"Madam Mikoto, you should consider things from other perspectives. If the Clan Leader didn't send anyone to help you, you could have come to me for assistance, instead of assuming you could handle everything on your own."
Facing a graceful lady in her twenties, Uchiha Yoichi, although much younger than Mikoto, didn't hold back in reprimanding her.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Yoichi, it's my..."
"Never mind, don't make up stories, it's all about preserving Uchiha Fugaku's reputation. Come with me."
Uchiha Yoichi told Madam Mikoto, who followed him like a little secretary, carefully nodding while listening to his words.
The reason Mikoto was so humble in front of Uchiha Yoichi was that she had embarrassed herself before.
Though later at night, Mikoto wondered if it was an Illusion Technique or Secret Technique that caused her twice to uncontrollably wet herself.
But she herself was an Uchiha, well aware of the clan's Illusion Techniques and abilities, knowing that Sharingan could control people, but never to cause such accidents.
Moreover, she wasn't under any Illusion Technique at the time.
Afterwards, she signed a compensation agreement and now was running errands for Uchiha Yoichi. The positions between them changed from equals to hierarchical.
Furthermore, Mikoto felt she had made two mistakes today: First, she needed help but didn't ask Uchiha Yoichi, wasting time; Second, she spoke to Kushina, sensing Uchiha Yoichi's reluctance towards Kushina.
That's why she acted like a little secretary, submissively following Uchiha Yoichi to receive instruction.
"...Mr. Yoichi, that Kushina... Is it not allowed to speak with her?"
Uchiha Yoichi said, "You can, but her identity is somewhat sensitive. You better ask the Clan Leader. He will tell you what to do, and Kushina has four Anbu guards around her."
"...I understand."
After saying this, Mikoto thought to herself - four Anbu, must be significant.
Although chatting with Kushina felt congenial, if her status was indeed sensitive and their close relationship brought trouble to the clan, it was better to avoid it.
"I'm simply thinking of the inconvenience. But if you feel you get along with her, then being friends is fine. Just remember you are part of the Uchiha Race, and the Uchiha Race will not be bullied."
Hearing Uchiha Yoichi's words, Mikoto, though not a hardliner, felt a slight sense of pride and warmth.
"Also, when you represent me for business outside the village, remember to change clothes."
"Change clothes? What...what kind?"
"Ninja Suit and home apparel are forbidden, the former imposes pressure, the latter seems casual. Check how other businessmen dress and learn from them. In business, you are a merchant."
Uchiha Yoichi slowly brainwashed Madam Mikoto, who, with a simplistic lifestyle of ninja school, becoming a ninja, then a housewife, had seen little of the world.
"If you have no idea what to wear, I can have some outfits prepared for you?"
"Then...thank you, Mr. Yoichi."
Mikoto hesitated but expressed gratitude, clearly unsure about what ordinary merchants should wear, and how to buy them herself.
Meanwhile, several images formed in Uchiha Yoichi's mind - tailored suit, short skirt, black stockings, long slender legs... With a single ponytail and glasses for Madam Mikoto!
His footsteps quickened.
Then Uchiha Yoichi found two clansmen, a man and a woman, ordinary people not ninjas; educated enough to handle accounting and errands perfectly.
Uchiha Yoichi initially planned to pay them, but these clansmen refused his money upon learning it was to help Uchiha Yoichi, saying the welfare distributed by the Uchiha covered their family needs well.
Though he appeared to have failed persuading them, Uchiha Yoichi subtly told Madam Mikoto to compensate them at the end of the month, then left.
After Uchiha Yoichi departed, Mikoto was still amazed internally, seeing the respect clansmen held for him, almost rivaling the Clan Leader.
And that was after distributing Uchiha welfare just once.
------------------------------
"Third Raikage? Are you sure it's him?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked in disbelief, after hearing the Anbu report.
"Based on the information received, it's confirmed that a squad led by the Third Raikage is involved."
Calmly responded the Anbu, which included members of the Yamanaka Clan, who used Secret Techniques to control flying creatures for aerial reconnaissance.
"The military supplies recently lost by the village, should have been taken by the Third Raikage."
Utatane Koharu frowned and asked, "How did they transport the items away? What about the Fuinjutsu on the supplies, did they escort a sealing ninja?"
Konoha Village assigned the Sealing Team to fortify the supplies, only specific Storage Scrolls could contain them.
The Anbu replied, "Our observations indicate that the Third Raikage placed all supplies into a jar."
Mitokado Homura responded, "A jar... likely the Amber Purifying Pot from Hidden Cloud Village, which they reportedly used to seal the Eight-tailed."
"The Third Raikage... to lead an elite squad into the Land of Fire to intercept our supplies, how could they be so unscrupulous..."