After listening to Jiraiya's words, Uzumaki Jun couldn't help but laugh bitterly. So it was about this matter.
But...
When did Jiraiya go to apply for a teaching position?
Why didn't he know about it?
In the end...
After patting his chest and guaranteeing, in his capacity as the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools, that he would inform the academy to let Jiraiya become a great teacher of the Land of Whirlpools...
Jiraiya left satisfied.
Uzumaki Jun shook his head helplessly. He had been waiting for Jiraiya to become a teacher, but the academy had actually rejected him.
Really...
Were the political screenings these days so strict?
Was it just because of unpaid debts, deceiving children, running red lights, driving without a license, and other crimes that even he, the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools, couldn't remember clearly?
Indeed...
In the original world, Jiraiya would definitely have been unable to find a job.
But there was no denying that Jiraiya was an exceptionally qualified teacher.
Just look at the disciples he had taught...
Two Hokage, three peace-loving gangsters, and one Hokage's disciple's disciple...
His Land of Whirlpools needed such a top-tier teacher.
However, Jiraiya definitely couldn't be allowed to teach ideology. He didn't want the Land of Whirlpools to produce a bunch of little perverts.
So...
"I should still inform the clan head," Uzumaki Jun sighed and said. "Special talents should be treated specially. At most..."
They could just lower his salary a bit.
...
Hiruko looked at the laboratory before him and sighed. He knew he could no longer escape.
Especially after seeing the black whirlpool mark on his hand. Perhaps...
He would never be free from it in this lifetime.
"I hope he keeps his promise," Hiruko murmured. "Otherwise..."
He would definitely make the Land of Whirlpools understand that he was not to be trifled with.
Five years...
As long as he endured these five years, he would be released.
And during this time, as long as he didn't harm the interests or people of the Land of Whirlpools, his experiments wouldn't be prohibited. He would even be given everything he desired...
Glory, reputation.
Hiruko clenched his fists and walked to his office...
He would definitely surpass that loser Jiraiya.
When he first arrived here, the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools had shown him around and introduced him to the person in charge here...
An old man with white hair who walked unsteadily.
But his status seemed quite high.
It appeared he had made significant contributions to the Land of Whirlpools' scientific research. At least, everyone in the research institute respected him greatly.
Not the kind of respect given to shinobi, but...
He couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Hiruko sat down at his desk and opened the documents on the table. These were the research projects he needed to work on.
A cold smile appeared on his face.
No matter how noble the words sounded, in the end, wasn't it just the same as the hypocritical Leaf Village?
Forbidden jutsu.
Every hidden village and country would secretly research them.
However...
When he saw the contents of the documents, Hiruko's face instantly turned green.
"Artificial Summon Beast Project."
This one was still somewhat normal.
But the ones after it...
"New Plant Cultivation Project 1: New Strain of Corn."
"New Plant Cultivation Project 2: New Strain of Rice."
"New Plant Cultivation Project..."
"Transgenic Project..."
"Life Potion Enhancement Project..."
There were projects for both plants and animals, along with previous experimental records.
But...
"Life Potion?" Hiruko frowned and muttered. "What exactly is this?"
To think the Land of Whirlpools would make a genius biologist like him research such things. It was truly...
Beneath his dignity.
But Hiruko touched the whirlpool mark on his right hand...
He might as well finish the tasks quickly and endure these five years.
During this time, he could also perfect his Chimera Technique. By then, he would definitely shock the Sannin of the Leaf.
The corners of his lips curled up slightly as he murmured, "I wonder if Jiraiya and the others will be surprised when they see the new me?"
Hmph...
He would make sure everyone knew that he, Hiruko, was also a genius.
...
"So, this 'Blade of Fire's Joy' can finally be auctioned?" Kakuzu narrowed his eyes and said. "Which village should we scam... ahem, sell it to this time?"
Tens of billions.
Kakuzu didn't care who he scammed, as long as he got the money.
"The Land of Iron," Uzumaki Jun said with a smile. "You'll need to go there."
"The Five Great Shinobi Villages will hold a Five Kage Summit, and we'll auction this blade to them at the same time."
"Five Kage Summit?" Kakuzu frowned upon hearing Uzumaki Jun's words. "Is something else happening?"
"It doesn't concern our Land of Whirlpools much," Uzumaki Jun shook his head, a mysterious smile on his lips. "It's just that a certain thousand-year-old filial son is about to be in danger."
"In that case..." Kakuzu thought for a moment and said, "Should we deliberately sell it to a specific village?"
For example...
Kirigakure?
Since the "Frostmourne" was in Konoha, selling this "Blade of Fire's Joy" to Kirigakure would surely make the two villages fight.
"No need," Uzumaki Jun said righteously. "The most important thing in business is integrity. So this time..."
"The highest bidder wins!"
In a few days, he would also need to go out and perfect the script.
"We can't just sell it to a village because they're friendly with us," Uzumaki Jun said seriously, looking at Kakuzu with disappointment. "Comrade Kakuzu!"
"Your ideological awareness is lacking!"
How had he changed?
In the past, he wouldn't have even asked such a question.
"..."
Like hell he believed that.
Kakuzu looked at Uzumaki Jun speechlessly. If he hadn't been selling weapons with him for years, he might have actually bought it.
And...
None of the Five Great Shinobi Villages were on good terms with the Land of Whirlpools.
If you added in the bloodline clans the Land of Whirlpools had swindled back...
They probably wanted to strangle them all.
But...
"I understand," Kakuzu nodded and said. "Whoever offers the most money gets it."
Listening to the boss was always the right move.
He, Kakuzu...
Was ultimately a simple man, with no convoluted thoughts in his mind.
...
Meanwhile...
Mount Myōboku.
"Elder Fukasaku, Elder Shima," Jiraiya said, looking at the two small yet elderly toads before him. "Where is the Great Toad Sage?"
He glanced at the dining table and bowls in front of Fukasaku...
His timing didn't seem great.
"Oh, it's Jiraiya," Fukasaku said upon seeing Jiraiya, putting down his chopsticks. "Have you eaten yet?"
"My wife made a lot of your favorite dishes. Sit down and eat with us."
Who liked eating that?
Jiraiya quickly waved his hands. "No need, I'm already full."
Looking at the disgusting insects, Jiraiya decided he should finish his business quickly. Otherwise, if Fukasaku insisted on him staying for dinner, what would he do?
He'd had enough of insects.
"It's about what the Great Toad Sage told me last time, this and that."
"That matter," Fukasaku frowned. "The Great Sage mentioned it to me too. Since you've already found him, bring him here tomorrow."
"I'll have Shima prepare more insects."
"We can't let Mount Myōboku neglect its guests."
"..."
Hearing Fukasaku's words...
Jiraiya suddenly wondered if he should come a bit later tomorrow.
Otherwise, if Uzumaki Jun saw that he'd brought him here to eat insects and got angry, what then?
His teaching position depended on him.
So...
"No need, no need," Jiraiya chuckled awkwardly. "We'll probably come a bit later tomorrow."
He'd better have Uzumaki Jun bring some canned food tomorrow.
Then he quickly reversed the Summoning Technique and left.
At that moment...
"Where's Jiraiya?" Shima came out carrying dishes. "Why didn't he stay for dinner?"
"He said he's already full," Fukasaku picked up an insect with his chopsticks. "The insects today are especially delicious. Tomorrow..."
"Let's prepare the same."
Though Jiraiya said it wasn't necessary...
Mount Myōboku couldn't afford to lose face.
So when guests came, they had to let them taste Mount Myōboku's authentic local cuisine.
He was sure they'd love it.
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