Earning a living in a shinobi village was a bit different compared to other places.
As the largest professional group in the village, shinobi earned income by completing missions.
The more capable a shinobi was, the higher the rank of the missions they could handle, and the greater the pay they received, which also contributed more revenue to the village.
They were the backbone of Konoha's economy.
Other industries in the village were also largely tied to the shinobi. Take the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans as examples:
- The Yamanaka clan managed the village's intelligence and barrier systems.
- The Nara clan was Konoha's largest medicinal herb supplier.
- The Akimichi clan developed the Soldier Pills, essential for shinobi logistics.
Similarly, the Aburame clan had their own industry—**chitin**.
Chitin, also known as chitosan, was primarily extracted from insects and widely used in medicine, cosmetics, and food manufacturing.
After defeating the Kamizuru clan of Iwagakure during the First Shinobi World War, the Aburame clan solidified their unshakable position in Konoha.
By supplying chitin to other clans in Konoha, they ensured the clan's stability and long-term development.
As a member of the Aburame clan, Shigeo Aburame also benefited from the family's industry, receiving an extra source of income compared to others.
---
After dinner, Shigeo grabbed a small pouch and headed to the Aburame clan's chitin extraction workshop.
When he arrived, a sunglasses-wearing Aburame clan shinobi at the entrance grinned as he saw him.
"Yo, Shigeo! Back again with more bugs? Don't push yourself too hard!"
"Mm."
Shigeo nodded silently.
Unlike when he was outside, he was always quiet when he was among his clan. The Aburame clan was known for producing chatterboxes—despite their typically silent demeanor, once they started talking, they wouldn't stop.
He didn't have time for endless conversations. He'd rather spend his free moments sleeping and recovering more chakra, which he could then use to synthesize more bugs and increase his strength.
Seeing Shigeo merely nod and stay silent, the gatekeeper could only shake his head helplessly.
"Fine, fine, go on in!"
"Thanks."
Shigeo muttered a soft thanks, stepped into the workshop, and made his way to the materials depot. He handed his pouch to the attendant at the reception window.
"These are the expired Parasitic Destruction Insects I replaced this month."
These insects fed on chakra. Once mature and aged, their corpses yielded high-quality chitin, which was used to produce premium materials or luxury goods. They were considered top-grade raw materials.
Across the window sat a middle-aged man wearing sunglasses. He took Shigeo's pouch, opened it, and grabbed a handful of the insects inside.
"Hmm, these are all fully matured and aged, with quite a few excellent specimens. I'll give you the same rate as last time."
He weighed the pouch on a scale and counted out a stack of bills, handing them to Shigeo.
"Three hundred seventy-six grams. That's 3,800 ryo—count it yourself."
"Thanks!"
Shigeo pocketed the money, gave the man a bow, and turned to leave.
Watching him go, the middle-aged man sighed with a trace of emotion.
"Ah, that kid is really working hard. The amount of expired insects he brings in every month is on par with many of the clan's genin. But unfortunately…"
"Unfortunately, he's still a loser!"
The young man sitting next to him scoffed disdainfully.
"He uses the clan's allowances to buy Soldier Pills to maintain his swarm with artificial chakra. His insects are constantly going out of control. A guy like that is destined to go nowhere—he'll never be more than a genin."
The middle-aged man frowned at this but said nothing.
---
Unaware of the conversation, Shigeo went shopping after getting paid, buying some necessities and spending the rest on Soldier Pills.
To increase his strength, he needed to maximize the number of Soldier Insects in his body. These insects would in turn convert their chakra to breed more regular insects, enabling him to grow stronger.
This method was what shinobi called "fighting to sustain fighting."
However, for this to work, the new Soldier Insects needed to outnumber the aged and dying ones.
This was a tough challenge.
Thanks to the Soldier Insects, Shigeo's chakra reserves were steadily increasing, and his synthesis rate had improved from one Soldier Insect per day to a stable ten.
But this also meant his monthly Soldier Pill consumption was now ten times what it used to be.
By relying on his clan allowance, the sale of aged insects, and a frugal lifestyle, he barely managed to cover his expenses each month.
But there was nothing left over.
Without more money for Soldier Pills, he couldn't synthesize more Soldier Insects, and his strength would stagnate.
With the Second Shinobi World War looming, Shigeo knew that if he were too weak, even staying in the village wouldn't guarantee his safety.
If enemy shinobi infiltrated the village, being too weak would leave him defenseless—a sure death sentence.
Shigeo was realistic about his strength. He was slightly above average for a genin, capable of fighting peers but helpless against higher-ranked opponents.
If no one came to his aid, he'd die.
He didn't want to die.
If he wanted to live, he had to get stronger—to the point where he could both attack and retreat effectively. That would significantly improve his survival odds.
Clenching his fists as he walked home, Shigeo made a silent vow.
"No matter what, I have to get more Soldier Pills!"
---
As soon as he said this, a voice called out behind him.
"Huh? Shigeo, why do you need Soldier Pills?"
"Hmm?"
Turning around, Shigeo saw a chubby boy holding a large bag of snacks, munching away.
When the boy noticed Shigeo looking, he extended the snack bag toward him.
"Want some?"
Though he offered, his face betrayed reluctance—it was clear he didn't really want to share.
This was Yoshimaru Akimichi, one of Shigeo's classmates along with Minato Namikaze. As one of the class's weakest students, Yoshimaru was often teased for his weight, poor grades, and gluttony.
Once, when Yoshimaru was being bullied, Shigeo had stepped in to help, earning his friendship. He was one of the few people Yoshimaru considered a friend.
Until now, Shigeo had largely ignored him, focusing on Minato instead.
But in this moment, everything changed.
Seeing the chubby Yoshimaru in front of him, Shigeo suddenly wrapped an arm around his shoulders and beamed.
"Yoshimaru, my best friend! I'm so glad to see you!"
"Uh… isn't Minato your best friend?"
"No, you're one too!"
"…"
(End of chapter)