Chapter 25

Before long, a twelve-year-old Uchiha boy ran over to report, "Third Elder, the youth version of the Body-Tempering Pill is as effective as five days of full-force taijutsu training!"

A twenty-five-year-old young man beside him nodded as well. "Same here. It's equivalent to five days of hard training."

The Third Elder sucked in a sharp breath. "That effect is far too powerful. If we can produce it in large quantities, every member of the Uchiha Clan could become a taijutsu expert."

Not to mention that once the body grew stronger, one's chakra reserves would naturally increase as well.

The benefits were simply too numerous to count.

"This kind of treasure is best kept within the clan. Don't sell it outside. Or... have Xiao Xuan make a version that's half as effective and use that to earn money outside?"

"Yes, that's settled, then."

The Third Elder understood perfectly well that the Body-Tempering Pill's strategic value absolutely could not be exposed.

The next morning.

At the Uchiha clan meeting, Uchiha Yan was brought over as well.

Once everyone had arrived, the Second Elder spoke first. "Yesterday, Uchiha Senichi came to me with two business proposals. One was for a chain of restaurants, and the other for an exclusive liquor..."

He explained the details of the plans on the spot.

The Second Elder had specifically told Senichi to bring over the newly developed dishes and wine today, so everyone could have a taste first before discussing their opinions.

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Uchiha Senichi and Uchiha Yan, lingering especially long on Xiao Xuan.

This was probably the boy's idea behind the scenes. A straightforward man like Senichi could never come up with something like this.

Senichi was lucky to have such a clever son.

The Second Elder muttered to himself.

Seeing this, Uchiha Senichi and Uchiha Yan hurriedly placed the food boxes and wine jars they had brought onto the long table specially cleared out in the hall.

"A newly opened restaurant? And liquor this strong? I need to try it right away."

"Come on, come on, let's taste it together!"

At the Second Elder's word, everyone crowded over and started digging in.

"Holy hell, this fish is unbelievably tender. The flavor is incredible!"

"This grilled meat is amazing too! The texture is so unique!"

"Damn—this wine has a kick. It burns going down in the best way. Refreshing!"

Several hours passed in a flash.

Uchiha Yan's family walked out of South Kaga Shrine with smiles all over their faces, heading home.

"Kid, we did it! Our family will never have to worry about money again!"

Walking along the road, Uchiha Senichi could not help chuckling.

Only heaven knew how much he had worried about money lately. His hair had nearly turned white from it.

Who would have thought that one move from his son would solve everything?

Before long, their family would become the richest in the Uchiha Clan, perhaps even in all of Konoha.

"Enough, enough. Stop grinning like an idiot. Aren't you embarrassed?"

Uchiha Meixin irritably reached out and pinched Senichi's waist.

Yet the smile in the corners of her eyes could not be hidden at all.

Clearly, the clan meeting had already finalized the matter—the Senichi family would use their recipes and wine formula as capital, while the clan provided the money, land, and manpower to jointly open a chain of restaurants.

Uchiha Senichi's family would receive thirty percent of the shares.

That was already an extremely generous percentage.

The matter of the Body-Tempering Pills had caused even greater uproar.

In the end, according to the agreement reached between the Third Elder and the clan, they could sell them externally, but the medicinal effect had to be reduced by another half, and the clan would supply them at cost.

Soon, the whole family returned to their home.

"Reduced by another half for outside sales? Doesn't that leave only one-quarter of the full version's effect? Isn't that blatantly ripping people off?"

Uchiha Hao could not help blurting out.

Smack!

The moment he finished speaking, Senichi slapped him on the back of the head.

"Idiot! What ripping people off? Even after cutting it in half again, one Body-Tempering Pill would still be equivalent to at least two and a half days of grueling taijutsu training.

"And with this medicine, both the results and efficiency of training are far better than blindly practicing on your own. You can't judge it just by the number of days.

"With something this good, are you really worried no one will scramble to pay for it?"

