allendalepharm Chapter 47 Uchiha Matriarch
Chapter 47 Uchiha Matriarch
early morning.
When Sosuke woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
It was quite rare for him to sleep in.
The training in the Instantaneous Movement Technique has come to an end.
He took a day off.
Engaging in high-intensity training again will damage the body. Even if chakra can be restored, bones still have a limit to their fatigue.
With his current healing chakra, he can only provide basic medical treatment; the internal fatigue will require time to recover.
Sosuke got out of bed.
He moved his ankle.
Click.
A crisp sound.
It doesn't hurt; on the contrary, it feels like a comfortable sensation as the joint is being realigned.
He glanced at the shoes placed beside the bed.
Those ordinary cloth ninja shoes had worn through the soles, revealing the lining underneath, and you could even see burn marks on the edges.
That was left by the intense heat from the friction between chakra and the ground during yesterday's emergency stop practice.
"It's time to upgrade our equipment."
Sosuke was barefoot, standing on the wooden floor.
After washing up, he poured himself a glass of water.
I added a spoonful of salt and a spoonful of sugar.
This is the simplest electrolyte water.
Drink it to replenish body fluids.
He changed into a loose-fitting cotton and linen outfit and went out.
The commercial street features the "Takai Shoe Shop".
This is a long-established brand that specializes in custom-made shoes.
The boss was a bald, middle-aged man with a pipe dangling from his mouth.
"Boss, a pair of shoes, please."
Sosuke walked into the store.
"What kind do you want?" Boss Takai asked without looking up. "The stock is all on the shelves, but custom orders will take half a month."
"Why is it taking so long?"
"Let's fight a war."
Takai sighed.
"The good cowhide has all been requisitioned by the logistics department to make leather armor. The little bit of material left has to be prioritized for the senior members of the Dark Division. It's tough for us too."
It's war again.
Now, the shadow of war permeates every corner, from expensive detonators to a pair of shoes on your feet.
"I want it in stock."
Sosuke pointed to a pair of black high-top boots on the top shelf.
"Those shoes look like they have thick soles."
"Good eye." Takai perked up. "It's made of rock cowhide from the northern part of the Land of Fire. The bottom has three layers, and there's a thin steel plate embedded in the middle for puncture resistance and wear resistance."
"It's a bit heavy, which most speed-type ninjas wouldn't like."
"I want it."
It doesn't matter if it's a little heavier.
Sosuke's current thigh strength is sufficient to handle these iron shoes. And what he needs is durability.
The sudden stop of the Body Flicker Technique is like using your foot as a brake pad; ordinary shoe soles simply cannot withstand it.
Try it on.
It's very hard.
It provides excellent support, keeping the ankles firmly protected.
Sosuke stomped his foot hard.
The ground made a dull thud.
"How much?"
"It usually sells for 8,000, but now the price has gone up to 12,000."
Sosuke paid the money and walked out wearing the new shoes.
The sensation underfoot has changed.
Down-to-earth and steady.
This sense of physical security put him in a good mood.
He arrived at Red Fan Street.
On the edge of the Uchiha clan's territory.
Unlike the bustling commercial street outside, this place is unusually quiet.
Ordinary villagers rarely come here.
But at the end of the street, there was a shop that was always packed with customers.
[The sweet part].
Before you even get close, a rich, sweet fragrance wafts over on the breeze.
That's the aroma of red bean paste being stir-fried at high temperature, mixed with the fragrance of glutinous rice and white sugar.
The cloying sweetness diluted the originally quiet atmosphere of the street.
Sosuke pushed open the door.
Welcome!
A crisp sound rang out.
It's Maki.
The girl from the orphanage was wearing a clean, dark blue floral kimono with a white apron tied around her waist, and her hair was neatly combed.
She wore a perfectly timed smile.
Neither humble nor overly enthusiastic.
This is what Sosuke taught her—when facing the Uchiha, maintain a sense of distance, but be attentive to their needs.
"Mr. Sosuke!"
Maki saw who it was and quickly walked over.
"You've arrived."
"How's business?"
Sosuke scanned the store.
There were eight tables in total, and six of them were occupied.
Moreover, they all had black hair and wore the same round fan family crest.
They were all Uchiha.
Some of them were wearing guard uniforms, clearly having just come off duty; others were in civilian clothes and had children with them.
No one was engaging in lofty discussions.
Everyone ate their dumplings or yokan quietly, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones.
Under the soothing effect of the sugar, they looked relaxed.
"Very good." Maki reported in a low voice, "Two batches of red bean paste have already sold out. Grandpa Hubu is cooking the third batch."
Sousuke nodded approvingly.
He didn't disturb the guests, but went straight into the kitchen.
Steaming hot.
The old man from the Ministry of Revenue was standing in front of a huge bronze pot, holding a long wooden spoon and stirring the thick red bean paste inside.
"Is the boss here?"
The Ministry of Revenue glanced at Sosuke, but didn't stop what he was doing.
"The cooking time is perfect. This batch of red beans is excellent; the sand is very fine."
"You've worked hard."
Sosuke glanced to the side.
Ren is pounding the glutinous rice dough with all his might.
Each time the mallet fell, it made a dull thud.
The force is excellent, making the glutinous rice balls here exceptionally chewy.
"Ren, well done."
Sosuke patted Jin on the shoulder.
Ren stopped, wiped his sweat, and gave a simple, honest smile.
Sosuke took a small paper packet out of his pocket and handed it to the Ministry of Revenue.
"What is this?" Hubu stopped eating.
