Things unfolded as Sarutobi Biwako had expected, yet with slight differences.
Michiko, the Daimyo's wife, was indeed a super loudmouth. In a short time, she made it known to the nobles of the Land of Fire that Konoha's Third Hokage enjoyed a very fulfilling marital life with his wife by drinking a mysterious, secretly formulated medicinal tea.
Fire Capital, Daimyo Estate
Hiruzen Sarutobi found it strange why Daimyo Keishu would invite him over.
While talking with Keishu, he subtly brought up the secret formula for the medicinal tea, expressing his curiosity about its taste.
"Lord Daimyo, I understand."
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately grasped Keishu's meaning.
"It's good that you understand."
Keishu covered his face with a fan. Men's issues in this area are always subtle; they don't want others to know. He had too many beautiful wives at home, and he couldn't help it.
Fearing that Hiruzen Sarutobi might forget, Keishu reminded him, "Hiruzen, Konoha's funds for this year, I've already sent people to prepare them. They'll be ready by your next visit."
"Lord Daimyo, I will return as soon as possible."
Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't expected the Daimyo to request the medicinal tea in such a way; he probably wanted to see if it worked.
Upon returning to Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi meticulously picked out a small amount of medicinal tea from the supply Orochimaru had given him using tweezers. He wasn't foolish enough to give the Daimyo too much for free; enough for one or two drinks would suffice.
Wasn't it just to taste it? Let him have a taste!
If he wants more, he can buy it himself!
Is this too much...? Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the medicinal tea he was about to give the Daimyo, feeling that the quantity was a bit excessive.
This much is enough for three drinks!
Hiruzen Sarutobi clipped a little back.
Biwako Sarutobi saw this scene and raised a hand to her forehead.
Hiruzen Sarutobi made another trip to the Daimyo Estate, delivered the medicinal tea, and collected Konoha's funds for the year.
Just this little bit?
Keishu looked at the medicinal tea in his hand; this amount would last at most two drinks. Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's pained expression, he began to wonder.
Could it be that the medicinal ingredients used in this tea are extremely precious?
After Hiruzen Sarutobi left, Keishu immediately brewed a pot of medicinal tea. After drinking one cup, he felt a surge of energy, his body warmed, and his once-failing body was revitalized with new vigor.
Keishu had the most wonderful night, attending to all his wives and concubines, showing them the side of a man they deserved.
This is simply a divine tea!
Keishu looked at the medicinal tea, which was only enough for one more brew, and had the idea of purchasing a large quantity. According to the information he received from Michiko, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been drinking the medicinal tea for several months, which meant it was harmless and beneficial to the body.
The news of the Land of Fire's Daimyo becoming a 'god of war' at night spread from his wives' and concubines' maids to the servants, and from the servants to the retainers, then further through their conversations.
It quickly circulated within the aristocratic circles, with stories becoming increasingly exaggerated: the Land of Fire's Daimyo transforming into a midnight god of war, exhausting his wives and concubines so much they couldn't get out of bed the next day, and so on.
Those who had been taking a wait-and-see approach to the Third Hokage's secret formula could no longer sit still. They all dispatched their most trusted subordinates to Konoha to inquire about the medicinal tea.
Money was not an issue; they were simply curious and wanted to experience what it felt like to be a midnight god of war.
Konoha, Hokage Building.
"Huh?"
Orochimaru looked blankly at the blushing Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Hiruzen-sensei, you're not joking, are you?"
Hiruzen-sensei, why are you blushing?
No way... Orochimaru realized something, and her expression became strange.
"Orochimaru, these are all people who want to buy the medicinal tea. It's a good thing you haven't left Konoha yet for your escort mission to the Land of Waves."
Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't expected things to develop this way. Had he become out of touch with the times, or were these nobles a mysterious realm he could never understand? Why would so many people want to buy medicinal tea?
Thinking about the effects of the medicinal tea, he seemed to understand why the nobles wanted to buy it.
