"He likes money, doesn't he?"
"We're not after his life—only his Earth Grudge Fear. We can just buy it with money," Hiruzen said slowly.
Earth Grudge Fear carried extremely high value.
It had been certified by Uzumaki Mito.
On one hand, it was a key material for that lord's revival, used to clear the knotted points in the severed Chakra Pathways of that body.
On the other hand, it also possessed the function of repairing severed limbs, making it one of the developmental directions of Konohagakure's medical system.
Of course, Hiruzen had been preparing materials up to now, and the absence of Earth Grudge Fear would not be fatal.
Hiruko's preliminary cell fusion secret technique, researched on the foundation of Uzumaki Mito's Fūinjutsu, was also usable.
But after all, it was about having his teacher work for him…
The more thorough the preparations, the more it would demonstrate his sincerity…
Danzō frowned.
Buy it?
He did not actually have that habit. Whether inside the village or outside it, he was more accustomed to taking by force…
It was only that within the village now, the Hokage's authority restrained him…
But externally, there was no such restriction.
Seemingly sensing what Danzō was thinking, Hiruzen added, "If he shows any intention of suddenly harming others, then eliminate him."
"If a transaction can be achieved, that would naturally be best—whether for Hashirama-sama's reputation, or for the future's continuous supply of fresh Earth Grudge Fear…"
Danzō nodded in acknowledgment.
The probability of capturing Kakuzu intact was not high. An expert of that level would always retain the ability to counterattack.
In open combat, the valuable Earth Grudge Fear would likely be riddled with damage.
Not to mention a damaged Earth Grudge Fear—even if they obtained a complete one, there was no guarantee Konohagakure had a suitable candidate to inherit it…
After all, if Earth Grudge Fear were truly easy to master, Kakuzu would not have had to seize it back then...
Instead, the upper echelon of Takigakure would have used Earth Grudge Fear to suppress him.
"Then how do we lure him in?"
"Besides, Hiruzen, the village is short on funds right now…" Danzō said thoughtfully. "Although Koharu and Homura have recently been getting along very well with the Land of Fire, and say there is no issue with finances."
"Are those two reliable in this matter? I haven't looked into it in detail…"
Hiruzen chuckled.
"Spread word in the black market that someone wants to purchase Earth Grudge Fear. As for the price, say it can be whatever amount is asked. And further pretend to post bounties at the various nations' bounty offices."
"But take care to disguise it under the names of those nobles. The tone must be arrogant and indulgent—imitate the kind of fool who has never witnessed true power and seeks immortality with single-minded obsession…"
"As for the location of the transaction, set it outside the capital of the Land of Fire."
For a shinobi like Kakuzu, having the Earth Grudge Fear he relied on targeted was something he could not tolerate…
If it were one of the Five Great Hidden Villages, perhaps that would be another matter.
But if it were merely some ignorant noble who did not know their own limits, eliminating the threat without leaving a trace would not be difficult at all.
And meet outside the capital of the Land of Fire.
That way, it would keep them far from Konohagakure and lower his suspicion, while also increasing the credibility that the source was nobles.
"As for the money, you don't need to worry, Danzō."
"Five years from now, you'll only be worrying about how to spend it…"
Hiruzen said with emotion, "For shinobi, money is useful—and yet it's also useless…"
In Hiruzen's view, in a world with extraordinary power, currency has a clear diminishing marginal utility.
For lower- and mid-tier shinobi, money is no different for them than it is for ordinary people—it is a rigid necessity.
But for jōnin and above, money is something they can obtain casually.
Throwing money at it can quickly train a chūnin.
But trying to throw money at it to produce a jōnin—or even produce an expert who can trade moves with a "Kage"—the difficulty and likelihood decrease exponentially.
Although the First Hokage once sold tailed beasts for money, that was based on the special historical background at the time. If it were during the era of the shinobi wars, tailed beasts would be priceless treasures.
One billion ryō—or even double that—could never make a tailed-beast transaction happen.
Because the side that wins militarily can completely take everything. That is an eternal truth.
If one wants money to be converted into combat power, it still has to rely on two aspects.
First, through scientific research to iteratively improve ninjutsu, ninja tools, and the like, burning vast amounts of money into real, tangible combat power.
Medical scrolls are only one item among them.
