Chapter 46

"Not to mention, there was even a trace of vitality hidden inside."

"If you used this as food for cultivation and took it over the long term, not only would it not harm your body, it could help you grow, strengthen your bones and muscles, and even gradually increase your vitality."

"This stuff is incredible! I really wonder how the Uchiha came up with it!"

"The price is a little steep, but looking at the effects, it's absolutely worth it!"

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

Nara Shikayama and Yamanaka Uya were both startled after hearing him out.

They knew Torifu Akimichi's character all too well. He never spoke carelessly.

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

For Torifu Akimichi to praise it so highly, these Nutrient Pills had to be the real deal.

Without another word, the two each swallowed one.

"Hmm?"

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

Their faces were filled with astonishment. "It really is true!"

"Putting everything else aside, just the fact that it increases vitality makes it incredibly valuable, even if there's only a tiny amount in each pill!"

"With other medicines, you'd need some rare treasure herb to achieve that effect."

"What method did the Uchiha use?"

"They couldn't have actually added some precious medicinal ingredient that restores vitality, could they?"

That would be losing money hand over fist.

"Probably not."

Torifu Akimichi shook his head. "The person who made this medicine is exceptionally skilled. I had the experts in my clan try to break it down."

"They could only identify a small portion of the ingredients. The main ingredients and most of the supplementary ingredients had been refined through special methods, making them impossible to analyze."

"The few ingredients they could identify were nothing more than ordinary materials commonly used in Military Rations Pills."

"Nothing unusual."

That was what shocked Torifu Akimichi the most.

When it came to pharmaceutical techniques, there were probably few in the Ninja World who could compare to the Uchiha.

"If the Uchiha dared to put this medicine up for sale, they must have planned everything out long ago." Nara Shikayama smiled and shook his head. "We should just stockpile more from now on."

After a pause, he added, "We should find an opportunity to meet Lady Uchiha Chisato and settle the matter of long-term supply. This thing will become extremely sought-after in the future. The price will only rise, and even money might not be enough to buy it."

Strike first and enjoy the benefits before anyone else.

As for whether the other ninja clans would get 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 calling card later. Hopefully, I'll get to meet her." Nara Shikayama made the decision.

"Sorry to trouble you, Shikayama." The other two had no objections.

Torifu Akimichi suddenly grinned, his expression tinged with schadenfreude. "Think about it. Just from this medicine alone, the Uchiha are bringing in at least several million ryo a day. From now on, they'll never lack money again."

He chuckled. "Certain people probably won't be able to sleep at night."

Although they were all subordinates of the Second Hokage, the differences between them were enormous.

Torifu Akimichi had kept a low profile all these years. It was not only because he lacked much ambition himself; the three Ino–Shika–Cho clans had always believed in keeping their heads down.

More importantly—Third Generation's group had always been excluding and suppressing them.

He had seen through Third Generation's true nature long ago, which was why he had chosen to yield.

The Ino–Shika–Cho clans had even given the Sarutobi Clan earrings symbolizing a brotherhood alliance, as a gesture of submission.

Yet even so, they had still been targeted by Third Generation's group, both openly and covertly, over the years.

Their intention to weaken the three clans was practically written on their faces.

The clearest example was that Third Generation had tacitly allowed Danzo to forcibly seize talented members from their three clans and stuff them into that so-called Root.

Once someone entered, they were basically cut off from their clan.

They might as well be dead.

Ino–Shika–Cho hated it to the bone, but they had no way to fight back.

After all, Third Generation's group was the one in power now.

Enduring it did not mean they had no temper.

Compared to Ino–Shika–Cho, the Uchiha were Third Generation's group's real thorn in the side.

Before, it had been the Senju.

But the Senju were nearly gone now.

The Uchiha's recent reforms to the Police Force and Clan Academy had already given Third Generation's group a terrible headache.

Recently, things had become even more intense. After the Police Force reforms, the Uchiha had handed all ordinary civil disputes over to the newly established Third Police Brigade.

The attitudes of villagers and many small and medium-sized ninja clans toward the Uchiha had begun to quietly change.

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

Not much time had passed, so the changes outside had yet to show any clear signs.

But Torifu Akimichi and the others all knew that before long, the Uchiha's reputation in the village would rise day by day.

And now the Uchiha had gained another way to make money. Just thinking about how furious Third Generation's side must be was satisfying enough.

What was more, Uchiha Chisato had recovered her health, and her strength had returned to its peak.

Even if Third Generation's group wanted to make a move, they would have to think twice.

"Isn't that a good thing?"

Nara Shikayama laughed. "The Uchiha of the past were strong, yes, but they really were troublesome."

"But now, if we let them keep stepping on us to climb higher and let those Sarutobi and Shimura clans treat the entire village like a blood bag, then I'd rather watch the Uchiha grow stronger."

"At least they wouldn't do something so utterly without limits."

Torifu Akimichi and Yamanaka Yu exchanged glances, then nodded as well.

"Enough. Let's not waste time. I'll go deliver the calling card first, so I don't keep them waiting too long."

With that, Nara Shikayama rose to his feet and headed outside.

At the same time, within the Senju Clan Grounds.

"Grandma, look at my disciple. She's really amazing! She can even mass-produce Nutrient Pills like these."

Tsunade swallowed a pill and clicked her tongue in admiration. "I'd bet this isn't even the complete version."

By then, Xunjing and Kushina had long since finished their lessons and dismissed their Shadow Clones.

Uzumaki Mito wore a faint smile after hearing this. "Isn't that obvious?"

"Someone capable of making Life Potions would find it unsurprising to make Nutrient Pills with even stronger effects."

"Still, this level is just right."

"If it went any further, people would watch them like hawks."

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

"So don't say such things again in the future."

"These Nutrient Pills are enough to replenish the vitality I lose every day."

"They may even slowly improve my constitution."

"Perhaps I should start training in taijutsu again."

If she could improve her physique further, it would not only raise her strength. It might even let her live a few more years and extend her peak period a little longer.

"That makes sense."

Tsunade's expression turned serious. "I know what I'm doing. I won't speak carelessly. After all, she's my disciple and our benefactor."

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

"Still, Sarutobi's group must be having a terrible headache. Heh, I really want to see them explode with anger while being unable to do anything about us."

Uzumaki Mito spoke with a smile, though there was a hint of old resentment in her eyes.

Tsunade curled her lips and gave a cold laugh. "Wouldn't that make it even more satisfying?"

After news spread that the Uchiha were opening a medicine shop, all of Konoha was thrown into an uproar.

Tsunade had just finished speaking with her grandmother and was about to leave when Uzumaki Mito added another instruction.

"Go to the Uchiha and find Chisato. Arrange for a batch of Nutrient Pills and Body-Tempering Potions for long-term supply."

Tsunade paused, blinking as she asked, "Grandma, can't we just buy them directly from Xunjing? Why go through the extra trouble?"

"It's different."

Uzumaki Mito shook her head, her tone unhurried. "We need to secure our share of the public allocation."

"First, our private dealings with Xunjing cannot be exposed."

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