"He likes money, doesn't he?"
"We're not after his life. We only want his Earth Grudge Fear. Then we'll just buy it." Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke calmly.
Earth Grudge Fear carried immense value.
That had already been confirmed by Mito Uzumaki.
On one hand, it was a key component in resurrecting that person, meant to untangle and restore the severed chakra pathways in that reconstructed body.
On the other hand, it possessed the ability to repair severed limbs. That alone aligned with one of the long-term directions of Konoha's medical system.
Of course, even without Earth Grudge Fear, Hiruzen's preparations so far were not wasted.
Hiruko had already developed a preliminary secret technique for cellular fusion, built on Mito Uzumaki's sealing arts. It was usable.
Still, if he was asking his teacher to return and lend his strength…
It was only right to make the preparations as thorough as possible.
Danzo Shimura frowned.
Buy it?
That was not his usual approach. Whether dealing with threats inside or outside the village, he was far more accustomed to taking things by force.
Within the village, however, the Hokage's authority placed limits on him.
Outside the village, there were no such restraints.
As if sensing Danzo's thoughts, Hiruzen added, "If he shows any intent to lash out, we eliminate him."
"But if a trade is possible, that would be better. For Lord Hashirama's reputation, and for a steady supply of fresh Earth Grudge Fear in the future."
Danzo nodded in agreement.
Capturing Kakuzu intact would be difficult. A shinobi of that caliber would not go down quietly.
In a real fight, the valuable Earth Grudge Fear would likely end up riddled with damage.
Even if they obtained it intact, there was no guarantee Konoha had a suitable candidate to inherit it.
If Earth Grudge Fear were truly easy to master, Kakuzu would never have needed to steal it in the first place.
The higher-ups of the Hidden Waterfall Village would have used it to suppress him.
"So how do we lure him in?"
"And Hiruzen, the village is short on funds right now," Danzo said thoughtfully. "Koharu and Homura have been getting along well with the Land of Fire lately. They claim finances won't be an issue."
"Can we rely on them for that? I haven't looked into it myself."
Hiruzen chuckled.
"We'll spread rumors in the black market that someone is willing to buy Earth Grudge Fear. Whatever price he names, we'll agree."
"We'll also post bounties at Bounty Stations across multiple countries to make it look convincing."
"But remember, use the identity of arrogant nobles. The tone should be reckless and indulgent. Like fools who have never seen true power and crave immortality at any cost."
"The meeting place will be just outside the capital of the Land of Fire."
For someone like Kakuzu, having his Earth Grudge Fear targeted was not something he could ignore.
If it were one of the Five Great Hidden Villages, perhaps he would weigh his options.
But if it were merely ignorant nobles, silencing them quietly would not be difficult.
Meeting outside the capital served two purposes.
It distanced the exchange from Konoha, reducing suspicion.
And it strengthened the illusion that the buyer truly was a noble.
"As for money, don't worry, Danzo."
"Five years from now, your only concern will be figuring out how to spend it."
Hiruzen spoke with quiet confidence. "For ninja, money is useful. And yet… not truly."
In a world shaped by extraordinary power, currency had clear diminishing returns.
For lower and middle-ranked ninja, money was essential, no different from ordinary civilians.
But for Jonin and above, money was something they could obtain with relative ease.
You could throw money at training and quickly produce a Chunin.
But to spend your way to a Jonin, or to someone capable of fighting a Kage-level opponent, the difficulty rose exponentially.
The First Hokage had once sold Tailed Beasts for money, but that occurred under unique historical circumstances.
During a full-scale shinobi war, Tailed Beasts were priceless.
Even if someone offered one billion ryo, or double that, no deal would be struck.
The side that won militarily could take everything. That truth never changed.
If money was to be converted into combat power, it required two foundations.
First, scientific advancement.
Invest heavily in research, iterate on ninjutsu, develop new ninja tools. Burn vast sums of money into tangible strength.
The Medical Scroll was only one example.
