Konohagakure
Although the Uchiha clan remained silent, the shop owners looked at their customers knowingly and gestured toward the nearby Root members.
Root’s reputation was already tarnished, and the villagers quickly drew their conclusions.
They speculated that these Root police members targeted the Uchiha, preventing them from doing business.
Rumors spread that the Root members were deliberately trying to ruin the Uchiha.
As a result, Hiashi Hyuga was summoned to the Hokage’s office.
The Third Hokage, smoking his pipe, angrily told Hiashi, “I don’t care what deal you made with Danzo and the Hyuga main family. You have three days to ensure the Uchiha shops reopen.”
Hiashi had initially opposed the prominent family’s intervention in the police force.
He had no fondness for the Hokage’s faction after they sold out the Hyuga clan to the Cloud Village.
However, the leading family elder was stubborn, believing it was unwise to oppose the Hokage.
Danzo had promised an honorary elder position if the operation succeeded, and it was merely a personnel change.
But the Uchiha seemed prepared. The moment Root members arrived, the shop owners closed their businesses.
With the Third Hokage’s support, Hiashi quickly negotiated with the elder.
The Third Hokage sighed in relief. While he had delegated some authority to Danzo, it was private knowledge.
No one knew the Hyuga central family’s actions had his tacit approval.
With the Uchiha’s overreaction, he needed to plan his next steps carefully.
…
Hiashi swiftly conveyed the Hokage’s orders to the prominent family elder, who was still fixated on the honorary elder position.
Reluctantly, the elder called Hizashi back to work while he stayed to “assist.”
Hizashi, frustrated by these idle individuals, had no choice but to endure their interference.
After moving the Root police members to another district, the Uchiha shops reopened simultaneously.
“Hotpot!”
“Stinky tofu!”
“My favorite sour and spicy noodles!”
“Lamb soup!”
The villagers were ecstatic, their appetites rekindled by the reopened Uchiha shops. They had been craving the unique Chinese cuisine and were thrilled to see the shops back in business.
Many had lost weight during the week-long closure.
Now that the shops were open again, customers flooded in, placing orders fervently.
The Uchiha clan members were exhausted by the end of the day, barely keeping up with the demand.
Villagers gorged themselves, fearing the shops might close again the next day.
Fortunately, the shops remained open the following day, easing the villagers’ concerns.
On the fourth day, however, the shops all closed again.
Customers who encountered Uchiha shop owners were told:
“The patrols were fine when it was just the Uchiha or Hyuga clan members. But today, Root members are patrolling, and we can’t risk opening.”
“Those Root members…” The shop owners would then fall silent.
“When the Root patrols are rotated out, we can reopen. Thank you for understanding.”
The Uchiha shop owners squeezed through the crowds and left.
News quickly reached Danzo.
He smashed his teacup in anger.
The Uchiha were so cautious that he had no chance to sabotage their food or create accidents.
Whenever Root members patrolled, the Uchiha shops closed, refusing to do business and risking financial loss.
Danzo’s plans to fabricate safety violations and arrest the shop owners were thwarted.
Instead, the Uchiha prepared discount coupons and free food for their customers, turning potential anger into sympathy.
Customers, understanding the Uchiha’s predicament, developed a tacit agreement: they wouldn’t visit the shops on days when Root members patrolled.
The patrol schedule, somehow leaked, guided customers’ visits.
When Root members patrolled, the street was deserted, as if the shops had gone out of business.
Root members couldn’t even find a Uchiha to harass, infuriating Danzo.
“Do the shop owners have no complaints about closing daily?” Danzo couldn’t understand. These profitable shops wouldn’t just shut down.
Closing meant losing a day’s revenue, and frequent closures would drive away customers.
If too much food was prepared, it could spoil, causing significant losses.
Danzo had yet to learn that Natsuki had anticipated such events and prepared a plan with Fugaku.
The Uchiha clan would respond immediately to any attempt by Danzo or Root to interfere.
Customers left empty-handed? No problem. They received generous coupons for their next visit.
Prepared too much food? Distribute it among the clan for free.
The clan fully reimbursed Shop owners’ losses, with compensation based on their average daily revenue.
The Uchiha clan was wealthy enough to afford this strategy.
Shop owners were grateful, hoping Root would patrol daily so they could close and still get paid.
Most Uchiha clan members were thankful for the clan’s support.
Natsuki’s initial investment in these businesses significantly increased their profits.
Natsuki warned them of potential challenges and assured them that the clan would cover losses to protect the Uchiha’s reputation.
The unique flavors of “Chinese Cuisine” ensured customers wouldn’t abandon the shops over a few closures.
Most customers blamed Root members for the inconvenience, turning their frustrations on them.
Ordinary villagers couldn’t harm Root members, but skilled ninjas could make their lives difficult.
Root members frequently experienced “accidents”—being knocked over, finding bugs in their food, or falling into toilets.
They knew someone was sabotaging them but had no proof.
Konoha was full of people with secret techniques, making subtle sabotage easy.
Root members quickly learned to patrol during work hours and disappear afterward, fearing for safety.
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