Akimichi Clan Compound
"Clan Head Fugaku, I'm terribly sorry. Our clan's secret recipe pills and military pills have all been reserved, and orders are booked until the second half of the year. If you're interested, you'll need to get on the waiting list," Akimichi Chōza said with a straight face.
"Is that so? My apologies for disturbing you," Uchiha Fugaku replied, though the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
It's a time of peace—who in their right mind is stockpiling soldier pills or secret supplements?The Akimichi Clan clearly had no intention of selling to them!
"No problem at all. If any stock becomes available, I'll be sure to notify you immediately," Chōza said politely.
"Alright then. By the way, would the Akimichi Clan be interested in food delivery? The Uchiha Clan can provide door-to-door service," Fugaku offered.
"Food delivery? Door-to-door service?" Chōza was stunned.
The Akimichi Clan, known for their large builds and hearty appetites, could eat more in one meal than most clans in a week. One family's dinner could easily cost tens of thousands in ryo. Was Fugaku serious?
Who would dare deliver food to them? They'd collapse from exhaustion!Could it be the Uchiha Clan is so desperate to win them over that they're willing to lower themselves to do what only civilians and Genin do? What about clan pride and honor?
"Yes, that's correct," Fugaku nodded. "The Uchiha Clan has signed agreements with both Barbecue Q and Ichiraku Ramen. We can deliver your orders—no matter how large—directly to your doorstep."
No matter how much? Hearing this, Chōza was genuinely tempted.
Whenever they went shopping, they had to carry sealing scrolls or use the clan's size-enhancement jutsu to lug food home. But that had its drawbacks: enlarging oneself for five minutes often meant eating for two hours.
Sometimes, the groceries consumed on the way back exceeded the food bought—how embarrassing.
And using sealing scrolls? Each use required hand seals, biting fingers, and chakra—often costing more than the meal itself.
If delivery truly became an option, it would be a godsend for the Akimichi Clan.
But… the Uchiha are walking a dangerous path. If only they weren't always thinking of coups or rebellion, maybe cooperation would've been possible.
Unfortunately, they'd already become a thorn in the side of Konoha's upper echelons.
"I'm really sorry, Clan Head Fugaku," Chōza said with a regretful expression. "Our clan is currently focused on mastering a new secret technique. We've switched to a vegetarian diet and have banned meat and rich foods. Once our training is complete, we'll definitely support your business."
"I see. In that case, I'll take my leave," Fugaku replied.
"Don't mention it. Let's stay in touch. Once our production of soldier pills increases, I'll contact you right away," Chōza added.
"Thank you." Fugaku bowed slightly and turned to go.
Leaving the Akimichi compound, Uchiha Fugaku sighed. Two rejections in a row—first the Nara, now the Akimichi. It was a clear sign: the Uchiha Clan had lost public favor.
Looking at the bigger picture, the other clans had no confidence in the Uchiha. If the Uchiha truly rebelled, Itachi might be right—every major clan in Konoha would unite to destroy them, leaving them with no choice but to flee the village.
But once they lost the protection of Konoha, the mighty tree under which they'd lived, the Uchiha would be like rootless weeds—easy prey for all.
Their Sharingan would become the object of desire for the great villages, missing-nin, and bounty hunters alike. The Uchiha might follow in the tragic footsteps of the Uzumaki Clan, hunted and enslaved across the shinobi world.
Unless they developed something like the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Seal to protect the Sharingan, there would be no way to keep their eyes from being harvested.
"I really was too naive…" Fugaku muttered bitterly.
Even after dangling two generous offers, not even the food-loving Akimichi Clan would bite. It was a sobering wake-up call.
"Looks like I'll have to do what Itachi suggested—start small, from the common folk, and build up slowly."
Fugaku turned back to glance at the compounds of the Nara and Akimichi Clans.
Today, you brush me off. Tomorrow, I'll be out of your league!
"Let's set a small goal first: partner with Ichiraku Ramen and Barbecue Q."
He steeled his resolve and headed toward the two shops—both already closed.
In truth, his earlier claims were a bluff—he hadn't spoken to either restaurant yet.But this time, they can't possibly reject me, right?
If need be, I'll buy every single bowl, reserve every table—I'll drown them in money if I have to!
Uchiha Residence
Returning home, Itachi found Kushina writing something while chatting with his mother, Uchiha Mikoto. Sasuke was fast asleep nearby.
"You're back," Kushina smiled as she stood up. "I've handed over the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques and Minato's training methods to Mikoto. From now on, I'll leave Naruto in your family's care."
"Don't worry, Kushina. Once Naruto reaches the age where he can start training, I'll make sure Itachi secretly teaches him the Uzumaki sealing arts, as well as the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God and Rasengan," Mikoto promised.
"Thank you." Kushina bowed deeply in gratitude.
"Aunt Kushina, does this mean I can also learn the Uzumaki Clan's sealing jutsu, Flying Thunder God, and Rasengan?" Itachi asked, visibly excited.
His chakra affinities were Fire, Wind, Water, Yin, and Yang—all compatible with Rasengan training.
"Yes, absolutely," Kushina nodded. "Actually, if the Nine-Tails attack hadn't happened, you would've already been Minato's student. But fate had other plans."
"Still, it's not too late. I can take you in as Minato's disciple on his behalf."
"But from now on, you can't call me Aunt Kushina—you'll need to call me Sensei's wife. And Naruto will be your junior disciple. Are you okay with that?" she asked seriously.
"I'm willing," Itachi answered without hesitation.
A student learns from a teacher.A disciple, however, pledges loyalty and learns true legacy.
The difference in treatment couldn't be more drastic.
More importantly, Minato was the Fourth Hokage. His teacher was Jiraiya, and Jiraiya had studied under the Third Hokage. By joining this lineage, Itachi would become part of the Hokage faction.
Even more crucially, Kushina had inherited the true teachings of Uzumaki Mito. Though the Uzumaki Clan was gone, Kushina held all their techniques—many of which were likely absent even from the Hokage's Forbidden Scroll archives.
"Good. In that case, take this scroll," Kushina said. "It contains chakra imprints of both myself and Minato. They can guide you through mastering the Uzumaki sealing arts and Flying Thunder God."
"If the Third Hokage questions your legitimacy, these chakra remnants will serve as proof that you're our disciple."
"Thank you, Sensei's wife," Itachi said gratefully.
This scroll wouldn't just help him master new techniques—it could clear the Uchiha Clan of suspicion surrounding the Nine-Tails incident. It might even be used to expose Danzo's schemes.
Itachi guessed that if he had refused Kushina's offer, the scroll might never have been given to him.
Sure, he could use a perfected version of the Impure World Reincarnation to revive Kushina and have her write out all the Uzumaki techniques. But that felt like a cheap substitute.
After all, Naruto carried Kushina's chakra imprint inside him. If he used Edo Tensei and that imprint later connected with her, his image in Naruto's, Kushina's, and Minato's hearts might suffer immensely.
"Now that everything is arranged, I'll head back to Naruto," Kushina said. "If anything comes up, you can contact me through the Impure World Reincarnation seal. I know you can do it."
"Thank you again, Sensei's wife," Itachi said, bowing deeply.
"Good night." With that, Kushina dispelled her shadow clone. Poof! A cloud of smoke, and she vanished from the Uchiha compound.