Hiruzen's greater ambition was to regulate Hashirama Cells within a stable and controllable threshold, so that every Konoha ninja could stand beneath the First Hokage's legacy.
Even if they could not use Wood Style, increasing their chakra reserves alone would be transformative. Enough to create what could only be described as "Konoha supermen."
It would also strengthen collective identity.
After all, they would all carry Hashirama Cells within them.
Of course, the path was steep. The trial-and-error costs would be enormous.
But it was worth it.
That was one of the reasons Hiruzen insisted on reviving Tobirama Senju.
Integrating the Uchiha Clan and reinforcing military strength were only part of it.
Konoha needed Tobirama's research mind.
Second, build a support system distinct from the other hidden villages.
With a reliable safety net, most ninja could afford to explore and push their limits.
Without it, they would fall into survival-driven conservatism, never unlocking deeper potential.
And once such a system existed, it would shine like a beacon.
Not just for lower-ranked ninja.
Even talented elites would be drawn in.
They might not lack money.
But there was a difference between what you earned alone and what your village provided.
Belonging had value beyond currency.
It could fill the emptiness in a shinobi's heart with warmth.
"Is that really so, Hiruzen?" Danzo frowned. "You're always plotting something. Acting mysterious."
"So who do we send to meet Kakuzu?"
"At least two at Orochimaru's level. And preferably Sakumo Hatake as well."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"There's nothing mysterious about it. I told you, Danzo, when it comes to showing our face, I'll bring you along."
"We'll go to the capital of the Land of Fire together to collect the money. And we'll meet Kakuzu ourselves."
"With the two of us present, what is there to worry about? In all of Konoha, is there a stronger combination?"
Danzo paused, then nodded slowly.
"That's true."
The Hokage and his advisor personally meeting a Rogue Ninja from the Hidden Waterfall Village…
That was an honor few would ever receive.
One month later.
The Uchiha Clan compound.
Fugaku Uchiha stared blankly at the crying infant in the cradle, his mind drifting far away.
He had not been ready to become a father.
Yet in the blink of an eye, his eldest son had been born.
All because of Isshin Uchiha's constant talk about patience and restraint. With nothing better to do, he had somehow ended up here.
"My single life… just like that?"
"Well, what's done is done."
Fugaku let out a quiet breath in his heart. "I'll be a good father. Yes. I will."
At that moment, Isshin Uchiha strode in with a broad grin.
"Fugaku, I heard you had a son!"
"That's how it should be. The more prosperous our numbers, the brighter the future of the Uchiha Clan."
"Have you chosen a name yet?"
Fugaku quickly composed himself.
"I've named him Itachi. I hope he grows sharp and perceptive, able to detect danger and opportunity for our clan."
"Good name. Very good!"
Isshin set down the milk powder and gifts he had brought. "He might become the next clan head. Or at least heir to the position."
Fugaku's lips twitched slightly.
Recently, Isshin seemed pushed to the brink by the Third Hokage.
Absorbing marginalized Uchiha into the Patrol Unit had stirred unrest within the clan compound.
It had taken considerable effort for Isshin to restore unity and reframe the move as Konoha's sugar-coated strategy.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself," Fugaku said gently.
He could not shake the feeling that if Isshin continued suppressing himself like this, something inside him might snap.
Granted, from a bloodline perspective, such emotional turmoil might awaken the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan.
But the chances of dying from stress felt even higher.
"Pressure? What pressure do I have?"
Isshin snorted. "Fugaku, Hiruzen's sugar-coated bullets won't last forever. Konoha is going to run out of money."
"I won't feel pressured. Pressure shortens your life."
"I'll live long enough to see the revival of the Uchiha Clan."
Fugaku nodded in agreement.
Yet he could not ignore the thought that the old clan leader's state of mind was growing unstable.
And at the very moment Isshin believed Konoha was running out of money…
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura traveled light, carrying the final product of the Sage Land Pill, as they arrived at the capital of the Land of Fire.