Earlier, he himself had not thought it through.

Something convenient for their own use could not simply be sold outside without caution.

Meixin nodded as well. "Your father is right. One-quarter of the effect is already more than enough. People outside would be fighting to get their hands on it. What is there to complain about?"

"Our family gets the full version, all thanks to your little brother. You should count yourself lucky. Where else are you going to find such a good brother?"

Uchiha Hao nodded helplessly. "Fine, fine, I get it."

Could he really do without this little brother?

After thinking about it, he really could not bear to.

There was no helping it. Xiao Xuan gave him far too much.

"Oh, right." Meixin turned to Xiao Xuan. "Since we're opening a pharmacy, relying solely on buying from herb shops won't work. The volume won't be enough either. We need to find several major merchants who can supply us steadily over the long term. What do you think?"

"Sure." Uchiha Yan nodded. "We'll have to trouble Father and Mother with negotiating that. We should choose as many suppliers as possible."

He paused, then continued, "I suggest adding the Nara Clan to the supplier list. It would be best if we signed a long-term, stable agreement with them for medicinal herb supplies."

The Nara Clan had raised deer and cultivated medicinal herbs for generations, so the quality of their herbs was guaranteed.

"Oh?" Uchiha Senichi grew interested. "Why bring up the Nara Clan specifically? You've got some other plan, don't you?"

Uchiha Yan spread his hands with a smile. "Isn't it to help our Uchiha Clan win over some allies?"

"Directly discussing an alliance isn't very realistic. We should start with mutually beneficial cooperation. Once both sides' money is tied together, we can slowly talk about becoming real allies."

"Father, you haven't forgotten our family's position in Konoha, have you?"

"It would be such a waste not to seize an opportunity this good."

"The Ino–Shika–Cho Trio has considerable status and influence in the village, and the Nara are the smartest among the three clans. Winning them over can only benefit us."

No matter what, the more friends they had, the better. The fewer enemies they had, the more secure they would be.

"That makes sense!"

Uchiha Senichi and Hao's eyes both lit up. "Your brain really works well, kid. Then it's settled."

"Still, I suggest you handle the negotiations personally. At most, I'll go with you to lend you some support."

Before Uchiha Yan could speak, Uchiha Hao beside him interjected with a confused expression, "Didn't you say the Nara are smart? Then wouldn't it be perfect for you to negotiate with them?"

Uchiha Senichi glared at him on the spot. "Idiot! It's precisely because the Nara Clan is too smart that they love hiding their heads in their shells whenever it comes to choosing sides."

His tone was harsh, clearly angered by this son's sluggishness.

"Their three clans have always been steadfast supporters of the Hokage faction. Whoever sits in that position, they side with him. The higher-ups in Konoha have been suppressing our Uchiha Clan to the death. Do you think they can't see that?"

"At a time like this, would they dare get involved with us?"

"Only Xiao Xuan has a special enough identity. He's both Tsunade's disciple and, in a sense, the Third Hokage's grand-disciple. Only if he goes is there any hope. Do you understand now?"

Uchiha Senichi grumbled inwardly, Who the hell did this brat take after?

He had inherited none of Senichi's brains.

Senichi figured that with his own genes, there was no way he could have produced such a stupid son.

Uchiha Hao was left speechless by the scolding. After a long while, he scratched his cheek and muttered, "Fine, fine. You people who use your brains are all devious, going around in circles. I can't be bothered thinking about it. I'm leaving first. Kyoko is waiting for me."

With that, he turned and slipped away.

Uchiha Senichi gritted his teeth at his retreating back. "That little brat!"

His face was full of frustrated disappointment.

Uchiha Yan remained calm and nodded. "All right, then I'll go with you. Let's set the time for tomorrow morning."

"Mm."

Early the next morning.

At Nara Shikaku's residence, Nara Shikayama's eyelid twitched. The moment he heard that Uchiha Yan had come calling under the banner of being Tsunade's disciple, he hurriedly welcomed him inside.