Night fell.
After rushing about for half the day, Oroshikyu took a moment to compose his breathing at his front door, smoothing his worried brow and forcing a smile onto his face.
He then pushed the door open, only to see Uchiha Makoto teasing his son, Orochimaru's, little bird—young Orochimaru was truly adorable, neither crying nor making a fuss!
"You are... Lord Light Shadow."
"My apologies for the unannounced visit... Oroshikyu, are you willing to leave Konoha and join Akatsuki Village?"
Seeing Oroshikyu, Uchiha Makoto didn't want to waste any time and got straight to the point.
The surprise was so sudden that Oroshikyu's mind went blank for a moment.
He had never imagined that a great figure like Lord Light Shadow would come to his home to personally invite him to join Akatsuki Village. He was just an insignificant civilian ninja in Konoha... Thus, Oroshikyu acted with extreme trepidation.
"If you are willing, I will arrange everything for you. Your wife and child will also be brought to Akatsuki Village. You don't need to worry about Konoha pursuing the matter; you can be completely at ease on this point."
"I..."
Overwhelmed and extremely nervous, Oroshikyu did not agree immediately.
It wasn't that he didn't know his own worth. His talent was average, his family background was average, and his strength was average. He was the most ordinary of civilian ninjas in Konoha.
But Uchiha Makoto was a renowned figure in the ninja world, the Lord Light Shadow at the height of his fame!
For the Lord Light Shadow of Akatsuki Village to personally come to his home to poach him, anyone with half a brain would know that this situation was highly unusual.
There was probably a catch!
"Lord Light Shadow, may I know why?"
"Hmm... it's very complicated to explain, and you wouldn't believe me if I told you. But I can tell you this: this is likely the only chance you will ever have to change your life."
"I still prefer to show my attitude through actions. This sealing scroll contains one million ryo, as a settling-in fee for you in Akatsuki Village... After you arrive, your wife will be given a tenured position with a monthly salary of 300,000 ryo, and you will join... Your child will receive the best upbringing Akatsuki Village can offer."
"I am willing to serve Lord Light Shadow faithfully!"
Greed instantly overcame reason.
This was one million ryo!
Oroshikyu felt that he might not be able to save one million ryo even after ten years of hard work, not to mention the subsequent conditions.
His wife was just an ordinary kunoichi who had retired to stay at home after their marriage. Now with a son, he was an even bigger money sink.
The entire burden of the family's livelihood rested on Oroshikyu's shoulders, putting him in a state of being a complete workhorse.
The price Uchiha Makoto offered was simply too high for Oroshikyu. At this stage, civilian ninjas had little sense of belonging to their village anyway. Joining Konoha was just about finding a stable place to take on missions to support their families and make a living... To hell with conspiracies and schemes, it was time to run!
"Very good. Be prepared; someone will come to notify you and provide assistance."
After speaking.
With a poof, Uchiha Makoto vanished on the spot. It was a Shadow Clone.
"Honey, what just happened wasn't a genjutsu, was it?"
"No, it wasn't."
Oroshikyu said, everything had happened too fantastically.
If not for the sealing scroll with one million ryo sitting on the table, he would have thought he was under a genjutsu.
"Why do you think Lord Light Shadow took a liking to me? Could I be one of those legendary late-blooming ninjutsu geniuses, and Lord Light Shadow's discerning eye discovered my talent!"
"Hmph... that sounds more like you're dreaming."
..................
"At this point, my trip to Konoha can truly be said to have been a full harvest. It's really been like stocking up on goods..."
"I'll have to come to Konoha often in the future!"
Uchiha Makoto lay in bed, a new stream of memories flowing into his mind, and a smile appeared on his face.
He silently took stock of his gains from this trip to Konoha.
According to the plan.
He had planned to stay in Konoha for a total of five days, and now it was the fourth.
Four days wasn't a long time at all.
But the gains were enormous: he gained a son, a daughter-in-law, finalized the plan to capture the Tailed Beasts, the cooperation plan with Konoha, the student exchange program, expanded the Uchiha clan's influence, and scouted the future technology master, Orochimaru... The harvest had completely exceeded his expectations.
Soon, the fifth day arrived.
On his last day.
Uchiha Makoto had no intention of being idle. Before leaving, he summoned the Uchiha clan elders for one last meeting.
Taking this opportunity, Uchiha Makoto formally entrusted the Uchiha elders with the task of keeping a constant watch on Senju Tobirama's movements, ensuring that he, far away in Akatsuki Village, could react at the first moment.
