Borrowing Money Under a Big Banner

Yamanaka Clan.

The Yamanaka Clan held Uchiha Yoru in high esteem for his visit, and even invited Choza Akimichi to come over.

"Since Nara Shikaku is still at the front lines, the two of us represent the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans to welcome Lord Yoru."

Sure enough, the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans are truly in cahoots. No sooner had he arrived to visit than the Yamanaka Clan informed Choza Akimichi, even revealing that Shikaku Nara was unable to come because he was at the front lines.

Moreover, this respect was directed towards the Uchiha Clan and Orochimaru behind him, and the fact that the two clan heads received him so solemnly at the same time was also a sign of respect for his strength.

The three were seated in the living room, the aroma of hot tea filling the air. Uchiha Yoruro a politically manipulative smile, raised his cup, and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, seniors. It is I who have troubled you."

Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi wore friendly smiles, but inwardly they were extremely nervous. Could it be that Orochimaru had come to recruit the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans?

Damn it, Nara Shikaku had already sent them a message, so they knew some things and were now filled with seriousness.

Uchiha Yoru, however, was inwardly sneering beneath his fake smile. His teacher was about to be humiliated and driven out of the center of power, and if he didn't seize this opportunity to make a big profit, he might never have another chance.

"Two seniors, Shinnosuke's achievements on the front lines are remarkable. Teacher Orochimaru was overjoyed to hear of them, believing that Konoha has a worthy successor..."

Good heavens! Uchiha Yoru launched into a long-winded speech, but Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi were both terrified. As expected of Orochimaru, his political acumen was so sharp that he had already guessed the gist of it from this point.

The reason Konoha is praising Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's achievements is simply to enhance his reputation, much like Minato Namikaze did back then.

"Teacher Orochimaru believes that Konoha is about to enjoy peace and prosperity, but there are constant border conflicts with the Land of Water. He is preparing to apply to go to the Land of Water, but Konoha is currently in dire need of reconstruction and is short of research funds."

Having said all that, none of those present were fools. Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi noticed a hint of bitterness in Uchiha Yoru's smile, and both sighed inwardly.

Could it be that Orochimaru sensed the political undercurrents and chose to withdraw? The two pondered this for a moment, and it didn't seem impossible. Wasn't it Orochimaru who chose to go to the front lines after the Third Hokage Fourth Hokage election?

It's practically identical! The only difference is the person. This Shin'nosuke Sarutobi Prestige is nowhere near as prestigious as the original Minato Namikaze.

They've come to ask for money! Before leaving, I realized I can't become Hokage anymore, so my research needs money.

Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka exchanged a glance, both filled with astonishment. Orochimaru asking for money? This seemed rather unexpected.

Uchiha Yoru lowered his head. He couldn't reveal the secret to Hizashi Hyuga, since the Branch Family still needed him to win them over. That would be an elite force. But the Ino-Shika-Cho, as the Hokage's direct subordinates, couldn't possibly have been completely unaware of the situation. Otherwise, why would Shikaku Nara have gone to the front lines to curry favor with them?

He lowered his head, revealing a hoarse smile, "Teacher Orochimaru's research has reached a bottleneck and requires a large amount of financial investment. Therefore, I have come on behalf of my master to borrow money from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio."

Borrow money?

Both Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka were stunned; it was the first time they had ever encountered someone asking to borrow money. Uchiha Yoru, however, sneered inwardly, thinking, "I represent my teacher. If you need money in the future, go ask Teacher Orochimaru."

"I hope you two seniors will offer your support, as I will be visiting the Hokage-sama Sarutobi Clan on behalf of my teacher."

"The trump card!" After Uchiha Yoru said this with his head down, the two of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If they were to visit the Hokage-sama, Lord Orochimaru would probably be truly disappointed and choose to give up. Although the situation was somewhat awkward, as heads of Noble Houses families, they were still quite thick-skinned.

The two men chuckled, with Choza Akimichi patting his belly and feigning a smug grin, saying, "Lord Orochimaru has rendered great service to the village, and the Akimichi Clan has received much kindness on the battlefield. Whatever funds are needed, the Akimichi Clan is willing to provide them free of charge."

"Three hundred million."

Cough cough~ Upon hearing the number, Akimichi Choza choked on his tea and coughed violently. His fat face turned bright red, but he still forced a hoarse laugh and said, "Very well~ Very well, the Choza Akimichi Clan willing to lend it to Lord Orochimaru."

