In the Land of Fire, early spring after a cold winter, the temperature actually became colder, a phenomenon known as "reverse spring chill."
With frequent strong winds, the weather became somewhat dry. People who used White Snake Brand moisturizer found that their skin didn't feel as dry as in previous years.
Some people's skin would even peel slightly due to the dry weather, but after applying the moisturizer, it stopped happening.
Through spontaneous word-of-mouth, White Snake Brand skincare products became even more popular, and those who were still observing also started taking action.
Konoha
Why are we at a BBQ restaurant again?
Is a BBQ restaurant suitable for discussing business?
Orochimaru walked to the BBQ restaurant, bundled up tightly and full of complaints. A purple scarf covered most of her face, making her look like an ANBU Ninja, just short of wearing an animal mask.
Orochimaru pulled open the BBQ restaurant door, and the moment she stepped inside, a wave of heat mixed with the aroma of grilled meat rushed over, almost knocking her off her feet.
Looking around, Orochimaru found Nara Matsuka and the others' table and quickly walked over.
"Orochimaru, you're here!"
Nara Matsuka looked at Orochimaru walking over, raising her hand high and waving.
"Sorry, I'm late."
Orochimaru saw that the grilled meat on the charcoal grill was already cooked. She untied her scarf, took off her coat and hung it up, then sat beside Nara Matsuka. Noticing the hesitant expressions of Akimichi Harudō, Yamanaka Shieko, and Nara Matsuka, she said helplessly, "You guessed right. The formula for White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company was provided by me, and I receive a commission from it."
"Orochimaru, then our exclusive store in Konoha…"
Yamanaka Shieko was very worried that they wouldn't be able to sell skincare products in the future. They had finally found a profitable business. If it couldn't be produced by their Ino–Shika–Chō three clans, it wouldn't be impossible to purchase products from White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company.
"Aunt Shiko, Aunt Harudō, Matsuka-nee, you don't need to worry about this. I discussed it with the company before signing the contract. You can continue to produce and sell White Snake Brand skincare products, but you must ensure the quality of the products, and when the White Snake Brand skincare products undergo packaging updates, you must also keep up."
"I knew it! Orochimaru is so smart, she must have considered it!"
Nara Matsuka said with a smile, relieved. She had previously vowed that Orochimaru would definitely have considered it.
Based on her understanding of Orochimaru, she had long guessed that she would consider all aspects. She told Yamanaka Shieko and Akimichi Harudō, but they were still worried that Orochimaru might have forgotten, and it would be bad if White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company caused trouble for Orochimaru because of this.
Neither Akimichi Harudō, Yamanaka Shieko, nor Nara Matsuka had ever thought that White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company was Orochimaru's property.
"However, there's one thing you must guarantee."
Orochimaru continued, and the three women's gazes fell upon her, waiting for her next words.
"The White Snake Brand skincare products you produce and sell are only allowed to be sold in Konoha. As compensation, I will prioritize providing you with the improved skincare product formulas."
Orochimaru's words made it sound like the Ino–Shika–Chō three clans were getting a good deal, but in reality, she still regarded Konoha as a testing ground.
If something went wrong in Konoha, it would still be controllable. If problems arose after large-scale production of the goods, it would no longer be a matter of controllability, and she would have to search her drawers for Doraemon's time machine.
Because of this, the White Snake Brand skincare products sold in Konoha were much cheaper, so even common Ninja wouldn't feel pained buying them, as they were much cheaper than Ninja tools.
Hokage Building, Mission Hall.
"Ms. Iryu, may I ask what kind of mission White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company wishes to post?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, looking at the representative from White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company who had come to post a mission.
"Third Hokage, our White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company wishes to post long-term C-rank and B-rank missions in Konoha, employing Konoha's Ninja to protect our company's goods so they can be transported to every town in the Land of Fire."
Iryu, dressed as a capable secretary, pushed up her glasses and stated her company's purpose for coming to Konoha.
"So, escort missions… As far as I know, your company's products are not only sold in the Land of Fire."
Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe, suppressing the urge to agree immediately.
"That's right, our company's products will be sold to various countries and Ninja Villages. The Four Great Shinobi Villages of Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Hidden Mist, and Hidden Cloud Village will all be target consumer groups for our products."
Iryu said with a smile. White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company was a company that made money by selling goods, so how could it limit its scope to the Land of Fire?