Men's unspeakable troubles are always so simple to understand, yet incredibly painful. They are willing to spend any amount of money to regain their vigor.
If Orochimaru hadn't been constantly giving him medicinal tea, he would have considered buying it from her, even if the price was a bit high.
This concerns a man's dignity; how can it be measured by money?
You really have the nerve to say that. Is it appropriate for me to sell aphrodisiacs?
Orochimaru looked speechlessly at Hiruzen Sarutobi. She had considered selling aphrodisiacs to make money before, but considering she was still a young girl, selling such medicine was really not very appropriate.
Most importantly, she was a scientist!
A scientist selling aphrodisiacs would be too low-brow!
She didn't even use her real identity when writing adult novels, let alone selling aphrodisiacs!
When Orochimaru added ingredients to Hiruzen Sarutobi's medicinal tea, it was purely out of mischief. She never expected that an unintentional act would lead to an unexpected success, turning it into a profitable business. Judging by the reaction of the nobles, it was a business that could bring long-term revenue.
Why not let Aokawa produce and sell the medicinal tea?
Orochimaru was quite resistant to personally selling medicinal tea with aphrodisiac effects.
"Hiruzen-sensei, I'd like to hand over the production and sale of the medicinal tea to White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company. For Konoha, we can have our own people produce and sell it. What do you think?"
Orochimaru thought of the clans in Konoha that didn't have profitable businesses yet and suggested giving them the medicinal tea business within Konoha.
As for the Ino–Shika–Chō clans, they were busily producing skincare products. People from surrounding Villages knew that the White Snake Brand skincare products sold in Konoha were cheaper than elsewhere, so they all came to Konoha to buy them, then resold them at a slightly higher price, which was still a bit cheaper than skincare products sold elsewhere, thus earning a profit from the price difference.
Orochimaru didn't care about this, and neither did the Ino–Shika–Chō clans. People came to Konoha to buy skincare products; they couldn't just stop them from taking them away, could they? If White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company came knocking, they also had something to say.
Resellers, well, they're unavoidable.
"Hmm... Orochimaru, just do as you think best."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had no objection to Orochimaru's decision. If those nobles knew that the medicinal tea formula they revered as a divine tea was developed by Orochimaru, it wouldn't be good for her reputation as a young girl. Moreover, Orochimaru was currently a celebrity in Konoha; even students who had just started at the Ninja Academy knew her.
Orochimaru had recently succeeded in improving the formula for the Akimichi Clan's Three-Colored Pills, allowing the Akimichi Clan's Butterfly Mode to be used as a frequently deployable trump card, significantly boosting Konoha's overall strength.
The Iburi Clan, who had joined Konoha at Orochimaru's invitation, also brought him new surprises.
The Iburi Clan actually possessed inherited secret techniques that worked in conjunction with their Bloodline Limit, something even Lord Tobirama didn't know!
This showed how deeply the Iburi Clan had hidden their abilities. As a Ninja clan that survived the Warring States Period, it was impossible for them not to have some trump cards.
Smoke Body Flicker Technique, Smoke Clone Technique, Smoke Transformation, Smoke Senbon Technique, and Smoke Clone Technique—these were all the Iburi Clan's most basic secret Ninjutsu used in conjunction with their Bloodline Limit.
What shocked Hiruzen Sarutobi the most was the Smoke Dragon Technique, which required multiple members of the Iburi Clan to perform together!
It was a technique where members of the Iburi Clan, in their smoke state, merged to form a giant smoke dragon to attack enemies. Not only was its power immense, but it was also immune to physical attacks. The four main elemental Ninjutsu—Fire, Water, Earth, and Lightning Release—could not harm the smoke dragon; only Wind Release could affect it.
However, the Smoke Dragon Technique consumed a massive amount of Chakra and could not be sustained for too long. As the true ultimate secret Ninjutsu of the Iburi Clan, it was a very troublesome technique.
