Chapter 25

Not long after, a twelve-year-old Uchiha boy ran over to report, "Third Elder, after taking those Youth-Version Body-Tempering Pills, the effects are equal to five days of my full-force taijutsu training!"

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

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

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

The benefits were simply too numerous to count.

"It's best to keep this treasure within the clan and not sell it outside. Or... have Yan make a version with half the potency and sell that outside for money?"

"Yes, that's settled, then."

Third Elder knew perfectly well that the strategic value of the Body-Tempering Elixir absolutely could not be leaked.

The next morning.

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

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

He explained the details of the plans on the spot.

Second Elder had specifically instructed Senichi to bring over the newly developed dishes and liquor today so everyone could have a taste first, then he would share his thoughts afterward.

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

This was probably that kid's work behind the scenes. A straightforward fellow like Senichi could never come up with an idea like this.

Senichi had been lucky to have such a clever son.

Second Elder muttered to himself inwardly.

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

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

Come on, come on, let's all have a taste!

The moment everyone heard Second Elder speak, they crowded over and started digging in.

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

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

Hiss—this liquor has a real kick. It burns going down, but it feels great!

Several hours flew by.

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!

As they walked, Uchiha Senichi could not help chuckling foolishly.

God knew how much he had worried about money these past few days, to the point that his hair had nearly turned white.

Who would have thought that his son would solve the entire problem the moment he made a move?

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

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

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

Yet she could not hide the smile in the corners of her eyes.

Clearly, the clan meeting had already made its decision—Senichi's family would contribute their recipes and liquor formula as shares, while the clan would provide money, land, and manpower. Their partnership to open a chain of restaurants had been fully approved.

Uchiha Senichi's family received thirty percent of the shares.

That was already an extremely generous proportion.

And the matter of the Body-Tempering Elixir had caused an even greater uproar.

In the end, according to the agreement between Third Elder and the clan, it could be sold outside, but its effects had to be cut in half again. The clan would also supply them at cost.

Before long, the whole family returned to their home.

They're cutting the effects in half again for the version sold outside? Wouldn't that leave just one-quarter of the full version's effect? Isn't that blatant cheating?

Uchiha Hao could not help blurting out.

Smack!

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

Idiot! What cheating? Even after cutting it in half again, one Body-Tempering Elixir would still be worth at least two and a half days of intensive taijutsu training;

And with this medicine, both the results and efficiency of training would be far better than blindly training on one's own. You can't compare them by days alone;

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

Earlier, he himself had not thought things through.

Something that was so convenient for their own use could not simply be sold outside.

Meixin nodded as well. "Your father is right. One-quarter of the effect is already more than enough. Outsiders will be scrambling to buy it. What is there to complain about?"

"Our family gets to use the full version, all thanks to your little brother. You should be satisfied. Where else would you find such a good brother?"

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

Could he not have this little brother?

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

There was no helping it. Yan simply gave too much.

"By the way," Meixin said, turning to Yan, "since we're opening a pharmacy, relying solely on buying from herb shops definitely won't work, and the supply won't be enough. We need to find several major merchants who can provide steady long-term supplies. What do you think?"

"Sure." Uchiha Yan nodded. "We'll have to trouble Dad and Mom to handle the negotiations. Try to choose as many suppliers as possible."

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

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

"Oh?" Uchiha Senichi was intrigued. "Why did you specifically mention the Nara Clan? 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 cooperation based on mutual interests. Once our money is tied together, it won't be too late to slowly discuss becoming real allies."

"Dad, 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 both brightened. "Your brain really works fast, kid. Then it's settled."

"Still, I suggest you go negotiate in person. At most, I'll come with you to lend you some support."

Before Uchiha Yan could speak, Uchiha Hao beside him interjected with a puzzled look, "Didn't you say those Nara people are smart? Then wouldn't it be better to have you negotiate with them?"

Uchiha Senichi glared at him on the spot. "Idiot! It's precisely because the Nara Clan is so smart that they love to hide their heads when it comes to choosing sides."

His tone was harsh, clearly because his son's dullness had angered him.

"Those three clans have been die-hard members of the Hokage Faction from the beginning. Whoever sits in that position, they stick to him. Do you think they can't see how the Konoha higher-ups are squeezing our Uchiha clan to death?"

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

"Only Yan is special enough. He's Tsunade's disciple and can also be considered the Third Hokage's grand-disciple. Only if he goes is there any hope. Got it?"

Uchiha Senichi kept muttering inwardly: Who did this guy take after?

He did not inherit a single bit 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 brainy people are all scheming and twisted. I can't be bothered to think about all those roundabout things. I'm leaving first. Kyoko is waiting for me."

With that, he turned and slipped away.

Uchiha Senichi gritted his teeth as he watched his retreating back. "That little bastard!"

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 quickly welcomed him inside.