Not long after Sasuke was born, Mikota privately had a conversation with Itachi.
It wasn't long after that when Itachi began to call Uchiha Yoichi his father, and Uchiha Yoichi also acknowledged it.
From a few months ago until now, although not biological father and son, everyone in the clan knew; moreover, Mikota was pregnant and gave birth to Uchiha Yoichi's son.
This decision by Mikota also made a small number of people who couldn't stand Uchiha Fugaku and hated Uchiha Itachi restrain themselves. Calling Uchiha Yoichi father, Uchiha Itachi is one of the highest-ranked second-generation members in this village.
"Mr. Yoichi, you're back; Itachi, put Sasuke down, it's time to eat."
Mikota came out of the kitchen, saw Uchiha Yoichi had returned, and said with a gentle smile, while calling Itachi over.
After giving birth to Sasuke, Mikota's mature charm became even more pronounced, completely different in style compared to Minami; especially when Mikota wore a fitted business suit with a short skirt, her long, straight legs wrapped in smooth black stockings.
The only way to describe it is enchanting!
The current Mikota doesn't at all resemble someone who would act a certain way the night before last, she's completely a virtuous wife and loving mother.
"Itachi, don't hold Sasuke while eating."
"Got it, Mother."
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Itachi, although reluctant to part with his cute little brother, still placed Sasuke back in the stroller.
Then he sat down at the dining table, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and started eating.
"Where are Minami and Karin?"
"She went to find Kushina, supposedly to pass on some maternal experience to her."
"Minami? She's still a child herself... Kushina really dares to learn from her."
Uchiha Yoichi said with a face full of doubt, Uzumaki Minami usually seemed cheerful, without any pressure, usually staying at Konoha Hospital for half a day before coming back.
However, she would turn into a crazed fanatic at night, as if making up for the time she's not beside Uchiha Yoichi during the day.
In the Uchiha Race, the one with the least pressure is Uzumaki Minami, who does whatever she wants; other than helping Uchiha Yoichi with a few things, she's nearly the happiest person in the village.
After dinner, Mikota asked, "Mr. Yoichi, when the Hidden Sand Village visits, should I go with you or meet separately?"
"We might meet separately; after all, it's an embarrassing issue for them, and there's no real chance of war with the Hidden Sand now."
Uchiha Yoichi pondered for a moment and said that within this year, the business controlled by Mikota had slowly started to target food and oil salt guilds, slowly acquiring several guilds.
And established a guild alliance with Uchiha Mikota as the president, raising the prices and blocking the exports of necessary materials such as food, oil, and salt to the Hidden Sand Village and the Land of Wind.
Sometimes, destabilizing a region doesn't need war. Even a small-time crook like Kado can blockade a small country, not to mention the Uchiha Race; moreover, the Uchiha Race isn't as weak as Kado, once they blockade the Land of Wind, they simply can't buy what they want.
The Land of Rain also needs imports, and the Land of Demons and the Land of Bear are both small countries, absolutely incapable of supplying the Land of Wind; because of the presence of Hidden Rock Ninja, the Land of Earth has some enmity with the Hidden Sand as well.
On its own, sixty to seventy percent of the Land of Wind's territory is desert, and its own farms can't satisfy the needs of its nationals.
Since a few months ago when the price blockade started, until now, the Hidden Sand Village and the Land of Wind have shown signs of struggling; though the nobility hasn't been much affected, the ninja and civilians have been significantly impacted.
"They might bring up some demands during this Chunin Exam, but Mikota, when you negotiate terms with them, you can really stick it to them, and propose conditions for the Uchiha Merchant to enter the Land of Wind..."
Uchiha Yoichi started to speak, even if the Hidden Sand Village can hold on this year, they won't last the next year or the year after.
This time the Hidden Sand Village sent envoys to Konoha Village, ostensibly to hold a joint Chunin Exam, but the real aim is definitely to persuade the Uchiha Race guild to lift the blockade on the Hidden Sand Village.
Otherwise, why propose a Chunin Exam between two average relationship ninja villages suddenly?
Mikota smiled warmly and said, "I understand."
"Then I'm heading out now."
Uchiha Yoichi said, there are many things that need to be quickly decided, plus Tsunade has decided to come back, she is estimated to arrive sometime this afternoon.
————————————
"Sister, is this Konoha?"
Nawaki stood on the high perimeter wall of the village, and upon seeing the scene before him, he was somewhat dumbfounded; the expansive village is twice as large as he remembered.
The farthest buildings were almost out of sight, and many five or six-story buildings crisscrossed within the village, conveying a sense of prosperity.
"Sister, if I had known the village would develop so well, we should have returned earlier...."
"I've been outside all this time, how would I know the village developed so well."
"Brother-in-law told you, it's just you being playful all the time..."
"Stop babbling!"
Tsunade heard this and blushing with anger, hit Nawaki. Before, only Shizune would lecture her, now there's also Nawaki; these two little guys have turned over, showing no respect for her as an elder.
Moreover, that guy, whenever he comes to find her, tries every trick to coax her into bed, not really talking about the village's affairs.
"Let's hurry back and see how the clan grounds have changed."