"Work for you?"
"How is that possible!"
Senju Tobirama refused almost on reflex. He was Konoha's nominal number two and its actual number one. How could he possibly work for an Uchiha brat born evil.
"Don't be so quick to refuse."
"I know your talent and skill in ninjutsu research and development. Take the Flying Thunder God Technique, for example. That move killed Lord Madara's younger brother. You are even now developing jutsu aimed at restraining the Uchiha clan. Setting that aside, I still admire your ability."
Uchiha Makoto spoke calmly.
Senju Tobirama was in truth an outstanding researcher. The various forbidden techniques he invented had shaped the entire shinobi world. If Makoto could harness that intellect to raise the core competitiveness of Akatsuki's shinobi village, it would be an absolute win.
The first half of Makoto's words brought a proud smile to Tobirama's face, especially the part about soloing Uchiha Izuna. That was his highlight moment. But the latter half was also the truth. Hashirama was standing right there. Hearing this, he shot Tobirama a dangerous look. Tobirama, you are still targeting Madara's clan.
This was outrageous.
"Don't talk nonsense. I am not developing anti Uchiha jutsu right now."
Tobirama tried to defend himself, guilty conscience written on his face. Makoto clearly didn't buy it and continued.
"I can provide you with the most advanced laboratory in the entire shinobi world, along with a full suite of support. All results produced in that lab will be handed over to the Akatsuki Shinobi Village, which will hold the patents. Even you, Senju Tobirama, may not plagiarize or misappropriate them. I will also pay you a fee, two million ryō per month."
Makoto laid out his terms. His sincerity was obvious. Two million ryō a month was a truly top tier salary in this world.
Tobirama would not need to take any risks and could earn the equivalent of two S rank mission payouts every month, with all experimental losses and costs paid by Makoto.
"Let me think about it."
He had intended to refuse outright, but the terms were tempting. Two million ryō. A top level laboratory. What would an Uchiha know about research anyway. With a few small tricks he could surely freeload the lab's resources.
What cook doesn't sneak ingredients.
What researcher doesn't freeload lab resources. Everything on the tab of Uchiha Makoto.
But working for the Uchiha clan, once that got out, would be far too shameful. Tobirama chose to keep his pride.
"Senju Tobirama, you wouldn't want Konoha to lose economic aid from the Land of Fire and fall into financial straits."
Makoto saw the hesitation on Tobirama's face and decided to turn the screws with his specialty.
"Scoundrel."
"You really think you can cover the sky over the Land of Fire with one hand."
"Hmph, go ahead and try."
The two squared off again. Hashirama could not stand to watch and hurried over to play mediator once more, trying to persuade them.
It was only letting his little brother go to a lab to do the research he loved. What was the big deal.
And he would not have to spend a single ryō of his own on experimental resources. It would even save him the trouble of nibbling left and right from the village budget. Most importantly, Uchiha Makoto would pay Tobirama two million ryō a month. That was no small sum.
Hashirama, as usual, was taking the outsider's side.
"Big brother, enough."
"Do you have any idea how busy I am every day. You spend all your time fooling around with Uchiha Madara. I run the whole village, and now you are here speaking up for Uchiha Makoto."
Tobirama roared at Hashirama. He admitted the pay was generous, but aside from pride, he simply did not have time to do research. The mountain of village affairs already had him run ragged.
"In fact, you can use the Multi Shadow Clone Technique. Split off a few clones every day, mark the lab with your Flying Thunder God, and you can absolutely get to the lab daily to do research. That would be the best of both worlds."
Makoto spoke softly from the side.
He had even planned out Tobirama's workflow.
Hashirama said, "Right, that really is a good idea."
"Good my foot."
"Big brother, have you forgotten how dangerous that forbidden technique is. Overuse damages the body and can even cause sudden death."
Tobirama's face went dark. If Hashirama were not his big brother, and if he could beat him, then. Hmph. Always taking the outsider's side.
"I can offer a very high price."
"As long as you agree to this, Konoha's budget issues will be easy to resolve."
Makoto spoke with conviction.
After all, Konoha's funds came from the Land of Fire's daimyo. Makoto was only in charge of negotiating. The daimyo had money to burn and was terrified of Konoha right now, perfectly willing to spend money to avert disaster.
"Very high, you say."
"Can your offer reach the sky."
"Try me," Makoto said.
Tobirama felt the rhythm of the negotiation had been led entirely by Makoto. He strongly suspected the daimyo had been put under genjutsu, but this was not the time. He raised a few fingers and named a lion's price. "Eight billion ryō."
Hashirama could not help but widen his eyes. Konoha's liquid funds did not even total one billion ryō at the moment. That was after they salvaged a bit by unloading a batch of tulips despite the village being saddled with the stigma of the tulip scandal. Otherwise they would have only a few hundred million left.
The village finances were tight. In the office earlier, Tobirama had said that getting five billion would already be sky high, a veritable fortune. He had not expected his little brother to tack on another three billion just to scare Makoto off. The daimyo had originally given Makoto only one billion.
"Too little."
Makoto shook his head.
"Too much already. That is the lowest price. Wait a second. Did you just say too little."
Tobirama's eyes went wide.
"Let's double it a bit. Fifteen billion ryō. For Konoha, I can give you ten billion."
For an instant Tobirama was struck dumb.
Uchiha Makoto.
You strike this black a bargain.
With a laugh and a few words, he had skimmed five billion ryō.
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