Makoto scooped up the scroll at his feet—heavy, like it was packed with gold. His face exploded into a grin brighter than sunlight bouncing off snow, eyes crinkling with pure glee. "Don't worry—I won't let you down!"
"Give it a little time. Shisui and Itachi'll hit their prime. They'll run the clan, and you'll have cash flowing like a river—plus full Uchiha muscle to back you as Fifth Hokage."
"And it won't take long. Trust me."
Orochimaru side-eyed him, said nothing, and started for the stone door—clearly worried Makoto might hit him up for more cash.
The little snakes curled in the cracks hissed and vanished into the shadows like they'd been given the signal.
"Oh—wait!"
Makoto's voice cut through the howling wind at the door.
Orochimaru froze mid-step. Part of him wanted to bolt. Didn't turn—just grunted a low "Hm?" Golden eyes flashed in the dark.
"I ran into a real gem today. Wanna introduce him—beef up our squad!"
Makoto scooted closer, black eyes sparkling with "loyalty," tone dripping with "this is all for you" hype. "Total diamond in the rough. Polish him up—he'll be a monster."
Orochimaru's frown eased. Anything but more borrowing. Interest flickered in those golden eyes—he loved talent. "Who?"
"Yakushi Kabuto."
Makoto didn't forget running into Kabuto earlier. Get him under Orochimaru now—fast-track the training. Who knows what kind of payoff that could bring later?
Following Danzo? Total waste of potential.
The name made Orochimaru's back twitch—just for a split second. Kabuto's face popped into his mind. He'd met the kid. Even tried recruiting him once.
Got shot down. Now the kid was spying for Root. Snagging him from Danzo? Doable. Worth it.
"I remember him," Orochimaru said, voice laced with amusement. "Pretty sharp eye for a toddler."
"I saw him in the village today," Makoto pressed. "Grab him quick before he skips town."
"Kid's the real deal. Don't sleep on my loyalty here—make it a priority."
He had to nudge. Orochimaru's "going rogue" countdown was ticking—days, maybe. Can't miss the window.
Silence hung in the snow for a beat.
"…Fine."
Orochimaru's charisma was off the charts—original story had people dying for him. Makoto was sure Kabuto was locked in his brain now.
Good. Push more and it'd look forced. Know when to quit.
Makoto shot Itachi and Shisui a quick "we're done" wink.
Two steps—crunch-crunch—then Orochimaru's voice floated back, laughing: "Oh—and that money? Ten times payback."
Makoto froze, spun with a grin that reached his ears. "You name it—ten, a hundred, whatever."
Yeah, right. Once you bounce from the village, good luck collecting.
Orochimaru licked his lips, stepped through the stone door. It groaned shut behind him—clunk—barrier snapping back up.
Snow, wind, and the three Uchiha? Locked out.
Once he was gone, the snow on their shoulders didn't feel so cold.
Itachi and Shisui swapped looks—deep, shared ugh. This kid. Even in a dead-serious deal, he sneaks in chaos.
But hey—mission accomplished.
Heading back to the compound, Makoto's grin wouldn't quit. He'd fleeced Orochimaru blind. Blood money. Time to pay-to-win.
Classic win-win—except he won twice. He gets win-win.
The blizzard eased up. Moon peeked through the clouds, stretching their shadows long—like three ink lines pointing home.
In a killer mood, Makoto turned to the guys: "Big haul today—tri-color dango on me."
The Orochimaru cash? His. Dango's the "mission pay." Can't let them run for free—he's got some standards. Not many…
Itachi's step quickened, a tiny spark in his dark eyes. Makoto had never bought him food.
Shisui chuckled, shook his head, and picked up the pace.
At the dango shop, a mountain of skewers vanished fast. Checkout? Makoto "forgot" his wallet—billed it to Fugaku. Gesture made.
Back at the compound, icicles hung from the eaves like frozen fangs.
Shisui peeled off down his alley. Makoto and Itachi walked side-by-side to the clan head's house.
At the gate? Yamanaka Ino, buried in flowers.
Roses, daisies, sunflowers—pinks, yellows, reds—swallowed her tiny frame like she was a flower bud herself.
Skin pale as fresh snow with a healthy pink glow, like peach petals kissed by spring breeze. Emerald eyes sparkled like they were dipped in a spring—could reflect your face.
Short blonde hair fluffy and soft. A living doll.
She looked up, saw Makoto—eyes lit. Worth the trip. Bold as brass, she yanked the brightest roses from the pile and thrust them out.
"For you, Makoto-nii!"
Itachi—ignored—stopped dead. Shock flashed, then a soft smile. Even his mouth softened.
Makoto took the roses, yelled inside: "Optimus Prime! Work time!"
Sasuke poked his head out, face scrunched like a steamed bun, pure not happy.
Grumbled nonstop—but met Makoto's eyes and shuffled out, hugging the heaviest sunflowers.
Watched Makoto chat with the random blonde girl, petals snowing on them both. Mumbled: "Lame."
Then—uninvited—Naruto's face popped in his head. Also blonde.
Ino glanced at Sasuke. Cute, sure—but icy, like frozen mochi. Next to sunshine Makoto? No contest.
She gave Sasuke a quick nod, then spun back to Makoto—Sasuke erased.
Makoto led Ino inside, chin-jerked at Sasuke: "Living room. Thanks."
Sasuke huffed, stomped off with the flowers—heavy steps begging for praise.
None came. Cheeks puffed like a blowfish.
In the study, Fugaku was mid-frown when they walked in.
Kid also let Sasuke hang with the Nine-Tails jinchuriki today. About to lay into him—Makoto cut him off.
"Chief! Bought some flowers… pay up!"
Just stared. Fugaku's frown deepened—this brat. "Chief" when he wants something. "Clan head" otherwise. Sometimes not even that. Rebellion.
But… cute girl watching. Fugaku stood, grabbed cash. Can't let the kid lose face in front of a lady. Later.
---
Makoto and Ino found Mikoto in the yard, tidying.
"Ino! Long time no see—you're adorable," Mikoto beamed, pinching the girl's cheek.
She and Ino's mom, Yamanaka Rino, went way back.
Ino shyly handed over carnations, cheeks pink.
Mikoto's heart melted. Ruffled Makoto's hair—he didn't dodge, just let her warm hand sit there.
Then stroked Ino's blonde locks, eyes soft as butter—looking at a future daughter-in-law. "You worked hard, sweetie. Where's your mom?"
Ino twisted her hem. "I wanted to bring them with Makoto-nii… Mom's at the shop…"
Voice tiny, sweet with embarrassment.
"Stay for dinner—Auntie's cooking your favorites." Mikoto tugged her inside, steps light as clouds.
Dinner table? Loaded.
Mikoto kept piling Ino's bowl—little mountain of food.
Bold Ino scooped a shaky bite of grilled fish with her tiny spoon, plopped it in Makoto's bowl. "Makoto-nii, try this."
Mikoto? Full auntie grin.
Sasuke shoveled rice, cheeks puffed like a frog. Moved heavy flowers. No praise. Still mad.
After dinner, Makoto walked Ino home.
Streetlights stretched their shadows forever. Ino clutched the candy he gave her. "Come play sometime…"
Makoto smiled. "Deal!"
Kid's actually pretty fun. Back home, he bolted to his room—blew past Sasuke waiting at the door.
Door locked. Scroll out.
Pay-to-win time!