Hiruzen's true ambition was to keep Hashirama cells under a reasonable and stable intensity, letting all Konohagakure shinobi be bathed in the radiance of the First Hokage…
Not being able to use Wood Release was fine—so long as the chakra scale rose, it would be enough to be called a "Konohagakure superman."
This would also be extremely beneficial for strengthening Konohagakure's shared identity—everyone would be someone with Hashirama cells in their body!
Of course, this path was very difficult, and it was obvious that it would require enormous funding as the cost of trial and error.
But it was worth it.
This was also one reason Hiruzen insisted on reviving Senju Tobirama.
Integrating the Uchiha and supplementing combat power were only one aspect—his scientific research ability was what Konohagakure needed most.
Second, to establish a guarantee system distinct from the major hidden villages.
With a relatively guaranteed system, the vast majority of shinobi could proactively explore breakthroughs.
Otherwise, they would fall into a survival-based conservative state, unable to stimulate deeper talent.
Moreover, the pioneering guarantee system would be like "light," attracting countless moths who were lost…
Not only for lower- and mid-tier shinobi.
It would be the same for some talented strong people as well.
They might not lack money.
But "issued by the organization" and "earned personally" are different!
The sense of belonging and emotional value it provides are priceless.
It can inject warm light into their empty spirit.
"Really, Hiruzen…?"
Danzō frowned. "I really don't know what you're doing—why are you being so mysterious?"
"Who will be sent to meet Kakuzu then?"
"At least two experts at the level of Orochimaru, and preferably Hatake Sakumo as well…"
Hiruzen shook his head.
"It's not mysterious. I told you, Danzō—when it comes to showing our faces, I'll take you along."
"I'll take you to the capital of the Land of Fire to collect the money, and while we're at it, we'll meet that Kakuzu."
"The two of us going together—what is there to worry about? In all of Konohagakure, is there any combination stronger than us?"
Danzō paused. "That's true!"
The Hokage and the Hokage's advisor receiving a missing-nin from Takigakure…
It could be considered an immense honor!
...
One month later.
The Uchiha clan compound.
Fugaku looked at the wailing Itachi in the baby carriage, wearing a distant expression.
He had not yet prepared himself to be a father—how had his eldest son already been born in the blink of an eye…
It was all that old geezer Isshin's fault!
If he had not told him to endure and bide his time, leaving him idle all day, how could this have happened…
'My single life—has it ended just like that?'
'Since it's already happened, I can only accept it!'
Fugaku sighed inwardly. 'I'll be a good father! Yes, definitely…'
At that moment, Uchiha Isshin stepped inside with a broad smile. "Fugaku, I heard you had a son!"
"That's right—this is how it should be. Only with a thriving population will the Uchiha have a future…"
"Have you chosen a name?"
Fugaku quickly composed himself—after all, he had just complained about him in his mind.
"It's Itachi… I hope he'll be sharp and perceptive, able to scout out dangers and opportunities for the clan."
"A good name, good!"
Isshin set down the milk powder and gifts in his hands and praised him, "He might even become the next clan head—or the next heir!"
Fugaku's mouth twitched slightly.
Recently, this old geezer seemed close to being driven mad by the Third Hokage. By bringing marginalized Uchiha into the Patrol Unit, he had stirred unrest within the clan compound for quite some time.
Isshin had spent considerable effort regathering the clan's consensus, defining it as a sugar-coated bullet from Konohagakure…
"You shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself…" Fugaku advised Isshin.
He felt that if this clan head continued suppressing himself like this, his mind might soon collapse.
Though for the clan's bloodline, it might open the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan…
The probability of dying from resentment and grief seemed even greater.
"Pressure? What pressure do I have…"
Isshin snorted coldly. "Fugaku, Hiruzen's sugar-coated bullets cannot last… Konohagakure is going to run out of money!"
"I won't have pressure. Pressure shortens one's life."
"I want to wait for the future revival of the Uchiha clan to arrive. I want to live well…"
Fugaku nodded in agreement.
But he felt that this old clan head's mental state was already somewhat unstable…
And at this moment—
Just as Isshin believed Konohagakure was about to run out of money—
Hiruzen and Danzō, traveling light, arrived at the capital of the Land of Fire carrying the final product of the Sage Region Pills.
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