The ice cream craze

The incident with Tiexiong and his father was just a brief interlude that soon passed.

Uchiha Rìtiān's life returned to its usual routine—selling ice cream by day and practicing ninjutsu by night. His days were full and happy.

Ever since he awakened his Sharingan, the system's "chakra precise control" ability had helped him get twice the results for half the effort when practicing ninjutsu.

That evening, the system's notification suddenly sounded.

"Ding! Host's chakra reserves have reached the genin standard. Choice triggered-"

"Option one: Learn Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (C-rank). Reward: Wind Release affinity +1."

"Option two: Learn Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique (B-rank). Reward: Water Release affinity +1."

"Option three: Learn Lightning Release: Chidori (A-rank). Reward: Lightning Release affinity +1."

Uchiha Rìtiān: "..." Chidori? An A-rank ninjutsu? That sounded freaking awesome!

But wait... Chidori was powerful, but he only had a one-tomoe Sharingan right now. He couldn't bring out its power at all. Besides, an A-rank ninjutsu would attract too much attention. A five-year-old who knew Chidori? Wouldn't people study him like some kind of monster?

No, no. Too flashy.

Uchiha Rìtiān thought it over and finally chose Wind Release. The reason was simple—Wind Release was cool! Wind fanned fire, and fire drew strength from wind. Wind Release plus Fire Release meant twice the showing-off potential! As for Water Release, what was so great about spitting water?

"I choose option one!"

"Ding! Selection successful. Acquired Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (C-rank), Wind Release affinity +1!"

The next moment, a vast amount of information flooded his mind, imprinting every detail of Wind Release: Great Breakthrough in his brain. At the same time, a trace of wind was added to Uchiha Rìtiān's chakra nature.

Uchiha Rìtiān was incredibly excited. A combination of Wind Release and Fire Release—the mere thought was thrilling!

Early the next morning, Uchiha Rìtiān slipped into the little grove at the edge of the clan grounds to try it out.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!" Whoosh! A powerful whirlwind blasted out, sending leaves flying everywhere in its path.

Next came Wind Release combined with Great Fireball-boom! The fireball instantly swelled to several times its size, its power soaring!

Uchiha Rìtiān nodded in satisfaction. Nice, nice. This combination packed a punch! When he ran into a powerful enemy, he would use it to catch them off guard.

Only after he had practiced enough did Uchiha Rìtiān stroll leisurely home.

When he got home, he found an even longer line at the ice cream stand, with quite a few faces from outside the clan among them.

Uchiha Rìtiān stopped a customer to ask and learned that they were from the neighboring Senju Clan. They had heard how delicious the ice cream was and come specifically to try it.

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up. Sales were reaching beyond the clan? That was great! The Uchiha market was only so big. Selling outside the clan was how he could double his profits!

Immediately energized, Uchiha Rìtiān personally stepped in to sell ice cream, taking the opportunity to ask customers from other clans about their flavor preferences.

When he tallied the accounts at the end of the day, sales were actually thirty percent higher than usual! Nearly half had come from people outside the clan.

Rìtiān was delighted. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before all of Konoha knew about Uchiha Rìtiān-brand ice cream!

To attract more customers, Uchiha Rìtiān decided to introduce new flavors—mango, blueberry, and... Wasabi Flavor.

That was right, Wasabi Flavor! Someone had to try new things. What if someone liked it?

The new flavors caused a craze as soon as they launched. Mango and blueberry were hugely popular and sold out that very day.

As for Wasabi Flavor... the first person to try it turned completely green, tears and snot streaming down his face. Just when everyone thought something was going to happen to him, he actually forced out, "Another one!"

Everyone: "..." Uchiha Rìtiān was stunned too. Someone really did have such extreme tastes?

Regardless, the new flavors made the ice cream business even more popular. More and more people came after hearing about it-not just the Senju, but even people from clans like the Sarutobi and Shimura.

Uchiha Rìtiān hired another ten people to work in two shifts, but they still couldn't keep up.

"The Uchiha Clan's ice cream" soon became something of a legend in Konoha. Even Lord Hokage heard about it.

One day, several ANBU suddenly appeared in front of the stand. Uchiha Rìtiān's heart skipped a beat. They weren't here to check his taxes, were they?

The lead ANBU, wearing a cat mask, said evenly, "Lord Hokage heard your ice cream was famous and sent me to buy some for him to try."

Uchiha Rìtiān: "..." That was it? He'd thought something serious had happened.

Uchiha Rìtiān immediately perked up. He personally made over a dozen flavors and handed over a large, full box. "Sir, please take good care of this for Lord Hokage! This ice cream is on the house!"

Seriously, if he could build a connection with Lord Hokage, what was a little ice cream?

The ANBU put down a stack of money and left. Uchiha Rìtiān counted it. Whoa, a thousand ryō! The old Third was pretty generous!

Uchiha Rìtiān happily put the money away, making little calculations in his head. Even the Hokage ate his ice cream. If word got out, wouldn't business get even better? Becoming the richest man in Konoha was just around the corner!

What he didn't know, however, was that in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage was reading his file.

"Awakened his Sharingan at five... and knows how to make ice cream..." The Third took a puff of his pipe, his gaze deep. "The Uchiha Clan really has produced an interesting child."

The ANBU beside him asked quietly, "Lord Hokage, should we assign someone to watch him?"

The Third shook his head. "No need. He's only a five-year-old child. However... we should still keep a closer eye on the Uchiha Clan's recent movements."

Meanwhile, Uchiha Rìtiān was happily planning his business empire, completely unaware that he had already come to the attention of Konoha's highest leadership.

Just then, the system's notification sounded again.

"Ding! Host's business operations have expanded. New mission triggered-"

"Mission name: Business tycoon."

"Mission requirements: Within one month, make ice cream Konoha's most popular food and reach a monthly income of one hundred thousand ryō."

"Mission reward: Sage Body Fragment ×1."

"Failure penalty: Become a girl for one month."

Uchiha Rìtiān: "..."

He nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. Become a girl for one month? System, were you the devil? And what the hell was a Sage Body Fragment? What damn use was a single fragment?

One hundred thousand ryō a month? Wasn't that asking for his life?

Uchiha Rìtiān wanted to cry but had no tears. Still, he had to think of something. New flavors? Marketing? Or... opening branches?

Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up. Right! Branches! How could a single little stand be enough? If he opened branches all over Konoha, wouldn't his income shoot right up?

Just as Uchiha Rìtiān was excitedly mulling it over, he suddenly felt someone watching him.

He looked up. On a nearby rooftop, a masked figure was looking down at him from above. Only one eye was visible, its scarlet Sharingan particularly striking.

Uchiha Rìtiān's heart skipped a beat. Who was that? Obito? Or... no, Itachi wouldn't be wearing a mask.

The figure seemed to notice Uchiha Rìtiān's gaze. A strange smile curled at the corner of his mouth, and then he vanished in a flash.

Uchiha Rìtiān stood where he was, his expression somewhat grave. That masked man... who exactly was he? Why was he watching him?

A feeling of unease rose in his heart. It seemed his days probably wouldn't be peaceful anymore.

But... Rìtiān clenched his fists, a glint of resolve flashing in his eyes. He would meet whatever came his way. Anyone who wanted to lay a hand on him, Uchiha Rìtiān, had better think twice!

The sunlight was just right, and the line in front of the ice cream stand was still long. Beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were stirring. And he was ready.