This was the conclusion Hiruzen Sarutobi reached after personally experiencing the power of the Smoke Dragon Technique.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was delighted by Orochimaru's growing popularity in the Village. If she could win over other Ninja clans, becoming Hokage would be a certainty, and she would be the only suitable candidate.
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka Clans, who had made a fortune, and asked, "Who do you plan to entrust the medicinal tea business to? Do you have any ideas?"
It must be said that currently in Konoha, the Ino–Shika–Chō clans were envied by all other Ninja clans. They were incredibly wealthy, practically overflowing with riches.
The Nara Clan itself was in the medicinal herb business, and the soldier pills produced by the Akimichi Clan were essential for Ninja.
As for the Yamanaka Clan, there's no need to mention them. They used to be like an unknown minor clan, practically wearing poverty on their faces. Konoha did pay them salaries, but the wages weren't enough to support them buying whatever they wanted like the Nara and Akimichi clans; their lives were quite tight.
Their financial power was at the bottom among the Ino–Shika–Chō clans. However, ever since they started the skincare product business with the Nara and Akimichi Clans, their entire clan had risen up.
"The Aburame Clan, the Uchiha Clan, the Sarutobi Clan, the Shimura Clan."
Orochimaru listed four clans in one breath, then continued, "Several of the medicinal ingredients used in the tea are related to insects. The Aburame Clan's insect control techniques can greatly reduce the cost of these ingredients. As for the Uchiha Clan, the Sarutobi Clan, and the Shimura Clan, they are simply needed for the labor required to produce the medicinal tea."
"La... labor?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite happy to hear his own clan mentioned, but he hadn't expected Orochimaru to suggest his clan members be used as labor.
Thinking about it, it made sense. The Aburame Clan's inherited insect control techniques could lower the cost of the medicinal tea. Aside from being skilled in Fire Release, the Sarutobi Clan... seemed to have nothing else particularly outstanding.
He couldn't possibly ask his clan members to summon the monkeys from Monkey Mountain and have them transform into the Ruyi Jingu Bang to grind medicinal powder, could he?
As Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of this, he could already imagine Enma, the Monkey King, getting so angry that he transformed into the Ruyi Jingu Bang and chased after him, beating him.
(Monkey Mountain and such are my own invention. Enma's full name is Monkey King Enma. As the Monkey King living on Monkey Mountain, it's natural for him to have some monkey descendants, right?
Enma was indeed inspired by Sun Wukong, with his invulnerability and the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
There is a difference between a Jingu Bang and a Ruyi Jingu Bang. The difference is that a Jingu Bang cannot freely change length, thickness, or size. The setting in this story is that only the Monkey King can transform into a Ruyi Jingu Bang, meaning a monkey capable of transforming into a Ruyi Jingu Bang already has the qualifications to become the Monkey King.)
"Tsk, tsk, tsk!"
Orochimaru wagged her finger and said, "My dear Hiruzen-sensei, there is no gain without effort. The Shimura Clan and the Uchiha Clan are the same. If they join in but don't want to do anything, only wishing to enjoy the benefits, then why should we let them join?"
"Hmm, that makes sense."
Hiruzen Sarutobi strongly agreed with Orochimaru's statement, "There is no gain without effort."
"Then, I'll leave the medicinal tea business to you, Hiruzen-sensei."
Orochimaru quickly wrote down the medicinal tea formula and handed it to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "I'll just take a ten percent cut of the net profit."
"I still have to go on a mission to the Land of Waves, so I'll be off! Tsunade and Jiraiya are probably getting impatient."
Orochimaru walked out in good spirits. This feeling of making money without doing anything was too good!
Huh?!
After Orochimaru left, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally realized why he had to convince the Aburame Clan, the Uchiha Clan, and the Shimura Clan to go into business together?
And it was for a medicinal tea with special effects... Where was he supposed to put his old face!
Suddenly, the image of Danzo Shimura appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, and his worries vanished. He nodded with a smile.
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