Once Shinji had finished laughing, he waved a hand. "Just kidding. Relax. Those were extreme examples, but our real goal is indeed to build an upscale chain brand with consistent standards and quality. We want customers to feel that eating at Yakiniku Q isn't just about filling their stomachs-it's an experience and a symbol of status. Of course, prices have to be reasonable and quality has to hold up. That's how we stay in business."
This little interlude not only livened up the atmosphere, but also gave Choza a more vivid, lasting impression of the concept of "chain operations"-both the practical framework Shinji added afterward and the vague understanding of "brand value" sparked by his earlier, exaggerated joke. It also lent a colorful touch to Choza's later efforts to enthusiastically recommend Shinji's ideas to his father.
Shinji's words were like a boulder dropped into a calm lake. Not only was Choza dumbstruck, but Shikaku and Inoichi also looked thoughtful. Admiration shone in Minato's eyes. Though he knew little about business, he could grasp the logic and foresight behind this system. Kushina, meanwhile, wore an expression that said, "I don't really get it, but it sounds amazing," as she carefully turned the nearly cooked beef tenderloin, afraid of burning it.
"Replicating... replicating shops like stamping impressions... standardization... streamlined processes..." Choza murmured. His massive frame leaned forward slightly with excitement, and he even forgot his beloved grilled meat for the moment. These ideas completely overturned his understanding of "running a shop." The Akimichi Clan had always relied more on ancestral cooking techniques and exacting standards for ingredients to operate its barbecue restaurants. They had never imagined running them so systematically, on such a large scale.
"Shinji! You're a genius!" Choza slapped his thigh hard, his booming voice drawing looks from the neighboring tables. His face was flushed with excitement and the heat of the charcoal. "This way, even more people can eat our clan's barbecue! And we can earn more money to buy more, better meat!"
Shikaku rubbed his brow and sighed. "What a drag... Still, it does sound like a very workable plan. Shinji, how does that brain of yours even work?" His gaze deepened as he looked at Shinji. The talents this young Uchiha displayed extended far beyond the realm of a shinobi.
Inoichi nodded in agreement. "If we can really make it happen, Yakiniku Q could become a famous brand throughout Konoha, maybe even the entire Shinobi World."
The latter half of their barbecue dinner practically turned into a seminar on Shinji's business ideas. Choza fired off one question after another, brimming with enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge. Shinji answered patiently, drawing on knowledge from his previous life and his understanding of Konoha's actual circumstances to offer plenty of concrete suggestions: designing consistent storefront signs and staff uniforms, introducing a membership program to attract repeat customers, developing signature meal sets and drinks, and more.
Only when the moon hung high in the sky did they reluctantly bring their dinner gathering to an end. Choza could barely wait to rush home, even forgetting to take the remaining half plate of meat with him. He wanted to tell his father, Torifu Akimichi, the head of the Akimichi Clan, everything he had heard that night-immediately!
Torifu Akimichi was renowned for his enormous build and an appetite-and strength-to match. He was the pillar of the Akimichi Clan. That night, he was sitting in his spacious Japanese-style room, leisurely sipping tea as he let his dinner settle, when his son Choza came bursting in without even knocking. On his face was an expression Torifu had never seen before, a mixture of overwhelming excitement and astonishment.
"Father! Father!" Choza panted, his eyes as wide as saucers. "I heard it! I heard a plan that could make Yakiniku Q super amazing! Shinji Uchiha came up with it!"
Torifu raised an eyebrow and set down his teacup, both amused and curious at his son's unusually excited state. He had heard of Shinji Uchiha, the Uchiha Clan's young genius, who had apparently opened some sort of singing establishment recently that was drawing quite a crowd. He spoke calmly. "Choza, settle down. Take your time. What kind of plan could make our barbecue restaurants 'super amazing'?"
Choza took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself, then began haltingly recounting Shinji's ideas about "chain operations," "standardization," and "streamlined processes." His vocabulary was limited and his explanation somewhat muddled, but Torifu picked up the core ideas accurately.
As Choza spoke, Torifu Akimichi's relaxed expression gradually grew serious. A shrewd gleam flickered in his eyes, which looked rather small between his plump cheeks. As head of the Akimichi Clan, he was not only powerful, but also adept at managing the clan's businesses. He immediately realized that the ideas Choza was relaying were no childish flights of fancy. They were a mature, systematic business philosophy with enormous commercial potential!
"Replicating shops like copying ninjutsu scrolls... consistent flavors and service... centralized purchasing..." Torifu quietly repeated the key phrases, his fingers tapping unconsciously against the table. This approach was practically a tailor-made blueprint for Yakiniku Q's expansion! If it succeeded, the Akimichi Clan's influence in Konoha, and even its financial strength, would make a qualitative leap!