"What about Konoha?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of Konoha's exclusive store.
"You don't need to worry about that. Konoha's White Snake Brand skincare product exclusive store belongs to your Konoha. This was one of the conditions Ms. Orochimaru agreed to for providing us with the formula."
Iryu saw what Hiruzen Sarutobi was worried about.
"Konoha will accept your company's employment request."
Iryu's answer dispelled Hiruzen Sarutobi's concerns, and he accepted White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company's long-term employment request.
"Third Hokage, we hope for a pleasant cooperation."
Iryu took the briefcase handed to her by her guard, placed it on the table, and said, "This is the remuneration for the escort missions. Our side hopes that the escort team includes Ninja from the Uchiha Clan or the Hyuga Clan."
"Why is that?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi crossed his arms and asked.
"According to intelligence collected by our company, pirate groups and bandit groups have already targeted our company's products. There are also rogue organizations formed by hired rogue Ninja. Without sensory Ninja, escort missions will be exceptionally difficult, and there might even be casualties."
Iryu explained the reason with a serious expression, adding, "Our company does not wish for our cooperation with Orochimaru to end due to some misunderstanding."
Honestly, it's normal for Ninja to suffer casualties during missions, but the company had to care about the feelings of their most important partner, Orochimaru.
"Is that how it is…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi understood, realizing White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company's meaning. They clearly didn't want to fall out with Orochimaru and must have secretly hired Ninja or mercenaries to collect intelligence.
"Ms. Iryu, Konoha will arrange suitable Ninja to go to the Land of Waves."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile. He hadn't expected that this time Konoha's large-scale escort mission, requiring many Ninja, was because of Orochimaru. It could be said that Orochimaru had brought a considerable income to the Village.
Aside from the Daimyo's funding, Konoha's most important source of income was accepting commissions and taking a portion of the remuneration as a handling fee.
This was unavoidable. For the safety of the Village, there were the Anbu who served as unsung heroes, the Uchiha Military Police Force, the Ninja stationed at border outposts in the Land of Fire outside Konoha, and daily patrol teams.
As well as Village-related missions and the maintenance of various infrastructures. It's important to know that Ninja and civilians don't pay for hospital stays; where does that money come from?
The Daimyo's funding and the handling fees from mission remunerations.
Thus, it is clear what impact it would have on the Village if the Daimyo decided to cut funding.
Without money, even living becomes a problem. Who would be willing to risk their lives for a Village that makes their own life a problem?
The Will of Fire?
The Will of Fire can't be eaten.
"Then we'll leave it to the Ninja of Konoha."
Iryu smiled politely, turned, and walked out, with two guards by her side.
Chapter 60: Orochimaru Researching Herself
"Lord Orochimaru, the matter has been handled."
Iryu knelt on one knee, looking reverently at Orochimaru, who held a glass box containing a White Snake's shed skin.
Orochimaru's gaze shifted to Iryu, and she smiled slightly, saying, "Setsuryu, is this form of yours Smoke Transformation?"
"You saw through it."
Iryu dissolved into smoke and reformed into her original appearance: brown hair, light blue eyes, and a pretty face with a hint of mischievous joy, seemingly happy that Orochimaru had seen through her Smoke Transformation Jutsu.
"I was the one who helped you develop Ninjutsu using your Bloodline Limit, so how could I not see through your Smoke Transformation Jutsu?" Orochimaru chuckled, stating with certainty, "You are a Smoke Clone, aren't you?"
Setsuryu said apologetically, "Lord Orochimaru, I apologize for meeting you as a Smoke Clone. My main body has already left Konoha and is on its way back to the Land of Waves."
"It doesn't matter. Both Smoke Clones and Shadow Clones are very convenient."
Orochimaru didn't mind Setsuryu meeting her as a Smoke Clone. "If there's nothing else, you should disappear."
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
Setsuryu's Smoke Clone dissipated into smoke.
It's time to visit the Iburi Clan's territory. Many children in the clan have reached the age to attend the Ninja Academy. These Ninjutsu related to their Bloodline Limit should be taught to them.
Orochimaru stood up and walked out. Her Shadow Clones, who were conducting their respective research and training, glanced at her and continued with their own tasks.
The cave where the Iburi Clan once lived is now a ruin. Those who didn't join Konoha are either assisting Orochimaru's Shadow Clones in experiments in the Laboratory or working at White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company in the Land of Waves.
