"Hiruzen-ani, this pricing of yours…"
The Daimyō spoke, "It could be set even higher!"
"Otōto, that would indeed be possible, but we must take the long view."
Hiruzen smiled and shook his head.
"If we demand too much this time, it will be difficult to push the next product. We must bundle all of their various needs together; only then will those nobles become like puppets in our hands."
"Besides, selling it at a lower price makes it easier to frame it as the Land of Fire's reward for outstanding governors."
The Daimyō asked in surprise, "There are other sage-grade products?"
"Once the reputation of the 'Sage Region Pills' spreads, the next step will be the Sage series of beauty and cosmetic products."
"After that, high-end tobacco affordable to small and medium nobles."
"Finally, we will sell at a premium to other countries, using their money to serve the Land of Fire."
Hiruzen patted the Daimyō on the shoulder.
"Moreover, these products of mine are not solely for making money…"
"In essence, these products are civilian pilot projects before military use, and the production process itself is part of training for wartime material manufacturing."
"Money is useful to a hidden village, but the problems it solves are limited."
"So for now, what we are doing are small yet refined industries. Investing too much manpower would affect the combat roster. At its core, everything is still for increasing Konoha's combat strength and military preparedness."
"If we fail militarily, then everything fails. The Tailed Beasts will not be stopped by money."
The Daimyō nodded thoughtfully and struck his palm in admiration. "Hiruzen-ani, you truly consider everything!"
"It will also require your full cooperation."
Hiruzen said with a smile, "Demonstrating the wondrous effects of the 'Sage Region Pills' to these nobles, taking the opportunity to rally public sentiment and remove troublesome elements—though it sounds simple, it requires considerable effort."
"An efficient distribution and payment collection system must be firmly established. Future products will rely on it as well."
"Promote the superiority of Konoha's products to the nobles of other countries. Once their interest is aroused, establish an intelligence network through overseas sales channels…"
"Which nobles to select, and the criteria for setting targets—these all require careful consideration."
"However, you are more skilled in this area, so I will not elaborate further."
These were the specialties of the Daimyō and the bureaucrats of the Land of Fire, and to Hiruzen they were merely trivial matters.
And before he realized it, the Daimyō had already picked up pen and paper, earnestly recording Hiruzen's words.
He sensed that this might be the only opportunity of his lifetime…
If he missed it, he would regret it forever.
To surpass the successive sovereigns of the Land of Fire's past, and truly leave a mark in the history of the shinobi world…
Even if it was as Hiruzen's subordinate…
Wasn't that enough?
That was a hundred times better than being a Daimyō who couldn't do anything at all…
If Hiruzen's blueprint succeeded, then he would become a sovereign with real, concrete power!
Setting Konoha aside for the moment—across the entire Land of Fire, what noble would still dare to bristle at him?
And when the common people praised Hiruzen-ani as a good man, wouldn't they have to mention him as well?
In his eyes, an ambition and desire to be recorded in history were flickering and leaping…
Hiruzen's eyes held a smile.
His Otōto perhaps hadn't even realized it himself—he had already entered a kind of fervent state…
Compared to genjutsu, Hiruzen believed that interests and conviction were a firmer form of control and binding.
"When will the first payment arrive?" Hiruzen asked.
"Hiruzen-ani, it will arrive immediately." The Daimyō said in a deep voice, "The inner treasury plus my ancestral estate—and I'll scrape together more with my wife. Thirty-six thousand pills, one hundred thousand ryō each; I'll cover the discounted portion of the first batch for you. I'll take it all!"
Danzō spoke with a darkened face, "You want to monopolize it and then raise the price? This price can't be messed with!"
The Daimyō jolted, shrinking back behind Hiruzen in fear. "No… I just want Hiruzen-ani to get the funds back quickly."
"This is my Otōto, Danzō—rounding it off, he's your Otōto too…"
"Don't scare him!"
Danzō nodded expressionlessly. "I understand."
