For a moment, Kin remained silent, lifting his teacup to take a sip with an air of calm indifference.
All members of the Aburame Clan watched him eagerly.
The Aburame Clan's status in Konoha was now quite high—even surpassing the Ino-Shika-Chō trio. Alongside the Hyūga and Uchiha clans, they were one of Konoha's three strongest ninja clans.
The Uchiha, content with their own affairs, received dedicated benefits from the village and thus had little to worry about. The Aburame, however, were locked in a struggle for influence with the Hyūga, while the rapidly advancing Sarutobi and Shimura clans lurked beneath them, eyeing their position covetously.
Since the Third Hokage took office, he hadn't outright suppressed the Aburame, but in a village as small as Konoha, the more the Sarutobi and Shimura clans took, the less remained for others.
Out of wariness toward the Aburame's strength and standing, Sarutobi Hiruzen avoided targeting them—save for that old bastard Danzō.
Danzō didn't suppress them, but he poached their talent relentlessly. Any Aburame with even slight ability caught his eye. Other clans faced the same treatment, and those weaker than the Aburame suffered even worse.
Their status could not afford to slip.
"I understand your request," Kin said, setting his teacup down slowly and tapping the table with a finger. His tone was blunt. "But what do I get in return?"
He had no obligation to develop jutsu for free. Ninja were ninja, and he was himself—he wasn't about to selflessly sacrifice for others. Even brothers settled accounts clearly, and his connection with Aburame Shibi wasn't enough to justify charity.
"We can pay," an elderly Aburame spoke up. The others voiced no objections—after all, secret techniques that could be bought with money were something others could only dream of.
Aburame Shibi had already relayed Kin's practice of pricing jutsu openly, and the Aburame were eager. Kin's developed techniques were all gold-standard, especially the Three-Colored Haki from the Cloud frontline. Some had even used it to advance to jōnin, though initially, only those on the Cloud battlefield had access.
Now, the Three-Colored Haki had been submitted to Konoha's jutsu archive, requiring significant battle merits to exchange for it.
"The price won't be low," Kin said meaningfully, glancing at the elder before sweeping his gaze across the Aburame present, finally settling on Aburame Shiko. "What you want is a jutsu tailored exclusively for your clan—one you'd prefer not to hand over to Konoha's archives. Naturally, the cost will be much higher."
Several Aburame members exchanged solemn looks.
Indeed.
If they obtained a secret technique, they wouldn't want it appearing in Konoha's archives. Currently, each clan's secret techniques remained in their own hands, absent from the village's repository.
Though their techniques required specific physiques and training from childhood, others could still learn them. These secrets were the foundation of their power.
"Kin-san, name your price," Aburame Shiko said. They had come prepared.
Kin calculated briefly, then held up five fingers.
"Five billion."
A collective hiss of shock ran through the Aburame. This figure far exceeded their expectations—Konoha's annual budget didn't even reach five billion.
"We don't have that kind of money," Aburame Shiko said hoarsely.
Not even the entire village could scrape together five billion on short notice.
"Our highest offer is one billion," an Aburame elder declared.
"Then we have nothing to discuss." Kin shrugged and stood to leave.
"Wait, Kin-san—two billion!"
Kin ignored the plea and turned toward the door, only for Aburame Mushihi to suddenly clutch his arm tightly, pressing it against her ample curves.
"Hiss—" Kin sucked in a sharp breath.
This was foul play.
Helpless, he was pulled back into his seat.
"Kin-san, 250 million is the absolute maximum we can offer," Aburame Shiko said gravely. This was truly the Aburame's limit—they'd be tightening their belts for a long time afterward.
Kin glanced at Aburame Mushihi, who still hadn't released his arm, her embrace warm against his skin.
The Aburame were truly underhanded.
To resort to such shameless tactics—
"Fine. Since you've gone this far," Kin clicked his tongue.
With the Aburame's contribution, his funds would reach roughly 550 million, giving him ample resources for whatever he desired.
"Three days from now. Payment in exchange for the goods."
With the deal struck, Aburame Mushihi released his arm, her demeanor shifting instantly to one of detached formality as she knelt primly beside him, pouring tea.
Kin shuddered.
What had just happened?
How could he, a normal man, have been tempted by an Aburame woman? At the very least… he shouldn't… entertain fantasies about someone from the Aburame Clan.
His eyes flicked to Aburame Mushihi's curvaceous figure—who knew such proportions were hidden beneath that coat?—then to her delicate, pale chin. Her face was probably quite pretty.
Maybe bugs weren't so bad after all.
He rubbed his face, forcibly erasing the terrifying thought.
Underhanded Aburame.
Noticing Kin's mix of longing and disgust, Aburame Mushihi rolled her eyes—though her sunglasses hid the motion.
Tch. Men!
All the same.
But still…
"As a member of the Aburame Clan, I apologize," she muttered, suddenly adopting the air of a defeated mutt. At this rate, she'd never find a boyfriend.
Watching her clansmen chat amiably with Uchiha Kin, she felt utterly out of place.
"Will I ever get married?"
Her future seemed bleak.
Kin was seen off warmly by the Aburame, even gifted some local specialties.
Examining the body-nourishing bugs in his hand, he mused, "Maybe I should develop some chakra-boosting pills instead."
The Dark Walker Technique for absorbing chakra was still a distant dream, but pills to enhance chakra seemed feasible. Many secretive clans already had their own chakra-enhancing medicines.
As he pondered, figures suddenly materialized around him, encircling him completely.
Kin acted as though he hadn't noticed, still lost in thought about the pills.
"Uchiha Kin," a ninja barked sharply. "Lord Danzō demands your presence."
Only then did Kin shift his gaze to the speaker.
The whites of his eyes darkened.
"You're too loud. You've interrupted my train of thought."
...
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(End of Chapter)