Even though Uchiha Makoto had made preparations to divert Senju Tobirama's attention, he knew the man was not one to sit still... He had to remain vigilant at all times!
"Rest assured, Makoto."
"We all understand. You and the Uchiha clan share the same glory and the same fate. If we work together, the ninja world will one day belong to the Uchiha!"
Uchiha Makoto smiled and nodded without saying more.
During this time.
The Uchiha elders did not waste the opportunity, earnestly asking Uchiha Makoto about the Uchiha clan's future development strategy within the village.
Uchiha Makoto was a genuine Village Kage who had built Akatsuki Village from scratch. In this respect, no one in the Uchiha clan understood it better than him.
If their Uchiha clan hadn't already put down deep roots in Konoha, they would have wanted to follow Uchiha Makoto back to Akatsuki Village.
Recently, the development momentum of Akatsuki Village had far surpassed that of Konoha.
During the Spring Festival, the Uchiha elders had noticed that merchants flying the Akatsuki Village banner had appeared in Konoha, selling various cheap industrial goods. Among them, powerful and wealthy merchants had even used the relationship between the two villages to open many shops in Konoha.
Uchiha Makoto had also informed the Uchiha clan, hoping they could look after the merchants from Akatsuki Village... It's always good to have people in the village!
Faced with the elders' questions.
Uchiha Makoto answered them seriously.
"Stockpile resources, make many friends, and be slow to claim the title of Kage!"
"Hmm... could you be more specific... and what does 'be slow to claim the title of Kage' mean... this..."
"The first two phrases mean to accumulate the family's strength and make more friends in Konoha. 'Be slow to claim the title of Kage' means the family should maintain a low profile and develop quietly, competing with Senju Tobirama for Konoha's support base. Whoever can bring more benefits to Konoha, the ninja clans will support... In this way, the position of Hokage will sooner or later belong to our Uchiha..."
"You can take the lead in trying to raise funds with other Konoha ninja clans to do some business. I have some channels and merchants here..."
A few contact cards for wealthy merchants appeared on the table before them... Most of them were various merchants under the Arasaka Corporation.
The Uchiha elders looked at each other.
The ninja world was changing rapidly. There was no financial magic in this era, and in order to seek capital growth, the great merchants and nobles naturally had to invest in factories.
Vast amounts of funds were disbursed, and as the number of factories increased, so did the number of workers they hired. The economy became more and more active, and thus a positive cycle began.
Even the Uchiha clan could feel a certain shift in the wind.
They also knew that Uchiha Makoto was very close to the merchants of the ninja world, that Akatsuki Village was heavily promoting commerce, and even had the air of a burgeoning capital giant. The new industrial factions were rapidly flocking to Akatsuki Village.
Akatsuki Village was the first to embrace capital, and capital responded to it with enthusiasm. The economic power of Akatsuki Village was expanding at a rapid pace.
However, as a traditional ninja clan, the Uchiha had always been deeply rooted in the ninja circle. They were truly not skilled in business and had never thought of participating in such things.
"It doesn't matter... it's very simple. Business is just buying and selling. With the Uchiha clan's influence in Konoha, procurement, construction, land..."
Uchiha Makoto did have his own selfish motives.
In an era where opportunities were everywhere, it was truly easy to accumulate a great deal of wealth.
The Uchiha clan could connect with a large number of Konoha ninja clans, becoming Akatsuki Village's bridgehead in Konoha, the representatives of capital from Akatsuki Village... Konoha ninjas make money doing missions, and capital from Akatsuki Village makes money off Konoha ninjas. Wealth changes hands and flows to Akatsuki Village!
The Uchiha clan and the ninja clans they win over will also benefit greatly.
As for the hidden dangers...
No one cares during an economic upswing. Such an economic cycle would last for at least a decade. Even if it burst, it would probably be during Senju Tobirama's term!
The atmosphere fell silent for a moment, but in the end, the Uchiha elders accepted the contact information Uchiha Makoto gave them.
They chose to trust Uchiha Makoto.
Then, the Uchiha elders left.
After a short rest, Uchiha Makoto, along with Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku, visited Senju Hashirama once more, as a final farewell before their departure.
And while they were at it, they stayed for lunch at his house.
To be honest.
Uzumaki Mito's cooking skills were indeed not bad; her dishes were delicious. Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku had also learned many new dishes from her these past few days, planning to go back and cook them for Uchiha Makoto to try—the way to a man's heart is through his stomach!
