Chapter 46

"Not to mention that tiny trace of vitality hidden inside."

"If we used these as food for training and kept taking them over time, they wouldn't just spare our bodies any harm. They'd help us grow, strengthen our muscles and bones, and even gradually increase our vitality."

"This stuff is incredible! I really don't know how the Uchiha came up with it!"

"The price is a little steep, but with effects like these, it's worth every bit!"

"Oh? Is it really as amazing as you say?"

Nara Shikayama and Yamanaka Uya were both startled by what they heard.

They knew Torifu Akimichi all too well. He never made careless claims.

Besides, when it came to Military Rations Pills, the Akimichi Clan's craftsmanship and judgment were among the best in Konoha.

Anything that earned such praise from Torifu Akimichi had to be the real deal.

Without another word, each of them swallowed a pill.

"Hmm?"

The pills dissolved quickly, and both men immediately felt the benefits Torifu Akimichi had described.

Their faces filled with astonishment. "It really does work!"

"Forget everything else. The fact that it increases vitality alone makes it precious, even if each pill only contains the tiniest trace!"

"Any other medicine would have to be a rare, precious remedy to produce this effect."

"What method did the Uchiha use?"

"Surely they didn't actually add precious medicinal herbs that restore vitality?"

They would have lost a fortune doing that.

"I doubt it."

Torifu Akimichi shook his head. "Whoever made this medicine is extremely skilled. I had our clan's medicine-making experts try to break it down."

"They could only identify a few of the medicinal herbs. The main ingredients and most of the supporting ingredients had been refined using special methods, making them impossible to analyze."

"The few they could identify were just ordinary ingredients used to make Military Rations Pills."

"Nothing special at all."

That was what shocked Torifu Akimichi most.

There were probably only a handful of people in the Ninja World who could rival the Uchiha's medicine-making skills.

"If the Uchiha dared to put this medicine on sale, they must have planned everything out already." Nara Shikayama smiled and shook his head. "We'll just have to stock up from now on."

He paused, then added, "We should find an opportunity to meet Lady Uchiha Chisato and arrange a long-term supply. This stuff will be in huge demand, and the price will only rise. Eventually, money alone might not be enough to buy it."

They needed to move first and secure the benefits for themselves.

As for whether the other ninja clans got a share?

That was their problem. It had nothing to do with Ino-Shika-Cho.

Torifu Akimichi spread his hands. "Fine by me."

Yamanaka Uya nodded. "Agreed."

"Then it's settled. I'll personally send a request for an audience later. Hopefully, she'll see me," Nara Shikayama decided.

"Thanks for handling this, Shikayama." Neither man objected.

Torifu Akimichi suddenly grinned, a hint of gloating in his expression. "Think about it. This medicine alone will bring the Uchiha at least several million ryo a day. They'll never be short of money again."

He chuckled. "Certain people probably won't be getting much sleep."

They had all served under the Second Hokage, but there was a world of difference between them.

Torifu Akimichi had kept a low profile all these years. It wasn't just because he lacked ambition; the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans had always preferred to keep their heads down.

More importantly, Third Generation and his people had constantly excluded and suppressed them.

Torifu had seen through their true colors long ago, which was why he had chosen to back down.

Ino-Shika-Cho had even presented the Sarutobi Clan with earrings symbolizing a brotherly alliance, effectively declaring their submission.

Yet even after that, Third Generation and his people had continued targeting them, openly and in secret.

Their intention to weaken the three clans could hardly have been more obvious.

The clearest example was Third Generation allowing Danzo to forcibly take talented youngsters from their clans and place them in that so-called Root.

Once someone went in, they essentially lost all contact with their clan.

They might as well have been dead.

Ino-Shika-Cho hated it with a passion, but there was nothing they could do.

Third Generation and his people held power, after all.

Swallowing their anger didn't mean they had none.

Compared to Ino-Shika-Cho, the Uchiha were the real thorn in their side.

