c22: The Prosperity of the Uchiha
Since the opening of the Dream Experience Hall in the Uchiha district,
business had only grown more and more prosperous.
Almost every day, its income surpassed the last becoming the talk of Konoha.
And unlike the usual greed seen among merchants,
Uchiha Chiya invested every single ryo back into the clan's livelihood.
He improved training grounds, renovated old housing, and even set up a community fund to help retired shinobi and orphans from the clan.
He made sure every member of the Uchiha could share in the prosperity that success brought.
And the results were undeniable.
Where once the Uchiha compound was shrouded in tension, silent resentment, and cold distrust toward the village,
now laughter could be heard echoing along the stone streets.
Even the youngest children once taught to carry suspicion toward outsiders now ran freely, chasing each other through the courtyards. The air that had long been heavy with bitterness now carried warmth.
Everyone in the clan knew this change came from their patriarch, Chiya Uchiha.
Respect and admiration toward him grew stronger each day.
Wealth, after all, was not just comfort, it was strength.
With a thriving economy came more resources for training, weapons, and research and that, in turn, strengthened the Uchiha name within Konoha once more.
The mysterious system bound to Chiya also rewarded him for this rapid daily growth.
Each day's progress in the clan's prosperity brought him new points points that could be exchanged for power, knowledge, or rare techniques.
But unlike before, Chiya no longer spent them recklessly.
He already possessed mastery over the Uchiha's signature arts the Great Fireball, Phoenix Sage Fire, and the fearsome Genjutsu of the Sharingan.
More ninjutsu would only be decoration.
Instead, he chose to save all the points he earned for a far more advanced dream technique, a forbidden jutsu involving time and space itself.
Its price was immense, but its potential surpassed anything he had ever acquired.
It was a risk but Chiya believed the Uchiha's future depended on it.
---
"Hm? Kurenai, where are you taking me?"
"Heehee... You'll find out soon enough," came the teasing reply.
On Konoha's lively streets, two young kunoichi walked side by side.
One had dark, softly curled hair and bright crimson eyes that gleamed with warmth Yūhi Kurenai, daughter of the Yūhi clan, already showing her talent for genjutsu.
Beside her walked a lively girl with a ponytail, wearing a brown trench coat and a confident smirk Anko Mitarashi, the spirited student once under Orochimaru's tutelage.
They drew curious glances as they passed, laughing and chatting freely a sharp contrast to the more reserved jōnin around them.
Their destination?
Kurenai just smiled mischievously and pointed toward the direction of the newly rebuilt Uchiha district toward the dazzling lights of the Dream Experience Hall, where rumor said even seasoned shinobi emerged changed.
Today, Anko Mitarashi had just returned from a long-term mission outside the village, so being dragged out of the house by Yūhi Kurenai was the last thing she wanted.
"Honestly, with that mysterious grin of yours, where are you even taking me?"
"If I had the choice, I'd rather stay in bed and catch up on my sleep right now…"
Anko yawned, her trench coat swaying as they walked through Konoha's bustling shopping street.
"We're here!"
Kurenai stopped suddenly.
With a mischievous smile, she placed her hands on Anko's shoulders and gently turned her friend to face another direction.
And there it was a large, elegant new building glowing with lantern light and carved wooden signage that read:
"Dream Experience Hall – Uchiha District Branch."
"Dream Experience Hall?" Anko blinked, puzzled. "What is this supposed to be?"
She'd been away from the village for almost three months. The whole area near the Uchiha district looked completely different new shops, renovated streets, and far more foot traffic than before.
"You said you wanted to sleep? You can sleep here!" Kurenai teased with a sly smile. "And it'll give you the most beautiful dream you've ever had."
Kurenai then explained in detail how the Dream Experience Hall, created by Uchiha Chiya, allowed customers to enter a pleasant illusionary dream world a perfect blend of relaxation, genjutsu art, and chakra resonance therapy.
When she finished, Anko's mouth dropped open.
"I can't believe someone came up with that idea… Using illusionary techniques to make money like this? Whoever invented this is a total genius!"
Kurenai grinned. "So? Interested now? I've already tried it once trust me, it feels incredible."
"…Fine! You win!" Anko finally gave in with a smirk.
Fortunately, she had just received her mission bonus. Her coin purse was still full enough to afford a little luxury.
But the moment they reached the entrance, Anko froze in shock.
A line of customers stretched down the street —chūnin, jōnin, even a few civilians all eagerly waiting their turn.
"So many people… When are we even getting in?" she muttered helplessly.
Kurenai only chuckled. "Don't worry. I have something special."
With a flourish, she pulled out a black-and-gold Uchiha invitation seal from her sleeve. "This is a direct pass from Uchiha Chiya himself. With this, we can skip the line and even get a discount."
She handed the invitation to the receptionist at the door.
The clerk's face brightened instantly. "Ah, Miss Yūhi! You're here again. Please, come right in!"
Judging by the clerk's enthusiasm, Kurenai was clearly a frequent guest.
Of course, few could afford to be. The Dream Hall's service cost at least ten thousand ryō per session, with premium dream sequences costing far more. Only the wealthy — or clan members from houses like the Hyuga, Nara, or Uchiha could visit regularly.
The two women were guided to a plush lounge area filled with soft lights and the gentle sound of water.
"Since we're at full capacity, there might be a short wait," the receptionist said politely. "Please enjoy some refreshments in the meantime."
A server soon brought a tray with fresh fruit and iced tea.
"It's fine," Kurenai said, taking a sip of tea. "We'll wait."
"Of course. If you need anything, please call for me anytime," the clerk said with a bow before walking off.
Anko's eyes scanned the crowded interior. She clicked her tongue in disbelief.
"Ten thousand ryō per person and extra fees if you want to extend your dream yet people are lining up out the door?" she muttered.
By her quick mental math, this place could easily make millions of ryō per day with almost no major expenses besides rent and staff salaries.
Thinking about it, Anko groaned. "If only I'd focused on genjutsu back when I was with Orochimaru… I could've opened something like this myself."
She sighed half regret, half admiration as the two kunoichi leaned back in their seats, the soft music of the Dream Hall surrounding them.
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