Umm... although... Uzumaki Mito had failed!
But the principle was the principle.
As soon as they entered the door.
Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku went to find her future daughter-in-law... umm... she went to find Senju Tsubaki to exchange parenting tips. The marriage between their families was of great significance, and they both hoped it could foster a good relationship between the next generation of Konoha and Akatsuki Village.
Uchiha Makoto, on the other hand, went to find Senju Hashirama, only to walk in on a very awkward scene. He was being scolded by Uzumaki Mito, unable to lift his head.
On the occasion of the official establishment of the Konoha Military Police Force yesterday... he had once again stayed out all night playing with Uchiha Madara, despite having promised Uzumaki Mito he would be back on time.
Only when Uzumaki Mito saw Uchiha Makoto arrive did she stop, and Senju Hashirama immediately showed a smile of someone who had survived a disaster.
"Makoto, it's a good thing you're here!"
"Ah, Lord Hashirama... getting scolded by Lady Mito again... well... you should spend more time with Lady Mito."
"Yes... I'll definitely be more careful next time!"
Senju Hashirama had an attitude of sincerely admitting his mistake, but Uzumaki Mito still wore a displeased expression, because Senju Hashirama always admitted his mistakes, but he never repented... He knew he was wrong, but he'd dare to do it again next time!
Afterward, Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Makoto sat down on the tatami mat to chat.
The topics they discussed were mostly trivial.
He talked about the changes in Konoha over the years. After all, Senju Hashirama was the most idle person in Konoha, and he often wandered around every corner of the village.
Senju Hashirama described every change in Konoha.
Uchiha Makoto, in turn, talked about Akatsuki Village. The development of Akatsuki Village could definitely be described as changing with each passing day. Next year, the village would begin to gradually implement village-wide electricity!
This was simply the progress of an era!
But men being men...
The topic soon shifted from daily trifles to the situation in the ninja world. Regarding the future direction of the ninja world, war seemed inevitable!
However, Senju Hashirama firmly believed that the road was winding, but the future was bright.
Sooner or later.
War in the ninja world would disappear through their efforts. If this generation couldn't do it, then the next generation would, and if the next generation couldn't, then the generation after that. Their descendants would be endless!
Uchiha Makoto was more realistic, but of course, he didn't refute Senju Hashirama... he couldn't wake up a man who was already in a coma!
Naturally, the two of them started talking about the Tailed Beasts.
Senju Hashirama was also curious about the completely unfamiliar and legendarily powerful Tailed Beasts.
"We'll start with the easy ones first. Let's go capture the Two-Tails!"
"Makoto, when the time comes to capture the Tailed Beast, will you come along... I'm afraid that Madara, Tobirama, and I, the three of us, won't be strong enough..."
"Me... hmm... sure!"
Uchiha Makoto almost lost his composure.
Senju Hashirama was so powerful as a ninja, yet he was still too cautious, completely unaware of just how immensely powerful he was.
Of course, this attitude was definitely commendable... Ignorance and weakness are not obstacles to survival, arrogance is.
But to capture a mere Two-Tails kitty, he wanted Uchiha Madara, Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and himself, four people, to go together. Could the Two-Tails be the Tailed Beast that could withstand a technique like the Susanoo-clad Great Buddha... Uchiha Makoto felt a little sad for the Two-Tails kitty.
The two chatted for a while.
Uchiha Makoto suddenly realized that he hadn't seen Senju Tobirama at all.
"Lord Hashirama, it's this late, where is Senju Tobirama... why isn't he at home..."
"Logically speaking, it's not time for official work yet."
"Oh~ Tobirama, he's in his laboratory. He just loves to research strange and bizarre ninjutsu, and every single one of them is very dangerous. Generally, if it's not a Water Release ninjutsu, I'll just have him put the jutsu in the Scroll of Seals..."
"I've never liked him doing human experiments, even if the test subjects are heinous criminals."
Senju Hashirama's tone revealed his dissatisfaction. His younger brother usually appeared cautious and wise, but he was truly rebellious and bold when it came to experiments.
Back when Konoha was first established and they were cleaning up the most evil elements in the Land of Fire, that was Senju Tobirama's happiest time... there was no shortage of test subjects!
"Ah... then he really should be taught a good lesson!"
Uchiha Makoto said.
That naturally evil old demon of the Senju, Tobirama, was one hundred percent researching ninjutsu to use against him right now!
To research new jutsu, he wouldn't even let go of the final rest period at the end of the year...
It seems he's really getting anxious
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