Good grief, he thought it was tens of millions, but the hell he opened his mouth and said three hundred million. Does he really think their money grows on trees?

At that moment, Choza Akimichi shut his mouth and dared not utter the word "free of charge" again. Even for the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans, one hundred million was not a small sum.

Meanwhile, Inoichi Yamanaka, standing to the side, looked troubled. As the head of the Intelligence Department, he knew that Orochimaru had joined Root and was researching things that were forbidden to be researched.

Finally, Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi exchanged a glance, both showing signs of a headache. Nara Shikaku at this time was truly a headache, mainly because the other party represented the Uchiha and Orochimaru —two powerful backers they didn't want to provoke, for fear of unforeseen circumstances.

After all, no one expected that the Fourth Hokage was proficient in Space-Time Ninjutsu, would die after only a year in office. Nobody anticipated that! What if something else had happened?

"Ahem, Lord Yoru, as you know, the Third Shinobi War has just ended and everything is in ruins. Although things seem peaceful now, there are still quite a few skirmishes along the border. We just can't come up with those three hundred million right now."

Just as Inoichi Yamanaka was practicing Tai Chi, Uchiha Yoru, with a solemn expression, slowly took out a scroll from his robes, opened it, and pushed it directly in front of the two of them.

They had originally planned to fool them, but Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi stared wide-eyed at the opened scroll, completely dumbfounded.

Is this even possible?

All that could be seen were loan agreements, or so-called IOUs. They started with "30 million in funds from the Inuzuka Clan," "50 million in funds from the Aburame," and so on. Almost all the major clans in Konoha had them. Apart from the Hyuga and Uchiha, almost all the wealthy and powerful clans had Noble Houses their way up.

Good heavens, Konoha only has so many clans, and they've all been taken advantage of. Judging from their attitude, it seems they're planning to visit the Hokage 'Sarutobi Clan next.

Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi exchanged a glance and then looked helpless. It seemed that they couldn't escape this time, after all, they had to give face to Sannin, one of the Orochimaru.

Other families, unaware of the situation, thought it was an investment in the future Hokage. Wasn't this better than directly taking sides? Investing some money could yield considerable returns, and at the very least, they gained Orochimaru's friendship.

The two of them were well aware of the current movements of Konoha High Command. With a knowing glance between them, Choza Akimichi gave a pained look, as if to say that this time it really seemed like they would have to make a painful sacrifice.

Inoichi Yamanaka shook his head, looking pained. One hundred million! They had considerable assets, but this was liquid capital. Taking out so much all at once was really painful.

"Ahem, Lord Yoru, it's not that our three clans don't want to support Lord Orochimaru's research, it's just that we're a bit short on funds." As if afraid of upsetting the other party, Inoichi Yamanaka made a decision through gritted teeth and held out his hand, saying, "Our Ino-Shika-Cho Clans will each voluntarily lend Lord Orochimaru eighty million."

Seeing Inoichi Yamanaka's determined expression, Uchiha Yoru nodded solemnly with a grateful look on his face and said, "On behalf of Teacher Orochimaru, I thank the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans for their support. Thank you!"

After saying that, he gestured directly, and Inoichi Yamanaka was stunned to see the other party agree without hesitation. Then he regretted it. He should have said less. This other party was a typical person who was just following orders and would take whatever he could get. He didn't even think about getting more benefits for his teacher.

But the words had already been spoken, and Yamanaka Inoichi Yamanaka looked helplessly at Choza Akimichi with a headache. However, this fat man, who seemed honest and kind, was actually quite cunning. He shook his head and sighed, as if he hadn't seen his friend's gaze.

Finally, with no other choice, Inoichi Yamanaka picked up the brush that appeared on the scroll and began to write down the amount of his loan. He even signed his name and cut his finger to leave his mark.

As soon as the blood finger was pressed, the scroll instantly emitted a wisp of white smoke, revealing an IOU with the exact same content.

"Thank you Yamanaka. Please keep this IOU. You can go see Teacher Orochimaru when the Root funds are allocated."

Looking at the IOU in his hand, Inoichi Yamanaka, despite his headache, breathed a sigh of relief. Judging from this, the other party was a man of principle, having prepared so thoroughly. It seemed that the research had really encountered a big problem. At worst, he could just pay back the money later.