In the brightly lit Laboratory, various animals are immersed in culture tanks, from herbivores to fierce beasts, even the Desert Ant and the massive Double-Tailed Scorpion from the Demon Desert of the Land of Wind, and some giant beasts from the Forest of Death.
Orochimaru's Shadow Clones moved quickly through the Laboratory, accompanied by their assistants, conducting different research.
Some Shadow Clones are researching cloning and genetic technology using these animals. Once cloning is successful in animals, they can further attempt to clone humans, which would provide an endless supply of experimental subjects.
Other Shadow Clones are trying to create liquid invisible contact lenses using Chakra-responsive materials to defend against visual genjutsu.
The essence of visual genjutsu is for the caster to manipulate the recipient's five senses with Yin Release Chakra, and visual genjutsu specifically manipulates the recipient's five senses through their vision.
Orochimaru's idea is that if, at the moment the genjutsu caster activates the genjutsu, Yin Release Chakra can form a defense around the eyes to block the genjutsu caster's Yin Release Chakra attack, thereby nullifying the genjutsu.
Because of this, she would use liquid materials that react to Chakra to create liquid invisible contact lenses that envelop the eyeball. No, considering they envelop the eyeball, this has already gone beyond the scope of invisible contact lenses; it's more like a genjutsu defense wall.
For auditory genjutsu, there's no better defense method unless one becomes deaf. If you can't hear sounds, you naturally won't fall under auditory genjutsu.
However, there is one research project that two Shadow Clones are conducting simultaneously: the Caged Bird Curse Mark that the Hyuga Clan's Main House places on the foreheads of the Branch House members.
Even with the books provided by Danzo Shimura, Orochimaru's research on the Caged Bird Curse Mark is progressing very slowly. There's no other way; the only test subject is Hyuga Mio, and she also has to frequently perform missions and act as a sparring partner for Main House members.
Orochimaru has many ideas that require Hyuga Mio's cooperation. Without important test subjects for experiments, how could the progress not be slow?
Orochimaru commanded her Shadow Clones to research herself. She discovered that her mental energy far exceeded that of ordinary people, even surpassing those clans with Bloodline Limits (referring specifically to Uchiha).
Not only that, her sensory abilities are also very strong. Although not reaching the level of Senju Tobirama, through her research on herself, she found that her sensory abilities have the potential for further improvement with long-term training.
Regarding the various traits that did not appear in the original Orochimaru but appeared in herself, Orochimaru could only conclude that these were changes brought about by soul fusion.
Orochimaru's original soul and a soul from another world fused together, giving birth to her existence. The fusion of the two souls also granted her mental energy and sensory abilities far exceeding those of ordinary people.
Perhaps this is why she was able to use the Flying Thunder God Technique for travel so quickly.
Iburi Clan Territory, Clan Head's Residence.
"Chiriu, these Ninjutsu, developed based on your Iburi Clan's Bloodline Limit, will now be the Iburi Clan's inherited secret techniques used in conjunction with your Bloodline Limit."
Orochimaru placed the Ninjutsu scrolls on the table. "This way, the Iburi Clan will hold more weight in the eyes of the Konoha Higher-Ups, and you won't have to worry about not having suitable Ninjutsu for yourselves."
Due to their unique Bloodline Limit of Smoke Transformation, the Iburi Clan's Chakra nature is solely Yin Release. That's right, it's only Yin Release, with no other natures. Looking at the entire Ninja World, the Iburi Clan's situation is an explosive existence.
If the Hyuga Clan disdains learning any elemental Ninjutsu other than the Three Body Technique.
Then the Iburi Clan can't even learn them if they wanted to. Their Chakra nature is only Yin Release. Besides non-elemental Ninjutsu, they can only learn Genjutsu, or develop Ninjutsu using their Bloodline Limit.
Chiriu looked at the Ninjutsu scrolls on the table, unable to hide his excitement. He reached out, and the closer his hand got to the scrolls, the more it trembled. He looked up at Orochimaru, wanting to confirm again.
"Lord Orochimaru, can I… really accept these?"
"Take them. These are Ninjutsu that Aokawa and I developed together. They are Bloodline Limit Ninjutsu belonging to your Iburi Clan."
Orochimaru smiled, gesturing for Chiriu to quickly accept them.
Bang—!
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