapter 7*