Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade walked over to Orochimaru. Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly went to get a chair.
"No need."
Uzumaki Mito waved her hand, picked up Orochimaru, and sat her in her own seat, then held Orochimaru in her lap.
"?!"
Everyone was startled by Uzumaki Mito's actions. It was the first time they had seen Uzumaki Mito so clearly express her affection for a child, and it was also a way of telling them not to think of bullying this child.
"I can stand."
Tsunade stood behind Uzumaki Mito, hands on her hips, a triumphant smile on her cute little face.
"Are you discussing the improved soldier pill formula by Orochimaru? Continue, I won't interfere with your decisions."
Uzumaki Mito gestured for everyone to continue.
"Torifu, the formula can be given to the Akimichi Clan. I don't need the profits from the soldier pill. What I want is for everyone in Konoha to know that the new soldier pill formula was developed with my funding."
Danzo Shimura stated his reasonable demand. He had invested so much money precisely for the sake of reputation and for a talent like Orochimaru.
"However, my decision does not represent Orochimaru's decision. I hope you can listen to Orochimaru's thoughts."
Danzo Shimura didn't mind doing Orochimaru a favor to gain more of her goodwill.
Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze fell on Orochimaru, who was sitting primly in Uzumaki Mito's lap.
Who am I? Where am I? Why am I sitting in Grandma Mito's lap?
Orochimaru hadn't yet recovered from the shock of finding herself in Uzumaki Mito's lap, her expression one of dazed bewilderment, as if her soul had wandered off.
"Is this the time to be spacing out?!"
Tsunade's fist clenched. She reached out and pinched Orochimaru's cheek, calling her wandering soul back.
"Ah... huh?"
Orochimaru snapped back to reality and found everyone staring at her. She asked, embarrassed, "Have you already reached a conclusion?"
"Orochimaru, Danzo has already agreed to give the formula to the Akimichi Clan. What are your demands?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat and said.
"I heard that the Akimichi Clan's inherited secret technique is Yang Release Chakra nature transformation..."
"Impossible!"
Akimichi Torifu thought Orochimaru wanted the Akimichi Clan's inherited secret technique. He refused with a displeased expression, "The Akimichi Clan's inherited secret technique cannot be given to you, Orochimaru."
Inherited secret techniques are the foundation of their secret Ninjutsu families, and it's impossible to hand them over to others under any circumstances.
"No, Mr. Torifu, you've misunderstood me. What I want is the experience of Yang Release Chakra nature transformation. I believe the accumulated experience of your Akimichi Clan's ancestors can help me gain a deeper understanding of Yang Release Chakra nature transformation."
Orochimaru shook her head and said. She wasn't interested in the Akimichi Clan's inherited secret technique. From the moment she conceived the idea of improving the soldier pill formula, she had her sights set on the Akimichi Clan's insights into Yang Release Chakra nature transformation and the accumulated ancestral experience.
If her plan succeeded, she would not only successfully obtain the Akimichi Clan's insights but also receive a large amount of funds from Danzo Shimura. It was truly a plan to kill two birds with one stone.
"That's all?"
Akimichi Torifu looked at Orochimaru in surprise. It wasn't that her request was too excessive, but rather that it was too simple, so simple that for the Akimichi Clan, it felt like they were getting the new soldier pill formula without giving up anything.
Unlike the soldier pill formula, which is almost universally known in the Ninja World, the Akimichi Clan would certainly hold the new soldier pill formula firmly in their hands. Even if Ninja from other Various Ninja Villages obtained the new soldier pill, it would still take a lot of time and money to research and deduce the formula from it.
"One-tenth of the profit from the new soldier pill belongs to Orochimaru. Do you have any objections?"
Uzumaki Mito, who had been silent, slowly spoke, her words carrying an unquestionable authority.
"One-tenth of the profit..."
Akimichi Torifu was a bit reluctant but dared not contradict Uzumaki Mito. Just as he was about to agree, he heard Orochimaru's words.
"I will assist the Akimichi Clan in improving the soldier pill's manufacturing process, which will further reduce the cost of the soldier pill."
Orochimaru didn't let go of the benefits Uzumaki Mito had secured for her. She had considered profiting continuously from the soldier pill but had rejected the idea, mainly because it would be very difficult for her to get a share of that pie.
She had to thank Tsunade and Grandma Mito for this. With this one-tenth profit from the soldier pill, the time until she had her own Laboratory could be significantly shortened.
"One-tenth profit, no problem!"
Akimichi Torifu quickly agreed, afraid Orochimaru would change her mind. He wouldn't underestimate her just because of her young age.
Soon, under the witness of Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha Higher-Ups Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, Danzo Shimura, Orochimaru, and Akimichi Torifu signed a contract.
"Mr. Torifu, this is the soldier pill formula."
Orochimaru took out the soldier pill formula and handed it to Akimichi Torifu.
"Orochimaru, I will send someone to deliver what you requested as soon as possible."
Akimichi Torifu solemnly put away the new soldier pill formula. The contract clearly stipulated that Orochimaru could not hand the formula over to anyone else, meaning she could only make it herself.
The meeting ended. After Orochimaru bid farewell to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, Tsunade pulled her to walk beside Uzumaki Mito, her protective intent unmistakably clear.
Uzumaki Mito smiled at this. She already had a good impression of Orochimaru, and since this matter only brought benefits and no harm to Konoha, it was clear that Orochimaru had contributed to Konoha, so she naturally grew even fonder of Orochimaru.
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade beside her, who resembled a triumphant little swan, and had a strange premonition that Tsunade would definitely become her biggest obstacle when she eventually decided to run away.
Orochimaru was pulled by Tsunade out of the Hokage Building and saw people from the Yamanaka Clan and Nara Clan. They seemed to be outside advisors, helping Akimichi Torifu strategize.
Among the Ino–Shika–Chō clans, the Nara Clan sells medicinal ingredients, and the Akimichi Clan sells medicine. It seems only the Yamanaka Clan almost entirely works for Konoha to earn money, with no other significant economic sources.
The Yamanaka Clan, naturally possessing strong spiritual power, also has an inherited secret technique evolved from Yin Release, capable of reading the memories of captives, and possesses impressive sensory abilities.
The Barrier Team and Intelligence Team are the most suitable positions for the Yamanaka Clan.
In the original story, Ino Yamanaka's family ran a flower shop, but this doesn't mean other members of the Yamanaka Clan also ran flower shops.
With the Yamanaka Clan's abilities, Konoha would undoubtedly value them. No, the Ino–Shika–Chō clans are equally important in Konoha; the three clans have always shared a relationship of mutual prosperity.
After all, this matter involved not only the Akimichi Clan but also the medicinal ingredient magnate, the Nara Clan, and the Yamanaka Clan, who are old family friends with both clans, could not possibly not help.
The Ninja World isn't just about fighting and killing; to get by, it's about connections and background.
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