"I just bought these osmanthus flowers on the street."
Sosuke opened the paper package.
Inside are dried golden osmanthus flowers.
The Minister of Revenue sniffed it, and his nose twitched.
"Good stuff. Osmanthus flowers are hard to find this season. Adding them to red bean soup will give it more layers of flavor."
The old man simply threw a handful into the pot.
Instantly, a delicate fragrance of osmanthus mixed with the aroma of soybeans filled the kitchen.
Sosuke walked out of the kitchen and went behind the counter.
He poured himself a cup of tea, sat in a corner, and quietly observed the customers in the shop.
It was less about observation and more about intelligence gathering.
The garrison was responsible for the security of the entire village. Although they were far from the center of power, they were well-informed.
When the Uchiha clan members let their guard down and eat candy, they often reveal some useful information.
"Damn logistics department."
At the next table, two Uchiha clan members dressed in casual clothes were complaining in hushed tones. In front of them sat half-eaten red bean jelly.
One of the older men had large finger joints, clearly indicating he was a veteran skilled in knife and shuriken techniques.
"Was yesterday's application rejected again?" the younger one asked.
"Rejected." The elder snorted coldly, poking the yokan hard with a bamboo skewer. "I applied for fifty boxes of explosive tags, and what happened? The supplies department, which is in charge of that dormitory, Koharu, only approved ten boxes."
"What's the reason?"
"Reason? What other reason could there be?" The elder lowered his voice, his eyes sinister. "'The front lines are about to open, and strategic materials will be prioritized for Lord Jiraiya's southwestern front.' All bullshit! The day before yesterday, I clearly saw the Anbu supply convoy carrying a full fifty boxes of explosive tags to 'Root's' base."
Sosuke took a sip of tea, his eyes flickering slightly.
Jiraiya is already on the front lines?
Is the Third Shinobi World War really going to start ahead of schedule?
But why is that? In the original timeline, there were still five or six years before the war broke out.
Perhaps his existence triggered a butterfly effect to some extent... but the problem is that he didn't have a significant impact on the world itself!
The most influential entities associated with him are the water purification company and the Takaya Trading Company.
But this level of influence is probably not enough to trigger a war prematurely, is it?
Moreover, rumors of war had already reached Konoha before he began selling purified water on a large scale.
This shows that the reason the war was brought forward was not due to him.
Why is that?
Just then, the wind chimes at the door rang.
The force with which the door was pushed was perfectly controlled; the wind chimes only rang once before stopping, demonstrating the person's excellent control.
A young woman walked in.
She wore a light purple high-necked long dress, her black hair cascaded down her back, and she had a gentle and graceful demeanor.
Although she was dressed casually, the straps of her ninja tool pouch were faintly visible under her skirt, indicating that she was not a weak woman, but a ninja who had undergone rigorous training.
When the Uchiha in the shop saw her, they all stopped what they were doing and nodded slightly in greeting.
That respect came from the bottom of their hearts.
"Mikoto-sama."
Maki immediately went to greet her.
Uchiha Mikoto.
Head of the Uchiha clan, and wife of Uchiha Fugaku.
She is also the future mother of Itachi Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha.
She was still very young at that time.
"Maki, still the same as always."
Mikoto's voice was very soft.
"Two servings of red bean yokan."
"Okay, please wait a moment."
Maki skillfully began packing.
Mikoto did not sit down, but stood in front of the counter and waited.
Her gaze casually swept across the store, finally landing on Sosuke in the corner.
Sosuke stood up and bowed slightly.
"Mikoto-sama."
Mikoto walked over.
"You must be Mr. Sosuke?"
She said with a smile.
"Sōji mentioned you to me. He said your shop always has surprisingly delicious flavors. After trying it, I can confirm that it was indeed very good."
"Captain Souji, you flatter me."
Sousuke walked out of the counter.
"I just hope to provide everyone with a place to rest."
Mikoto looked at Sousuke.
Her eyes are very sharp.
As an Uchiha woman, she possesses remarkable insight. Moreover, Mikoto is already a Jonin at this point.
She noticed the calluses on Sosuke's hands.
That wasn't left over from making desserts, nor from using an abacus.
That was left from holding a knife, or some kind of sharp weapon.
Moreover, the young man's posture and center of gravity were very stable, indicating that he could exert force at any time.
The other party has received rigorous training.
"I heard that the magical purified water was also your doing?" Mikoto suddenly changed the subject.
"Yes."
"Thanks."
Mikoto bowed slightly.
"Many of our people are frequently injured. The work of the security force is not as safe as outsiders think."
"Your medicine has been a great help."
"It's business," Sosuke replied politely. "And it's what I should do."
"Anyway, thank you."
Mikoto smiled.
"In Konoha, there aren't many people willing to take the initiative to show goodwill to the Uchiha clan."
She took the takeout box from Maki.
"If you need any help, feel free to come to me. Or you can talk to Souji."
This is a commitment.
A promise from the Uchiha matriarch.
"Thank you Mikoto-sama."
Mikoto left.
The atmosphere in the store became lively again.
Sosuke sat back down in his chair, watching Mikoto's departing figure.
It seems that the Uchiha clan is currently treating me very kindly.
However, since the Third Shinobi World War is about to begin, will the destruction of the Uchiha clan also come sooner?
Will he be implicated if he continues to rely on the Uchiha clan?
Sosuke shook his head, suppressing those thoughts.
He is still too weak.
Even if the Uchiha clan might be destroyed prematurely, he would still have to rely on them for survival.
His current task is to sell sugar, sell water, and then—
Become stronger.