Kumo's concession relieved the other ninja villages, but at the same time, they couldn't help feeling disappointed.
The major ninja villages had been hoping that Kumo would test the current strength of Konoha.
But the negotiations between the two sides wrapped up far too quickly, leaving no opportunity to secretly stir up war.
Half a month later, Kumo's reparations were fully paid.
Overjoyed, Shin personally led Orochimaru outside the village to welcome Saraka.
"So, you're Orochimaru?" Saraka didn't give Shin the slightest courtesy. She didn't even glance at him, instead fixing her gaze firmly on Orochimaru.
When it came to this so-called greatest scientist in the shinobi world, she was unconvinced, having long harbored the desire to challenge him.
Shin wasn't angry; he simply watched the scene with mild amusement.
"Let me make this clear." Saraka's tone was cold. "I'm here to do research. Don't bother me with any stupid, messy nonsense."
"And you'd better provide me with ample research funding. If you're as stingy as that Third Raikage, I won't be sticking around."
Shin and Orochimaru exchanged a glance, and instead of taking offense, their eyes shone with delight.
A pure, dedicated researcher like this was a treasure.
Orochimaru immediately said, "Naturally. We'll provide you with the best research environment and fully support your work."
"Anyone can talk big," Saraka shot back, clearly trying to provoke him. "I want to see real, tangible proof."
Though her words were sharp, deep down she was uneasy.
She had been gifted in scientific research since childhood, especially with anything mechanical, to which she had an uncanny sensitivity.
But her projects were invariably expensive, and she had long been unable to shoulder the costs.
When the Third Raikage had first approached her and offered to support her research, she had been overjoyed and agreed immediately.
But to her dismay, because her work took a long time to yield results, combined with her terrible temper and tendency to boast in the eyes of others, she quickly fell out of favor. The funding that should have been hers was diverted to other people's projects.
Now, she could only hope that Orochimaru, as a fellow scientist, would understand her and actually follow through on his promises.
It wasn't until she followed Shin and Orochimaru into the research facility, touring from the ground floor down to three underground levels, that her anxious heart finally settled. She was deeply impressed.
The facility consisted of multiple independent yet interconnected experimental zones.
Every laboratory was equipped with highly integrated, fully automated research devices filled with a futuristic technological aesthetic, machines she'd never even seen before.
The interior layout was remarkably efficient, with each area serving a clear purpose. Despite its massive size, there wasn't a single wasted space.
She could tell, Konoha was truly willing to spend big on research.
When she saw the section of the lab already set aside exclusively for her, she was overjoyed.
She had definitely come to the right place. Orochimaru was far more generous than the Third Raikage.
"Oh, by the way, why are you following me around?" Saraka asked irritably, seeing Shin hovering behind her.
Orochimaru gave a small smile and explained, "While I'm the one known for scientific work in Konoha, in truth, Shin here is our greatest scientist."
"He simply doesn't care for fame. Just like you, as a fellow scientist, you should understand."
Saraka's expression finally softened, though she still spoke bluntly, "Just make sure you keep your promises. But if you start bossing me around, don't expect me to cooperate."
At last, Saraka's long-anticipated research began.
But in the months that followed, despite her immense pride, she suffered blow after blow, so much so that she nearly shut herself off completely.
Shin and Orochimaru did indeed fulfill every promise they had made to her, providing everything she needed for her research.
However, before long, her work came under their severe criticism.
The reason they gave was that her research progress was outrageously slow, which greatly disappointed them.
In response, Shin and Orochimaru reworked her proposed concept into an entirely new experimental plan, devising more detailed and reasonable procedures and workflows.
They even personally built a brand-new set of experimental equipment, and developed materials better suited for constructing the Chakra Cannon.
After that, the two of them spent over ten days working alongside Saraka before handing the project back to her, shifting their main focus to other endeavors.
Yet every time they came to check her progress, they could point out a whole list of problems and offer more logical solutions.
Saraka found herself unable to refute them, because she realized that these two really were far more capable than she was.
So she could only work day and night, redoubling her efforts, just to barely meet their expectations.
The good news was that Saraka became more humble, her tone much softer than before. In fact, she even became somewhat timid around Shin and Orochimaru, afraid of being scolded.
Because she truly accepted their superiority, completely and wholeheartedly.
And it wasn't just Saraka.
The rest of the research facility's members were in much the same state.
No matter their reasons for coming here, or how arrogant and unruly they had been at the start, in the end, without exception, they became obedient and cautious, barely allowing themselves to raise their voices.
After all, when you're faced with someone who surpasses you in every way, yet still takes the time to teach, guide, and cultivate you, with meticulous work and absolute seriousness, it's hard to keep any temper at all.
Under the leadership of Shin and Orochimaru, these researchers made groundbreaking progress in their respective fields.
Thanks to their combined efforts, in just over half a year, the lives of the citizens of Konoha improved dramatically.
---
Time passed quietly and peacefully, and another two years slipped by.
During those two years, Konoha continued to prosper in every way. In both economy and military power, it had reached heights that other ninja villages could only dream of.
Shin and Tsunade chose an auspicious day to hold their wedding, officially becoming husband and wife.
On their wedding day, the entire village celebrated. Countless people spontaneously offered their heartfelt blessings, and even the other ninja villages sent their congratulations.
But while Konoha thrived, flourishing like flowers in full bloom...
One person's heart, for the past three months, had been gripped by a growing unease, a feeling that had only intensified lately.
That person was Madara.
Ever since his falling out with Hashirama, he had been persuaded by Black Zetsu to begin plotting his grand Eye of the Moon Plan.
Later, he used genjutsu to control the Nine-Tails and fought Hashirama at the Valley of the End.
Afterward, he bit off a piece of Hashirama's flesh, used Izanagi to resurrect himself, and later transplanted Hashirama's cells, eventually awakening the Rinnegan.
Everything had gone according to his plan, and smoothly at that.
The only thing Madara hadn't expected was that the evolution of his eyes would take far too long, several decades, in fact, so that by the time he gained the Rinnegan, he was already old and frail.
With his physical abilities and chakra reserves drastically diminished, Madara could no longer carry out the complex and demanding tasks of collecting the Tailed Beasts and becoming the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki on his own.
He even had to connect his body to the Gedo Statue, constantly drawing sustenance from it just to stay alive.
If that connection were ever severed, Madara wouldn't last long at all.
With so many limitations, his Eye of the Moon Plan could no longer proceed freely.