"Father, what do you think?" Having finished, Choza looked at his father expectantly.
Torifu did not answer immediately. After a moment's thought, he slowly asked, "Choza, are you certain Shinji Uchiha came up with all of this himself?"
"I'm sure!" Choza nodded emphatically. "He just casually brought it up over dinner, and even Shikaku and Inoichi were stunned! Minato and Kushina were there too!"
"Casually brought it up..." A flicker of amazement crossed Torifu's eyes. This boy was not merely gifted. His meticulous thinking and broad perspective hardly seemed those of a child. The Uchiha Clan had truly produced someone extraordinary.
"Father, let's do it!" Choza urged. "Shinji said he could help us! He seems to know a lot about this!"
Torifu looked at his excited son, then thought of Shinji's astonishing ideas. He had already made his decision. He rose to his feet, his massive frame exuding an intangible pressure.
"Choza, prepare a formal visiting card and a gift," Torifu said gravely. "Tomorrow, I'll visit Shinji Uchiha myself to discuss our cooperation in detail. With talent and ideas like these, our clan must seize this opportunity."
"Yes, Father!" Choza was so excited he nearly jumped.
The following afternoon, while Shinji was practicing swordsmanship in his courtyard, a servant informed him that Clan Head Torifu Akimichi had arrived with Choza. He wiped away his sweat, and a knowing smile curved his lips. It seemed last night's little "chat" had worked.
In the reception room, host and guests took their seats. Torifu dispensed with lengthy pleasantries and went straight to the point, his manner sincere and solemn. "Shinji, my boy, Choza came home yesterday and relayed your excellent ideas for improving Yakiniku Q's business model. What I heard astonished me so deeply that I couldn't sleep. Your talent far surpasses that of your peers. Even an old fellow like me must admit he falls short."
Shinji smiled modestly. "You flatter me, Clan Head Torifu. They were only a few undeveloped ideas I happened to mention."
"You're being too modest." Torifu waved a hand, then continued seriously. "I've run Yakiniku Q for many years, and I believe I'm second to none when it comes to meat. But in business, I've admittedly been bound by tradition and never considered anything so expansive. Your concept of 'chain operations' has opened a whole new door for the Akimichi Clan."
He paused, fixing Shinji with an intense gaze. "I've come today to formally invite you to help the Akimichi Clan overhaul and expand Yakiniku Q! With your ideas at the core, we'll build a brand-new, powerful Yakiniku Q chain!"
Shinji was not surprised. He considered it briefly before asking, "What kind of help would you like from me, Clan Head Torifu? And what terms do you have in mind for our partnership?" He knew that once he had demonstrated his value, it was time to discuss the benefits. Though he did not lack money, he had no reason to refuse shares and influence offered at his doorstep.
Torifu had clearly come prepared. He held up three thick fingers and declared firmly, "If you're willing to give us your full support, provide a complete restructuring plan, and guide us through establishing this 'chain system' in its early stages, the Akimichi Clan is willing to grant you a thirty-percent equity stake, with no capital contribution required, in all existing Yakiniku Q restaurants and every future branch! We'll also appoint you lifetime honorary adviser to the Yakiniku Q chain, with the right to propose and veto business strategies!"
A thirty-percent equity stake without investing a penny! Lifetime honorary adviser!
The offer was generous indeed! It meant that Shinji would need to invest virtually no money-the Akimichi Clan would cover all expansion costs-yet his ideas and planning alone would earn him a permanent thirty-percent share of Yakiniku Q's potentially enormous future profits, along with considerable decision-making power! It fully demonstrated Torifu Akimichi's boldness and his immense confidence in Shinji's abilities.
Shinji looked into Clan Head Torifu's sincere, expectant eyes, then glanced at Choza beside him, whose palms were sweating with nerves. He knew this was a win-win arrangement. Not only would he gain a steady source of income, but the restaurant business would also allow him to become more deeply involved in Konoha's economic life, expanding his connections and influence.
He stood, a solemn smile on his face, and extended his hand to Clan Head Torifu. "With such a sincere offer, refusing would only make me seem ungracious. All right! I accept! Together, let's bring the Akimichi Clan's delicious food to the entire Shinobi World!"
Two hands clasped firmly together: one belonged to the Akimichi clan head renowned for his strength and appetite, the other to the young Uchiha known for his intelligence and ideas from "another world."
From that moment on, Konoha's restaurant scene-and even the future barbecue landscape of the Shinobi World-quietly began to change. And beyond his grand goal of "changing the Uchiha's fate," Shinji Uchiha had inadvertently embarked on an unexpected side path toward becoming a "restaurant tycoon." Even the aroma of grilled meat seemed more enticing now, rich with business opportunities.
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