In the village, the barking of cats and dogs echoed. The sounds of children laughing and playing, along with the dimming sky and the rising cooking smoke, made it feel like a dreamlike paradise.
The cooking smoke was a reflection of life and a bond of emotions. It was always a concern in a ninja's dreams and a call from family.
At the dinner table in the Uchiha residence in Konoha Village, within the home of Uchiha Toshiro:
"How is it, Mika-nee? Does it taste okay?"
In a previous life, there was a long period he had lived alone, growing tired of street food. He had to cook for himself to satisfy his increasingly fragile stomach. Although his culinary skills were not on par with professional chefs, simple homemade dishes were no problem for him.
"It's quite delicious! Who knew Toshiro was so talented in cooking too!"
Putting down her chopsticks, Uchiha Mika looked at the boy across the table, relieving a concern in her heart. Just as the boy worried that his existence might hinder her 'auntie's' important life events, Uchiha Mika also restrained her own feelings. One aspect was due to the inherent shyness of a young girl, and on the other hand, Toshiro's presence was a significant factor.
"Mika-nee seems very tired today. Is it because of the new medicine? Did the clan disagree with its promotion?"
With a slight thought, Toshiro roughly guessed the situation, although it slightly differed from his imagination.
"There's no problem from the clan. The issue is with the village. The village hopes the clan only handles the production of the new medicine, while they take over the procurement and sales of the raw materials."
Uchiha Mika originally had high hopes for this new medicine, into which she had poured nearly two years of effort. She wanted to use it to improve relations between the village and the clan and save more comrades' lives. However, things didn't go as she wished. Taking Toshiro's advice, she persuaded the clan but faced problems from the village side. The rift between the village and the clan seemed hard to mend.
"They even suggested paying a hefty sum for the formula of the new medicine."
"That's even more absurd. What's the reason Uchiha agreed to promote this new medicine? It was to use it to re-establish relationships with various families in the village and to restore the clan's reputation."
"The clan elders all disagreed and had a big row in Patriarch Ryūzan's office…"
Seeing Uchiha Mika's slightly dim eyes, Toshiro secretly blamed himself for his bad idea. "More is often less" is indeed a wise saying.
"Mika-nee, did the Medical Corps have any response?"
"Eh? The Medical Corps? They did order a batch of the new medicine, but not in large quantities."
She had not immediately reacted to Toshiro's sudden question. After a brief recollection, she answered.
"Then there's no problem! With the help of the Medical Corps, promoting this new medicine won't be too difficult."
"It's not that simple. Without the village's help, relying solely on the clan to promote this medicine would be extremely challenging!"
Thinking about the clan's dismal reputation in the village, Uchiha Mika almost spoke with despair.
"Having the Medical Corps' help is enough!"
The Medical Corps generally treated those injured from the battlefield or missions. Any slightly severe injury wouldn't hold out until they reached Konoha, let alone be treated in the Medical Corps.
With full confidence, Uchiha Toshiro asked, "Fear of death?"
Hearing this question, she was momentarily puzzled.
Do the village ninjas fear death? No. To protect the village, they participated in the First and Second Shinobi Wars, not just the village but also the clan. Many ninjas went to the battlefield to protect the village and peace, never returning to Konoha.
Not afraid? As a medical ninja bearing the Uchiha name, she not only treated Uchiha ninjas but also many village comrades. There were successes, but also failures. Regardless of the surname, seeing injured individuals' eyes showing reluctance and longing before death deeply moved her, recognizing the husbands awaited by wives and the fathers admired by children.
Seeing her confused expression, Toshiro quickly explained, "The village only lets the clan handle the production of this new medicine because they think we can't promote it due to our poor reputation."
"With the Medical Corps as a breakthrough, I believe ninjas who frequently undertake dangerous missions would come for it. Having the first, there will be a second, third, and so forth—it's just a matter of time."
"The village cannot forbid ninjas from spending their money on an excellent medicine. As for raw material procurement, even outside Konoha, the Land of Fire has numerous herbal merchants."
Hearing Toshiro's explanation, Uchiha Mika's eyes grew brighter. Suddenly, she clapped her chopsticks on the table and stood up, ready to leave.
"Wait, Mika-nee, don't rush. Let me finish."
Hearing Toshiro's words, Mika paused her steps, furrowed her brow in thought, and then sat back at the table, her eyes bright and focused on him as if she was about to activate the Uchiha's bloodline limit.
"No need to rush, Mika-nee! What you need to do now is simple: spare some time to teach the method for making the new medicine to those in charge of secret medicine in the clan. Persuade the clan leader to allocate funds to you and purchase a batch of raw materials before the village reacts."
"Isn't it inappropriate? Isn't this obviously going against the village's will?" Suddenly, it seemed she realized something.
"How can this be called opposing the village? We are just contributing our Uchiha's efforts to protect the ninjas, the village, and everyone!" Rolling his eyes dramatically, Toshiro said.
"Hmm! When applying for funds from the clan leader, make sure to use the 'pretty words' I just said to him as well. Oh, have you thought of a name for the clan's secret medicine?"
"Hmm! Then let's keep it simple. Just call it 'Uchiha Secret Medicine'—clear and straightforward! Isn't the clan fond of putting the clan emblem everywhere? Print it on the secret medicine too."
"No need to rush so much. You just met with the Security Force and clan leader. Running back now in a hurry would be suspicious. Going tomorrow is not too late."
"That's not true! Those pretty words are crucial. They can close the mouth of the Hokage. And remember, don't tell the clan leader that the idea came from me…"
At the dining table, the continuous chattering of Uchiha Toshiro echoed, while Uchiha Mika gazed at him with a look of joyful relief.
"Brother-sama, Toshiro has truly grown up…"
(End of this chapter)