After putting away his scroll, Uchiha Yoru respectfully rose and bowed to the two men, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality, seniors. I still have to go to the Sarutobi Clan, so I won't stay any longer."

"I urge the two clan leaders to prepare the funds as soon as possible, preferably in gold. Please deliver them to my office at the Seventh Division of the Konoha Military Police Force. Aburame, Inuzuka, Inuzuka, and Kurama have already received their loans."

"Okay, we'll make the arrangements and deliver it tomorrow."

"Goodness, they're really doing business like this," Inoichi Yamanaka sighed softly after watching the other party leave. "Cho-zai, didn't we just say fifty million? Did he not even try to negotiate?"

However, when he turned around, he was met with a reproachful look from Choza Akimichi. "You tell me, it's obvious that this kid is just doing his job. To put it Inoichi, he won't give us a single penny, and he won't say a word."

Of course, he was just saying that. Given the reputation of the Sannin, Cold Lord, they had to give face to him if his disciple came to borrow money.

"Sigh, it seems Danzo is really ruthless, actually withholding so much of Lord Orochimaru's research funding."

It was obvious that the two had misunderstood. They thought Danzo the funds, and given Orochimaru's disdainful and arrogant personality, he would simply turn around and borrow money from other powerful families, then reimburse them later once the research was completed, and their money would naturally be returned.

"Choza, think about it, we've actually done pretty well. Look at the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, they've probably invested a lot. And didn't you see? Their names weren't on the loan agreement just now."

Although it hurt, Inoichi Yamanaka could only find humor in his misery. Thinking about it, he actually revealed a gloating smile. The Hyuga and Uchiha clans were going to lose everything this time, suffering huge losses. They bet everything on Orochimaru, and even generously provided him with free assistance. Tsk tsk.

"Yes, I just hope this matter will be resolved as soon as possible, then our money will be back."

It was obvious that Choza Akimichi was most concerned about his wallet, while Inoichi Yamanaka was standing next to him, had already figured it out and burst into laughter, patting his friend's thick back.

"Haha, Ding Zuo, don't worry, this matter will take at most two or three years."

The Sarutobi Clan.

When Uchiha Yoru arrived at the Sarutobi Clan, it was already evening. At this time, under the setting sun, Konoha seemed to be draped in a golden coat.

In the spacious living room, the person who received him was the current Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen. At this time, Sarutobi Hiruzen was holding a brush in his hand and calmly writing the word "forbearance".

Uchiha Yoru, sitting directly in front of him, stared at the calligraphy on the white paper with disdain. "You think you can combine Ninjutsu and art in the ninja world?" he thought. "There are only two true artists in the entire Shinobi World."

"Hehe, I'm getting old. All I can do in my spare time is write."

After finishing his work in one go Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately revealed a kind and benevolent smile. He looked at his calligraphy with satisfaction and looked up at the young man. But from his eyes, he could tell that the young man was too old to appreciate his calligraphy. He couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. It was truly like casting pearls before swine.

"Uchiha Yoru pays his respects to his master."

"When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head." He cursed inwardly, but Uchiha Yoru wore a respectful and worshipful expression on his face.

Logically speaking, Orochimaru was a disciple of the Third Hokage, and he was also Orochimaru's Disciple, so they should naturally be Hokage Faction's lineage. However, political struggles are always cruel, as can be seen from the fact that Anko was proficient in several Ninjutsu in the original work.

And then there's Konohamaru, who not only has the freedom to enter the Hokage Building, but after the Third Hokage's death, he was even able to enter the archives to set traps to stop Tsunade. He's treating the Hokage's office like his own home, which shows the power of the Sarutobi Clan.

Looking at Uchiha Yoru, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi on a cigarette, exhaling smoke rings, and finally let out a soft sigh.

"Orochimaru is still blaming me, isn't he? He didn't even consult me about such a big decision as taking you as his disciple."

It's clear that Hiruzen Sarutobi was both resentful that Orochimaru didn't consider his feelings when taking in the Uchiha clan, and also had mixed emotions. After all, Orochimaru was once his most valued disciple, but now he had to suppress him for the sake of Konoha.

Thanks to: 'Salted Fish Dragon What' for the 100 coins and 'Black-Clad Puppeteer' for the 100 coins.