Before that, it had been the Senju.

But the Senju had already been driven to the brink of extinction.

The Uchiha's recent reforms of the Police Force and Clan Academy had already given Third Generation and his people terrible headaches.

Their latest move was even more ruthless. After reforming the Police Force, the Uchiha had handed all ordinary civil disputes over to the newly established Third Police Brigade.

The villagers and many small and medium-sized ninja clans had quietly begun changing their attitudes toward the Uchiha.

Nara Shikayama set down his teacup, his gaze darkening slightly.

Too little time had passed for any clear changes to show outside.

But Torifu Akimichi and the others knew that before long, the Uchiha's reputation in the village would improve with each passing day.

Now the Uchiha had another source of income, too. Just imagining how furious Third Generation's side would be was enough to make them chuckle.

On top of that, Uchiha Chisato had recovered her health, and her strength was back at its peak.

Even if Third Generation and his people wanted to try something underhanded, they would have to think twice.

"Isn't that a good thing?"

Nara Shikayama chuckled. "The Uchiha used to be strong, but they really did get in the way."

"But now, rather than let those people keep climbing over us and allow the Sarutobi Clan, the Shimura, and those other families to bleed the whole village dry, I'd honestly prefer to watch the Uchiha grow stronger."

"At least they wouldn't stoop that low."

Torifu Akimichi and Yamanaka Yu exchanged a glance, then nodded in agreement.

"All right, let's not waste time. I'll deliver the request first, so we don't keep anyone waiting."

With that, Nara Shikayama stood and headed outside.

Meanwhile, at the Senju Clan Grounds.

"Grandma, look how amazing my apprentice is! He can even mass-produce Nutrient Pills like these."

Tsunade swallowed a pill and clicked her tongue in admiration. "I'll bet this isn't even the full-strength version."

By then, Xunjing and Kushina had long since finished their lessons, and even their shadow clones had been dismissed.

Uzumaki Mito listened with a faint smile. "That goes without saying."

"For someone who can make a Life Potion, producing more potent Nutrient Pills would hardly be surprising."

"But this level is just right."

"Any stronger, and everyone would be watching them like hawks."

"If it came to that, even the Uchiha might not be able to withstand the pressure."

"So don't say things like that so freely in the future."

"These Nutrient Pills are enough to replenish the life force I expend each day."

"They might even gradually improve my constitution."

"Perhaps I should start practicing Taijutsu again."

Strengthening her body further would not only improve her combat ability, but might also give her a few more years of life and extend the time she could remain at her peak.

"You're right."

Tsunade's expression turned serious. "I understand. I won't talk carelessly. He is my apprentice, after all, and our benefactor."

Although treating Uzumaki Mito's injuries had originally been a transaction, neither Tsunade nor Uzumaki Mito had ever truly regarded it as mere business.

"Still, the Sarutobi Clan and their lot must be getting quite a headache. Heh, I'd love to see them furious and unable to do a thing about us."

Uzumaki Mito spoke with a cheerful smile, though a trace of lingering resentment shone in her eyes.

Tsunade's lips curled, and she gave a cold chuckle. "Wouldn't that be even more satisfying?"

Once word spread that the Uchiha were opening a pharmacy, all of Konoha erupted into an uproar.

Tsunade had just finished listening to her grandmother and was about to head out when Uzumaki Mito gave her one more instruction.

"Go to the Uchiha and find Jiri. Arrange a long-term supply of Nutrient Pills and Body-Tempering Potions with her."

Tsunade froze for a moment, then blinked. "Grandma, can't we just buy them straight from Xunjing? Why go the long way around?"

"It's different."

Uzumaki Mito shook her head and spoke unhurriedly. "We need to secure our share of the public supply."

"First, we can't let anyone discover that we're getting supplies from Xunjing privately."

"Second, the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan members who will join us in the future will all need these resources to improve their strength."