"Work for you?"
"That's impossible!"
Senju Tobirama rejected the idea almost on reflex.
He was the nominal second-in-command of Konoha, and in practice its true administrator.
How could he possibly work under this inherently dangerous Uchiha brat?
"Don't reject it so quickly," Makoto said calmly.
"I'm well aware of your talent in ninjutsu research and development. Techniques like the Flying Thunder God Technique—that alone was enough to kill Madara-sama's younger brother."
"And even now, you're still developing techniques specifically designed to counter the Uchiha."
"Setting all that aside, I genuinely admire your abilities."
Makoto spoke frankly.
Senju Tobirama was an exceptional researcher.
The forbidden techniques he created would go on to shape the entire ninja world.
If Makoto could harness that intellect to strengthen Akatsuki Village's technological and tactical foundations, it would be an enormous gain.
The first half of Makoto's words made Tobirama visibly pleased—especially the part about killing Uchiha Izuna, one of his greatest personal achievements.
But the latter half—
Hashirama was still standing right there.
The moment he heard "techniques targeting the Uchiha," he shot Tobirama a dangerous look.
Tobirama… you're still doing that?
"That's nonsense!" Tobirama snapped, suddenly defensive.
"I'm not developing any techniques aimed at the Uchiha!"
Makoto looked unconvinced.
Then he continued.
"I can provide you with the most advanced laboratory in the entire ninja world, fully equipped."
"All results produced there will belong to Akatsuki Village. The village retains all technical rights. Even you, Senju Tobirama, may not privately appropriate or duplicate them."
"In return, I'll pay you two million ryō per month."
The terms were laid out cleanly and decisively.
Two million ryō per month was an extraordinary salary in the ninja world—equivalent to the reward for two S-rank missions.
No risk.
No personal investment.
All experimental costs covered by Makoto.
Tobirama hesitated.
"…Let me think about it."
He had intended to reject it outright, but the conditions were undeniably tempting.
Top-tier facilities.
Unlimited resources.
And Uchiha Makoto footing the bill.
The Uchiha don't understand research anyway.
Skimming a little material here and there wouldn't even be noticed.
After all—
What researcher doesn't "borrow" lab resources?
But the thought of working for an Uchiha—
That was a blow to his pride.
"I take it you wouldn't want Konoha to lose the Fire Daimyō's economic support," Makoto said softly,
"and fall into financial ruin, would you?"
Makoto saw the hesitation and immediately applied pressure—precise and ruthless.
"Bastard!"
"You think you can cover the sky of the Land of Fire with one hand?"
"Fine—try it!"
The atmosphere instantly turned hostile again.
Hashirama could no longer stand it. He hurried forward, once more playing the role of peacemaker.
"To be honest, Tobirama," Hashirama said earnestly,
"you'd just be doing research—what you love most."
"You wouldn't need to dip into village funds anymore, sneaking this and that from the budget…"
"And on top of that, you'd get two million ryō a month."
Hashirama, as usual, sided away from his own brother.
"Tobirama, that's actually a great deal—"
"Big brother, shut up!"
Tobirama exploded.
"Do you have any idea how busy I am every day?!"
"You spend all your time hanging around with Madara, and I run the entire village!"
"And now you're helping Uchiha Makoto talk me into this?!"
Tobirama was furious.
Even setting pride aside, he genuinely didn't have time.
Konoha alone was already enough to exhaust him.
Makoto spoke up calmly.
"You could use Shadow Clones."
"Leave a few clones in the lab, mark the place with the Flying Thunder God."
"You'd still handle village affairs and conduct research daily. A perfect solution."
Makoto had already planned Tobirama's workflow for him.
Hashirama's eyes lit up.
"That's right! That really is a good idea!"
"Good idea my ass!"
"Tobirama snapped."
"That technique is forbidden for a reason! Excessive use damages the body—people have died from it!"
Tobirama's face darkened.
If he weren't my brother—and if I could actually beat him—
I swear…
"I can raise the price," Makoto said calmly.
"If you agree, Konoha's funding issues become very easy to resolve."
Makoto was utterly confident.
After all, the money wasn't coming from him—it was the Fire Daimyō's.
And the Daimyō was rich, terrified of Konoha, and more than willing to pay to keep the peace.
Spending the Daimyō's money to solve my own problems—why would I feel guilty?
"A higher price?" Tobirama sneered.
"You think you can offer something higher than the sky?"
"Go ahead," Makoto replied lightly. "Name it."
Tobirama felt the negotiation had completely slipped out of his control.
He raised his hand, fingers spread wide.
"Eighty billion ryō."
Hashirama's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Konoha's current liquid assets weren't even ten billion ryō—and that was after desperately selling tulips to recover some losses.
Before coming here, Tobirama himself had said that fifty billion would already be an astronomical figure.
And now he'd added thirty billion more just to scare Makoto off.
"That's too little," Makoto said, shaking his head.
"…Too much? No—wait—did you just say too little?"
Tobirama stared at him in disbelief.
"Let's double it," Makoto said casually.
"One hundred and fifty billion ryō."
"Konoha will receive one hundred billion."
Tobirama was stunned.
Uchiha Makoto—
You really have no shame at all!
Fifty billion ryō—gone with a smile.
In terms of corruption… I, Senju Tobirama, acknowledge you as the strongest.
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