"As for the price, it won't be changed."
"One percent of the profits from these 'Sage Region Pills'—as long as Konoha still exists for even one day, your descendants will be able to collect it."
"It isn't a lot of money, but it wins in lasting far into the future. What do you say?" Hiruzen said with a smile.
For a top-tier noble like the Daimyō, the amount of money was often only one aspect; the span of continuation was instead even more enticing.
"Otōto, this pendant is the token between you and me."
Hiruzen took out one necklace that Uzumaki Mito had given him.
This was one of the two replicas Mito had made, and after hearing he was going to harvest the nobles, the old lady had given Hiruzen, her junior, a bit of support.
As for the one around his own neck, it was the original that Hashirama had given to Mito back then.
That was not something he could give away…
"This is something Hashirama-sama and Mito-sama made together…" Hiruzen said as he put it on the Daimyō,
"She instructed me to give it to a warrior who would give everything for the Land of Fire and Konoha…"
A trace of steadying, soothing reassurance flowed from the necklace into the Daimyō's body.
Compared to the 'Sage Region Pills,' this was a true heirloom—something no amount of money could buy.
And these words of Hiruzen's were both a display of his sincerity and a warning to the Daimyō.
Even though within the Land of Fire's bureaucratic system there were some members of the Senju clan, he had already obtained the recognition of Uzumaki Mito…
Perhaps the Daimyō would no longer think about such matters.
But sealing off that opening in advance could prevent needless internal friction.
"Hiruzen-ani, I have no way to repay your goodwill…"
The Daimyō took a deep breath and, with extreme solemnity, raised his hand, speaking from the bottom of his heart, "In the name of my forebears and descendants, I shall devote myself entirely to Hiruzen-ani. If I violate this oath, may heavenly lightning strike my body!"
"There's no need for that!"
Hiruzen shook his head and sighed. "I trust you, Otōto!"
But in truth, Hiruzen did not trust him…
He would still dispatch Anbu from time to time to conduct inspections.
After chatting a while longer with the Daimyō, Hiruzen and the Daimyō parted reluctantly and agreed that he would stay a few days in the capital.
Danzō followed silently behind Hiruzen with a cold face.
"What was the Daimyō's surname again?" Hiruzen suddenly asked.
Danzō was stunned. He had originally intended to make a sarcastic remark or two.
After all this, you don't even know his surname!
And you were calling each other Hiruzen-ani and Otōto so affectionately!
Besides, how does a Hokage not know the Daimyō's surname?
"His full name is Kujō Gen…"
Hiruzen nodded casually and handed him the last necklace. "His piece wasn't as good as this one."
"You've been coveting it for a long time, haven't you? This is the only one left…"
Danzō frowned tightly, looking as if he wanted to refuse, but his hands moved with complete honesty.
He truly wanted to question Hiruzen—why should that Daimyō receive Mito-sama's necklace?
Mito-sama had said it should be given to a warrior who would give everything for Konoha!
Wasn't that clearly referring to him!
Fortunately, Hiruzen still knew his limits…
With this necklace, it could be considered that both Hiruzen and Mito-sama acknowledged him!
How could Orochimaru compete with him now?
"Oh, by the way, I actually knew the Daimyō's surname was Kujō…"
"Then why did you ask?" Danzō frowned and said in confusion.
"Because I was teasing you."
Hiruzen waved his hand. "I was afraid you'd bottle up your anger and make yourself furious to death…"
"Starting tomorrow, think about how the Anbu should conduct spot checks on this sum of money in the future. Come up with a framework."
Danzō's mouth twitched, and he let out a long sigh.
He felt somewhat helpless when dealing with Hiruzen.
What has this man become lately!
He really is like a monkey—acting without any apparent pattern, impossible to fathom…
That night...
Hiruzen slept soundly.
But Danzō's eyes were sharp and bright, and he could not sleep at all.
He was thinking about how best to complete the task Hiruzen had assigned to him…
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