Hiruzen examined the pill closely.
A classic ninja utilitarian, rugged style.
Although it was clear that everyone had already done their utmost to refine it.
For example, the surface of the pill had been polished to a certain degree, and, following Hiruzen's earlier instructions, some snake-scale elements had been incorporated.
Even so, it was still a bit lacking.
"Is there anything else that needs adjustment, sensei…?" Orochimaru asked seriously. "As for the effects, I'm confident I can make those nobles unable to do without it and generate continuous demand."
Hiruzen thought for a moment.
He gathered chakra and condensed it into a rectangular stone box.
"Go get some dry ice, a few colored pens, and a scalpel. You have all of that, right?"
"We do," Orochimaru replied with a smile. "Sensei, just say the word. I've truly spent every bit of the funding in the laboratory."
This laboratory of his had been mockingly described by Jiraiya, in a sour tone, as a grand treasure trove—whether related to research or seemingly unrelated, everything could be found here…
"You little brat, no need to keep explaining at every opportunity…" Hiruzen scolded with a laugh.
He was not Danzō—someone who couldn't read financial reports.
And even if he were somewhat lacking in that regard, he still had Nara and a whole team of professionals at his side.
"Bring me another piece of quartz."
"Understood, sensei!" Orochimaru responded, swiftly bringing over all the items Hiruzen required.
Quartz was an excellent and inexpensive insulator—nothing could be better for testing Lightning Release.
Hiruzen held a small knife.
Although he had no real research in the way of carving, he did have a foundation in taijutsu and hand seals, and his hands were extremely steady and precise.
Chakra slowly permeated the quartz. In Hiruzen's hand, the blade's afterimages flickered as he modified this piece of quartz according to the form he had envisioned.
This was not difficult. In essence, it was a manual version of "carving a dog head onto an Earth-Style Wall."
The quartz raw material was processed and became a crystal-clear rectangular box.
On the inner side of the lid, restrained engraved patterns combining traditional shinobi design with a clean, refined finish were set into the surface, along with Konohagakure's emblem.
Hiruzen picked up the pill and performed similar processing on it, carving out, in thirds, the patterns of a toad, a snake, and a slug, each occupying its own section.
Then he applied an off-white pigment to the pill's surface, making the snake scales within it curl slightly, faintly revealing their surface.
Dry ice was packed into the box.
The way everyone looked at the packaging was already different…
Hiruzen took a new pill and chewed it a few times.
For his physique, the medicinal effect was basically negligible, but the issue was the taste.
"It's acceptable. If, in terms of flavor, you can make it bitter first and then sweet, that kind of contrast will create a high-end psychological suggestion…"
Hiruzen lifted the lid and aimed it toward the laboratory lights.
At once, hazy mist drifted out from the box. The three pills inside glowed faintly, and the patterns on them were vivid and lifelike—truly giving it a trace of the feel of something produced by a Sage Region…
"Doesn't this make it a lot more expensive?" Hiruzen said with a smile.
"I trust the products you've made and the level of technique involved, but more effort still needs to be put into the packaging. What we're aiming for is a sense of high-end quality and atmosphere."
"It looks troublesome, but in the end it's nothing more than making two sets of molds. The emotional value derived from it, however, becomes much greater…"
Torifu looked at Hiruzen in amazement.
Old classmate—no wonder you managed to become Hokage. You really do have more tricks up your sleeve!
At the side, Nara Shikayama's eyes lit up, and he proposed, "Third-sama, how about adding a bit of fragrance? The Yamanaka clan's flower shop has many subtle, elegant varieties…"
"A very good suggestion, Shikayama," Hiruzen praised. "Add it in!"
Tsunade clicked her tongue in wonder. Before the modification, the pill looked like it was worth a thousand ryō; after such an overhaul, it looked more like ten thousand!
"Sensei really did think everything through," Orochimaru said with a slight nod. "I've understood your ideas…"
"How is the cost control? Can sustainability be ensured?" Hiruzen continued to ask.
Orochimaru pondered for a moment.
"Even with this added packaging, achieving close to an eighty-five percent gross profit margin won't be a problem. As for sustainability, you can rest assured—both the Akimichi and Nara clans have supply sources, and these materials are relatively common in the shinobi world."
"As for the Three Sage Regions, the three of us have already negotiated with them. There's no issue."
Hiruzen nodded. "Shikayama, Torifu—you two clans have contributed your family secret techniques with sincerity. As Hokage, I have seen that."
"The village will not treat any member who possesses the Will of Fire unfairly. You will be responsible for supplying the raw materials, delivered normally at the centralized bulk procurement price. There is no need for special discounts."
"As for processing, that will also be entrusted to your Ino–Shika–Chō. The technique is not complicated, and for clan members without particular talent, this will be a good job."
"However, the screening must be carried out rigorously. Select strictly for clean backgrounds and reliable character."
Torifu and Shikayama exchanged a glance.
The Third-sama truly was an upright and generous man!
"Thank you, Hokage-sama! Ino–Shika–Chō will certainly do this job well! As for the raw materials…" Shikayama and Torifu exchanged another look before speaking.
"We will make money, but we also ask that Ino–Shika–Chō yield a portion of the profit to the village."
Torifu said in a muffled voice, "Hiruzen, this money would burn our hands if we kept it."
Hiruzen laughed inwardly.
Very clever.
The Hokage pressed his lips together, seemingly moved, and gave the two of them a firm pat on the shoulders.
"Orochimaru, I have another idea. Do you see any issues with it on a technical level?"
"Please speak, sensei."
Hiruzen said slowly, "Add some trace substances to the formula—quantities so small that they have no actual effect, but with highly distinctive detectable characteristics—to deliberately mislead anyone attempting reverse analysis."
"Even though we have the endorsement of the Sage Regions and Konoha's predecessors, and others cannot compete with us, our vision must be long-term. If other hidden villages try to imitate it in the future, setting a stumbling block for them would also be a good thing."
Orochimaru rubbed his chin. "That's very meaningful, sensei! But in this regard…"
He looked toward Tsunade.
Tsunade answered firmly, "I'll take responsibility for it, old man."
Hiruzen felt greatly relieved.
These three disciples of his all had their own roles to play…
No—wait. Where was Jiraiya?
"And what about that one?"
Although he did not say who, Tsunade and Orochimaru both understood instantly from his tone that Hiruzen was asking about Jiraiya.
This was the tacit understanding between sensei and disciples.
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "He delivered the oil and ran off. Said he was going to create an epoch-making masterpiece and become the greatest novelist in the world…"
Hiruzen shook his head and laughed helplessly.
That brat—if he really can't write it, maybe I can give him an opening myself…
"You've wanted this for a long time, haven't you?"
Hiruzen took a scroll out from his robe and handed it to Orochimaru. "The Second-sama had very insightful analyses of the soul. You've got a good eye—some of these techniques are worth refining…"
A sharp glint flashed through Orochimaru's eyes.
Eh? Sensei has been studying these as well?
At the same time, Hiruzen was observing Orochimaru's reaction.
As expected, this disciple of his had indeed been privately researching techniques related to the soul.
"When you have some free time, come talk with me about your insights. We can make progress together…"
Orochimaru's heart stirred. "Then I'll thank you in advance for your guidance, sensei!"
Sensei and disciple looked at each other and smiled knowingly.
...
Ten days later.
Near Kumogakure, Danzō—who was gathering intelligence in the area—sorted through the reports compiled from the external lines, his eyes flashing with ferocity.
"Hiruzen was right! Those beasts of Kumogakure really can't control a tailed beast! It nearly went berserk more than once…"
"Go—return to Konoha at full speed!"
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