Naruto's Strongest Force - Chapter 90

Konoha’s North Gate

Many villagers planning to go to Eighth Street for food found out that all Uchiha shops had been relocated. Piqued by their curiosity, they boarded the free sightseeing buses at the north gate and, within minutes, arrived at Uchiha’s new food street.

The villagers were astonished. Previously, at Eighth Street, they had to walk a bit to find the next food shop. Now, all the food shops were concentrated on a single street, allowing them to enjoy various foods without much walking.

The entrance featured helpful signposts, clearly marking different food types’ locations. The membership cards offered at the entrance, which provided a 10% discount for a mere ten ry?, were a hit among the villagers.

Quickly, they got used to visiting this new food street. Meanwhile, once bustling, Eighth Street became cold and deserted without the flow of people.

…

Hokage Office

“What have you done, Danzo?”

The Third Hokage was furious. The secret recipes of Uchiha’s culinary business had beenstill needed to be obtained, and now, the Uchiha had moved all their businesses out of Eighth Street. They opened a new food street within their compound, catching the Third Hokage off guard.

Initially, he thought they needed to keep their businesses in Eighth Street, allowing the village to find ways to get the secret recipes. But now, the Uchiha clan had effectively removed themselves from the town, and it was premeditated, with vehicles already prepared.

During the compound’s construction, some mocked the Uchiha for their thorough groundwork, but now it was clear that the planner had great foresight.

In sulking in his Root base, Danzo was equally annoyed, not because of Hyuga’s inefficiency but because of the Uchiha clan’s shrewdness.

The Uchiha food street now had guards at the entrance. Initially, the membership cards just offered discounts. After a few days, as villagers got used to the cards, entering became a requirement. No membership card? No entry. Given that it cost only ten ry?, those unwilling to buy it were likely not genuine customers.

The Uchiha closely monitored special individuals under suspicion, and any misbehaviour led to immediate expulsion.

Danzo received only about 30% of the recipes, many of which needed to be completed. With the Hyuga clan now holding the honorary elder position, Haito moved into the leading family estate and ceased communication with Danzo.

Danzo realised Haito had played him. The Fire Country Daimyo had sent people to check on progress, so Danzo had no choice but to send a copy of the recipes to the Daimyo and report the Uchiha’s “betrayal.”

Originally, Danzo planned for the Hyuga clan to copy 60-70% of the recipes, allowing the Daimyo to promote these businesses throughout the Fire Country, effectively out-competing Uchiha’s shops. To expedite this, he granted the Hyuga the honorary elder position.

With less than 30% obtained and incomplete at that, the end products would be subpar, making market dominance unlikely. Danzo was left at a significant loss.

The Third Hokage was concerned about the broader implications. Uchiha’s booming food businesses had previously revitalised Eighth Street, but now, with the Uchiha gone, the street was sure to decline, reducing revenue and limiting the Hokage’s funds.

During peacetime, with fewer missions, the village had turned to business for revenue. When Uchiha conducted business within the village, the Hokage could collect taxes. Now, Uchiha’s shops outside the town were tax-free, leading to a 20% increase in overall revenue.

Fugaku, receiving updates from the Fourth Elder Y?hei, learned that Uchiha’s income had increased after moving the businesses.

In addition, Uchiha no longer relied on Konoha for missions. Instead, they utilised Otogakure’s mission system, finding it more efficient and profitable. Otogakure offered suitable missions and fair shares of the rewards.

Despite the risk of being penalised by ANBU for unauthorised departures, Uchiha continued discreetly, using clan affairs as a pretext. The Uchiha had effectively severed their dependency on Konoha.

…

Notification: Task Completed

“Congratulations, host, for completing the task ‘Independence from Konoha.’ Reward: Complete Konoha Ninjutsu Compendium. Development Fund: 5 billion ry?.”

“New Task: Become the Leader of the Uchiha Clan.”

Disembarking in Uzushio, Natsuki heard the long-awaited system notification, which was just in time, as he needed more resources to learn ninjutsu. He was on his way to meet Orochimaru, who was already listed as a subordinate in his system.

Visiting Orochimaru would unlock more potential allies and resources. The Ninjutsu Compendium included rare techniques, such as Flying Thunder God and other forbidden jutsu.

Natsuki received updates from Fugaku about the Hyuga central family’s involvement and their attempts to steal recipes. Natsuki had anticipated such events and had prepared a contingency plan.

Now, with Uchiha independent from Konoha, the clan could act without village constraints, making it imperative for Natsuki to return and assume leadership.

He hastened to Otogakure to solidify alliances and return to lead the Uchiha, guiding them through this new era of autonomy.

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